5 Ways to Live Life from the Front Row

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that grab your attention.  We posted this photograph and caption to our Soulspring Facebook page and were blown away by the response: 58 people liked it, 50 people shared it and 15 people commented!

The interaction caught our attention; clearly you were intrigued by the notion of living life out front.  By looking closely at this photo we uncovered 5 Ways to Live Life from the Front Row...

1.    Dare to take the ride: Don’t let fear, age, size, [insert your excuse here] keep you from the excitement of life.  Playing it safe is what the onlookers do--and surely you’ve noticed they’re the ones having the least amount of fun.

2.    Be the first one on: If you want to live life in the front row, you’ve gotta be the first one on the ride.  If you hesitate for even a moment, some other brave soul is going to take your place and have all the laughs.

3.    Take a friend along for the ride:  Who doesn’t feel a bit more courageous with someone they trust riding shotgun?  Grab your BFF and take on the adventure together.

4.    Let your hair get messy (and your skirt fly up):  I shudder to think of how many times I let an opportunity pass me by simply because I wasn’t dressed for it.  So what if your skirt flies up and your hair blows around; hang on to your hat and enjoy every minute.

5.    Be o.k. with the next best thing: When all else fails, and you miss your chance to be up front, don’t underestimate the fun and excitement of the second row.  From the looks of it, that’s the next best place to be.

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”   ~Dale Carnegie

Living An Empowered Life Requires Asking the Right Questions

Last week’s post referenced an article entitled, “How Far Has Your Bottle Gone?”  Written by Ernest R. Stair, the article tells of a man who put a note in a bottle, asking whoever finds it to send him a letter revealing its destination.  He seals it up and tosses it in the ocean, imagining all the exotic places his bottle would go and all the adventures it would have.  He lived in anticipation, excited to see where the bottle would eventually be found. 

Forty-five years later, he received a note that the bottle had been found...mere yards from the spot where it has originally been thrown it in.

Are there goals in your life that haven’t quite gone the distance?  For most, it’s common to feel disappointment from not accomplishing the great endeavors you dreamed of as a child.  We have hopes of changing the world, traveling to every corner of the globe, being top-dog in our career, saving helpless orphans.  And, when we hit mid-life and haven’t achieved all we set out to do, we feel as though we’ve failed. 

It's an issue many Soulspring Groups members are quite familiar, and if these feelings are common to you, too, then perhaps it’s time to change your way of thinking.  Instead of asking yourself...

• How much money do I make?
• How many square feet does my house contain?
• How will my job title sound at a high school reunion?
• How many people report to me?
• How many walls are needed to display my degrees, awards, honors, trophies and tributes?

What if you asked yourself...

• How many times did I refuse to quit?
• How many times did I learn from my mistakes?
• How many times did I make a comeback?
• How many times did I let somebody else have all the glory?
• How many times did I take criticism gracefully?
• How many times did I make someone’s day?

Notice how the first line of questioning has one thing in common; measuring your level of achievement based on other people’s opinions.  The latter set of questions inspires deeper answers.  Instead of basing our accomplishments on the size of your paycheck or the fancy options in your car, these are the true test of real achievement.  They show what is deep down inside, and that’s what matters most.

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“It has been said, ‘Accomplishment is socially judged by ill defined criteria so that one has to rely on others to find out how one is doing.’  It is our job to rise above it!” ~ Albert Bandura

Soul Searching Question: How Far Has Your Bottle Gone?

January marks the beginning of the New Year; that means it’s time for a life review.  Have you accomplished everything you thought you would in the past year?  Are you at the exact point in life you thought you would be?  If your answer is a disappointing “no”, and you suddenly feel a sense of failure sneaking in, wait... 

