Skating Monkey

For some fun to add to your life..Watch a video of a monkey on skates. Call the kids over for this one!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=705131786&n=2

Feeling More At Peace...

Now that I've read Ilenya Marrin's post, Confessions and Completions for Less Stress, More Success .

Lately, I've been feeling quite a bit overwhelmed by work, which I expressed at my other blog. All these good ideas have been coming to me, so I've been trying to act on them. However, in the process, the ones I've started have been left hanging - lost in a file somewhere. For example, I created a business plan a couple years ago that was somehow forgotten...until the other day when I came across it again.

I've begun to feel like I've "spread myself too thin" - so eager to help out. However, I'm realizing that my bigger goals are suffering in the process. I'm slowly learning how to say the "N" word - being the type of person who was very quick to say "Yes" in the past. Yes, I'll help you with your business...Yes, I'll volunteer...Yes....Yes...Yes...

So, now...I'm saying Yes to myself and what my inner voice is telling me:

Make time for yourself....

Paint...

Make jewelry...

Live your life as if you already have everything you need...and stop trying and working so hard!

Because when I really think about it, I do have everything I need at this moment!

Creating a Personal Mission Statement

Do you have a mission statement? Every business owner will tell you that they have one for their business, but do you have a personal mission statement....something in your life that you want to accomplish while you're here on Earth? What is the one thing you want to be remembered for when you've gone on to higher places?

I created my mission statement awhile ago, which is stated here on this blog:

"Creating a beautiful world, one person at a time"

I revisited that statement the other day after I purchased life insurance (mainly for the savings factor). I sat back and thought about what life would be like after I'm gone from this world. I thought about what kind of impact I would like to make.

And so I ask you..what are you doing to be remarkable? What would you like to be remembered for?

What School Doesn't Teach

I just found out about Kavit Haria's new project: WhatSchoolDoesntTeach.com This project is certainly in alignment of what I have been thinking about for quite some time now. The school systems nowadays basically teach children how to go find a job and work for someone else and they don't give them the tools they need to truly succeed in life.

What I wish I had learned in school was:

• how to save money/wealth management
• become a more compassionate and caring person
• time management
• goal setting
• life planning.

I believe these are things that make a person more successful in life. Anything you'd like to add to the list? Leave your comments here or visit Kavit's site and make your suggestions:

http://www.whatschooldoesntteach.com/

Life Planning for Happiness and Well-Being

by Sabrina Schleicher, Ph.D.

Do you have a life plan? Most people are aware of the importance of having a career plan, a financial plan, a retirement plan, etc., but few consider the importance of having a life plan. What happens when you do not develop a life plan? You feel carried along by life, making choices on a day to day basis without fully considering the impact such choices will have on your overall life satisfaction and well-being. You may feel somewhat comfortable in your life, but experience a gnawing sense of unease and dissatisfaction. Perhaps you have the experience of thinking there are other activities and projects you would like to be doing, but believe your current circumstances prohibit you from exploring those other options for yourself. Maybe you believe what you would really like to be doing would take too much money, time, education, etc., so you never venture out to design the life you would really like to live. Or, maybe you believe too many people in your life depend on you to continue doing exactly what it is you are doing right now and it would inconvenience them if you were to make changes in your life. Developing a life plan will help you to overcome the barriers that keep you from living the life you desire.

So, what is a life plan? A life plan includes your vision for your life, your life purpose, your values, and your goals-for your personal life and your career. What is your vision for your lifestyle? Is your work supporting this lifestyle, or is it taking you further and further away from the lifestyle you desire. Are your relationships supporting your desired lifestyle? A life plan you will guide you in making important day-to-day decisions in all facets of your life so that each day you are closer to living the life you desire.

Don’t put this task off any longer. Get started on your life plan today! For coaching exercises to assist you in developing a life plan, visit http://www.tapthepotential.com/lifestyleexercise.html

To develop effective strategies to attain the lifestyle you desire, sign up for a COMPLIMENTARY Coaching Session with Dr. Schleicher. Go to http://www.tapthepotential.com/signup.html to sign up for your session.

