Stephen Covey inspires "Habits of Highly Empowered Women"

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Stephen Covey last week at the age of 79.  We've been fans for years and avid readers of his books.  "First Things First" is a personal favorite and "The 8th Habit" confirmed for us that we were on the right track with Soulspring Groups.

Back in November he inspired one of our most popular twitter-series and blog posts, the title of which was a playful twist on his book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People".

Seeing his book on the shelf one day prompted us to write our version, "The 30 Habits of Highly Empowered Women". In our post we asked, "What qualities do empowered women have in common?  What is it that sets these women apart from their counterparts?"

In memory of Stephen Covey, we invite you review our list and contemplate how you might accomplish your mission and leave the world better than it was when you got here.

The 30 Habits of Highly Empowered Women

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character...”  ~Stephen R. Covey

Passion and Purpose: Isn’t There an Easier Way?

In this day of instant everything, so many are seeking a quick way to do, be and have it “now”.  As an organization that helps women find their passions and live life on purpose, we’ve heard it all…Isn’t there a book I can read?  Can I find it on Google?  Don’t they have an assessment for that?

Your passions and your divine assignment for living aren’t something you can learn in a book or find in an internet search, although clues can be found there.  Truly living “on purpose” is a process that requires commitment, self-reflection and determination.  You might even say that when it comes to passion and purpose, living your passion is equally important to finding it.  That adage, “it’s not just the destination, it’s the journey,” definitely applies.

You can’t wait for your passions to reveal themselves to you, or for your life purpose to knock on the door; it’s referred to “pursuing your passion” for a reason.   You have to get out there and try new things, experience different adventures, meet new people, and become aware of new causes, for every aspect of your uniqueness to come together in just the right way.  While this might sound complicated, it doesn’t have to be; with the right perspective, getting there is most of the fun!

It does take creativity though, and dedication.  It’s much easier to let the day-to-day lead you through life.  So, where does one find the inspiration to try new things on the journey to passionate, empowered and purposeful living?

The first place we recommend is your “bucket list”.  Soulspring Groups’ members have several pages in their Soulspring Journal which are dedicated to creating a list of things they want to do before they die (101 to be exact).  We’ve heard of women dedicating themselves to knocking one thing off their list every week!  That’s a pretty aggressive goal, but imagine the thrill!

Another great source can be found on Soulspring Groups’ Facebook page.  Each Friday on Facebook is Springboard Friday; a day where we post a simple activity to carry out (or plan for in the future).  We’ve provided the planning tools, too!  Followers of our page can download them via or Empowerment & Fun tab.

Past activities have included learning CPR.  It’s a skill we all should know and there’s a sense of security that comes with being prepared for an emergency.  Perhaps taking a CPR class could uncover a passion for emergency response?

We also suggested becoming more aware of the nighttime skies.  Learning about the stars is not only fun and interesting; a focus skyward gives us a sense of the greatness around us.  Perhaps being able to identify the constellations would inspire a passion for astrology, or spark a passion in your child for science and space?

Debating on where to go on your summer vacation?  One recent Springboard Friday post suggested throwing a dart at a map and traveling to that destination.  The map could be of your country or state, or even a local map that’s closer to home.  Who knows what you might stumble upon on your adventure…a new company or business you didn’t know existed, a historical site, a remote piece of nature…Each could be a doorway to a new purpose or passion for your life.

It’s time to stop your search for the easy way to discover your passions and the quickest route to your life purpose.  Instead put more attention on what is revealed to you along the way...Take some time to get lost and you might just find yourself.  The lessons, excitement and connections you make on your journey through life will reveal your purpose in due time…that is, if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and start really living.  You can get started right now by making a point to stop by Soulspring Groups’ page on Facebook this Friday for a new passion quest assignment you can get on the calendar for next weekend.

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.” ~Og Mandino

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

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

Lessons from 9/11

The commemoration of 10 years since the 9/11 attacks on our country has sparked many comments, thoughts and emotions.  Each media outlet has scheduled a tribute.  “Where were you on 9/11,” is a popular topic of conversation.  Certainly your own community recognized the date with a remembrance as well. 

We’ve seen mixed sentiments about the anniversary; everything from “we must never forget” to “it’s time to move on”.  Without a doubt, the decision of “how” or “if” to recognize this tragic date is a personal one. 

