Goals to Propel You to a Bigger, Bolder Life

We’re one week in to 2012; how are your New Year’s resolutions coming along?

Yes, the New Year holds so much promise and opportunity to set and achieve some pretty amazing things!  Unfortunately, once we’re into January, and back to our daily routines, we often forget about the promise of the New Year and settle back into the mundane.  Well, buckle up because Soulspring Groups is going to take you on an amazing journey this year.

As we go through life it’s easy to fall into a rut – the same routine day in and day out.  What’s the fun in that?  What we need is a jumping off point, a “springboard” to some adventure and excitement!  It seemed to us that a “bucket list” would be an easy and fun way to ensure we’re adding the variety and spice to our lives for which we all yearn, and that is precisely the idea behind Soulspring Groups’ “My Spring Board” project. 

This year we want to see you reaching, learning, and attaining everything you’ve always wanted to be, do and have.  The first thing you’ll want to do is visit our page on Facebook and download your free Spring Board tools from the “Empowerment and Fun” tab (you’ll see the link below our profile image).  Then, follow along on the Soulspring Facebook Page as we share an inspiring “Spring Board” idea every Friday!

Get ready for 52 ideas to help “spring” you into living a bigger, bolder life!  If our suggested idea or activity sparks some interest within you, then add it to your “Spring Board” in the appropriate section; schedule something you would like to do in the summertime under June or July...something you think would be good to do with your family under the Family section.

If you missed the first Spring Board idea for 2012, you can see it here. 

And of course we want you to add your own ideas to the plan!  We’ve included more than 52 spaces for fun activities on this worksheet; plenty of room for your own personal goals.  Remember to stretch and strive for interests that have been long lost, maybe since your childhood!  To help inspire ideas ask yourself the following questions:

• What dreams did I have as a child (i.e.: ride in a hot-air balloon, blow a bubble gum bubble bigger than my head, etc.)?

• What have I always been curious about trying (i.e.: firing a gun, spending the night in a lighthouse, milking a cow by hand, etc.)?

• What have others done that has fascinated me (i.e.: running a marathon, whitewater rafting, writing a book, etc.)?

• What are the simple things in life that I need to be reminded to do (i.e.: drive around the lake in autumn, watch the sunrise, go on a picnic, etc.)?

• What have I always wanted to learn (i.e.: knitting, changing a flat tire, learning to make Grandma’s special recipe, etc.)?

Our post each Friday on Facebook will prompt you to revisit this list often (as in weekly!).  When you do, check off your accomplishments, add more ideas, and schedule your next to-do or adventure!  Refer to this tool anytime you’re feeling down or bored; choose a goal and put a plan into action to achieve it!  Heck, make it a family affair!  A sense of accomplishment is one of the best empowerment-builders there is!

We want to stay updated on your accomplishments, both big and small!  Post your latest achievement to our Facebook Wall, referencing “The Spring Board Project” and help to inspire the entire Soulspring community to live big this year!

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

A Push is All You Need

It was a typical vacation with my parents; my Dad was the leader, leaving no rock unturned or path unexplored. It’s always been that way, but we’ve experienced some great things because of having that extra little push.

My daughter and I were lucky enough to ride back north with my parents this last spring in their RV. And it very quickly became clear to me that Dad hasn’t changed a bit. My parents clearly had a little something up their sleeve as we were traveling through Missouri.

I’ve always wanted to blow glass so I put it on my list a few years back; my “list” of course being my “List of Things to Do Before I Die”. I’ve casually looked into taking classes but always decided that I’d put it on my “someday” list (And we all know what happens to a majority of the things on our “someday” list!).

Aware of this aspiration on my list, Mom and Dad tracked down a glass blowing studio near where we’d be making our RV trek. One late afternoon we pulled into Astral Glass Studio in New Haven, MO. The showroom had so many beautiful pieces of blown glass but unfortunately the blowers had left for the day. This is where my natural response would be to politely say, “Thank you, have a great night.” Well, before I could open my mouth Dad spoke up and asked, “Do you ever let customers blow glass?”

The woman behind the counter was a little surprised by the request, but after giving it a minute of thought she said that if we came back in the morning she was quite sure that “the guys” (the glass blowers) would indulge me by helping to cross this item off my list. Sure enough, we returned the next morning and the guys let me into the shop, showed me the basics, and let me blow my very first glass bubble! As for my list…Glass blowing…CHECK!

Quite often in life we’re presented with amazing opportunities but instead of embracing them we listen to the little fearful voice inside of us. A little push is sometimes all we need to experience something new, great and adventurous! I’m lucky enough to have a person in my life willing to give me a little “push” from time to time, but there’s no reason why you can’t be that person to yourself. Seek out those opportunities, leave your comfort zone, and live life to the fullest!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.” ~Orison Swett Marden

Me? Longing for More Winter?

I’ve always been one to hurry the end of winter along because I could not wait for spring to arrive. The cold, the snow . . . long about the first of March I’ve usually had enough of it and start wishing for the first signs of spring (and in the spirit of friendly competition, I’ve always wanted to be the one who will spot the first robin).

This year however, it’s a different story. A few weeks ago I checked something off of my “101 List of Things to Do Before I Die”. I’ve always wanted to introduce my children to cross country skiing. My first experience with the sport was some 15 years ago spending the weekend with a set of rentals. I fell in love with it! I can recall the exact moment - we we’re skiing on the evening of a full moon. It was amazing! It was calm, quiet and peaceful. I’ve only skied three or four times since then, but I always knew that it was something I would like to do as a family when the kids were old enough. There aren’t too many activities that will bring you outdoors during the winter months in the Midwest that don’t involve an engine, gasoline, and fast speed.

So a couple weeks ago we spent a Saturday combing the used sporting goods stores and clearance racks. We came home with everything we needed; four sets of skis, boots, and poles. Living in a rural area we are surrounded by countless opportunities of open and wooded trails right outside our back door. We haven’t missed a day of skiing yet. It’s obvious the kids love it; going sometimes two or three times a day blazing new trails for the family to try the following night.

So I’d really like to hold on to winter for just a couple more weeks. However, the forecast calls for temperatures in the 30’s and sunny days all week long. I may have just skied my last trip for the season. If that is the case though, what better way to end than with family under a full moon! It was spectacular!

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." ~George Santayana