My husband and I were watching Scoobie Doo 2 (I love that movie) last night and it made us both think about the verbal and non-verbal messages the movie was sending. Verbal messages like, "friends don't quit," and non-verbal ones as in the sense of belonging Velma seeks, the benefits of teamwork, the importance of family and friends, the wonder of forgiveness and trust. It's interesting to discover that type of message co-mingled with a crazy puppy attempting world domination!
After we watched the movie I think we both thought about the ideals and values the movie presented. I didn't recall them from the first movie (I'll watch it to check), or maybe I wasn't receptive to them. I wonder, how receptive I am to those around me? Do I portray happiness, give a sense of belonging, make sure my friends and family know they are important to me? I think I need to work on the latter. I am thankful for what I have and will improve communicating that.
And yes, I think I'll have a Scoobie Snack.
Best, Lorraine
Lorraine
Lorraine
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Day Seven A.D.D. or What?
Wow, it's morning and I'm writing. I have a confession. Normally when I write my thoughts it is at 11:30PM, and I always fall asleep. Not because I bore myself, but because it's 11:30 at night and I am not 18 anymore. I am not a blogger that thinks up stuff way in advance and then posts it, so you get what is fresh on my mind.
Today though, it is funny. People in my family have Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.), but I don't. At least, I don't like to think I do - I just call it "many interests". But this morning, me and hubby wake up early and get out of bed at 7AM (it is Saturday). After we have our coffee together (a very pleasantt time we can only manage on the weekend) I am filled with purpose.
After breakfast (an Isangenix shake), it's about 9AM, and I am raring to go! I figure I'll get laundry started, work on homework, exercise, work on homework, go to the pool, work on work stuff, etc. I walk in the room, to change clothes. Oh! I need to hang up some clothes and put previous laundry away. Oh! I need to change the sheets on the bed. Let me pick up Ken's clothes too, and take all to the laundry room. Oh! the recycles need to go out. Oh! the cat box needs to be cleaned. Oh! the floor needs to be swept. Oh! The bathroom and bedroom floor need to be swept. Oh! the vacuum colander needs to be cleaned out. Oh! my Merrell house shoes need to be cleaned. Oh! the cat downstairs needs to be cleaned out. Oh! the laundry Ken did needs to be folded. Oh! the dogs need water. Oh! The washers done and the clothes need to go in the dryer. Now a new load. Oh! the dogs need to be petted. There's the cat, she needs loving too.
Oh! I am exhausted and it's only 10:30AM. And I still haven't exercised. Is it A.D.D. or too many to-do things? I don't know, but I am still in my jammies and haven't done any homework. Wish me luck!
Today though, it is funny. People in my family have Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.), but I don't. At least, I don't like to think I do - I just call it "many interests". But this morning, me and hubby wake up early and get out of bed at 7AM (it is Saturday). After we have our coffee together (a very pleasantt time we can only manage on the weekend) I am filled with purpose.
After breakfast (an Isangenix shake), it's about 9AM, and I am raring to go! I figure I'll get laundry started, work on homework, exercise, work on homework, go to the pool, work on work stuff, etc. I walk in the room, to change clothes. Oh! I need to hang up some clothes and put previous laundry away. Oh! I need to change the sheets on the bed. Let me pick up Ken's clothes too, and take all to the laundry room. Oh! the recycles need to go out. Oh! the cat box needs to be cleaned. Oh! the floor needs to be swept. Oh! The bathroom and bedroom floor need to be swept. Oh! the vacuum colander needs to be cleaned out. Oh! my Merrell house shoes need to be cleaned. Oh! the cat downstairs needs to be cleaned out. Oh! the laundry Ken did needs to be folded. Oh! the dogs need water. Oh! The washers done and the clothes need to go in the dryer. Now a new load. Oh! the dogs need to be petted. There's the cat, she needs loving too.