For us, it didn’t seem right to let the day pass without some form of acknowledgement.  While we weren’t directly affected by the tragic events, our lives were drastically changed, nonetheless.  What was essentially meant to be a political attack became, for every American, a personal one.

Now 10 years later, we look at where we’ve come since that tragic day.  The disbelief, horror, fear, anger, frustration, have gradually given way to something deeper.  What came out of the 9/11 tragedy for you?  Below are 4 lessons that have emerged for us...

Appreciation: One of the most important lessons learned since that infamous day is the importance of appreciation; to learn to appreciate the little, everyday things around us.  The hugs from our spouse, laughs from our children, casual interactions with friends; all could be snatched away in an instant.   The present moment is a gift to be cherished.

Kindness: Who can forget the news reports showing strangers helping strangers?  While most of us will never be called to carry a wounded person down fifty flights in a dark stairwell, in the shadow of 9/11 there are many more small and random acts of kindness taking place.  Some even chose to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary with random acts of kindness campaigns.  What a fitting tribute.

Passion: Whether to honor the dreams or desires of the ones who were lost, or the rekindled hopes of those that survived, many a passion was ignited in the aftermath of 9/11.  We were inspired by the stories of families who started charities in the name of loved ones, and those who upon realizing how precious and short life is, took a leap of faith and ran after their dreams and goals.  Certainly, countless people across the world were helped as a result.

Courage: Surely we’ve all imagined ourselves in the shoes of the victims of 9/11.  Held hostage in an aircraft destined to become a flying weapon, trapped in the uppermost floors of a burning building with no hope of escape.  How would we react?  What would we do?  In those final moments, there were phone messages to loved ones, giving many priceless mementos that will surely be cherished forever.  There were last ditch efforts to thwart the plot, ultimately saving countless lives.  There were selfless acts of heroism, forcing many to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Yes, there’s much to remember on this 10 year anniversary.  What lessons did you learn since the tragic events of September 11, 2001?  Please share them in a comment below.

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:“Courage, in the final analysis, is nothing but an affirmative answer to the shocks of existence.”  ~Kurt Goldstein

Who Do You Think You Are: Four Strategies for Self-Awareness

Ask a woman to describe who she is and you'll often hear her describe herself in terms of her current title or role (wife, mother, daughter, etc.) or career (manager, accountant, nurse, etc.).  Come on, we're so much more than that!
 
When it comes to self-awareness, we're our own expert!  Being clear about who you are, what you want, and why you want it, empowers you to consciously and actively make those wants a reality.  We can't rely on our spouse, family, work and society to tell us who we are!  What we need is a clear direction; a feel for our own true north.  Armed with that awareness, it suddenly becomes easier to side-step the drama, steer clear of the confusion, and step through your fear to the life you were meant to live.  

We’ve found these four strategies especially helpful to the self-awareness process:

1. Know your purpose: Wandering through life hoping you'll stumble upon health, happiness and prosperity leaves too much to chance.  Where does your true self want to go in life? What legacy do you want to leave behind?  Where do you want to make a difference?  If it's been a while since you've put any thought into what your purpose is for your life, it might take some time to tune in once again. 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. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  Tap into your personal power, pick a direction that represents genuine happiness, and move toward it.

2. Know your passions: What would life be without our passions?  And yet, we find that many women toss their passionate pursuits aside, wrongly believing they are not important.  It's amazing what we let come between us and our dreams.  If you've always wondered what it would be like, not to wait around for the good things in life to come to you, but to actually go out and get what you want out of life, focusing on your passions is the first step in that process.  As we like to say, our passions run deep.  Stop waiting for "someday" and make your "someday" today.

3. Honor your strengths: Have you ever wished for a super power?  Maybe the ability to leap tall buildings or become instantly invisible would come in handy?  Well each of us possesses talents and strengths unique to us that allow us to contribute something special to the world.  We tend to take these abilities for granted but it's time to start thinking of your strengths and talents as your own super powers!
 

An amazing resource for identifying your core strengths is Tom Rath's book, StrengthsFinder 2.0.  A life-changing book for us, it was amazingly powerful to see our unique abilities on paper, allowing us to put into words what we could before only sense and feel, let alone explain.  Pick up a copy and discover your strengths!  It will change your perspective in a big way! 

