Great Thoughts :: Give the World the Best You Have

People are unreasonable,
illlogical and self-centered;
love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish,
ulterior motives;
do good anyway.

If you're successful, you will win false friends
and make true enemies, try to succeed anyway.

The good work you do today
will be forgotten tomorrow;
do good work anyway.

Honesty and frankness will
get you nowhere; they make
you vulnerable. Be honest and
frank anyway.

People favour underdogs, but
they follow the top dogs; fight
for some underdogs anyway.

What you spend days building
may be destroyed overnight
do it anyway.

People really need help but they attack you
if you try to help them; try anyway.

Give the world the bestyou have and you get kicked in the mouth;
give the world the best ou have anyway.

-- Keith Kent

Great Thoughts :: Wishers and Doers

There is an infinite distance between the wishers and the doers. A mere desire is lukewarm water, which will never take the train to its destination; the purpose must boil, must be made into live steam to do the work. Who would have ever heard of Theodore Roosevelt outside of his immediate community if he had only half committed himself to what he had undertaken, if he had brought only a part of himself to his task? The great secret of his career has been that he flung his whole life, not a part of it, with all the dermination and energy and power he could muster, into everything he has undertaken. No dillydallying, no faint-hearted efforts, no lukewarm purpose for him!
--Orison Sweet Marden

Great Thoughts: Reason, a Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realise is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amountof joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Author Unknown

Five Birds

Five birds are sitting on a telephone wire. Two decide to fly south. How many are left? Most people would say three. Actually, all five are left. You see, deciding to fly isn’t the same as doing it.

If a bird really wants to go somewhere, it’s got to point itself in the right direction, jump off the wire, flap its wings, and keep flapping until it gets there.

So it is with most things. Good intentions aren’t enough. It’s not what we want, say, or think that makes things happen; it’s what we do.

I frequently think of writing thank-you, birthday, and congratulatory notes. Unfortunately, only a sad few of these good sentiments ever make it to paper. Still, if I don’t look too closely, I can delude myself into thinking that based on my good thoughts I’m a gracious and grateful person. A truer and less admirable picture of my character is drawn by my actions.

In the end, we either do or don’t do. We either make the time to do the things we want to and should do or we make excuses. As Alfred Adler said, “Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.”

What do you want to do? Do you want to take a course, change your job, lose weight, make new friends, or spend more time with and appreciate more the ones you have?

What’s stopping you from jumping off the wire and flapping your wings?

Day 12 - Lululemon thoughts

Want to make a fresh start on your life? Think about the end of your life. Okay, it may seem a little morbid at first blush. But we know that people often get the most insight ito their life when they are at the end of it. So think about your eulogy. What do you want people to say? Were you generous? Were you loving? Did you take the time to tell those you loved how much you cared? Did you take the time for your chidren? Did you take care of your health? Did you teach others how to take care of their health? Did you take care of the planet? Did you laugh at yourself? Did you forgive? Did you forget? Did you inspire? Did you teach? Did you become involved in your community? Did you make a difference? And, finally, did you wait for the end of your life to decide what your life should be about? Did you wait until it was too late?

http://www.lululemon.com/

Day 11 - The Women of Worth Credo

If you haven't yet met my friend Christina she wrote this amazing credo that she hands out at all of her events (which are fantastic!). Check out her website http://www.thewowevent.com sometime soon!


THE WOW CREDO Written by Christine Awram, Founder

I am a Woman of Worth!

My worthiness is inherent, infinite and persevering –it is my natural state.

My value is a reflection of who I AM -and I am magnificent.

And ... who I am – always makes a difference,because I MATTER

I am successful – because I come from my true power, which lies within.

I lead through inspiration – from quiet acts of kindness, to leading a nation.

I am empowered - I make choices from the clarity of my heart, mind and spirit.

I am abundant – as I manifest my success from the core of my true essence.

I cherish my relationships – they are part of what makes me strong.

I am a Human BEing - as my BEing is of far more significance than my DOing.

I play, laugh, and bring beauty and light into the world –I am RADIANT.

At times I despair and I weep, when I feel the pain of a world that has momentarily gone mad.

Yet even when I tremble through a dark night of the soul, I renew my faith and my courage in a single heartbeat -because my spirit is indomitable.

I FEEL and I CARE and I am passionately ALIVE - with a heart as open as the universe.

I AM A WOMAN OF WORTH, AND I AM GLORIOUS!

WOWBecause every woman … is a Woman Of Worth

Day 10 - 30 days of Great Thoughts - Mother Teresa

We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
-- Mother Teresa

Thanks to Brenda Lee Paul for this one!