Oh! I am exhausted and it's only 10:30AM. And I still haven't exercised. Is it A.D.D. or too many to-do things? I don't know, but I am still in my jammies and haven't done any homework. Wish me luck!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Day Six - A Great Blog by Scott Eblin
Great? Yes, if you are into good writing about leadership and business.
One of my dreams is to have a successful business. My vision of a successful business is probably similar to most peoples, if not more conservative. I would like my business to be financially sound, have a long product cycle, meet people's emotional needs while aiding in positive development. I would like my business to pay me a good income and provide the benefits I feel are important.
In exchange for this successful business I am more than happy to do my part; more even.
Today I came across a column I always enjoy reading. It is a leadership column by Scott Eblin, http://www.eblingroup.com/
When I read his column I want to go out and lead! just kidding. He has a great way of writing and informing that is both educational and entertaining. The column isn't how too's, it teeters on information and common sense, but either way - his thoughts are just plain smart and provide a ah-ha moment. I know when my business becomes successful enough to hire employees - his column will be something I turn to often.
I highly recommend the column to business people.
One of my dreams is to have a successful business. My vision of a successful business is probably similar to most peoples, if not more conservative. I would like my business to be financially sound, have a long product cycle, meet people's emotional needs while aiding in positive development. I would like my business to pay me a good income and provide the benefits I feel are important.
In exchange for this successful business I am more than happy to do my part; more even.
Today I came across a column I always enjoy reading. It is a leadership column by Scott Eblin, http://www.eblingroup.com/
When I read his column I want to go out and lead! just kidding. He has a great way of writing and informing that is both educational and entertaining. The column isn't how too's, it teeters on information and common sense, but either way - his thoughts are just plain smart and provide a ah-ha moment. I know when my business becomes successful enough to hire employees - his column will be something I turn to often.
I highly recommend the column to business people.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Day five: Belief
One of my many endeavors that did not work the way I planned was Beauty Seminars. For those that know me I am passionate about a great many things. Music - Love it! Dance - Love it! Reading - Love it! Teaching / Training - Love it! Learning new knowledge - Love it! And helping other people - particularly women, is important to me. I may approach it from a different angle than others, or I may be spot on with some. Irregardless, it hurts me terribly to hear people (male or female) berate themselves for something; or lack the belief in their potential. Maybe, because it is thoughts like those that are so close to things I have thought about myself.
In my class, I had to write a personal statement, and I have another one to write in another month or two (I can't use the same one). I am not sure what went through my instructors mind when she read it, but to me - it was an out pouring of feelings I didn't know was there, or I have never explored.
I wrote about where I've come from to be where I am today - academically. If you knew me as a child - you would have never, ever correctly predicted my outcome. I realized as I wrote my statement I had no aspirations for anything (pretty-much) as I grew up, and I didn't think or plan for my future.
I had no goals and no belief in my self. It is this lack of confidence that has caused problems for me. It is this void that has kept me from succeeding at things.
Today, as I am 39 and counting, I look back and see where I could have chosen another path and gone after my dreams. If I had had belief in myself or if I had had someone close to me that believed in my potential, or if I had had a mentor to guide me down a path - I could be different.
What about you? Do you have the belief in yourself to try new things, make a mark and color outside the lines, or compete in something you are passionate about, or go after the dreams you nourish?
I hope so. If not, there is nothing like today to start. Need baby steps? Here's a plan: get a book. Read the book, find ways you can use the information. Use the guidelines and make them yours.
In my class, I had to write a personal statement, and I have another one to write in another month or two (I can't use the same one). I am not sure what went through my instructors mind when she read it, but to me - it was an out pouring of feelings I didn't know was there, or I have never explored.
I wrote about where I've come from to be where I am today - academically. If you knew me as a child - you would have never, ever correctly predicted my outcome. I realized as I wrote my statement I had no aspirations for anything (pretty-much) as I grew up, and I didn't think or plan for my future.
I had no goals and no belief in my self. It is this lack of confidence that has caused problems for me. It is this void that has kept me from succeeding at things.
