Thursday, January 24, 2008

Sharing Adventures with Different Cultures

In today's society we grow up sharing our country with many other cultures. There are so many things we can learn to share with each other if we just open up our hearts and minds to these different concepts and ways of life.
When I was a child of around 10 or 11 years old we had a 40 year old man named Salem come for a visit from Africa. It was a cold January week in which we had approximately 3 feet of snow fall.

My brothers and I were rushing about to get our outfits on to go play in the snow. Salem watched us with wonder.

"What is it that you go out to do with the snow, my children?" he asked in his broken English.

"We make snow forts, have snowball fights, ride down hills on our sleds, skate on the ice rink we made in the backyard, make snow angels. It is so much fun! Do you not have snow where you come from?" I asked him with amazement.

"I have never seen snow except on the television. Is it not cold? I see you have five layers of clothes on your person. And it is wet. Will you not freeze before you can have any fun?"

"Oh, we do get cold and wet but we have too much fun to care. Then we come inside, warm up in a hot shower and have hot chocolate and marshmallows."

My mother came around the corner with a smile on her face. "Salem, would you like to go out and play with the children? You could have great stories to tell your children back home. I have found some of our old clothes, and a snowsuit just for you." My mother held out my father's old black and orange skidoo suit he had worn years ago up north when he lived on his parents farm.

Salem was nervous about getting cold, yet the excitement showed through his dark eyes as they glanced back and forth from the snowsuit and boots to the great big snowflakes falling around outside the window.

He pulled on his snowsuit awkwardly; tucking his pant legs into the boots with great enthusiasm, becoming more enthralled with the prospect of romping around in the great big yonder.

That day was a day Salem would never forget. We had him out for over 6 hours doing everything we possibly could. When we finally came inside we were soaked from head to toe, teeth chattering, and almost blue from hypothermia.

The rest of that night, Salem delighted us with stories from his homeland. A world we knew nothing about. It was a wonderful time. At the end of the week when Salem had to return home, we felt like we were losing a part of us. We had learned that in so many of the ways we were different, we were still so inherently the same.

In a world full of diversity, where so much can be accomplished, it is sad to see that there is still so many people narrow minded and closed off from the possibilities that we could all share if we would take the time to see each other as all one mankind, to revel in the differences, and not run from the fear of the unknown, or the uncertainty of the situation. If we spent half as much time in getting to know other people and cultures as we do in prejudging or stereotyping, we could maybe see the potential we would have for true peace on earth.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Now I don't want to discredit myself, but I am going to admit that I am an advent Montel Williams, Murray Povich, and Dr. Phil watcher on day time tv.
Montel makes us aware that there are alot of issues out there that we may not pay attention to until it hits home. He is big on inspiration stories.
The other day I tuned in to teens who saved other people even when their own lives were in jeopardy. These are the true real life heroes.
In an age where it is every man for himself, it is such a refresher to watch these stories of people who are willing to step outside of their own personal safe bubble to reach out to a complete stranger in need.
You can turn on the news and see horror stories, and disasters, yet you hardly ever see hero stories. There are parents killing their kids and themselves, there is gang shootings, enraged, betrayed lover stabbings, and so much more.
How did we get so self centred and absorbed? Was it a reaction due to actions against us(perceived or not) that led us to be so wrapped up in a coccoon? Is it really only going to get worse for society? Are we predesigned to fail as mankind? Is life on earth just one slow waste of time?
Why is it that no one knows your name or worth until you are dead? Why is it when something good does happen, we all hold our breath waiting for the bad to follow?
It's pitiful. Sad, and scary, to think with all we have going for us, that we could automatically just end up in the negative.
Well, it is nice to tune in to Montel on a gray cloudy morning and find out that there is still a ray of sunshine to be found. So, thank you Montel, and to all the others out there that renew my faith in society with their selfless acts of kindness and brotherly love.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Two Year Old Cleans Up
It is sometimes a very hard thing to get your children to learn how to clean. I had to try just about everything, including bribery to get my children to finally clean up after themselves.
I am reminded of a time long ago, when my oldest child was only a toddler. My daughter loved playing with my keys. We woke up one morning very late to get to a doctors appointment. After running around the house chasing my daughter to finally get her little buns dressed, I was at a loss for where I had put my keys.
I searched high and low. I checked every drawer in her bedroom, my bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, every available spot I could lay my eyes on where I thought the keys may have gotten to.
The time slipped by. We were too late for the appointment I had to call and cancel it. I was not impressed as I had to wait another four months to be seen again.
As I surveyed the mess of our house caused by my massive overhaul search method,I asked my daughter if she had seen my keys.
She ran into her room and grabbed her own toy keys to bring to me.
“Mommy have mine.” She quipped in her cute little baby voice.
“Thank you sweetheart, but Mommy can’t lock the door or drive the car with your keys, baby girl.” I smiled and kissed her fondly on the head.
With the appointment missed and the day wasted, I decided I may as well spend what was left on baking some cookies. My daughter loved to help me bake. Licking out the bowl and beaters were her specialty. We were going to a church picnic the following day, and I needed to make some cookies for my Sunday school class children.
I opened the oven door to take out the roasting pan and almost dropped it with surprise at what was inside. My keys lay neat in the bottom of the tray.
I started to laugh hysterically. My daughter just stood, mouth agape as I slid to the floor, holding my stomach, tears pouring down my face. She too started to laugh.
My husband came home at that time. He scanned the room in bewilderment. Clothes hanging from lamp shades, toys thrown all over, cupboards open, drawers hanging out, pots and pans littered the usually immaculate kitchen floor. There in the middle of the mess with flour from head to toe were his two girls clutching each other and laughing like wild hyenas.
When we were calmed down, my daughter and I played a new game called “Tidy Up Time.”
That is one of the joys of trying to teach your children to put things away. Sometimes it may not be something of theirs, and sometimes they may not recall where they put it. But remember, It is Always in the Last Place you look.


