There are 3 things that we know for sure about life:  it has a beginning, it will end some day, and we should make the most of it while in between.

It’s the gap – the in between that I want to write about today.

This is what I call the GAP – the place between 2 places.

How are you living in the gap? 

Are you living in a timid place full of fear?

-or-

Are you living in JOY full of laughter and peace?

To fully live life out loud means to smell the roses, enjoy the view, take the opportunity to meet and smile at a stranger and truly touch a life for that moment in time.

Sometimes we take life so seriously that we forget to exhale.  We run from one place to the next place and forget where we’ve been.  RUSH, FAST, HURRY is part of our vocabulary.  We don’t make time for ourselves because we’re too busy taking care of everyone else.  We even think it’s selfish to make time for ourselves.

Allow me to dispel that myth.

It’s okay to take care of yourself – to breathe – to exhale.

In my opinion, if you don’t exhale then you are probably almost on the verge of burnout.  It’s time to charge your batteries and take care of YOU.

So I believe there is a co-relation between slowing down and living your life out loud.

Do the things that matter most in life like spending time with your family, your loved ones.  Take the time to show the most important people in your life that they matter and you care.  Take the time to spend with friends.  Take that spontaneous trip.  In fact, I write this post on an airplane flying to Chicago.  My son is a pilot and he had sent me a text the night before stating he was flying to my town and if I wanted to catch a flight to Chicago with him since he had a few days off.  I pondered, and yes I was busy with work but I had the opportunity and I seized the moment – YES – I will!  Work will always be there, errands to run will be run, work will get done but precious moments with loved ones leave you with the memories of a lifetime.  So memories I created by going to Chicago with Kevin.

“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.” Robert Louis Stevenson

Remember, may the possibilities of today excite you!

Happiness, JOY, Uncategorized, inspiration, motivation Happiness, joy

Hello Girlfriends – “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time”….Leo Tolstoy

We want things and answers “NOW!” 

We have been conditioned to expect things NOW since we live in a society of instant gratification.  With the upgrade of technology and our instant society we want ANSWERS NOW!  We’re hungry, we drive through a fast food restaurant to get our food quickly.  (No waiting – well except if everyone else in that town decides on the same thing – FAST FOOD – then there’s a long line and our patience gets tested).

It’s said that Patience Is a Virtue – so I researched this a bit because I know for myself I struggle with having so much patience in some parts of my life but then having ZERO patience in other parts of my life.  On Answers.com it states, “The phrase “patience is a virtue” is just a way of expressing the importance of being patient.  A virtue is a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.  Patience can make us better people.  The definition of the word is to tolerate delay implying self control and forbearance.  When we say “patience is a virtue” we are exposing our moral values and expressing importance of patience as a foundation of principle.  So to answer the question, patience is not a virtue until it truly becomes a virtue and knowing how diverse the spectrum of individualism is, I’m sure patience is a vice (opposite of virtue) to some.  Patience is a necessity for a happy existence and that is why the phrase is so often used.

So with all that stated and knowing that patience is a necessity for a happy existence, why do we “fall out” of patience?  We all do it – look around and be aware at the grocery stores and the faces of impatient people, when you have to wait for a table at a restaurant, in traffic, in the blog world and your traffic is not up from you last blog post.  In relationships we display impatience with our partners.  Isn’t love patient?  So I reflect inward and I ask, “Okay if I love myself and love is patient then patience is love and I love myself enough to be patient with myself.” 

To have patience for others we must be patient with ourselves and there lies the battle. 

The internal struggle with self! 

Thus, the reason why we want everything “NOW” – answers to our challenges that arise in our daily lives – “NOW!” 

By getting our answers “NOW” then we don’t have to deal with any pain, fear and the unknown. 