Today, as I am 39 and counting, I look back and see where I could have chosen another path and gone after my dreams. If I had had belief in myself or if I had had someone close to me that believed in my potential, or if I had had a mentor to guide me down a path - I could be different.
What about you? Do you have the belief in yourself to try new things, make a mark and color outside the lines, or compete in something you are passionate about, or go after the dreams you nourish?
I hope so. If not, there is nothing like today to start. Need baby steps? Here's a plan: get a book. Read the book, find ways you can use the information. Use the guidelines and make them yours.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Day four for me and you
Today I had a lot of expectations. Funny, but things do not always (usually) work out the way I expect. I expected to jump into the day with both feet running and check things off my list of things to do.
What I got was a wake-up call to appreciate what I have around me.
On my way to work this morning there were so many car accidents. A guy driving a green car was being a total jerk, but a guy driving a red truck was considerate and slowed so I could change lanes when we all came upon the accident in the left lane. It was horrible traffic, lots of stop and go. More stop than go, so I was not going to arrive early as I'd planned. I heard about another accident on the radio so I went a different way. I had just finished thanking God that I was safe, my car was safe and I was going to get to work on time even though traffic was still stop and go (and I don't mean slow and go either). Seconds later, after I'd finished my prayer, I hear a loud BAM! The guy driving the green car had hit a guy driving a work truck. It was right next to me - literally. I was fairly shaken up by the ordeal as I had been in two accidents last year (my only two in 15 years - and one of them was my fault). I pulled myself together and made it to work safely. I sat in my car for a minute or two giving thanks.
On the way home I witnessed two near collisions and was nearly hit myself. What is up with today? Today was especially a bad day for this to happen because it was a day for considering whether to let my son get his learners permit. Scary.
I realized, although I am busy and have so many things to do - none of them are worth my life or the life of someone else. I can slow down, pay more attention, not talk on the phone - just focus on driving.
How about you? Is making it to the store / movie / work / class / or whatever so important that you want to ruin your day (and be late in the process) by getting in an accident; or worse - die. Something to think about every time you get behind the wheel.
My best to you,
Lorraine
What I got was a wake-up call to appreciate what I have around me.
On my way to work this morning there were so many car accidents. A guy driving a green car was being a total jerk, but a guy driving a red truck was considerate and slowed so I could change lanes when we all came upon the accident in the left lane. It was horrible traffic, lots of stop and go. More stop than go, so I was not going to arrive early as I'd planned. I heard about another accident on the radio so I went a different way. I had just finished thanking God that I was safe, my car was safe and I was going to get to work on time even though traffic was still stop and go (and I don't mean slow and go either). Seconds later, after I'd finished my prayer, I hear a loud BAM! The guy driving the green car had hit a guy driving a work truck. It was right next to me - literally. I was fairly shaken up by the ordeal as I had been in two accidents last year (my only two in 15 years - and one of them was my fault). I pulled myself together and made it to work safely. I sat in my car for a minute or two giving thanks.
On the way home I witnessed two near collisions and was nearly hit myself. What is up with today? Today was especially a bad day for this to happen because it was a day for considering whether to let my son get his learners permit. Scary.
I realized, although I am busy and have so many things to do - none of them are worth my life or the life of someone else. I can slow down, pay more attention, not talk on the phone - just focus on driving.
How about you? Is making it to the store / movie / work / class / or whatever so important that you want to ruin your day (and be late in the process) by getting in an accident; or worse - die. Something to think about every time you get behind the wheel.
My best to you,
Lorraine
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day three for you and me
Last night, after my post, I read the information from squidoo and starting putting together my Facebook page. It was relatively easy, thanks to the help from squidoo. Haven't got to the ordering of products page corrections to the PayPal information. I ended up going to a Board meeting which ran long (I am the PR person and assistant Communications' person). So after arriving home after 9pm and having a little family time, updating my facebook page, twitter and my column were all I could do.