About the Author
Melanie Bremner is a mother of three who has written and published several children’s stories, taught Sunday school, and graduated from business school, with a minor in psychology.
She is presently running and maintaining an online retail children’s shop, and produces a bi-weekly newsletter full of stories, facts and fun for the whole family. If you would be interested in receiving tips on various topics of raising children, you can sign up for her newsletter at http://bargainbin4kids.com/

Sunday, April 22, 2007

A day in the life of a 35 year old mother of three.
It is 7am. I have a 6 week old crying to be fed, a 14year old not getting ready for school because he is too tired from playing his playstation until 3am, and a 17yr old who can't find anything appropriate to wear for her political debate in the school gymnasium that day.
Hours of sleep last night for mom?
3.
Level of patience?
2
One thing I have learned is how to feed the baby at the same time I am doing other things. I have the baby locked in one arm, shirt half pulled up enough so he can nurse, I am putting the kettle on with the other arm,and yelling orders to the other children as I try to mentally take stock of the days chores.
Any of this sound familiar to you? Any mother of more than one child has lived a day probably pretty much the same as this one.
How do we cope?
How do we maintain our composure when every ounce of our being is crying out for relief?
Can I make it through another day without losing anymore of my precious sanity?
But then your children do something that makes you remember why you started this whole family thing.
Your 17 year old daughter takes the time to make you a tea, as she has made one for herself. She has made it perfect, just the way you like it. She smiles, and kisses your cheek as she puts it on the coffeetable in front of you.
Your son passes by and shares a bite of his toast and peanut butter with you before he heads out the door to the school bus.
Kisses and hugs, and "I love you Mommy! You're the best!" As they both head out the door for their own day of learning and experience.
A smile crosses your tired, wrinkled face. The world is right again. Energy has been restored. You are once again proud to be a MOM.
It is the little things in life we need to hold on to. In today's society we get bogged down by so much other junk, we forget to keep our minds and hearts on what really matters.
We must make that effort every day to remind ourselves of why we are where we are and what we can be thankful for. Keeping a positive attitude is so crucial to maintaining a healthy, balanced life. But it is worth the effort. Nothing is ever totally inconceivable even if it may appear to be so.
This is my inspirational thought to share with you for the day.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Hey there. I have been pretty busy and away for a long time. I know some of you probably stopped coming by to visit me because I have been missing in action.
I got married on August 12 this year and found out I was pregnant 2 days later.
So I am now 5 months pregnant next week. I have gone through the morning sickness.
The hormonal ups and downs, and everything else that is associated with pregnancy. My baby is 14 years old so it is almost like this is all new since it has been so long now.
I have been establishing myself, creating a niche in the business world. I think I finally know what I want to be when "I grow up".
I went from trying to lose weight and feeling good about myself to gaining weight for a good cause(which somehow doesn't appease all senses), but helps with the overall self esteem.
I came across an article which I thought was pretty helpful when getting by.
I would like to share it with you.