Day 9 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Messengers

We understand that ordinary people are messengers of the most high. They go about their tasks in holy anonymity. Often, even unknown to themselves. Yet, if they had not been there, if they had not said what they said or did what they did, it would not be the way it is now. We would not be the way we are now. Never forget that you too yourself may be a messenger.
-- Lawrence Kushner --

Day 8 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Happy Birthday Lisa - I know you do all these things!

Think before you act
Buy beautiful books
Sleep more, look better, live longer
Contribute to charities
Cook with love
Learn how to relax . . . then relax
Handwrite your letters on lovely stationery
Sign up for a yoga class and, if you enjoy it, sign up for more
Join a book club
Search carefully for your personal style
Don't smoke
Take a long walk, then a long bath
Have faith in your abilities
Decorate with natural, simple things
Send thank-you cards
Do one special thing just for yourself each week
Cherish your friends
Enjoy life's processes
Develop your memory
Think of your cup as half full
Be courageous
Talk with children
Don't assume
Dance . . . and dance the slow dances
Offer assistance generously
Kiss the people you love as often as you can
Smile
Count your blessings
Know there are heroes
Be gracious
Give thanks . . and pray!

Day 7 - 30 Days of Great Quotes - The Station

The Station
by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long, long trip that almost spans the continent. We're traveling by passenger train, and out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hills, of biting winter and blazing summer and cavorting spring and docile fall.

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. There sill be bands playing, and flags waving. And once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true. So many wishes will be fulfilled and so many pieces of our lives finally will be neatly fitted together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering ... waiting, waiting, waiting, for the station.
However, sooner or later we must realize there is no one station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.

"When we reach the station, that will be it !" we cry. Translated it means, "When I'm 18, that will be it ! When I buy a new 450 SL Mercedes Benz, that will be it ! When I put the last kid through college, that will be it ! When I have paid off the mortgage, that will be it ! When I win a promotion, that will be it ! When I reach the age of retirement, that will be it ! I shall live happily ever after !"

Unfortunately, once we get it, then it disappears. The station somehow hides itself at the end of an endless track.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. Rather, it is regret over yesterday or fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

So, stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot oftener, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more and cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.

All Rights Reserved Robert J. Hastings Estate

Day 6 - 30 Days of Great Quotes - Change

“In life when one door closes, another door always opens . . . but the hallways are a bitch.”

Ronnie Kaye
Spinning Straw Into Gold

Day 5 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Commitment

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

Day 4 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

--Rumi--

Day 3 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Eleanor Roosevelt - Part 1

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." When you're open to the opportunities for kindness that present themselves in the course of the day, you are lighting that candle.

Act spontaneously on thoughts of generosity that arise in your heart, without expecting anything in return. Notice what happens in consequence.

Ideas to Get You Started...

Kindness To Oneself

• Read a book or magazine that appeals to you
• Ask for what you want
• Write a thank you note to someone special in your life
• Refrain from magnifying your small problems
• Read How Not to Sweat the Small Stuff at Work by Richard Carson
• Leave the housework and play with your children
• Treat yourself to a weekend away
• Paint, draw or doodle a picture of how you are 'feeling'
• Get involved in your company's 'wellness' program
• Buy your pet a special treat and take them for a walk
• Learn how to relax through meditation or creative visualization
• Take a journal writing course
• Cut down on your coffee intake and drink more water
• Take a well-earned vacation
• List all the things you would love to try and dare yourself to do one
• Step outside of your comfort zone at work and do something that rekindles your passion
• Start a CD or tape club with your friends and swap favorite music to try something new
• Attend a social event and meet new people
• Create three positive affirmations and post them on your desk and at home
• Care about your body and nurture it with healthy foods for 2-4 weeks
• Create a sacred space or alter with special objects for your home
• Buy yourself a gift you've always wanted
• Commit to playing your favorite sport each week
• Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while
• Make popcorn and watch a favorite movie again
• Join a book club and explore your interest in reading more deeply
• Take a bubble bath by candlelight
• Go for walk
• Take yourself out on an artistic date to a place you have been putting off such as a museum or art gallery.
• Buy yourself flowers
• Work in nature and plant a small garden
• Treat yourself to a massage or spa day
• Buy a journal and start writing (check out http://www.thequestionjourney.com for a very cool one)
• Take a painting, ceramics, or pottery course
• Take a laughter workshop or stand up comedy course
• Create a gentle surrounding with music
• Celebrate who you are!

Original source unknown - if you know let me know and i'll give them credit

Day 2 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - The Starfish

Once upon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the ocean to do his writing.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning, what are you doing?”

The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish in the ocean.”

I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?”

“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.”

“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all the way along it. You can possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish up and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said,
“I made a difference for that one.”