In between getting everything together to work and actually doing the work- I started to get 'volunteers remorse'. Full-time work, family, Masters, and writing, take up a lot of time (not to mention running a business). I felt the anxiety closing in even closer I realized I needed to adjust the information. I thought about what I would do if I was to show others how to do it.
The idea of a calendar popped into my head. When you find yourself overwhelmed look at your calendar (Outlook is great with this) and start color-coding. In Outlook, go to calendar, actions, new appointments, fill in the subject and location. The block after location is label. Choose a label for everything you input (be consistent). Be sure to SCHEDULE personal and family time each week. Be sure to save and close the appointment. Then you can print the calendar (choose file, print). Personal time can be a walk, yoga, book, sauna, etc. Family time can be praying, church, game night, movie, etc. Balance is the key and making time for what's most important lessens stress and helps with the balance.
So if you begin to feel overwhelmed, go over your calendar carefully. Look for areas where you can make changes to the positive. When you need the information later, take it.
I hope this is beneficial to you.
Best, Lorraine
In between getting everything together to work and actually doing the work- I started to get 'volunteers remorse'. Full-time work, family, Masters, and writing, take up a lot of time (not to mention running a business). I felt the anxiety closing in even closer I realized I needed to adjust the information. I thought about what I would do if I was to show others how to do it.
The idea of a calendar popped into my head. When you find yourself overwhelmed look at your calendar (Outlook is great with this) and start color-coding. In Outlook, go to calendar, actions, new appointments, fill in the subject and location. The block after location is label. Choose a label for everything you input (be consistent). Be sure to SCHEDULE personal and family time each week. Be sure to save and close the appointment. Then you can print the calendar (choose file, print). Personal time can be a walk, yoga, book, sauna, etc. Family time can be praying, church, game night, movie, etc. Balance is the key and making time for what's most important lessens stress and helps with the balance.
So if you begin to feel overwhelmed, go over your calendar carefully. Look for areas where you can make changes to the positive. When you need the information later, take it.
I hope this is beneficial to you.
Best, Lorraine
Monday, August 8, 2011
Day two for you and me
Well, today started with purpose (after I was finally able to wake up). Staying up late and waking up early do not mix well at my age (39 and counting - a lot).
My goal as written in yesterday's post was to find pages I like and work on my Pep Talk Publishing Facebook page. Well, that didn't happen as planned - but something better did!
I came across a tutorial
My goal as written in yesterday's post was to find pages I like and work on my Pep Talk Publishing Facebook page. Well, that didn't happen as planned - but something better did!
I came across a tutorial
http://www.squidoo.com/facebookpage#module81678631 that was very informative. Seems I can't have both a personal account and a business account - so I need to rethink some things. I read the whole article and it gives me plenty of direction.
So my goal for tomorrow is to make the recommendations I learned about on the tutorial and decide between a business page and a personal page.
What about you? Did you meet your goal for today and set a goal for tomorrow?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day one for you and me
day 1 of the new me and you
So it's after 10:30pm Sunday night and I can't sleep because I have all these thoughts going through my head. I've prayed already. My cat, Precious, has come to snuggle me to sleep - except I can't get there. She leaves. She has tried to do her job and I failed. Forty-five minutes later I am still lying in bed. My husband is snoring so I pop in an ear plug to no relief; I can still hear him. I close my eyes and listen to my heartbeat - it sounds good. Maybe if I focus I can drift off to sleep that way.
Nope. It is 11:30pm and I am still wide awake. Crazy too, since I haven't had coffee since before 7pm (I think). I had big plans of getting tons of things accomplished this weekend, but the only goal that was reached was completing four homework assignments. Well, I exercised too. Precious returned and attempted to snuggle me off t o sleep again. I made her mad though, because she kept trying to lay with her tail by my face - you know what that means. So I would move her so her head is closer to my face. After three tries it works and she gets comfortable. I pet her, scratch her head, and then snuggle my hand to her belly. This is our nightly position, well, it has become our nightly position and routine for about the last year. She had never slept up by my face until my husband (he is in the Army) deployed (2006). At that time she moved from my feet to where I could sometimes put my arm around her - that happened twice, and then by my face - that happened maybe twice. But when we had to evacuate the house because of the potential fires (2007), she became a different cat. She became affectionate and loving and approachable. Basically, everything a cat is supposed to be (smile).
