Sunday's Inspriation

Saturday's Thought of the day

Friday's Inspiration

Thursday's AHHH moments

Today's blog is all about places that I would love to be at right now...for inspirational reasons of course!

Actually - my eyes are instantly drawn to these pictures and just for a short moment in time - I can feel my body and soul drifting to these sites...and just for a moment in time - I am stress free!

Travel with me to these special places!

Happy Thursday Y'all!

Wednesday's Wisdom

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

~Winston Churchill 

Tuesday's Thought of the Day

Monday's Inspiration

Sunday's Affirmation

What I imagine I can do I can do.

First Day of Fall - 2012

Today is the first day of fall...it is one of my favorite times of the year.

It is when the air gets a bit crisper...the trees begin to show their "autumn" colors.

It is also the time when you can walk outside at night and smell that fragrant scent of someone's fireplace.  You can just imagine a family sitting in front of the fire, eating some popcorn and sipping on some delicious hot chocolate topped up with a big wallop of whipped cream.  It is also time to pack away the summer clothes and get out the sweaters and boots.

How about some warm mulled cider?  Candy Apples?  

What better time to visit fall around the U.S.

Fall in Gatlinburg, TN

Fall in Colorado

Fall in New England

And some more fall pictures

May you have a wonderful first day of Fall!

Friday's Life Lesson

Thought for Thursday

Wednesday's Wisdom

Tuesday's Inspiration

Monday's Thought of the Day

Sunday's Life Lesson

MASTER LIFE DON'T LET IT MASTER YOU

Some people are successful in mastering life, while others permit life to master them. There is a split in you that is very clear. There is part of you that knows what you should do, and a part of you that does what it feels like doing. Don't let passion drive you, let reason hold the reins. Once you understand these opposing forces warring within you, with this knowledge of the truth: you no longer remain a slave. A clear understanding of this will make you the master of your life. Resistance is your thoughts transformed into feelings. Change the thoughts that create the resistance, and there is no more resistance. Are you controlled by your thoughts or are you controlling your thoughts? If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self. If you are ruled by your mind you are a king, if by your body, a slave.

Friday's Inspiration

Just a bit of Friday humor for you!

And of course - here is your daily affirmation...

Have a wonderful Friday Y'all!

Thursday's Thought of the Day

Wednesday's Wisdom

Do you say a daily affirmation?  

An affirmation is a short, positive statement that if repeated several times during the day reprograms our self-conscious beliefs.  How many times have we said to ourselves…”I  can not believe how stupid that was…or I can not believe I did that”.     Affirmations are positive comments that replace the negative beliefs with positive beliefs.

Some possible affirmations might include:

Affirmations for Self Esteem

·         When I believe in myself, so do others

·         I express my needs and feelings

·         I am my own unique self - special, creative and wonderful 

Affirmations for Joy and Happiness

·         Life is a joy filled with delightful surprises

·         My life is a joy filled with love, fun and friendship all I need do is stop all criticism, forgive, relax and be open.

·         I choose love, joy and freedom, open my heart and allow wonderful things to flow into my life. 

Affirmations for Abundance

·         I prosper wherever I turn and I know that I deserve prosperity of all kinds

·         The more grateful I am, the more reasons I find to be grateful

·         I pay my bills with love as I know abundance flows freely through me. 

I have a daily affirmation taped to my bathroom mirror (just a plain 3x5 index card)  so it is the first thing that I see in the morning and I continue to repeat it throughout the day.  I then replace it with another one before going to bed.

It is amazing at how quickly affirmations become a part of your life and how they DO work!

I encourage you to try this for a week and see if you don’t see immediate results!

My affirmation for the day:

Tuesday's Life Lesson

Monday was one of those days where reflection was a very big part of the day.

It is amazing at how one small comment can impact someone so greatly.

On Monday I was in a meeting with someone who will soon be losing her job due to
"downsizing and re-organizing"...those words that no one wants to hear.  In this case instead of sadness or disbelief I heard something that I never expected to hear.  I heard someone who was thankful for working for this company for 14 years.  She was thankful for the many good things that her job had offered her and the opportunities for travel that her position afforded her.

I do not know if she realizes how much her words touched me or how inspirational her attitude is and I would like her to know this.

People who have a positive attitude are the ones that truly achieve success in their life.  Those who believe in themselves will find success in all that they do. I believe in daily affirmations and there is no doubt that those most successful people have a daily affirmation that leads them down that path of success.   I read something today that touched my heart.

Source -  LeeAnn Locken 

 This is a great affirmation for everyone.

And in closing - I would just like to say thank you to Rhonda who touched me today with her  awesome  and inspiring words.  You touched my soul today with the affirmation that life is a blessing.  I know that you will find joy, happiness, success and yes - new blessings along your path!

Rhonda - This one is for you!   You hold the key to your success and I know without a doubt - you will be successful in all that you do!

Monday's Thought of the Day

Actually Monday does not have to be so dreadful.