Day 1 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Maya Angelou - What I've Learned

Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70th birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.' Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou also said:

• 'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
• ''I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
• ''I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
• ''I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.
• ''I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
• ''I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.
• ''I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
• ''I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
• ''I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
• ''I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'
• 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Balance vs. a Full Life

In our heart of hearts we believe that we are meant to do great things – we all are! We are surrounded by wonderful people that want to help us achieve our goals, and yet every day we ask ourselves, what is the right thing for me to do? Am I living my passion? Should I ‘give it a go’? Something that has always stuck with me is that we will always regret the things we didn’t do and we’ll get over the things we did do that turned out to be a lesson to us – but we never want to get to the rocking chair on the nursing home veranda saying “I wish…(you fill in the blank)”. Each of us defines what our great things are - they can be quiet or loud - big or small.

Living our dreams doesn’t mean that we act selfishly and abandon those around us – we all carry some responsibility. It is sometimes about finding the right time. My time to soar in business was not when I was a single parent who wanted to have home-baked muffins in the cookie jar and spend summer weekends camping at the lake. I see the results now of the decision to put my son ahead of myself – it is his time to soar on his own wings (he is doing an amazing job!) and my chance to do this as well.

As a friend wrote to me, it is not about being ‘balanced’, it is about living a full life. I have always believed that I could spin around at a million miles an hour, as long as I remembered to come to a stop and look around – sit down and do some yoga. I define the activities that make me whole and while some say “you are so busy” it is that which makes me who I am – my ‘busy’ness gives me the energy I need for my business but also for all the other components that are so important to me – myself, the love of my life, our children, our friends and now grandchildren!

Just a few musings for a Monday!

Birthday Wishes to the original connector

My mom turns 75 tomorrow and I threw her a party tonight with all her friends - people she has known forever - since high school and even earlier. I used my new Flip video and went around the entire party asking people how they knew my mom or a memory of her and then two words to describe her. A variety of words were spoken - kind, thoughtful, caring, persistent, young at heart, loving - in the very last interview that I conducted I found a nugget - her friend Marnie that she met working at Manville's Cabins at Waskesui Lake in 1953 said "if I had to put in just a few words that is most very special about Dorell is her love of people and ability to make connections - the way she connects people togther is why we are here and it's only one tiny example of what she does". So it's interesting because many times I have been referred to as a 'connector' and while I believe my Mom and I are very different we are also very the same. It is a gift to have hosted a party for her. I haven't read Malcom Gladwell's book yet about connectors but I wonder if he touches on it being hereditary?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Home Business Expo Victoria City, Victoria

Home Business Expo Victoria City, Victoria

Shared via AddThis

Learning with Books

If you are anything like me, you have a stack of books waiting to be read, on topics and ideas that are of great interest - or maybe they just had a fabulous cover! At any rate, here are some topics and ideas to get through the stack and start getting some return on your investment.

1. Get a reading buddy - choose a book together and meet each month to discuss what you have learned, and how you are applying your learning.
2. Read one book at a time.
3. Use post-it flags to mark areas you'd like to refer back to.
4. Carry a small notebook to jot down ideas that come to you as you read.
5. Use the exercises that are provided in books to make positive changes - pick one thing and do it for 21 days to make it a habit.
6. Set aside time each day to read one chapter.
7. Look at different options for reading, these include audio books, podcasts, books in brief and more.
8. And finally, if you are a third of the way through a book and it hasn't grabbed you,k let someone else learn from that book and pick up another one - it may just not be the book for you, and there are so many more to choose from!

Happy Reading!

I'm Impressed

I stopped in to get some gas at the Co-Op station this afternoon. The young fellow in there asked me how my day had gone. "Great" I said.I continued "I got lots of work done and I learned some stuff this afternoon"."Oh," he said, "were you at school?""No," I replied, "I just think we can learn new stuff every day.""I'm impressed" he replied with a big grin.

Kinda makes your day!

What are you focused on?

In my readings I come across great learnings – such was the case in a book that I picked up on the weekend, and finished this morning.One of the main characters, after recently undergoing a major personal breakthrough, attends a gallery opening and encounters a psychologist who treated her 30+ years before. She retreats to the kitchen and very carefully selects a china plate from the cupboard. Approaching the buffet she piles the plate with beautiful fresh fruits, breads and cheeses and brings it to the Doctor. He does not recognize her and she initiates a conversation with him.As they talk, she moves the plate towards him, pushing some food aside to reveal a crack in the china. Pointing it out to him, she asks him if he feels it could be mended. Unsure where the conversation is going, he answers that he does not feel it can be fixed. She goes on . . . explaining that the plate is still quite good, and that at first he hadn’t even seen the crack, just the food upon it.His discomfort increases, and she continues, “…if you concentrated on the crack, you’d never use it. You might even chuck it in the bin. But it’s still pretty and it’s still useful. And, anyway, the crack means it’s got a story to tell.”