A Soulspring Groups member shared a wonderful article with us last week, “How Far Has Your Bottle Gone?” from the January 2012 issue of Toastmaster’s magazine.  In the article, author Ernest R. Stair writes about a man who put a note in a bottle.  The note requested that whoever found the bottle send him a letter revealing its destination.  He sealed the note in the bottle, tossed it in the ocean and began to imagine all the exotic places the bottle would go and adventures it would have.  He waited anxiously for word that the bottle had been found; excited to see where it would eventually turn up. 

Forty-five years later, his bottle was found, and he received a note from the finding party.  The bottle was found only several hundred yards from the spot where he had originally thrown it.  What a let-down...a great, big, giant failure; or was it?

While the bottle was found close to its origination there’s nothing to say that it didn’t travel the world before it came back.  Perhaps the bottle thrower was correct, and it traveled to every exotic corner of the world, saw great vistas, and met many hands that threw it back into the water.

Or, maybe the bottle did only travel a few hundred feet before coming back to shore, and spent the remaining 45 years right there on the rocky coast.  Imagine the sights of awe it must have experienced; the sunsets, the sunrises, the family outings, the fishing, the ships, the vacationers, the wildlife.

When taking stock of your life’s accomplishments, it’s inevitable to feel like you’ve had some disappointments.  Do your grandiose ideas of travel, adventure, and changing the world seem a little more out of grasp these days?  If so, perhaps you’re measuring the wrong thing.  Instead of measuring your accomplishments by the final goal, what if you took stock of everything that has happened along the way?  Isn’t that what’s really important anyway?

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare.” ~Georgia O'Keeffe

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

New Year’s Resolutions: What If Your Life Depended on It?

Donna Fountain's Dreams

It’s the first day of 2012 and if you’re like most people you have a long list of resolutions and goals for the new year.  And, if you’re like most people, you won’t even come close to making them a reality and they’ll be long forgotten come February.

This year at Soulspring Groups we’re looking at our goals and dreams a little differently.  We were deeply touched by the story of Donna Fountain, 38, of Brooklyn, NY.  Donna had goals for her life and she took them seriously.  She had them in writing and carried them with her wherever she went.

On her way to work her early Christmas morning shift as a home health attendant at Partners in Care, Donna was struck and killed in a hit and run accident.  The worn piece of paper, on which she had written her bullet-pointed list of dreams, was found at the scene.

Certainly a woman, who had taken the time to put her goals in writing and deliberately carry them with her daily, was extremely dedicated to seeing them through.  Yet, we couldn’t help but wonder what extra steps if any, Donna would have taken, had she been forewarned of her fate.  Would she have done anything differently?  Would she have changed how she allocated her time, her energy, her attention, had she known her dreams had a deadline?

None of us know the exact day or hour of our death; but we know it’s coming at some point.  How differently would you approach your goals if you had a definite deadline?  That’s the kind of focus, energy and enthusiasm we must put into pursuing our passions and achieving our dreams.

Your goals have a deadline; don’t die with your dreams in your pocket.

Thank you, Donna Fountain, for teaching us this important lesson.

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:

"If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, it is now." ~ Unknown

Lost on the Journey of Life: Soul Searching Questions to Discover Your Life Purpose

If you’ve ever found yourself lost, then you know the anxiety and fear that comes with not knowing your way. Regardless of whether you’re lost on the highway or lost in life, the feelings are quite similar.  Imagine yourself on a random road.  Of course you’ll end up somewhere eventually, but the question is, will you end up where you want to be?

The same is true for our lives.  We can live without direction, and eventually we’ll come to the end of our lives, but will we enjoy the way there?  Will we have taken the right route?  Will have seen the sites we were meant to see?  While we can’t possibly map out every twist and turn in our lives, knowing we’re headed in the right direction eliminates anxiety, worry and fear, and allows us to enjoy the journey.

Your true "purpose" resides in your soul and to discover yours you need not only intellectual contemplation but a connection with your intuitive self as well. Prayer, meditation and journal writing are only a few of the many techniques you can use to get in touch with your true you.