Living a life of "Frustrated Potentiality"?
Copyright 2006 Doreen Banaszak

Frustrated Potentiality...

I wish I had this phrase 5 years ago when I was sitting at
my desk, wanting to bang my head on it, thinking how much
more I could be doing if I wasn't working 60 hours a week
at a job that wasn't meaningful to me. At least I would
have had a phrase to explain exactly what I was feeling!

How does "frustrated potentiality" feel to you? What images
does it conjure up for you?

When I came across this phrase the other day it
immediately reminded me of a famous quote, that talks about
people leading "lives of quiet desperation", but with one
big difference...

"Desperation" lacks hope, "frustration" indicates a
willingness to do something, if you can get past the
frustration.

If you've ever felt this and are like I was, you simply
plow forward and focus on changing your circumstances.

But what usually happens when we follow this course? We
get what we think we want and then we want more, so yet
again we are back in our state of "frustrated potentiality".

So if changing circumstances doesn’t help, what will?
Learning how to "create" your experience is the key to
getting beyond frustration and into flow.

Let's take your career for example. If you always wanted
to do meaningful work, but felt as though you couldn't make
money doing it, you will always experience "frustrated
potentiality" until you actually do work that is meaningful.

Ok, now you know why you are frustrated...

So, where are you feeling "frustrated potentiality"?

Ask yourself this question regarding any area of your life,
your relationships, money, career, family...

Now use these 4 steps to turn your frustrated potentiality
into unlimited potentiality...

Step One, Get HONEST!

Ask yourself what you really want in this area. Let's go
back to the career example. What you really want here is
to make money doing meaningful work. That's it, plain and
simple. The trick here is to be completely honest. If
you're not, you will remain frustrated even though you say
you think you know what you want.

Step Two, Define What You Mean

Now ask yourself, what does "meaningful work" mean to me?
What would I be doing? Who would I be doing it with? Do I
like to work independently or with a group? What have I
always felt was important? What ideas have I had in the
past around the idea of meaningful work? How much money do
I WANT to make?

DO NOT THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WILL DO THIS! If you do, I
guarantee you will not get to step 3.

Take a moment and just start asking. Let the flow carry
you to the next question. What you'll end up with is an
idea of how this might actually be a possibility for you.

Step Three, Create a Vision for Yourself

Now create a vision of you doing what you've defined.
Picture yourself doing the work and collecting the check.

Why is this so important? Because until you can feel that
this is a real possibility for you, you won't have the
ideas and thoughts that will create the opportunities to
make it happen. If you are not positive about this, you
may as well stop now.

Step Four, Look for it!

I had a client who got to this level of detail and found a
job description that matched exactly what she had defined
for herself.

Another client took his definition on a job interview and
asked exactly for what he had defined and got it.

Many entrepreneurs have used this to define their ideal
client and they seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

So a life of "frustrated potentiality" or one of "unlimited
potentiality".

It's your choice, now that you have the these 4 steps!


----------------------------------------------------
Doreen Banaszak is a coach, teacher and the author of the
upcoming book, due for release Spring 2007, "Excuse Me,
Your Life Is Now", the follow-up to Lynn Grabhorn's New
York Times Best Seller, "Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting".
Register for Doreen's free mini-course, "Access Your
Power", 4 Steps to Deliberately Create Any Experience You
Want" at
http://www.your-life-is-now.com

Monday, March 13, 2006

I recently have changed my lifestyle and thinking process. I have had a bit of a hard time avoiding certain mistakes repeatedly. But I decided to embark on a journey for enlightenment the last few years and have come to realize my attitude has been all wrong.
The following article I found to be a good read. Hopefully it will give you some insight into a new way of thinking to maximize your full potential.