Instead we don’t have the answers “NOW” – we don’t understand why the waiting?  We don’t understand the dessert moments in our lives.  These are the moments of being “STILL” (this requires patience and time) – when I say STILL, I don’t mean we keep thinking and fretting about the issue we are battling – STILL to me means – letting the issue go and getting out of the way of GOD.  There’s work to be done so get out of THE way! 

In my own life, it’s the moments when I let go and move out of THE way, that is when the MAGIC happens.

These are the moments when we get clarity and clarity is power!  Sometimes you can even look back at a situation and have an “AH-HA” moment by saying, “Now I know why I had to WAIT and be PATIENT.” 

So next time you’re in traffic, a long line, when you can’t wait to meet your new love partner because you’ve been alone for so long or you fear being alone – BREATH – in and out slowly – remind yourself that you are LOVE and BE STILL – BRING ON THE PATIENCE! 

Patience breeds happiness, love, and peace while impatience breeds anxiety, stress and fear….

Remember, may the possibilities of today excite us all!

Patience, Uncategorized, encouragement, inspiration change, encouargement, insight, inspiration, motivation, Patience

By Erin Williams, LMSW, BCD

We acknowledge the existence of subtle vibes all the time….”oh, that place just gave me a bad feeling,” or “I just get a good vibe from her.”  Subtle energy is everywhere, and some of us are just more sensitive to it than others.  Sometimes it feels good, and sometimes it feels bad.  One thing that is often overlooked is how powerful those subtle vibes become when they are powered by intention.  When you pair intention with energy it becomes modern day magic!

            Here is how it works; let’s say there is a person or situation that needs some healing.  What sometimes happens is that we feel sorry for that person, or become frustrated by the situation, so we actually are sending negative energy into it.  We vent about it or indulge our deepest negative emotions.  Not only are we sending out negativity, but we are actually getting weighed down by it ourselves.  Try turning this around by visualizing the person or the situation healed.  Intentionally send it LOVE.  What color is your love?  To me, love is magenta, so when I am intentionally sending love, I will surround that person or situation with a beautiful magenta bubble.  Since energy works based on intention, that energy gets sent and infuses and surrounds the situation with compassion and love.  It truly is a modern day love spell!

            If you are having an argument with someone, surround them with your love color.  You could also try writing their initials down on a piece of paper and set and intention for more balance and harmony.  Another spell you may like is picturing the situation exactly as you would like it to be in your mind’s eye, and then surround it with love.  Say to yourself, “it is done,” and release it.  Your intentions are so powerful that you will find miracles begin to follow you everywhere you go!  Let me know how it works for you!

Love and light to you,

Erin

www.healingplacecounseling.com

Erin Williams, Uncategorized love, Miracles

Hello Girlfriends – As I take off from Raleigh Durham airport flying to Dallas with my final destination of San Francisco I write this blog to you.  I always request a window seat because I love to look out my window as we take off and see the bigger picture.   As you ascend you see the homes as they get smaller.  You observe the clouds as they pass by below and around you.  The higher you climb the smaller things get.

This analogy in life pertains to our everyday lives.  The higher we climb in knowing ourselves, in accepting who we are, in improving our characters, in being the spiritual beings that we are called to be, the smaller things here on earth look.

We sometimes miss the big picture because we get so focused on all the smaller things life throws our way.  Everyone’s definition of small varies – I guess it depends on your tolerance, your perspective, your attitude, your life experiences.  Think of some things that may be going on in your life that may be considered small and remember to see the bigger picture by evaluating the events happening. 

In the book by Amanda Owen, The Power of Receiving, she states:  “although our egos have an important function, they just don’t have the bigger picture; they don’t have an aerial view.”

Sometimes the bigger picture can’t be seen because of the dense fog or clouds that engulf us.  We ask for rays of sunshine so we can have a break in the clouds and see things clearer.  At times the bigger picture cannot be seen due to turbulence – those small bumps in the air.  We must remain focused to be able to be grounded within ourselves to truly take in what life has to give us and be able to process it.  The key word is “process”.  Do whatever it takes to process life – when we avoid it, or are in denial, then it seems to me that the same issues keep coming up in different scenarios. 