4. Write a mission: Businesses do it all the time and for good reason.  Something truly powerful happens when you put your purpose into writing.  Suddenly doors open to you and opportunities just show up.  Where there was once struggle and never-ending challenge, now there seems to be a shift in energy and things flow easily and effortlessly.  Putting pen to paper focuses your subconscious in a specific and targeted direction, declaring to the universe your desires and ultimate goal.  Nothing screams authenticity like putting your mission in writing.

Kim,

Sister of Soul 

Soulspiration of the Week:

“Our job in this lifetime is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”  ~Steven Pressfield

It's Time to Start Living the Rich Life

When you think about "you", what comes to mind?  Do you glow with pride for your successes, or instantly recall every mistake and misstep?  Do you live life with guts and gusto, or feel undeserving of the abundance available to you?

Living a rich life has little to do with net-worth and everything to do with self-worth.  Your personal value is a direct result of your self-esteem and beliefs about your deservedness.  It's a sad reality that many women suffer from low esteem and consider themselves inferior to others.  Don't you think it's time you realize your true value and embrace the best life has to offer?

Well we do!  Don't surrender another day to anxiety, worry, regret, dissatisfaction, or inadequacy!  Boost your self-worth and self-esteem using the five strategies below.
 
Stop the Comparisons: Don't try to be like everyone else.  Comparing yourself to others only perpetuates the cycle of low self-worth and confidence.  Remember, you are unique and created with your own special strengths, skills and talents.  Your main goal is to be your best YOU!  Strive to improve and develop yourself, but don't judge yourself for not being like someone else.  You're unique abilities make you great in other ways.

Don't Take Mistakes so Seriously: Everyone makes mistakes; it's part of being human.  Mistakes and failure are a necessary part of achievement and success.  Look at Michael Jordan: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."  If you haven't made any mistakes lately, or if it's been a while since you've failed, you have to ask yourself what you're missing out on.

Self-Worth Begins with Self-Care: Self-worth, confidence and assuredness increase when you focus on your needs and desires. By ensuring your needs are addressed, you can be the best wife, mother, friend and co-worker you can be.  Deplete all your energies trying to satisfy the needs of others, and there literally will not be enough of you to go around.  What will all the important people in your life do then?  Remember, there's an important difference between self-ish and self-care.

Throw out the Junk: The junk?  Yes, you know, the mean, hurtful and unconstructive things said to you by others.  The criticisms you repeat in your mind in a never-ending loop?  It's one thing to be given constructive feedback, but quite another when people use their words to demean, manipulate, degrade and control you.  Toss those words, and the accompanying feelings, out with yesterday's trash!  Remember it's the offending party's issue, NOT yours.  You know the truth and those are the words you must keep repeating... "You are precious," "You are worthy," "You are GREAT!"

Power Up Your Passion: Passion takes hold of you and fuels your power.  Passion sparks extreme emotions and makes you feel alive.  Get fired-up about life and make a difference.  The more passion and zest you feel, the more alive and shiny you are!  Get passionate about something...anything!  Let your passion rise to the surface and watch your value grow as you make a difference in the world...even if it’s just your little part of it!

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.”  ~Unknown

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

Calling all Wise Women

Yes, we mean you! From all the fabulous comments you post to our Facebook page, our interactions via Twitter, and our face-to-face interactions at Soulspring Meetings and events far and wide, it’s clear…

You have a lot to say about passion, empowerment, and life in general!

As a matter of fact, as we were reflecting on a particularly inspiring Dove’s Promise sentiment (you know, the ones inside the Dove’s chocolate candy wrappers), we commented on how many of your expressions rival them in terms of wise advice to empower us all.

And that’s when it hit us…A deliciously, wonderful, awesome idea for a one-of-a-kind empowerment project, and we want you to be a part of it!

We’re calling on each of you to submit your bits of wisdom, advice, inspiration, and deep thoughts. They don’t have to be long, 100 words or less would be ideal! Each submission will be immortalized in a professionally designed e-book, which will be made available for download free of charge to any woman who wants one. We envision a bright and colorful resource for encouragement, inspiration, strength, and empowerment, circling the globe via world-wide-web!

Of course you’ll receive credit for your submission, and we’ll include a link to your website’s URL if you’re interested in showcasing your woman-owned business, blog or charity too!

So what are you waiting for? Start spreading the word so your friends can contribute too. Then email your submission to SoulSisters@SoulspringGroups.com today!