How Are Your Choices Forming Patterns and Perspectives In Your Life?
Copyright 2006 Awakenings Life Coaching by Kathryn Bonner

The way you view life is vital, it is the key to the
method, the way you understand and experience life. There
are those who find life to be wonderful, breathtaking,
magnificent, amazing, joyful, miraculous, adventurous, and
there are those who don’t.

I find it to be quite amazing how some people truly do live
life out of the thoughts or feelings of lack. I hear them
complain and be negative in most areas of their living, and
don’t realize that they are their own worst enemy!

I know a woman who grew up with polio and had eighteen
surgeries growing up. She was in a brace or a cast all the
way up to her hips, limiting her movement for much of her
life. She could not do the things other children and young
adults could do! I never knew her as a child with this
disease. I’ve only know her as an adult and knowing her
now, and I know of her magnificence! She says and believes
that her polio was a gift! There are many who may have
taken these very circumstances and taken on the opposite
view. She could have ended up a very bitter woman, and we
as a society would have thought she had the right to be
because of her polio.

We have been given the freedom of thought, the freedom of
choice, the freedom to believe, the capacity to be
thinking, feeling human beings! Wow! What freedoms we
have! What a beautiful thing this freedom of thought is
and how powerful it is!

What are you doing with your mind? What way are you
choosing to live your life? What thoughts, what
disposition to you want or do you long for?

This journey of life is exactly that, a journey. Much of
this journey is made up of our thoughts. Thoughts about
ourselves and about others and thoughts about what others
think of us! It can get very heavy or it can be beautiful
thoughts of others!

When someone thinks highly of you, you know it! When
someone thinks poorly of you, you know it! You feel great
around those that think well of you, and you feel awkward
and unsure, less confident around those that don’t. It’s
amazing what thoughts do and how they can be felt! You can
feel them in your body!

In my journey I have always tried to see everyone in a
positive light, and be a positive light to those I
encounter. It’s my choice to see and experience beauty
fully. It is my choice to enjoy each and every human being
I encounter, no matter how different they might be. I am
able to discover and uncover the beauty within them. This
is my choice to do so and I find it to serve me well. I
find it to bring much beauty and joy to my life.

There have been times when people have surfaced in my life
for one reason or another that I did not want there. There
is a particular woman who seemed to be always there, I
didn’t like her hardness. Her viewpoint on life was very
different from mine. We were complete opposites in our
thinking. Yet, both of us were deep thinkers, both of us
held deep convictions within our very souls. Both of us
took God very seriously and yet very differently! She was
brought into my life to strengthen my faith at a time when
my faith was faltering. She was the only one who saw that
my faith was faltering because she knew exactly what it was
to have faltering faith! When my dearest friends didn’t
see it, she did! She knew life on a different level than
I. She brought life to me on a different level. She
expanded my mind, and I became one of compassion for her!
It is amazing this life! When I finally made the choice to
allow her into my life, I believe God used her to
strengthen my faith at a time when I needed it!

Choices are amazing. We have to make so many every day!
With every choice there is a consequence. With good
choices we experience good or great consequences. With bad
choices we experience bad or horrible consequences. We
become attuned to these outcomes, or we don’t.

I would encourage you to begin really thinking, examining
the choices you make and why you make them. They form
these amazing patterns in your life!

I have always taught my daughters this and used the dating
scenarios with them. I felt that it was tremendously
important for them to view the young men they were allowing
into their young lives in total truth. (Think about
viewing one in total truth, for that matter think about
viewing yourself in total truth). I would remind the girls
that certain behaviors, if they allowed them, or merely
accepted them, that they were in the process of allowing
certain types of behavior become acceptable. Letting them
know that patterns were being formed in their young lives.
Making them aware if they were living unconsciously (sleep
walking through life), or consciously (awakening) in their
relationships was HUGE! I never wanted them to be living
their lives unconsciously!

So many of us can sleep walk through life allowing
unbecoming behaviors to become a part of our lives! This
therefore sets the patterns up and sets the stage of your
life!