And, these Soul-Searching Questions will also help.  While initially the answers will come from your head, once you begin to open up to the process the answers will begin to come from your heart.  When acting on the messages from within, you can't go wrong!

• As a child, what did I dream of being when I grew up?
• What were my favorite pastimes as a child?
• What activities give me the most joy?  Why?
• What people do I most admire?  What qualities do I most admire about them?
• What things come naturally to me?
• If “no” wasn’t an option, and I could have, do or be anything, what would that be?
• When I think of my favorite books, movies, television shows, etc., which are my favorites? What common themes run through their plots?

The questions above provide enough fodder for several hours of reflection.  As you work the process and re-read your previous answers and entries, more ideas and thoughts will come to mind.  Feel free to edit your answers.  As a final step, read through your thoughts and underline or highlight key words and phrases that trigger an emotional response, and watch for the clues that lead you in the right direction and closer to the mission for your life.

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Each person has an ideal, a hope, a dream which represents the soul.  We must give to it the warmth of love, the light of understanding and the essence of encouragement.” ~Colby Dorr Dam

The 30 Habits of Highly Empowered Women

While doing a little dusting in the office, I spotted a well-worn copy of Steven Covey’s classic, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.  This book first introduced us to concepts like the “abundance mentality” and the “upward spiral”, launching us down a path of personal development and growth, and a desire to support other women to do the same.

Seeing that title again got us thinking about the habits of highly empowered women.  What qualities do these women have in common?  What is it that sets these women apart from their counterparts?  Some lively conversation and a brainstorming session later and we came up with quite a list that inspired our Twitter-series for the month of November:  “The 30 Habits of Highly Empowered Women”.

Each day this month on Twitter we’ve been tweeting a habit that we have found that all empowered women share!  Below is a recap of our list...

1.       Empowered women know they have a mission to fulfill. They think, plan and live in accordance with their life purpose.

2.       Empowered women set aside the stereotypes and instead choose to focus on being their best and most authentic self.

3.       Empowered women know it’s o.k. to ask for what they want. They feel deserving of the best life has to offer.

4.       Empowered women have an open mind. They welcome new ideas and often a change of mind is more like a change of limiting belief.

5.       Empowered women see fear for what it is, “False Evidence Appearing Real”.

6.       Empowered women spread love and kindness wherever they go. Their open hearts attract great opportunities and wonderful people to them!

7.       Empowered women make their own self-care a top priority. They know they can’t help others if their personal energy is in short supply.

8.       Empowered women show gratitude for all the gifts in their life. It’s this gratitude that brings them abundance!

9.       Empowered women accept the differences in others. We’re all uniquely different (and equally important) after all!

10.   Empowered women surround themselves with other empowered women. They know the support of others allows them to do really great things.

11.   Empowered women close energy-sucking cycles in their lives. They know what’s important and can delegate or even dump the unnecessary.

12.   Empowered women are clear on their core values and live according to them. It’s the only way to fulfill their life’s purpose.

13.   Empowered women live a life of clarity. They know what they want to create or accomplish and they keep their eye on their goals daily.

14.   Empowered women take 100% responsibility. No matter how difficult, they always have a choice, and every decision is theirs to make.

15.   Empowered women believe anything is possible! They achieve because they believe!

16.   Empowered women recognize when things aren’t working in their lives and make the necessary course corrections to get back on track.

17.   Empowered women commit to constant and never-ending self-improvement. Knowledge is power!

18.   Empowered women put more focus and attention on the positive than the negative.

19.   Empowered women are constantly challenging their limits beliefs. They often question “why” and “why not”.

20.   Empowered women live in present time consciousness. They experience each moment to the fullest.

21.   Empowered women are honest with themselves and others. By living truthfully they will have no regrets!

22.   Empowered women “pay” themselves first. When their financial house is in order, they have more ways and means to give to the world.

23.   Empowered women empower themselves by empowering others. That’s all we’ve got to say about that!

24.   Empowered women don’t fall into playing the blame game. “If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” is their mantra!