We must feel the pain to go through the pain.  If we choose not to feel the pain and instead numb the pain with alcohol, pills, activities to distract us, then the pain will creep up over and over again.

So when life throws you lemons, let’s make lemonade and remember to be aware that there’s always a bigger picture in this big adventure we call life…..

Remember, may the possibilities of today excite us

Uncategorized

by Jory Fisher

Millionaire Marketing Mentor Suzanne Evans proclaims marketing a moral obligation.

{You’re hittin’ me hard with that one, Suzanne.  You’re goin’ to my core, my value system, the heart and soul of who I am and what I do.  I need to think about your proclamation…a lot!}

Wikipedia defines marketing as “the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”

Interesting. There’s that value word again.  Value.  What do I have of value to offer my customers, clients, partners, and/or society at large?

What do you have of value to offer your customers, clients, partners, and/or society at large?

What do we have of value that is a true reflection of who we are and what we’re called to do?

And why is it our moral obligation to offer it?

I’m happy to talk with you any time about your gifts, your offerings, your uniqueness. I’d be honored.  But right now, with your indulgence please, I’m going to talk about me.

My blessing (that aspect of my purpose which I do over and over again to effect positive change in the lives of others) is this:

I shepherd seekers who hunger and thirst to know God
 and find, follow, and fulfill their Divine Purpose.

Gosh, I wonder if there’s any value in that.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the concepts of calling and purpose and the meaning of life.  At Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, I loved my World Civilization class because we studied questions like:  Who am I?  Why am I here? What is my relationship to God?  To my fellow man?  Why do I matter?

I learned that these are the core questions that have been raised throughout history.  I learned that humankind’s search for the answers to these questions has been instrumental in shaping our “society at large.”

I wonder if there’s any value in what I do—any moral obligation to communicate my offerings.

Two and a half years ago I heard a man, a mere mortal, describe a process he developed that helps people discover and live out their true purpose in life.  I was intrigued by this Tim Kelley person and his talk of trusted sources and ego and soul and fears and limiting beliefs.  A few months later, I gently placed my toe in the water by signing up for his “Purposeful Coach Teleseminar.”  By the end of that course, I had learned not only my life purpose, but also how to help others discern theirs.  I decided to hone my skills further and became certified as a True Purpose™ Coach.

Only a dozen of us have achieved that designation thus far.  The rigor of the training is, well, remarkable.

Hmmmm.  I wonder if there’s any value in what I do—any moral obligation to communicate my offerings.  Equipped as a certified True Purpose™ coach…

I can help you learn who you are and what you’re meant to do in the world.  I can help you learn how to communicate with “your peeps” in such a way that they hear your voice and know you’re speaking to them.  I can help you fulfill your calling.

Though the work I do can help anybody get clear on their life purpose—anybody, that is, who believes or is willing to believe that they’ve been put here on earth for a reason—I focus my marketing efforts on reaching out to Christian women entrepreneurs.   We “get” each other.  It’s an easy fit.

I understand your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your limiting beliefs, your earnest desire to make a bigger, more meaningful difference in the world.  AND I CAN HELP YOU.

My Call to Action:

Sign up today for my free Discover Your Purpose Starter Course and let me help you on your journey to live a more meaningful, joyful life!

{Yes, Suzanne, there is value in what we do—and meaningful heart & soul marketing is our moral obligation!  Thank you for helping so many of us make a difference.}

With deep appreciation to all of my mentors,

Jory

Discover inspiring interviews at http://www.WomenFindPurpose.com.

Click here for your FREE “Discover Your Purpose” Starter Course!