We’ll be keeping you posted on the project with regular updates on how the book is coming along, as well as the latest news about the official e-book launch, so stay tuned!

We couldn’t be more excited about this project and the opportunity to share empowering woman’s wisdom with women everywhere, and we look forward to getting your bit of wisdom for the book soon!

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Power of Words

My sisters and I, along with long-time Soulspring member LuAnn Myers, just couldn’t pass up the opportunity yesterday morning to cheer on the amazing women and men who have committed themselves to walking in the 2010 Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day. This walk is a 3 day, 60 mile – yes, I said 60 miles – walk to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer. I’ve always wanted to experience every aspect of the walk; walk, cheer, crew. Having participated two previous years as a walker, this was my year to cheer (maybe next year will be my year to crew?).

It really is true what they say; once you experience any aspect of this walk you are immediately addicted to the contagious energy! The morning was incredible, watching all 2400 walkers march before us as we held our “Words of Encouragement”. Our “Words of Encouragement” have put on a lot of miles in their own right. They accompany us to many Soulspring Groups events and there’s something about them that draw people in (local press and KARE 11’s own Lee Valsvik among them! See the video here!).

Inspire…Belief…Power…Passion. These were the words the walkers saw as they traveled along their day 2 route. Almost immediately women began pointing, smiling, asking us to pose with our “words” for scrapbook photos, some even shed a tear. Whatever the reaction though it was clear that these words meant something to each of them, spurring them on to reach their final destination.

Isn’t the power of a simple, lone word amazing? Straight and to the point, and most importantly open to individual interpretation; defined by happy moments, tragedy, experience, and the overall journey of life.

Thank you to all the walkers participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day this year! We’ve got a “word” for you…AMAZING! That’s the best way we can describe your hard work and endurance as you create awareness and put names and faces to this disease. Never doubt that you are changing the world!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~Mother Theresa

Life as a Daymaker

My sister-in-law, Ashley, was hired at Juut Salon in the Twin Cites back in February and to complete her training she needed to do a huge final presentation. The big day was last Tuesday! One day, four models, four looks; this was a big deal. To help her out, I arranged for my sister Kim and me to be two of her models. Who wouldn’t like a fun day of hair, makeup, and clothing?

A few days before the big event, while Ashley was prepping us she commented that David Wagner, the owner of Juut, was going to be at the Twin City’s Salon the same day as our visit. Not only is David Wagner the owner of Juut but he is also the author of one of my favorite books. Now, I was really excited!

About five years ago I stumbled across a book called, “Life as a Daymaker: How to Change the World by Making Someone’s Day”. I loved the concept so I purchased my very own copy without a second thought. As I read the book it soon became one of my favorites. Such an easy but powerful idea; we can actually change the world by making someone’s day. The author wasn’t talking about grandiose gifts or actions but more of just the simple day to day things. It all comes down to paying attention to the needs of people around you and meeting those needs whenever possible. Give a compliment, shake a hand, offer a hug, and exchange a smile. It’s these simple actions that can really change someone’s day for the better.

I decided to brush up on the content of the book before meeting David. What can I say? I like to be prepared for anything! While browsing through it, one sentence really stood out to me. In reference to focusing on your wild dreams he writes, “Working hard doesn’t cause burnout, not achieving your goals does.” Wow, that is so true. I just heard on the Dr. Oz Show last week that more and more people, especially women, are suffering from exhaustion. Most of us think that it’s just a busy schedule. But in actuality it’s more about what is in the schedule, than how full it is. If we aren’t being mentally inspired every day we just feel tired. So this is why it is so important for us to find our passion and live it every day! It affects every aspect of our life and those around us.

So what is your passion? What makes you feel more alive? Whatever it is, make sure you live it!

Tuesday morning I made sure I packed my copy of “Life as a Daymaker” to ask for an autograph. Not only did I get an autograph from David Wagner but he also posed for a picture with Kim and me. Needless to say, he definitely made my day!

Becky
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~William James

Women of Achievement

Just in case you didn’t know, September is Women of Achievement Month, a time to honor and acknowledge the accomplishments of women. At Soulspring Groups we believe that achievement and empowerment go hand in hand and so we’re very excited to dedicate our work this month to all you amazing women!

