I know that most of us don’t “think” we look down on others, but in our own way, many times we compare and contrast and then make a judgment – whether right or wrong. For many, it is not a matter of arrogance but of what I call Not Thinking – or being so consumed that we don’t stop to realize that as a member of the human race, we have a responsibility to help others…now where does that come from – hopefully from your core – your goodwill – your fundamental life beliefs – and the basic concept of […]
Encouragement for Your Life
Leaving Greatness in the Graveyard
A while back, I saw a motivational video about pushing through the pain to achieve the goal of greatness. It was a video of famous and not-so-famous athletes who worked hard day after day, night after night, to be the best, understanding that success is a mixture of blood, sweat, and tears. Today, they are recognized sports figures who are greatly rewarded for their abilities. As the video is playing, you can hear voices—sort of sounds like preachers in the background giving the message of determination, power, fight, and success—and there is one section of the video where the words […]
It’s Not What Happens to You
It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters. Epictetus There is no easy way to say it, and no need to sugar coat the truth that, for many, could be life-changing, so I’ll hit you straight up and remind you that “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” You know this to be true, and yet it is so hard to let offenses, real and imagined, go without a fight or at least a great put-you-in-your-place-amazingly-smart-aleck comment. Recently, I was speaking at a leadership luncheon, and I […]
Is your life a grand adventure?
I’m reading a great book about a lady’s travels throughout the world, and each page takes me to another outdoor café, museum, or cathedral. I have walked alongside this lady as she tries new foods, buys tiles and trinkets, and smells the scent of the city where she and her husband are exploring. I can get lost in a book pretty easily, and I have found that I tend to like books that have an element of education for me and not just a sappy story. I admit I spend a lot of time reading, and it’s a habit I […]
My Goal in Life Is to be Filthy Rich
My goal in life is to be filthy rich. Now, before you wonder what happened to me, hear me out because I am truthful when I tell you that I really do want to be rich. I want to be rich in knowledge, adventure, laughter, health, family, and rich in love. How about you? No doubt you’d like to join me in being rich in all those areas of life, wouldn’t you? Well then, let’s figure out how to do it and be outrageously successful. I don’t think it is all that hard these days to be rich in knowledge–it […]
Generosity of Spirit
Like many of you, I like to think of myself as a generous person, or at least that is the ideal I have in my mind about who I am and those I associate with. I have come to believe that we all hope and trust that we have a place inside us that realizes that it is good to be thoughtful, kind, and generous to others, and it’s at that foundation of our deep moral makeup that reflects who we are at our soul level. Now, I know that some people do not feel this way. While I don’t […]
Feeling Stuck is a Feeling, Not a Fact
If I have heard it once, I have heard it 100 times, “You know, Deb, I’m stuck in life, and I don’t know how to move forward.” Well, I say usually, one step at a time is a good place to start, and soon the feeling will pass, and you can get started again. Why? Because feeling stuck is a FEELING, not a fact, and, for many listening today, you’re wallowing in a feeling that is not based on anything but your emotions at this time and for whatever reason you’ve chosen to give. No doubt some days, weeks, or […]
What would you do if you knew you would die today
Not the headline you’re used to seeing, but recently, I was catching up on my reading and came across my AARP magazine (you know, the magazine that reminds us all that we’re over 50 and are on the slippery downhill slope) and the words of the question about having just a few more hours to live jumped off the page at me, and I thought to myself, well, what would I do in the 9 hours I have left? Honestly, I was torn between organizing who would get what and feeling sorry for myself for not having eaten my way […]
May all your dreams come true… even the ones they laughed at
I recently came across a phrase that made me smile when I thought about it… because the truth it holds can be life-changing. May all your dreams come true…even the ones they laughed at. There is something about this phrase that captures me… maybe it’s because I’ve had 1000 dreams, thoughts, and ideas that I’ve tried or have pursued – some to success and, some that are still in my attic and a few that are just sweet memories… but let the record show that at least I tried. I hear a lot of polite snickering when someone verbalizes their […]