Be the first to know about free teleseminars, coaching discounts, and other special offers available only to newsletter subscribers. Go to http://www.tapthepotential.com/thebalancedlifenewsletter.html to sign up for your free subscription to the Balanced Life Newsletter

Thought For the Day

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."

--Oprah Winfrey, talk show host

Get Out and Play!

It's been a very eventful weekend, so I apologize for the lack of posts here. I felt the need to take a break anyhow and get out and actually talk to other people :) Sometimes working from home can be quite lonely and I'm generally somewhat of a shy person on top of that. So, it was nice to have a break from the computer and do some of the other things I love to do - make jewelry and paint.

Anyhow, speaking of breaks - have you taken a break lately? Sometimes we get caught up in
the "schedule" of our lives that we forget to take time out to go out and play. We are such busy people - working 40+ hours a week, taking the kids to soccer and basketball practice, grocery shopping, doing laundry, oh - the list goes on and on. And we wonder why we're so run-down and tired!

I urge you to make one hour for yourself each day. Your well-being depends on it. Go for a walk...lock yourself in a room and meditate...visit an art museum...

Trust me, you'll like it :)

Motivational Quote to Share

Here's a quote to get you motivated and start living your dreams! I got it from ThinkTQ.com:

"A man/woman should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph." ~ James Allen

Faith Is....

Everyday that passes my faith gets stronger. However, I still catch myself "feeling tense" sometimes, but as soon as I get that feeling, I remind myself that "The Universe always provides for my every need." But what I'm beginning to discover is that faith is KNOWING without an ounce of doubt that everything is going to turn out OK.

Faith is no doubt.

Faith is no fear.

Faith is not being angry when things don't go your way.

Faith is following that path with the expectation that good is coming your way.

Faith is stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks for the higher good of all.

Faith is knowing that you will always be provided with everything you need....

Seeing the Blessings In Everything

I was talking to a friend yesterday and the topic of gas prices came up... "I'm kindof glad that price of gas is going up," she said.

HUH?

"Well, it's time for people to start becoming more aware of the pollution in the city. It's time for people to start carpooling, taking public transportation, and it's time for the city to build a better public transportation system."

I never really looked at it from that perspective before. I've noticed that San Diego is starting to look like L.A. in regards to pollution. When you drive north on the 15, you can see the haze hovering over the hilltops that wasn't there five years ago.

"Yes, and people do need to start getting exercise and walking more. Americans these days are obese and prone to heart attacks more than other cultures," I said.

That conversation definitely was an exercise in seeing the blessings in everything that happens...Perhaps this rise in gas price will spur more companies into making more fuel-efficient cars so that humans won't use so much of these natural resources.

Many Americans have become so dependent on cars that they look at taking public transportation as "beneath" them. If you visit other countries, you'll see that many other cultures take public transportation most everywhere they go.

Any thoughts?

Renewal

A fellow writer at KMM, Dr. Ellen Weber, asks us Your Brain Is Wired For Renewal...Are You? and offers her definitions of renewal. I especially like this part:

"Personal renewal hands us daily metaphors through which to live faith and care, inside images that prosper plans for better ways. To renew we engage Multiple Intelligences, skip beyond disasters, empathize to learn from people’s capabilities, and bask in daily life that prospers us beyond oppressive gripes."

In every moment and through every action of our existence there are life lessons. Every second that passes is a chance to renew and look at experiences from different perspectives. It is a chance to see the good in all that happens to us and it's a chance to just be a better person.

Thoughts on the Concept of Time

I haven’t worn a watch in years. Wearing a watch in the past had me constantly thinking about the time - especially when I was at work bored out of my mind (during my younger years). I would look at my watch every five minutes. Even when I wasn’t at work I would still look at my watch and time my every move and calculate the time spent doing a particular action or project. I was simply addicted to time and felt that it was moving too fast.

But what is time anyway? Before time was invented, how do you think people lived? I think time was invented to bring structure into our lives. Not that I don’t like structure (coming from a person with many “to do” lists), but I think this concept of time rushes the process of living. We become sucked into time that we don’t slow down to enjoy life. We think about all the things we need to do because it just absolutely has to be done by a certain time.