So, who qualifies as a “woman of achievement”? We might think that it requires a fearless act of bravery, an action that changes the course of history, or being the “first” at something. Women like Anne Frank, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Florence Nightingale come to mind. But what about the women behind these women, like their mothers, their teachers, and their friends? And of course there are a million women who are living and working among us whose names you probably won’t recognize; like Jenna Hines, small town, Midwest American girl, making a difference to families in Kenya.

If you think that to make a difference and a real contribution to the world that you have to make history, get on the news, or see your name in print, think again. The Rosa Parks of history didn’t realize the power of their “simple” acts at the time. They simply lived their truth, followed their heart, and pursued their passion! And the same goes for us; it is quite possible that we will never know the true impact of our deeds.

So then, how do we know when we’ve reached achievement; if we’ve really made a difference? Well, that’s an easy one. We all have that urge deep inside us that tells us why we were put on this Earth. When you listen to that inner guidance and act on it, that’s achievement! The action you take might seem small and the results insignificant now, but you never know what ripple effect you could start that will change the course of history.

So, join us in celebrating Women of Achievement Month by giving time to your passionate pursuits and encouraging and inspiring other women to do the same! If you’re not already a subscriber to our Soulspiration e-newsletter, get your Free Subscription Here. We’ll be sharing the story of Jenna Hines and how this small-town Wisconsin woman is changing the world. Also, watch our latest movie, What will you throw back? and share it with your women friends to inspire them to take action too. It’s our month ladies, believe and achieve!

Becky
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week

“Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people.” ~Nido Qubein

Emergency Personal Energy Policy

ENERGY: en-er-gy [en-er-jee] n. Any source of useable power; available power; the capacity for vigorous activity; an adequate or abundant amount of power; the ability to act, lead and effect; an exertion of power.

Energy has many different meanings, but one thing is true; many women are experiencing an energy crisis! It’s the number-one complaint we hear from women.

Here at Soulspring Groups, we decided to implement an Emergency Energy Policy. During the month of August you will notice a reoccurring theme as you read our blog posts, follow our “tweets” on Twitter, and visit our page on Facebook. We’re going to be talking in terms of “energy” and offering tips and ideas to power up your life!

You may be wondering why an organization whose mission is empowering women would take such an interest in “energy”. Allow us to explain…

As you know, Soulspring’s focus is to inspire and support women to seek out and pursue their passions, goals and dreams. Through the course of this work we noticed something interesting; a very striking correlation between passion and energy. A woman on a mission glows, they have an inner radiance that can light up a dark room, and they energize others around them. There’s nothing more exhilarating!

And then we have the opposite; women who are living in the gap. That desolate place of boredom, anxiety, worry and unease. Life there is dark, unexciting, and tedious and if you yourself have been in that wasteland for any length of time, you know the feelings we’re talking about.

Well, it turns out many of the most common Passion Pitfalls, the ones that lead us to the gap, happen to also be huge energy drains, exhausting our power supplies, depleting our batteries and literally sucking us dry! That’s why we’ve decided to enact our Emergency Energy Policy this month and we’re inviting you to plug into it!

How, you ask? Well every woman from time to time goes through a personal energy crisis. Whether you're experiencing one now or not, it's still important to watch for the signs and prepare your energy plan in advance. Here's what you can do this month to do just that...

First, our next issue of our e-newsletter, Soul-spiration, is going to roll out our Personal Energy Conservation Plan. You won’t want to miss this issue! If you haven’t signed up for your free subscription please do so now so you don't miss out! Claim Your Free Soulspiration Subscription Now!

Next, we invite you to join us for our next free tele-class training event, Power Up: Overcoming Your Personal Energy Crisis. On Wednesday, August 19 we’ll be revealing common energy drains that deplete your personal energy stores, and helping you to tap into a source of personal power you didn’t even know you had! Get the full details by clicking the link below! Power Up: Overcoming Your Personal Energy Crisis

Watch for our Daily Energizers, our high-octain "tweets" all month on Twitter! Then of course you'll want to meet us back here at the Soul Sisters Blog next week for our next "energized" post!

It's going to be a powered up and high-energy month! Get ready to flip the switch and turn on your life!

Sisters of Soul


Soulspiration of the Week:

“See where your own energy wants to go, not where you think it should go. Do something because it feels right, not because it makes sense. Follow the spiritual impulse.” ~ Mary Hayes-Greico

Every Day is a Talent Show

Yes, I admit it. I’m a sucker for a talent show and the popularity of programs like America’s Got Talent keep me glued to the television. It’s interesting to see what people find entertaining and what the judges will have the patience to sit through.