25.   Empowered women know how to say no. They don’t let feelings of guilt or obligation keep them from what’s really important.

26.   Empowered women never, never, never give up on their dreams and goals. They believe and achieve!

27.   Empowered women have a strong relationship with their Creator, taking time for daily reflection and meditation.

28.   Empowered women live in balance; mind, body and spirit.

29.   Empowered women go over, under, around or through every challenge until they achieve their goals.

30.   Empowered women spend life doing the “right” things, instead of just “more” things.

Of course there are many, many more qualities that highly empowered women share.  What traits would have made your top habits list?  Please comment below.

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.”    

~ Shaquille O'Neal

Don't Wait Until Tomorrow...

Certainly you've heard the saying, "Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do today." Wise words by Thomas Jefferson and very true.  We never know what the future will hold or how much time we really have.  Yet many of us are doing exactly that...putting off important interactions, apologies, and actions of personal empowerment, choosing to instead procrastinate, or worse, put the agendas of others before our own important work.

We questioned our Facebook community and asked them what important work they thought should never wait until tomorrow and together we came up with quite a list.  Their answers, along with our own, inspired a month-long Twitter series, which began each day with, "Don't wait until tomorrow to..."

Below is a recap of this powerful series, along with some important links to some helpful resources!  

...take one risk. Do one great thing and the universe showers you with rewards!

...call your best friend.  Go ahead, we'll wait...give them a jingle!

...tell your hubby that you love him.  PDA (public displays of affection) to a minimum please.

...take that picture.  It's digital now...snap away!

...hug your kids.  PDA away!

...put yourself at the top of your priority list.  You deserve it!

...put lotion on your heels.  They're only going to get worse!

...start eating healthier.  Baby steps are key…so why not take one today?

...get to work on your dreams.  You’re not getting any younger.

...say thank you to your parents. I’m sure they more than deserve it.

...put some money away for your future...you’ll be happy to have the financial buffer in an emergency.

...recycle...if feels great to leave a cleaner environmental footprint.

...make peace with your body. Regardless of what the future holds, love yourself today for who you are.

...use your super powers. Don’t save them for something big and challenging, let them help you today!

...get in touch with what you’re really feeling...beneath the busyness, emotional eating, etc., what’s really going on?

...quit that bad habit and don’t look back. It’s never too late to be a better you.

...clean that cluttered closet. Donate your “stuff” to charity and open yourself up to abundance in other areas of life.

...ask for what you want. Come on, you’re just as deserving and worthy as the next person!

...take a day off...just once...from everything! Don’t plan or make a list, just do whatever you wish as the mood strikes.

...put yourself first, even if it’s just for an hour. It’s not selfish; it’s self-care and it’s about getting your priorities straight.

...give yourself some quiet time and ask yourself what you're afraid of.  Take on action step toward your fear.  Face your fear with these gems.

...give yourself flowers. Whatever is in stock at the florist shop is fine; it’s all about acknowledging how special you are.

...create a plan to pay down your debt. Living within your means is empowering!

...dust off those long lost goals and fulfill your purpose! A Soulspring Group can help!

...take one risk. Do one great thing and watch the universe shower you with rewards!

...have dessert first. Being frivolous and silly will make your day!

...give someone a compliment. Not only will they feel great, but you will too!

...recognize happiness. Gratitude makes for happier people, not the other way around.

...say, “I’m sorry.”

...ask for help if you’re in need. We were put on this Earth with others for a reason.

...do something you’ve always wanted to do.

While this is quite an extensive list, we may have forgotten something!  If you've found an important item has been missed, please comment below with your additions:  "Don't wait until tomorrow to..._______________."

It looks like we've got some important work ahead of us; we better get busy! 

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:

"Warning! Dates in calendar are closer than they appear." ~Anonymous

A Tribute to Friendship

What would we do without our friends?  Strong and healthy friendships are extremely important to our well-being and empowerment.  Women especially rely on close personal friendships for support, encouragement, inspiration and feedback.