Uncategorized, featured guests heart and soul, marketing

by Erin Williams

Frank Garfield, CMHT;  a wonderful and interesting man I learned  hypnotherapy from, is always saying, “holding on to un-forgiveness is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies.”  I find this SO powerful!   When you hold on to all of those toxic emotions attached to what another person has done to you, you are the only one that suffers.  They are free to go on with the rest of their lives, but you are the one left with that toxic energy.  If you are having a hard time forgiving, begin to look at the high price you pay for being a vessel for all of that anger.  No matter how valid the anger may be, you are the one paying the price by holding it in your body.  That anger actually lowers your vibration and weakens your immune system. 

                Let’s first be clear about what forgiveness is not.  Forgiveness does not mean, “I am ok with what you did to me.”  It also does not mean, “you are free to keep treating me like that.”  Forgiving someone is not about the other person or their behavior at all.  It is simply an intentional self-statement that announces to the world, “I AM NO LONGER WILLING TO HOLD ON TO THE TOXIC EMOTIONS AND ENERGY THAT THIS EVENT OR PERSON BROUGTH TO ME!”  Energy works off of intentions, so once you announce this powerful statement to yourself and the Universe, the healing process begins.  Watch the toxins lift out of your being like black smoke, only to be replaced by new levels of self-love!  

                To quote Doreen Virture, PhD,  “Let go of anger and resentment, and feel yourself healed.  You don’t need to forgive the action, just the person—so that you can be at peace.”   Forgiveness may even start with yourself.  Start with this exercise:  first, find a quiet place and place your hands over your heart.  Take a few slow deep breaths.  Connect with the feeling of love.  When was the last time you felt deep, beautiful, and intense LOVE.  Call upon that emotion now!  Now picture it as a color.  See it clearly, and begin to breathe in that color.  Surround yourself with that color, and watch as that color comes out both of your hands and begins to fill your heart with love—self-love.  It is so important to love and forgive yourself, and others.  You so deserve it!  After all, you are amazing, beautiful, and total divinity in every way!

 Light and love- Erin  

www.healingplacecounseling.com

Uncategorized, featured guests, forgiveness encouargement, forgiveness, inspiration, positive thinking

She’s totally hot, daring, & completely amazing…

by Erin Williams, LMSW, BCD (Goddess Extraordinaire)

When I first got off the plane in Santorini, Greece; a small island situated in the Aegean Sea, I felt like I was home. This was of course a bit strange, since I had never been to this island before. Yet, something within me was totally at home here. The loud and beautiful Greek music seemed to actually flow through my body. The beautiful people seemed to ooze sensuality and happiness. Everything from the breathtaking views, to the salty smell of the Aegean, to the fresh Mediterranean food, seemed to seduce me and awaken a part of me that I forgotten and ignored for some time. My inner Goddess was alive and well here in Santorini, and seemed to yell out in total bliss, “Finally, this is where I belong!”

Since my first trip, I have been back three times to reconnect with this part of myself and just live life. I have sailed with dolphins swimming alongside our catamaran, swam in hot volcanic springs, visited nearby deserted islands, prayed to the Goddess Athena, meditated in one of the islands meditation temples, and enjoyed some of the most beautiful beaches and views of my life. I am so grateful for my experiences, that I am now taking a small group of women there for a Goddess Retreat in August of this summer. If you feel connected to this trip, join us. You will be so welcomed into our small group of amazing women! Your inner Goddess will thank you! http://www.healingplacecounseling.com/Goddess_Retreat.html

Whether it is this trip that reconnects you or enjoying a deep tissue massage, get in touch with your inner Goddess now! It is the amazing part of you that loves life and craves joy and beautiful life experiences! We all have an inner Goddess, and it is so important not to ignore her because she will get cranky. Instead, nurture and respect her needs. The benefits to embracing this part of yourself are infinite! Wishing you and your Goddess bliss!

By the way, the picture is amazing because the white light you see in the photo is not the sail, it is just pure light—spirit.  We believe it is the Goddess Athena, joining on our Goddess trip to Greece.