What I think we should strive to understand is that things will happen on their own time and schedule. There’s no need to rush and scurry around (like I see people do in the supermarkets during dinner time). When you focus on the now, you will experience a paradigm shift in your thinking. Suddenly you’ll feel that your breaths become slower. You become more aware of your thoughts and what’s going on around you.

In the whole scheme of things, I believe that time is really irrelevant. It’s simply a figment of our imagination. If the idea of time was taken away, what do you think would happen?

Great Resource: Peak Performance Institute

I came across this website and blog today that I think can be very helpful for those who are interested in self improvement. The blog has some great articles, including their latest post, "The Challenge of Behaviour Change" Many of us want to stop smoking, lose weight, etc. It can be quite a challenge... I know, I've been there myself!

So, check out the blog or the Peak Performance Institute Website for inspiration and motivation!

Time Off and Thoughts on Computer Addiction

I’ve taken a day and a half off this week to rejuvenate and renew my love for nature (at the advice from my dear friend, Jeanette Fisher). My computer crashed so I was pretty much “offline” for all of yesterday. I figured it was my cue to take some time to spend with myself and refocus on other important things which have been pushed off to the side.

I decided to eat lunch somewhere I’ve never been before, so I chose Panera. I noticed that almost half the customers in there were with their laptops. I thought, “Is there a laptop convention going on or something?” Welcome to the New Age of Technology, Maria! I learned a little later that Panera offers free Wi-Fi to customers. Ohhh…. I felt like odd-woman out with my little notebook…almost like Fred Flintstone with his stone tablet!

I didn’t realize how much I depended on my computer. I think I almost went through computer withdrawals :) Actually, not a good thing, as I know that there are people out there who are addicts. Dr. Ellen Weber talked about how computer addiction can be detrimental to your business.

I’ve stopped watching TV, don’t have a cell phone, and hardly listen to the radio (except for inspiring music!), but take away my computer…. Could I deal without it? Could you deal without it?

Beginning today...

I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today
I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today
I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today
I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this worldand I will unselfishly share this giftwith others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today
I will take a moment to step off the beaten pathand to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage anddetermination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today
I will take life one day at a time, onestep at a time. Discouragement will not beallowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today
I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today
I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today
I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy: admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath. Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today
I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning today.
And every day.

A friend shared this with me today...I don't know who wrote it, but thank you!

The Ant Teaches Us Many Lessons

I've always been fascinated by nature, particularly of ants. It's such a small creature and most of us pay no mind to them, but if you watch them closely you'll learn a thing or two... Patricia Nordman writes an article called "Go to the Ant", which I'll share an excerpt with you:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-9).

The tiny ant teaches us many lessons:

1) It is self-motivated and highly industrialized. The ant doesn't need another to make sure it gets its work done.

2) It collects its food in the proper seasons; it is prudent.

3) It is fond of its young, and takes care of them.

4) It has foresight for others and shows kindness.

5) It works quietly without show and until the work is done. In this, it teaches us perseverance.

6) It works in cooperation and organization with others. In union there is indeed strength.

7) It keeps its home meticulously clean.

8) It knows its job and does it.

9) The ant has initiative, that wonderful virtue of resourcefulness that knows the how and when.

Another thing I noticed about ants is that an ant will always communicate with another ant that crosses its path. They never pass each other without saying "Hi". Of course, I don't know what they're actually saying, but nonetheless, you'll see that they acknowledge each other.

Recommended Reading: "Getting Rich Your Own Way" by Brian Tracy

I'm almost done reading the book Getting Rich Your Own Way: Achieve All Your Financial Goals Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible . I read it every morning after I've meditated and visualized all the good things that are coming my way.

One of the quickest ways (in my opinion) to reach that millionaire status is to start your own business. This is an excellent book for those of you have thought about starting your own business, but not sure how to go about starting or have been caught by the "fear bug". One of the most common reasons that people don't pursue their dreams is the fear of failure. I can tell you that you have to fail in order to succeed. That's seems to be the consensus among successful business people.

And for those of you who have always wanted to start a business online, may I direct you to my other blog >>> Online Business Resources. Believe me, starting an online business is much easier than you think. There's a wealth of resources at that blog and you don't even need any money to start! Zero! I am living proof... I'm going on ten websites and right now only spend $25 a month between all of them. But even if you don't have $25 a month, you can still start for free.

