Today I had the pleasure of seeing the founder of a wonderful, empowering non-profit organization called Girls On The Run. Her name is Molly Barker and her story is VERY inspiring. Since I am a speaker, many times I am the one holding the mic and empowering and inspiring the audience, but today I was humbled by one of the most inspiring speakers I've ever seen. She had me laughing and crying at the same time and spoke straight from her heart to mine. She is truly an example of someone who has turned her passion and purpose into a reality that touches the lives of thousands of young women every year. Go to www.girlsontherun.org to learn more.
Not only did her speech inspire and uplift me, it got me thinking about how awesome it is to be on the receiving end of inspiration. When we're inspired, a spark is ignited inside of us. When we are inspired we re-member who we are! When we are inspired we feel joy and hope. When we are inspired we feel powerful and ready to go after our dreams!
Inspiration can come from so many experiences. I encourage you to seek inspiration in your life. Whether it be a friend who tells you just what you need to hear, a gorgeous bloom in your flower pot that makes you say "wow!" or the laughter of a child feel the inspiration and be grateful for it. Fill yourself up with it and give it away to someone else so that they can be on the receiving end of inspiration!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Re-Membering my Winning Attitude
When I was a young child, probably around 8 or 9, I would play BINGO with my family once a month at our country club. It was a wonderful family event where my mom, dad, sister and I could all play on an equal playing field. One night, I just knew I was going to win the jackpot, the final game where the payout was $300! The excitement built as I got closer and closer and then my number was called! I WON! I remember crying I was so happy! And everyone laughed and carried on about how a 3rd grader won the jackpot! Boy was I proud!
My winning just continued from there. The incident created in me a winning attitude that allowed me to keep winning! I won the jackpot BINGO game several more times and of course by then, had the support of other people saying "You always WIN!" I went on to win all kinds of things! I remember one time winning a set of luggage from a mail in contest. I went after any and all opportunities to win, even if they seemed impossible or scam-like.
In fact, looking back I just expected to win everything from speech and poster contests to soccer games and positions as high school class officer and yearbook editor. Most of the time I came out on top. But sometimes I did not!
So what shifted in me over all these years? Why today do I stop myself from winning before I even start? Why don't I buy lottery tickets and send in for mail in contests? Why do I listen to that little voice in my head that says "You don't have a chance in hell!" Somewhere along the way I began to focus my attention on the few times when I didn't come out on top and the more I did that, the less I won.
This whole blog was prompted by me receiving a piece of "junk mail" and actually opening it. Normally, I would have just recycled it and moved on, but for some reason this one particular piece was calling out to me. It was a flyer with a key on it from a car dealership. My interest was sparked because we are looking for a new car. AND because it said "Someone in this area has the lucky key!" OOOOHHHH!!! The old voice came up again saying "This is just a scam. They're just trying to get me to their lot to force me into a car." And then I realized what I had just said and decided to turn it around! I said to myself "I used to ALWAYS win!" and "I'm ready to win again!"
Today I will go to the car lot and see what happens! If I WIN...boy won't that make for an interesting story! And if I don't I will at least recognize that I didn't check myself out before going for it.
Today I remember that I can't win if I don't try! Today I remember that I'll see it when I believe it!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Make time to PLAY every day!
People, places, things and experiences keep reminding me to make more time to play. Do you need to make more time to play? Have you lost touch with your fun side? Are you having fun in some way, shape or form every day?
Make time to P.L.A.Y. every day!
PARTICIPATE fully in life!
Give 100% of your energy to the NOW! Let go of the past, have faith that everything will work out in your favor in the future and BE in the now. Be engaged in the conversations that you have today! Smile at every one you meet. Feel the oxygen filling your lungs and every cell of your being. Feel the aliveness and joy in your heart!
LOVE whatever you're doing NOW!
Even if you're not doing exactly what you want to be doing right now, shift your perspective and have fun with it. Make the activity a game. Make a bet with yourself. See work as a Wonderful Opportunity for Revolutionary Kindness. Smile and laugh often.
ALLOW yourself to have fun!
Be playful! Tell a joke! Read the comics in the newspaper! Paint your toenails. Sing your favorite song out loud! Roll the windows down. Treat yourself to a latte. When others invite you to play, say YES!
whY NOT? Do something you've never done before! Be daring and risky. Step out of your comfort zone, even if it's just for 5 minutes. Talk to someone you would usually never speak to. Open your stance and your heart to others. Be warm and friendly. Show you care. WHY NOT live as boldly as you possibly can!?
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