This month via Twitter, Soulspring Groups has been offering a daily tribute to the important roles friends play in our lives.  You’ve all heard the saying, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”  Very wise advice certainly, however there were many more “don’ts” to add to the list, and with the help of the Soulspring Groups community on Facebook, we created this list...

1. Put themselves down.
2. Play it safe.
3. Think negative thoughts.
4. Let fear hold them back.
5. Lose faith.
6. Work too hard.
7. Miss an opportunity.
8. Get lonely.
9. Live in the past.
10. Ignore their passion.
11. Forfeit vacation time.
12. Sing karaoke solo.
13. Say never.
14. Feel sorry for themselves.
15. Give up.
16. Cower in the face of challenge.
17. Stop learning.
18. Underestimate their own potential.
19. Take "no" for an answer.
20. Waste energy on worry.
21. Take things personally.
22. Over analyze.
23. Forget your birthday!
24. Chicken out.
25. Put a limit on happiness.
26. Have regrets.
27. Want for love.
28. Forget who they are.
29. Miss out on a good sale.
30. Ruin a fresh manicure.
31. Walk around with food in their teeth.
32. Lie to themselves.

What an amazing list, and we’re sure there are many more!  Tell us...how would you complete the statement, “Friends don’t let friends _______________.”  Share your ideas in the comment area below as a way to pay tribute to your pals and share this post so your friends can do same!

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:“Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.”  ~Author Unknown

Women’s Empowerment Tip: Kick Your Habits to the Curb

Habits, no matter if they are good or bad, make us who we are…and, habits, no matter if they are good or bad, can make us or break us. 

Habits have a way of overtaking our lives and as a result we find ourselves stuck.  They’re sneaky; silently creeping up on you until you’re hooked!  You may not even realize the negative impact they are having on your life until it’s too late!  That’s why it’s so important to be aware of your habits and confront the ones that no longer serve you. 

Identifying bad habits is as easy as asking yourself, “What am I doing out of habit that no longer serves me?”  Look to the areas in your life that cause you constant struggle or challenge for an additional clue.  For example, if you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck, your spending habits may need a review.  Habits such as eating the wrong kinds of foods in excess, shopping or eating out of emotion, spending too much time in front of the television, and most likely many more, might also come to mind. 

Once you have identified the habits you know you must change, follow these 6 tips to kick your habits to the curb:

1) Tackle one bad habit at a time and give your new positive habit 30 days to develop and establish new muscle memory.  Don’t be hard on yourself if you have a set-back; put any digression behind you and pick up where you left off.

2) Write it out; don’t leave commitments in your brain. Put pen to paper and gain clarity around the change you wish to make and why.  It’s tempting to skip this step but it’s extremely important!  Whenever you’re tempted to give up, this is just what you need to once again get clear on your objective and what it will mean for your life!

3) If the habit you want to change is an especially tough one, recognize the need for a step-by-step plan.  Just like when you create a plan to achieve a goal or finish a project, identifying key steps to break your habit will allow you to make small but steady progress each week.  Taking manageable action steps over time will ensure you have a successful outcome.

4) Habits are often prompted so it’s important to recognize your trigger (ie: If TV sparks a snack attack, stop the urge by eliminating TV time or replacing it with another activity).

5) Surround yourself with loyal supporters.  Let them help you and cheer you on!  Your Soulspring Group will undoubtedly be a valuable resource to you at this time.  They will gently hold you accountable to your mission and some members may even join you in your quest to kick the habit!

6) Awareness is key. Present time consciousness (PTC) will ensure you don’t mindlessly revert to old ways.  Don’t look back and don’t look ahead, stay focused on the now and take it a moment at a time.

It’s not necessary to remain a hostage to your habits.  A desire to change combined with a splash of will-power and the right support network, is all you need to change your life!