So, yes, it is possible to get rich your own way!

Read related post: Become a Money Magnet

Fighting Off Negative Energy

As I sit here typing this, my mind is racing and a little negative energy has touched my soul. At one of my other blogs, somone left a pretty rude comment that had me doubting myself. I won't get into details here because that will increase that little pinch of negativity that is still sitting in the pit of my stomach. It certainly isn't a good feeling and I know better than to let someone like that bring me down.

My solution was to take a deep breath and do a little bit of meditation...calling the Universe and asking for strength in this situation. My first thought was to delete the comment, but instead I replied asking the person for their help. If anything it helped alleviate any misgivings I had about the person.

When you start to feel angered by somone who offers a rude comment, I do recommend trying the "Count to 10" method and just let all that negative energy float away. Imagine a big puff of smoke just thinning out and disappearing in the wind...

>>>Here's a great read about "thought energy" that may help you better understand what I'm talking. I especially like this tidbit:

"A thought enters our mind that we recognize as negative, we simply dismiss it. By dismissing negativity we take away its power by not allowing it to manifest further negativity in our lives. "

A Great Resource: Free Money Finance

Just wanted to share with you another blog I frequent that shares a plethora of tips on saving money, investing, etc.

Visit: Free Money Finance

Prosperity and Abundance Tip: Give Back To the Community

I truly believe in karma. What you give you shall receive back tenfold. I believe it's one of the laws of prosperity. Certainly the Universe sees all that you do. When you always give with good intentions, it's inevitable that the good will come back to you. Prosperity and abundance will surely come your way when you give with a good heart and don't expect anything in return.

Yesterday, I talked about how I give back to the community at one of my other blogs that deals with customer service, a subject that is fascinating once you really analyze it.

Anyhow, when you work with a team of people who are just as giving as you are, it creates a synergy of happiness and goodness that is unexplainable... When others prosper because of your good deeds, eventually you will too!

A Manifesting Tip: Celebrate Every Win

The Manifestation Blog offers a tip that will help you in our manifesting efforts:

"...find the nugget in that experience that you can celebrate. In your celebration, you‘ll get more of it."

If your goal is to make a million dollars, celebrate that $100 dollar check that came in the mail, or even the ten cents you found on the ground. I've learned this lesson recently as I've noticed quite a steady flow of money coming in without really "thinking" about it. I just give thanks for whatever comes my way - be it a penny or a thousand dollars.

This certainly is in alignment with being grateful for everything that you have. What can you be grateful for today?

A Luminary Person

Are you luminous? I got this from Platypus Jack: Dictionary word of the day.

On Immigration Reform: A Life With No Borders

Today I had a craving for Mexican food, so I hopped in the car and headed to my favorite taco shop. Got out of the car and stopped dead in my tracks. A sign in the window said "Cerrado". I totally forgot about the boycott that was taking place today. Shucks. I was really looking forward to having those carne asada fries :(

But anyways, power to the people. I commend those who are rallying today in protest of the immigration reform. Personally, I feel that there should be no such thing as "borders". Everyone should be free to go anywhere they want at anytime they want. I shudder when I hear people talking about "aliens" being here in the U.S. and that they "should go back where they came from".

The U.S. was born from people migrating here. Did those first people have to have "papers" to live here?

Being a very simple, black and white-thinking person, my simple solution would be: A world with no borders. But until that happens, here's what RedHurt suggests:

"Make citizenship an attainable option, and increase the number of legal non-citizens we allow in the country working towards citizenship. The present citizen-immigrant population can do a lot towards this end by helping immigrants adjust through educational programs, such as classes on learning English and assistance finding work. We also need to make it easier to get a green card - waiting more than a year to obtain a legal citizenship status when all of the i's are dotted and t's are crossed is just ridiculous. "

What do you want to do with your life?

This is the question posed over at 43Things.com, a site where people can list the 43 things they want to do in life, help others with their goals, and track your own steps to achieving your own goals. A very fun site to meet others who share your goals in life.

I invite you to check out my growing list of things I would like to accomplish: http://www.43things.com/person/salondemaria

So, what do you want to do with your life?