I find that I can handle Mondays much better when I am prepared for a Monday.

For instance I try to have all my clothes picked out for the day (which means I take a look at my calendar the night before to see if I have any meetings or if it can be a business casual kind of day) and my lunch prepared.

I also have my favorite Daily Motivational Book by my bedside so I can begin not only Monday but each morning with a positive thought. There is something peaceful and calming about reading a motivational quote each day!

Now - if I am totally honest here which I promise to always be...some Mondays are just well..."blah" Mondays.  That is even more reason to plan ahead so it is easier to get through the daily routine of a Monday.

I also find if I begin Monday (and all days) with a positive thought (s) it helps the day begin on the right track!

Happy Monday Y'all!

Sunday's Inspiration - Russian River, California

Over the years I have been fortunate to work for companies that allow me to travel on business.  Some of these locations were probably places that I would not have had a chance to travel to if not for business.  Whenever I take a business trip I try to arrange it in such a way that I have some time to spend on sightseeing and getting to find the beauty and inspiration in each of these locations.  I have traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast, in South America and to Europe.  I have loved each and every place that I have traveled to and love to find those special places that inspire me.

In the late 90's I was traveling quite a bit to the San Francisco Bay area - have to love Silicon Valley and it was on one of these trips that I discovered a very special place indeed!

There is a place in Northern California where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean...Jenner, CA in Sonoma County.  There is something so different about beaches in Northern California. There was something so magical and unique  about seeing this winding river merge with the giant ocean.  At some parts of the beach you would find it rocky and other times and at other places you would find a serene beach...rocky and calm - much like real life - wouldn't you say?  While visiting there was a soft misty fog floating over the beach allowing a beautiful view of the specialness that is Northern California.

 (source unknown)

 While this shoreline is much different from the other tropical beaches that so many of us are familiar with - this one offers its own style of relaxation.   If I could paint I would surely paint a picture like this!

(source unknown)

Just know that if you are going there - that water is C-O-L-D  *brrrrrr*

What is truly amazing is that the journey to this location is incredible - through the beautiful Northern California mountains - truly inspirational just driving through these mountains (I find driving relaxing anyway) and I could just feel the stress of life released with each beautiful mile that I passed.

 Next time I visit the area I will return - but this time with a beach blanket and a picnic spot ...and of course my favorite journal to record the moment!

(source unknown)

Saturday - Places that I love

Even though today is Saturday and it should be a calm and lazy kind of day - I am thinking about this

And this:

(Photo by Alan Hoelzle)

How about enjoying this beach sunset?

There is just something so calming and energizing about walking along a sandy beach...just feeling the gentle waves rushing up to meet you...the soft sounds of the waves gently crashing against the shoreline. Close your eyes for a moment and listen - do you hear the sea gulls as they call out to one another and can you smell the fragrant scents that belong only to the ocean - that salt air that reaches out and teases your senses?  Do you feel the gentle wind as it blows off the tropical water?

But - I think that the perfect spot for a relaxing Saturday would be right here- curled up with a good book

Happy Saturday Y'all!

Fabulous Friday!

"nuff said!"

Be Prepared

Do you know Larry Winget?  No - he is not a Boy Scout - or at least I don't think so?

BUT - he is a great motivational speaker and author.  He is an in your face - "The pitbull of  personal development".   You either love him or hate him.  I happen to like the way he tells it like it is.  He holds back nothing and gives you tons of good information.

I carry with me in my mind  a saying of his that I read in one of his books:  "In order to be successful you have to be willing to work harder than anyone else"

If you need a good kick of reality - I suggest that you read more about Larry Winget at:

Larry Winget

Wednesday's Thought of the Day

Sometimes we are our own worse critic!  We see the good in others but find it hard to see the good within ourselves.

Let today be the first day that we see how wonderful we truly are!

Successful People Follow their Plan

You need a plan to find success. Wanting success isn't sufficient enough to get it.

You've got to ask yourself, "What are you going to do to get the things you want."

Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists between where you are now and the goal you intend to reach.

You cannot fail with a definite step by step plan, because each step you take will carry you along to the next step, like a track. All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.

You cannot get lost on a straight road.

End of Summer

Today is Labor Day in the U.S.  It is also known as the last "hooray" of summer or the last day of summer.

Another unwritten law of Labor Day is that us ladies should not wear white after Labor Day.  It is a Southern thing you see?  The true Southernbelle would NEVER think of wearing white pants after Labor Day.  Now - winter white is okay but pure white is a major "no no"

For me - Labor Day means that Fall weather can not be too far behind.  While here in Texas the weather is still quite warm there is something wonderful knowing that the temperatures will SLOWLY begin to drop.

It is also the time of year when the fall colors begin to appear

And soon we can begin to use our fireplaces again

I always look forward to fall decorations and preparing the home for the fall season

There is something energizing about the change of seasons...whether is it the change of temperatures or the beautiful fall colors,,,it is a wonderful time of the year.

Happy Labor Day Y'all!