So, it is now midnight. I give up on trying to go to sleep because I have all these ideas about what to do with my Pep Talk Publishing web site and Face Book page. I think about how I can try and put different blocks of information. I think about the Pep Talk products and the books I hope to publish soon. I think about the artist for an upcoming book and how I need to get in touch with her. And I think about this "whatever it is." I think about writing a daily note for the person or person that needs a daily "to do" list. But, knowing how freakishly busy I am - I don't know if I can do daily, but I'll try. It might be weekly or every two weeks. Except, the people I have in mind that this 'column' can help need a daily dose of realism. So if I can, that's what it will be. It is after midnight- I can't commit to a daily yet.
My mind is still wide awake (to my chagrin - tomorrow will be a long day because of it). Oh, a yawn. Am I boring myself? Am I boring you? I sure hope not. So, here is your dose of realism: Love yourself! Yes, I wrote a book on Loving Yourself First (I recommend it), but that is not entirely what I am talking about and this isn't a plug for the book.
What I am talking about is the you that is hiding beneath all the crap. What is it you want? What is it I want? How can you or I really look within and figure it out? I pray. I ask for guidance. My girlfriend Okneco says it will come in my sleep - because my mind is too busy. Of course, I must get to sleep to be able to receive the wisdom. I did receive some tonight-and that is this column. So, back to you and me and our wants! I know for certain we don't want the same things, but since I don't know what you want - I am going to share what I want and then share the steps I take to get there.
Luckily, I am in a good marriage and have a great husband. My children are fabulous too. The animals drive me crazy, but as my friend Lisa says, "A clean house is over-rated!" It is my internal drive for success that I will share, my need to succeed. Feel free to comment and send recommendations my way.
I have great passion for singing, songwriting, art, training, curriculum design and development, and prose. Except for the songwriting part (I write fabulous songs) and the training/curriculum development (my classes are awesome) - I need to work on the singing, art, and writing. But on all of it I need to work on the business of it and the marketing. These are the pull-out-my-soul loves, needs, and challenges.
My goal this weekend was finishing my Pep Talk Publishing website and my Pep Talk Publishing Face Book page. As I have said, I did not get those done. It is imperative for my sanity as well as my business that I get those done and done well. So tomorrow, I will research some Face Book pages for businesses to see what they look like. I will find ones that have many fans (I want lots of fans - but for the right reasons).I will see what I like and don't like and what is applicable. I will design my favicon and work on completing my Face Book page. That will probably take up all my free time (I don't have much). If I complete that, then I will work on getting the PayPal information correct on my website.
What is it you need to accomplish today or tomorrow? What is holding you back from reaching your success? Feel free to write. My best wishes for your success, Lorraine.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Insights come without warning
Yesterday I had lunch at the Department of State in Washington, DC, with Sue, a wonderful peer and new friend (well almost peer, she's classier, more informed, and at a much-higher level of work than me...currently).
I was thrilled to be in the building and surrounded by such historic presence of purpose (you should have seen me in Independence Hall, PA). We had a delightful lunch and talked about family, school, and degree programs - as I am nearly finished with my Masters. It was enjoybale to talk with another mom dedicated to her family.
We talked about work and the job market. She said the smartest thing to me: "If the right person isn't in the right job -- then the organization as a whole loses." Or, something to that effect. I wasn't taking notes, but what a profound statement, no wonder she is at the near top of the ladder.
And we'll make great friends - both of us are hard workers working long hours and we are very much family-people - so essentially, we have little 'friend' time. But we'll have time to send good thoughts each others' way from time to time and recommendations or "thought this would be of interest to you" notes. So Sue, truly enjoyed our time yesterday, and thanks for your words of wisdom.
Warmly, Lorraine
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