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:“The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”  ~Samuel Johnson

Your Summer Bucket List

The 4th of July holiday tends to mark the half-way point of the summer season.  We don’t know about you, but we’re wondering where the first half of the summer went?  Time sure does fly, doesn’t it?

Don’t let the few remaining weeks of summertime get away from you.  Make the most of the sunshine and warm weather by creating a special "bucket list" specifically for summer!  Need some inspiration?  We’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite summertime activities and we know you’ve probably got a few ideas of your own.  Create a list of things you want to be sure to do and experience before the days get shorter (and the snow flies)!

1. Get up before the crack of dawn and savor the sunrise.
2. Buy yourself a hula-hoop and give it a whirl.
3. Wait for a warm rain (no hail, wind, or lightning please) and dance in it.
4. Find the most perfect picnic location, pack up your favorite foods in a basket, and have a picnic.
5. Go fly a kite up where the air is clear.
6. Here’s a real adventure if you’re feeling a little risqué? Go skinny dipping!
7. Get in touch with your inner child and blow some bubbles.
8. Be a do-gooder and volunteer for a day.
9. Be an astrologer for a night and lay out under the stars.
10. Try all 31 Baskin Robbins flavors.
11. Act like a kid again and instigate a water fight.
12. Combine the perfect shade tree with a perfect book for an afternoon of reading.
13. Make memories with the outdoors as your backdrop.  Schedule a family photo session with a photographer.
14. Connect with nature. Go on a nature hike with a camera and see how many species of flower you can capture on “film”.
15. Dream up some fantastic architecture and build a sand castle.
16. Show your team spirit and attend a Minor League baseball game.
17. Enjoy all-natural produce by visiting (and purchase from) a local farmer’s market.
18. Capture light by catching fire flies in a jar (but be kind and release them again).
19. Get creative with your grill – think pizzas, quesadillas, salads, and desserts!
20. Create a summer playlist. Pull together your favorite tunes for the season.
21. Head north and view the Northern Lights.
22. Take a day off work and surprise your kids by playing outside games all day!
23. Plan a mystery day trip for you and your group of besties!
24. Enjoy “the arts” in the great outdoors!  Attend an outdoor concert or live production in the park.
25. Find an outdoor eating establishment in your area and enjoy dining al fresco.
26. Toss out the maps – just pick a direction and drive for a day.  See what amazing things you can discover.
27. Forget about the PGA. Play a round at a miniature golf course.
28. Indulge in homemade lemonade on a hot day.
29. Make homemade ice cream. No maker – no worries.  Try this!
30. Spread some love. Pick flowers and leave them on someone’s desk, doorstep, windshield, etc.
31. See something on a HUGE screen. Attend a movie in a local park or go back in time at a drive-in theater.

Yes, don't forget to have some fun this summer.  We would love to hear about your experiences so please report back with a comment below!

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~C. S. Lewis

New Website Offers Women Inspiration and Community

There’s a new website in town…perhaps you’ve heard of it? We’ve often said there’s nothing like a woman on a mission and The Letter W Online, launched earlier this month by creator/editor Shalena Janis, is yet another example of this.


Despite the “what ifs” and doubts within her own head, Shalena made a commitment to a long-time dream, reached out to area writers for support, and launched what is proving to be a thriving and growing online women’s community; a place where one can sit down in the comfort of their home (or convenience of a computer, anytime and anywhere) and take time for themselves to learn, become inspired and spark an idea or two to contribute, not only to the website, but also to their community.

The Letter W Online is essentially a site for women by women. Stories feature local women from all walks of life. Other content includes informational items with a local flair and focus. New content will be added to the site several times weekly and no matter which day of the week you visit, you are sure to find something that will make you laugh, pull on your heart strings, or move you to the point where yourl feel compelled to contribute to the site through a forum, e-mail or phone call.

And if you’re a local writer, The Letter W Online is always looking for contributors to submit content or inquire about a story assignment, making the dream of getting your written works in front of a local female audience within reach!