But that’s not really why I watch. I’m looking for something different. It’s what you will see in acts like Susan Boyle , and most recently Kevin Skinner. If you haven’t seen their performances yet, you’re in the minority. Click on their names above and check them out now (trust me, they're worth it), and then read on…

I don’t know about you, but every time I watch their performances I am moved to tears. If we break it down blow-by-blow, here’s what we see. First, enter stage right; nothing special to look at, pretty average, right? Then they open their mouths for the first time for a little back and forth banter with the judges; again, not what was expected and you feel the judges, the audience, and maybe even yourself, begin to make your first judgments, preparing for the big “X”! Although you’re not physically there, you can feel the negatively charged energy exude through the television.

Then the performance begins and a hush spreads through the crowd. It’s as if everyone in the auditorium has been hit in the face with a big glass of ice water. It’s shock, it’s delight, it’s amazing! Suddenly the judgments made by the judges, the audience, and ourselves, begin to change. Where we first saw uncouth, unsophisticated and unrefined, now transforms into elegance, grace and pure passion, seemingly right before our eyes! Their outward appearances fall away in layers; we no longer notice her unibrow and outdated dress, or his scruffy face and raggedy attire. We’re riveted as they shine in that moment.

It appears to come so easy for them, doesn’t it? Their talent just pours out of them, seemingly without effort. Yet we’re shocked that instead of sharing their God-given talent with the world each day, they were living life as care-givers, cat-lovers, and chicken-catchers. But no more, the real-them has been revealed and they can’t hide any more, nor could they bottle their passions back up inside themselves even if they tried. From this day forward they live life as the soul they were meant to be; singers, performers and composers. Can you imagine what that must feel like? Bliss? Joy? Freedom? Yes!

Have you been living life as a Susan or a Kevin, suppressing your true calling and living life safe, small and average? So you can’t carry a tune and you have no desire to perform in front of an audience; that’s not the point. No matter what your talent, your strengths or your God-given gifts, you can experience the same sense of joy and freedom by living them daily. Every day is your talent show; what will you perform?

Kim, Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” ~Marianne Williamson

The Passion Process

It was just a week ago that we held our first tele-training session in the Soulspring Tele-Classroom (if you missed the call please visit www.SoulspringGroups.com, scroll to the Upcoming Events area and access a limited time audio download and training materials package). For many attendees it was a new experience to dial in and attend a training over the phone. Yet we had a fabulous turnout and thanks to all those that participated we are filing this session under “H” for HUGE success!

It wasn’t just the tele-class itself that merits the “H” rating. We received some wonderful and insightful comments after the class that confirms that this topic struck a nerve--We’re all on a mission to live our best life and we’re looking for tools, resources and support that can help us achieve this important goal!

In addition to replying to each inquiry personally, we got to thinking that if we received a question from one attendee, others may have similar questions. So, we’re dedicating this blog entry to the most common questions we received regarding the “Where Did My Passions Go?” training session, as well as a few comments we heard too.

Q. “Only three steps; is it really that easy to find my passions?”

A. Yes three steps, and while not complicated, they aren’t necessarily that easy. If it’s been a while since you’ve put any thought into what your purpose is for your life, it might take some time to bring your passions to the surface. 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. The Soul-Searching Questions we discussed during the training are a big part of this process. 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. That’s when the real answers will be revealed for you.

If you are just beginning this journey it’s unlikely that the answers you seek will come to you immediately. Keep revisiting the Soul-Searching Questions and write down what comes to mind for you. It won’t be long before patterns and themes begin to emerge. They will “feel” right to you. These are cues that you are on track to your passions and life-purpose.

I’m sorry to say there are no shortcuts to this process but if you follow-through on your homework we promise you will be amazed by the discoveries you make. And remember, it’s not about the destination, but the journey. The process itself is extremely rewarding!

Q. “Are my passions what I should be doing as my career?”

A. Most of us spend a great deal of our time at work. Wouldn’t it be nice to make a living doing something you love to do? Studies show that people who are passionate about their job duties tend to be happier, healthier and make more money! Their work doesn’t feel like work and their passions and talents combine allowing them to perform at the highest level. If you’ve ever experienced this sensation you know there is no greater feeling—it’s true bliss!