By the way, the picture is amazing because the white light you see in the photo is not the sail, it is just pure light—spirit.  We believe it is the Goddess Athena, joining on our Goddess trip to Greece.

Love and light,
Erin

http://healingplacecounseling.com

Uncategorized, featured guests Goddess, Inner Goddess, travel

This morning, as usual, I poured my steaming coffee into my favorite cracked polka dot mug and stumbled over to my computer to view the latest news from friends, family, world leaders, roof installers and Viagra peddlers. As I scanned through the onslaught of “forwards” which I’ve begun to think has become our newest art form, sometimes, sadly replacing more personal communication, I came across one marked –  THEY TEACH IT AT STANFORD…

It got my attention.

 It purported to be a lecture taught by the head of psychiatry at Stanford University – He said that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman, whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends. Apparently we girls connect differently – provide support systems – which, in turn create more serotonin – and this combats depression.

In other words sharing with our soul sisters – is good for our souls.  Duh! I’ve known that for a long time – kind of instinctive. But I never knew it was a quantifiable asset to my physical health, like jogging or going to the gym.  So now every time I hang out or schmooze with my gal pals I feel just a mite healthier…

One of the greatest and most surprising gifts that I’ve recently received on this subject was the barrage of unconditional love I’ve been receiving from women all over the world who have read my memoir – GOOD GIRLS DON”T. I have been seriously blown away by the sisterhood of young women who got pregnant before marriage, in the era prior to Roe vs. Wade – aka “girls in trouble.” I’ve seen first hand how the shame of this early trauma has impacted women for lifetimes and how so many have lived in silence for years. Who knew? Not me. I’m receiving heartfelt messages on a daily basis from middle-aged women who are only now speaking out and sharing their feelings because they were told they should never “tell.” I’m often asked what advice I would give to women today – based on this early experience – and my answer continues to be the same. Open up and talk to someone. Keeping secrets is highly over-rated and can often lead to a life less lived…

Hard to believe that an entire generation of women don’t have a clue what we pioneers endured. I, for one, am happy that the starched and crinolined era that supported that kind of thinking is behind us and so many choices are now available. But, hey, that’s just me talking. Keep shining the light into the dark corners and you might just find treasures you never knew existed. And above all — hold your BFF close to you – because she may be the best of the treasures.

GOOD GIRLS DON’T is a deeply personal first-hand account of what it was like to be trapped in an unwanted pregnancy at the close of an era where home economics took precedence over sex education. I gave up my child for adoption —-found him 40 years later…but this is where the typical adoption story begins…and ends. My book is available on Amazon and www.goodgirlsdontbook.com.

Uncategorized, featured guests

"The Goddesses"

Hello My Wonderful, Beautiful Lady Friends of America!

 I can’t wait for you to see this new project that I’m working on called Make Girlfriends; this will be a place of inspiration, of meeting, sharing and encouraging. It’s so important to have girlfriends through all our stages in life. This will be a place for us to meet via social networking and then follow up with an actual meeting face to face.

This is a totally free site to sign up and register and I encourage you to sign up to meet others just like you to be part of each others lives and watch the possibilities of each day excite us! It’s time to create new memories, get out of our ruts in life and start living for today the now, the moment in life that we only have.

This to me is like a birthing process; I am a mother of 2 adult children; my daughter living in NYC now 28 and my son living in L.A. now 26. The birthing process was a time of preparation, preparedness and eventually the beautiful gift of life. This site in all my hopes is to be a gift for all my lady friends out there. I also will have an interactive “Your voice” section where you can give us your favorite quotes, your experiences that are inspirational and can uplift others. So, not only can you make lifetime friendships but you can also be inspired at the same time.

I am excited, I am invigorated and I am ready for you to join for free and make great connections with other women! I like to say these words on a regular basis; I am here, I am open, I am ready, guide me…..it’s time to take the plunge, take the adventure and check out my site starting on August 1, 2010.

Uncategorized women friendship