Soulspring Groups is excited to be a part of this active and growing community. Too often we see women putting their passions, goals and dreams aside because they don’t believe their passions are important, their goals are possible to achieve, and that they themselves are worthy of success. That’s why we’re so enthusiastic about his venture and the premise behind it.

We’ll be sharing our message of self-empowerment and inspiring women throughout the area to dust off those long-ago forgotten dreams, realize once and for all that they are stronger than they think, and that with commitment, focus and the right support network it is possible to bring them to reality, just as Shalena did with The Letter W Online.

Visit The Letter W Online today to see what’s new, and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook so you can see the latest new content and features being launched via your Facebook newsfeed.

The Soul Sisters
 
Soulspiration of the Week:
“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” ~Nelson Mandela

Jump Ball!

I’ve spent the past two months battling a very common physical condition affectionately known as bleacher butt. After years of waiting, our daughter finally reached the required age where she could begin her youth basketball career. As the first official season to play the sport against another team, keeping score, and tracking fouls just like the big leagues got underway, she realized it was just what she was hoping for. It involved everything she loved….competition, ball handling, fast-paced action, and of course social time with her teammates. It wasn’t quite the same as one-on-one with her brother on their make-shift half court in the garage; nonetheless, she was in heaven.

It was during that very first game that I noticed a yet to be learned skill; the concept of fighting for that jump ball hadn’t come alive just yet. Our girls were still displaying those first rules of the playground that we as parents tried so hard to teach them when they were young. We’d closely watch the interaction between the children, and promptly step in when our child would try to claim a toy that another was playing with. We’d find ourselves repeating over and over again, “Don’t take toys away from other kids.” And now, how many years later, we see them doing just as we taught them on the court…we should be so proud. At the first sense that the other team would get their hands on the ball our girls would instinctively let go, giving up an opportunity for a “jump ball”; a possession change. They were just doing what they knew, what was polite, what they felt was the right thing to do.

But, let’s take a timeout and consider the power of this important skill. As we go through life and begin to realize our dreams and goals, how many of us simply let go and give up the control when someone comes by and starts to steal it away? Do we give up too easily and relinquish an opportunity all together, or do we firmly plant our feet and hold on tight with both hands in order to show them we’ve got the confidence to stay in the game? In order to reach the goals we set for ourselves we’ve got to learn to stay with those “jump ball” situations.

Now fast forward a mere two months to the last game of the season. It was obvious that somewhere along the way our girls realized the benefits that come from a “jump ball” situation. They confidently wrapped their arms around the ball and hung on with all their might. At the end of the game they had a ton of possession changes and a win under their belt. It was empowering to see the fearless look on their faces as they sought out the opportunities to go after the ball and most importantly held on tight until the whistle blew; signaling a JUMP BALL!

Yes, my butt will soon be back to normal. It was certainly a season that we’ll remember. It wasn’t about tracking wins and losses, but a season for the entire team to learn the basics, understand the rules, master the skills, and gain the confidence that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. And, we adults may have even learned a thing or two along the way. Remember to plant your feet, wrap your arms around that dream and hang on with all your might until you hear the sound of that whistle signaling you did it!

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of Week:

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals. ~ Larry Bird

Are You Making the Grade?

We are all familiar with the concept of being graded for the efforts we put forth in school. When you took a test you expected a grade as a result. You also received grades for things other than the display of your knowledge in a certain subject. In the early years you may have received a gold star for finishing an assignment, regardless of how accurate your answers were. A value was often times given for class participation, effort, and your respect toward classmates and classroom equipment, for example. Those grades were recorded, compiled, and sent home periodically in the form of a report card. Report card day was either looked forward to, or dreaded, depending on how you performed as a student.

It seems the idea of giving out grades hasn’t stopped at students. Now it’s being applied to teachers. It wasn’t long ago that politicians, parents and school administrations developed the idea of grading how well of a job our teachers are doing. Whether that idea sparked the next to receive a report card I don’t know…but this week I read that parents could be next in line to receive a letter grade for their efforts and involvement in their child’s education.