Do you focus on the cracks, or the plates?

Social Media

I have officially named June 2009 Social Media month in my little corner of the world!

I have hosted a dinner meeting with Catherine Novak of WordSpring, attended a session with the Sales & Marketing Executives, hosted a breakfast meeting with Jay Neill from Magi Studios and yesterday, a luncheon sponsored by SunStar Media was held in Victoria.

I have created my background for my Twitter (check it out at www.twitter.com/24carrotlearn) and on July 9th I am again hosting Jay for a breakfast meeting in Victoria at the Howard Johnson - check out the event at http://www.24carrotlearning.com/eventdetails.cfm?event=2365

Quite exciting - off to learn some more!

Oh no, I've got to do a tradeshow...

Don't let that be your refrain! Tradeshows can be an amazing way to meet potential clients or suppliers. You can reinforce existing relationships through networking at a show and really build brand awareness.

I am still a tradeshow 'rookie', but some of the things that I have learned over the years are:

• No food or drinks visable in the booth
• Don't sit down and bury your nose in a book, laptop, blackberry, knitting - get up, smile and show interest in the people that are there
• Have something fun for people to look at that you can chat about - do you have a game that they can participate in and win something instantly
• Have a great doorprize and let people know about it
• Be visable from a few booths down - draw people towards you

As I said, I'm a rookie, but I am lucky to have a colleague who is an expert in this area and she is coming to Victoria in August to offer her knowledge in a half day workshop. There are more details on my website - here is the link to check it out http://www.24carrotlearning.com/eventdetails.cfm?event=2367

Business Networking in Victoria, BC ~ The Power of Connection

The Power of Connection is strong, vibrant, synchronistic and abundant. It can happen in an instant or can be built over a series of meetings. You never know when a connection will happen but it will only happen when you put energy into meeting and helping others, sharing what you have to offer - your connections, your products or your services and sometimes your encouragement and wisdom.

The Power of Connection, a new initiative brought to you by 24 Carrot Learning, creates a space for this to happen by holding formal and informal networking and connecting events created for the purpose of helping each other building our businesses.

The team at 24 Carrot Learning has been organizing and hosting the events for the Victoria Chapter of Roaring Women since September 2007. We have also hosted our own events during this time, and effective June 1st I have resigned my from position of Regional Director for Roaring Women for Victoria, BC - it is time for me to build my own brand! There will still be Roaring Women events and I will be promoting them on my website and in my newsletter. At 24 Carrot Learning we believe in contributing back to our community and we operate in the spirit of abundance. We'll also continue to help you promote your events as well, so be sure to get in touch with me if you have something of interest to our community.

Events typically wind down for the summer but this year you'll continue to receive notifications of in-person events, online teleconference learning, and more. We recognize that business goes on during the summer and we've decided to do the same! If you attended Networking on the Move last year you'll be happy to know this is starting up again! Each event we hold will have networking, education and business building time. We'll hold events that everyone can attend, and some just for women, like our upcoming retreat that benefits cancer research.

Our website will help you continue to connect with others that you have met at an event as with each registration we'll post a link to your website or email address, in the form of a business card size advertisement (nothing fancy but another way to connect with people).

Your feedback is important to me - please email me if you want to share something. We are so excited about this new initiative and look forward to seeing you soon!

The Power of Intention

The first time that I saw Terrie Conway deliver "The Power of Intention" workshop was about six years ago for the BC Human Resources Management Association when I asked her if she would do it for that group. It was very different that our usual workshop where participants sat at roundtables and did group work. Everyone sat in a circle and was given some items to work with during the morning session - one being a spoon!

During that workshop, and during the subsequent events that I have seen Terrie share her gift and knowledge, participants come to understand the power of their mind and our ability to create or set our intention for what we want most. I have seen people who scoffed at the idea of bending a spoon and watched their eyes open wide when they felt the metal warming and they bent the spoon into a circle.

On June 13th, 2009 in Victoria, Terrie will once again be sharing her gift with us - in an event co-sponsored by 24 Carrot Learning, LeBlanc & Associates, Arbonne, lia sophia jewelry and others - this is a fundraiser for The Ride to Conquer Cancer and all proceeds will be donated to the team "Ride for Life". We'll start the day with a fusion fitness class, have some great snacks and finish with "The Power of Intention". One lucky attendee will be treated to a mini-makeover with products sponsored by the above businesses plus glo hair & body, Marmalade Tart and ~j&l living raw~.

More information is at http://www.24carrotlearning.com/exhale.htm