But passion isn’t all about what you do to make a living, and you can experience bliss outside of the workplace. There are many who work their job by day, so they can fulfill their passions in their off-hours. These passions might include volunteering their talents for a worthy cause, expressing themselves through artistic endeavors, or losing themselves in novels or other books.

Taking the time to do what you love is what’s most important, not how much money you make while doing it. Yet, if you loathe your job and can’t wait until the weekend, maybe it’s time to assess whether your choice of work is right for you. Life is too short to waste doing what you hate!

Q. “Thanks for this training; it was just what I needed. Is it possible to go into more detail in future tele-sessions?”

A. As we mentioned during the training, we could have had an entire class just covering the obstacles that stand in the way of our dreams, not to mention any number of other topics that were touched on throughout the call. If we’ve piqued your interest and you are craving more we invite you to consider joining a Soulspring Empowerment Group, or starting one of your own. For an affordable annual membership fee our members have access to a wide variety of benefits including a new tele-seminar each month! They also benefit from the interaction and support provided by the members of their group. Visit www.SoulspringGroups.com for more details about the benefits of membership.

Q. “How do you pick your training topics?”

A. In our conversations with women we tend to get asked the same questions again and again. Needless to say those are the areas that we believe we should be focusing our efforts. We develop our tele-trainings and Soulspring Group Meeting Kits around these themes. We are also open to requests and receive suggestions from our members regularly about the challenges they are experiencing, the things they want to learn more about, and the key life areas they want to develop and enhance. If you have a suggestion or request for us, please email us at SoulSisters@SoulspringGroups.com or simply add a comment to this blog entry. We would love to hear your ideas!

Q. “I loved it! I actually took in the call while sipping on a cup of tea in my pajamas! When will you be doing your next training session?”

A. We said “come as you are” and we meant it. We know from experience that transformation happens when you’re comfortable and relaxed! As we said above, our Soulspring Members have access to monthly tele-training sessions (recordings are available if for some reason they can’t attend the call live). Each training session walks our members through a personal growth plan, that when combined with their monthly Soulspring Group meeting, leads to some amazing outcomes!

However, we do plan to make periodic sessions available to the general public and we have some innovative events planned for the future including a Tele-Summit, which would be a full day of inspirational sessions. We would offer different tele-training topics each hour, allowing you to attend the sessions of your choice based on your interests! We are also considering a 30-Day Makeover Program, including four tele-training sessions all focused on one topic of change.

You won’t want to miss these events! To receive notification subscribe to our free Soul-spiration e-newsletter by visiting www.SoulspringGroups.com.

If we’ve missed your question, or if you would like to comment or request a training session topic, you can email us at SoulSisters@SoulspringGroups.com or simply add a comment to this blog entry.

Soulspiration of the Week:

"We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself." Lloyd Alexander

Where Did My Passions Go?

I remember as a child that I loved books; encyclopedias to be exact. I would flip through the pages, marveling at the beautiful pictures and amazing facts. I was especially drawn to the “A” volume. I loved art and there were nearly 12 pages on “The Arts”; everything from dancing to painting to sculpture.

Could that be why I was drawn to take tap dancing lessons two years ago? Or why I enjoy reading and listening to podcast on my Ipod so much? Or why when I decorate for Christmas each year it turns into a theatrical production?

I believe our passions develop early in life, maybe we’re even born with them. As a child we dream about our future and feel a calling to live them out. Then life gets in the way and we bury our passions, sometimes very deep, so we can focus on the career, the family, everyone but ourselves.

Do you ever ask yourself, “Where did my passions go?” It’s a question we hear women asking a lot. That’s why we chose this as the topic of our very first Soulspring Tele-Training Event!

Please join us as our guest for this free workshop. No need to find a babysitter; you can participate in the comfort of your own home! No need to hassle with electronic equipment and an internet connection; all you need is a telephone! No need to dress up; it’s come as you are!

WHAT: Where did my passions go?
WHEN: May 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Soulspring Tele-Classroom*
FEE: Please be our guest!

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

*Prior to the tele-class you will receive your training materials and the classroom telephone number and access code via email. Long distance phone charges apply where applicable.

We look forward to meeting you there!

Kim, Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.” T. Alan Armstrong