The grading system is a powerful tool. It’s there in black and white….there is no longer a question of how you are doing; you either excel, need to put forth more effort, or you are smack dab in the middle; an average student. Bottom line….you know where you stand, what you have to work on, where your strengths lie, whether or not your hard work had paid off, and whether you’ve shown improvement.

So let’s see….how do our report cards stack up? In the subjects of FAMILY, SELF, GOALS, MONEY, and WORK, give yourself a grade: A, B, C, D or F. Be sure to take some time and really be honest with yourself. Are you excelling in any one area? Do you need to work a little harder on another? Maybe you are just riding the fine line of mediocrity; doing just enough to get by? Are you satisfied with your grades or do you feel you need to make some changes? It sometimes doesn’t take much effort to make some small improvements.

And, don’t forget that Gold Star. You deserve extra credit for participation, attempting something new, or taking steps toward a goal! Sometimes it’s the Gold Stars, that when added together make the difference between an F or an A+.

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

"Life is an error-making and an error-correcting process, and nature in marking man's papers will grade him for wisdom as measured both by survival and by the quality of life of those who survive."  ~Jonas Salk

Life Purpose: What’s That Got to Do with Goal Setting?

One of the best parts of my Soulspring Groups work is meeting with women in a group coaching setting and leading them through our Passion Processes. Few women actually take the time to do this type of self-reflection on their own, and after a few hours of exercises, interaction and conversation, I’m always amazed by the clarity, light bulb-moments and bits of brilliance that surface amidst the fun and laughter.

Women are so wise when they allow themselves to be. Unfortunately, all the chaos of daily life keeps us pretty busy and distracted. That’s what our Soulspring Groups meetings are all about; giving women one evening a month dedicated to gaining clarity about their own personal dreams, goals, passions and life purpose.

It was at such a gathering, during a “Rapid Fire” exercise, when an important lesson revealed itself. So basic was the message, yet it’s one that is often overlooked. Our question was, “I’ll be living on purpose when…” and the premise of the exercise was to go from woman to woman asking them to fire off the first thing that came to mind. Of course all the answers were wise and great, but one in particular stuck out…

“I’ll be living on purpose when…I do the things I say I will do and don’t agree to the things I know I won’t do.”

Yes, seems pretty common sense, yet within that one statement are a multitude of life lessons. The stress that comes with over-commitment, the integrity issues that accompany our inability to say “no”, but at the core is an even more significant principle for success and happiness.

The happiest and most successful women are masterful goal-setters. They decide what they want, set goals around those desires, create a plan, and then work the plan step by step until victory is achieved. We’ve worked hundreds of women through this very process and have seen many amazing accomplishments as a result. But for every goal achieved, there are many more goals that are not. How could this be?

There is a precursor to this process; one might even call it a secret to goal setting success. The secret is that if the goal you wish to achieve is not in alignment with your purpose, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to realize. However, set a goal that is consistent with your purpose, and not only will you achieve it, you will be inundated with help, support and resources, the process of pursuing it will be easy, exciting and fun, and the speed at which you fulfill your dream will be greatly accelerated!

If realizing your dreams and goals have proven to be a challenge for you, perhaps the problem is within your purpose, or rather the lack of clarity around it. How can you get clear?

• Soulspring Groups can help you gain clarity about your dreams, passions and purpose.  Visit our website to learn about joining a Soulspring Group in your area, or starting a Soulspring Group of your own.
• Connecting with like-minded women will lead you in the right direction!  We invite you to stop by our Facebook page and join our growing community of inspiring and empowered women. 
• Remind yourself just how amazing you are! Get your free copy of our newly released e-book “50 Reasons to Believe in You” HERE.

Above all, remember it’s about more than goals and success; it’s about living on purpose.

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” ~Napoleon Hill