Think about the patterns you have in your life, what are
you compromising on? What are you settling for? Why?

Raise your echelon of accepted wisdom! What kind of role
model are you being for your children, for your co-workers,
your employees? What leadership role are you in? Where to
you want to change? What is working for you? What isn’t?
How to you want to experience this life!?

The thing I love about life it that we can always choose!
We can choose to break free of thoughts and behaviors that
no longer serve the right purpose for us! We can allow
ourselves to be transformed and awakened! We can
recognize this life is a journey with many paths and can
choose to stay on the road we are on or we can take the
fork in the road that will lead us to places known and
unknown making good and right choices along the way!

Here’s to living fully and being fully awakened!

Kathryn


----------------------------------------------------
Kathryn Bonner is a Professional, Personal, Executive and
Spiritual Life Coach trained through CTI, The Coaches
Training Institute. View her website at
http://www.AwakeningsLifeCoaching.com Email:
AwakeningsLifeCoaching@cox.net Office: 512-260-7775 Toll
Free: 866-469-8800
Using this article will allow you one pro bono coaching
session over the phone! This aids us both in deciding if
we should partner together. If you are ready for growth,
desire to become a great leader in the work place, want to
be stretched, long for renewal, grace and a fuller life,
give coaching a shot and experience the ability to truly
accomplish your dreams and goals. I would be honored to aid
you in your journey, living the God given dreams you have!



Please visit my site for all your business and personal needs.

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Monday, February 06, 2006

Oh my Goodness! I am so sorry to all my faithful viewers for my absence. I have been very busy and didn't even realize that it has been almost 2 months since I was on here!
But things are on a roll for me now. I am getting married in August and have had a tons of things to plan for that. I am excited! Being in love changes your perspective on life though, I can tell you that. I have been revived and the words are finding their way to the pages again. I have had writers block for some time now and have not been feeling quite myself due to that. I wrote my first poem the other night for the first time in 2 and a half years.
For someone like me who has always used the pen and paper as a way of expressing myself it has been pure torture for me not to be able to write any emotions out. I felt dead and disassociated with all people and circumstances around me. I felt I was lost in a void with no hope for seeing the light. Then I found a very special man. He had been there all along as a dear friend but I had never thought he may be what my soul craved....until that fateful day when I needed him most and he was there. Funny how life works.
Now everything seems to be all piecing together. My business plans are taking off and apparently working out. Still alot to do but for the first time in 6 years since the plan was conceived it is looking like it may just go somewhere.
My ex husband has even managed to astonish me!!! I had the divorce papers sent over and called to make sure he signed them and sent then back since it takes 4 months to finalize. He congratulated me and gave me his blessings! Now anyone knowing my ex would know he just doesn't do that kind of thing. He is a well known jerk and even admits it himself. I feel like I have a whole new chance to do and live the life I wanted to and should have the first time around 17 years ago.
I know alot of you may not care about this, or even wonder why I am telling you my business. I just wanted to let you know that if you allow yourselves to be who you are and truly meant to be regardless of society you can find true happiness and expression. You may have to endure some hardships, even ones that may feel like they will be the death of you, but this is the time to delve into your inner resources and strengthen the character you are capable of being. With that you can acheive anything life throws at you. Write it all down!!! Share it with others. I am so tired of hearing sad and pathetic stories on the news and talk shows. Why is everyone so eager to share their misery but no one ever spreads the joy?
The only joy you seem to see is when someone wins the lottery. That's not true joy. True joy is when a passion is experienced that enriches your life in a meaningful way. Something that has an impact on you and others around with a lifelong impression that causes you to change your way of thinking for the better.
I will leave you with that thought. I hope I have encouraged you to ponder upon your own existence and per chance wonder if you may not be living up to your full potential. To all those out there who would love peace of mind and peace on earth, take care and good will! Never forget who you are and what you stand for! Never let anyone try to dash your hopes and dreams! Remember all those remembered and revered are the ones who always persisted and continued with their passions regardless of anyone elses' opinions! It is what separates the great from the average. Don't settle for average! We were destined for great things! You must believe!
Until next time my friends! Take care!



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