A Shot of Inspiration to Get Into Action!

Do you hear a whisper from within? Are you looking to move your dreams forward? Do you need a shot of inspiration, to get into action? If so, I have a special treat for you!

I know I like to be inspired, before I get into action and this short movie, provides not only inspiration but validation. Please view Dreams Are Whispers from the Soul and consider getting this book which is written by my Dream University teacher, Marcia Wieder to keep you moving forward.

Many of you know that I am Certified Dream Coach® and attended Dream University in 2008. In attending this course, I fulfilled a long held dream. I have followed Marcia Wieder's work for years, and it was a great treat to finally meet and work with her in the last year. Marcia is widely known as America's Dream Coach, has appeared on Oprah a few times and is Jack Canfield's personal coach.

I have been applying Marcia's work in Transition Coaching for several years and have witnessed many transfomed lives as a result. I have tremendous respect and admiration for Marcia and was delighted to see that she highlighted many key concepts in this book. In her book, Marcia will show you how to turn your dreams into reality with real life stories, motivational quotes and beautiful photography.

Enjoy this 3 minute movie to get you started today on realizing your dreams!



My colleague and dear friend Dr. Carie Rotherbacher and I are currently offering Transition Quest, A Visioning Course for Parents, Educators and Advocates, utilizing Marcia's formula. We will be presenting an Introduction to Visioning for Resilience and Colaboration in Roanoke, VA in March.

Please go to my website at http://believeinarayofhope.com/to learn more about upcoming training events.

Don't Go Out, Go In, to Find Your Strength!

How do you get through tough times? The Best Way Out is Through movie is a wonderful dose of inspiration to get through challenging times and envision triumph. Take a few minutes to enjoy this message of perseverance that is filled with encouragement and inspiration to stay motivated to make 2010 the best year yet! Enjoy watching and then come back to the blog. I want to share one more tip that has helped me to get back in motion!




Our Thoughts Create our Feelings! Change your thoughts, and the world looks different!


Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and think of the best thing that has happened to you this week. Where were you and what were you doing? Think about why it is so special to you.


Open your eyes and feel your energy rising. Continue to build on these positive thoughts and before you know it, not only will you be feeling better, you will be on your path to greater satisfaction.


What idea from the movie is still with you? What idea will you use when your resilience is tested next?

Quotes and Notes: Regrets and Resiliency

Over the holidays, my daughter, Sandra, came home from her first semester at college and we shared many precious moments together. We experienced the Blizzard of 2009 and found time to reconnect and do some sledding as you can see in the attached picture.

At night, we often shared space on the couch in the family room. During this quiet time, I was often curled up with a book while she was busy interacting on Facebook. I noticed her fascination with quotes and on breaks, we would often discuss those she found most meaningful.

Since I also enjoy quotes, I suggested that we keep in touch when she returned to college, with both quotes and notes via email. In the last couple of weeks, we have been exchanging emails and staying connected on a regular basis which is comforting to both of us.

Yesterday, was a challenging day for me and it was tough on many levels. You know how you can be on top of your game, feel like you are making real progress, and suddenly hear some disappointing news. Suddenly, you are not so sure and your confidence erodes. Your sleep can be disrupted and the day following is less productive than days gone by. Well, I know, first hand how this can be, since yesterday and today played out very much as described.

Today, I waited as an automated message played over and over for more than 10 minutes. I tried to be patient as I waited to be connected to a live person. When it was answered, I encountered a rude customer service representative who ultimately hung up on me before answering my question. My response was less than exemplary. My calm disolved and my anger erupted as I demanded to be connected with her supervisor. I fussed and fumed and felt my tension barometer going up as the minutes passed. I had failed miserably once again!

As I sat down at the computer, to check on messages, I realized that my daughter had sent me a special quote and note.

Suddenly, my afternoon was brighter, my mood was better and I rebounded with renewed enthusiasm. It encouraged me to write back. This is what I said:

Dear Sandra,

Thank you for sharing your love, quote and note with me. Here is the quote that came to mind, as I thought about the fine young woman you have become and the path you are on.

Quote:
"As we grow older, it's not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do." Author Unknown

Note:
I have been thinking about love, regrets, results, and resiliency. I think we grow most, by stretching ourselves and pursuing what we love! In reaching for the goal, we may succeed or stumble. In the long run, I realize that we succeed even when fail. The lesson is visible and can be applied to even greater success. When we get back up and apply the lesson learned, we win. Our growth is stunted when we fail to apply the lesson and fail to try new things that make our heart sing.

"Today, Dare to Dream, Work to Win, Take a Risk, Always Reach Out in Love and Your Wishes Will Come True."

D/mom

As I finished writing her back, I realized that receiving and sending these quotes and notes, were helping me to bounce back with renewed energy and commitment. When I was connecting, giving back, providing support, and sharing lessons learned, I became optimistic and resilient once again. Sure, I had my regrets, I had slipped and fell and I did not reach out in love to the customer service rep, but with with this simple connection to my daughter, I jumped back up and vowed to try again to do better next time.

If I can bounce back, I know you can too! What practice can you put into place to help you stay connected, inspired and on track when life throws you a curve?

A Simple Exercise on My Spiritual Path!

In my last post, you saw me sliding into 2010. The holidays are now over and the new year has emerged. In the last week, I have been thinking of what I might do to make the most of the new year and the new decade. Today is January 21st and I have managed to pause and focus on what is most important to me.

As I near retirement, I am more committed than ever to make a difference. I know that I want to enjoy my family, my life and to rest comfortably each night, knowing that I brought happiness and/or delight to another. I know that to do this, I must focus on my spirituality and thus I was delighted to come across a blog posting written by Deepak Chopra which can help me and you, if you are inclined, to reach our spiritual visions.

He suggested that each of us create a list of what we envision coming into our lives in the coming months. For example, I might envision the following and add the most important to my list: Seeing the goodness in everyone; Collaborating with my family to bring hope to those who are suffering; Feeling more empathetic to those who have differing points of view; Expressing compassion daily.

Following Deepak's advise, my list will be short and include things that are most important to me. My list will help me to balance my activity with peace and serenity. He encourages us to include a few good things that are already blossoming in our lives and I will do so. I will revisit my list in the next few days to make sure that I have written out a vision that speaks to my heart's desire.

I plan to carry this list with me and to place it in my wallet where it will remain for the next 49 weeks. I will refer to it often and pull it out when encountering challenges. It will serve as a compass that will help me navigate the unforseen storms. With my list in hand, I hope to make decisions that align my actions with my values and vision. I aspire to embody my vision and unite my mind, body and spirit. Are you with me?

What will you do to make your vision come true? What simple action will you take today to make 2010 a year to remember?

Let’s Slide Blissfully into 2010!

Happy Snowy New Year!

The message below came to me from my Dad and while he did not write it himself, he knew the special message within had to be passed along. I believe you will find it valuable. My Dad, Ray, is a strong and vibrant soul, and yes he is slowing down as he nears 83 years of age. He has been a source of inspiration to all of us and in 2009, he inspired me to create this blog, my website and Believe in a Ray of Hope, LLC.


And it's Winter before we know it....
You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all... And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well.. seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...my friends are retired and really getting gray...they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime....

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one." LIVE IT WELL!!----ENJOY TODAY!!!!-----DO SOMETHING FUN!!!----BE HAPPY!!!----BE THANKFUL!!!!!