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

Be Your Own Columbus: Your Greatest Discovery Awaits

In the U.S., the second Monday in October is the observance of Columbus Day.  Back in 1492 Columbus planned to sail to Asia from Europe by going west.  It was by accident that he stumbled upon America.  Imagine setting out for one goal, only to stumble across another.  Makes one wonder, how many opportunities are waiting for you, waiting to be discovered, even if only by accident? 

Let's face it, no matter how great things are in our lives, there are still some aspects we would like to change.  A strengthened relationship, a more rewarding career, increased health, or the achievement of a passion or goal, are just a few examples we hear time and again.  Yet setting out on a journey of self-discovery can be a scary thing.  It's natural to let ourselves be content with the way things are.  We get comfortable, and avoid making a change for fear that the end result might be worse than our current reality.

However, by avoiding the exploration of new and unchartered territory in our lives, we limit ourselves in achieving and experiencing our life's fullest potential.  We are robbing ourselves of the opportunities intended for us, and in turn changing the person we were created and meant to be in the process.

This week embark on a journey of exploration and set out on an adventure to a new world of you!  It all starts with a map (how else would we know where we're headed?) and all successful people have a definite purpose in life that serves as a guide.  They know what that purpose is, they have it defined, written down, and committed to memory...in the form of a Mission Statement.

Your personal mission statement should define what's important to you (your goals, values and priorities), specify how you intend to make your vision a reality (your endeavors), and embody what needs you serve by doing so (your purpose).  A great personal mission statement is one that inspires you, motivates you, and offers you the opportunity for continued happiness and fulfillment.

While writing a mission statement that truly resonates with you may take some time and commitment, at its core developing yours consists of asking yourself just one question: Why do you feel you were put on this earth? 

Document your thoughts on this question in a journal and be as specific as you can in your answer.  This single discovery is the foundation for all future mission statement work.  Digging deep into your true self and discovering the secrets to who you are and who you are meant to be, may just be the greatest discovery of your life.

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart.  ~Julien Green

Why Super Heroes Don't have Snarls

While combing my 6-year-old daughter’s hair the other night, she irritably asked why she had so many snarls in her hair.  Obviously the detangler wasn’t working.  I explained that it’s just the price she’ll have to pay if she wants long hair.  After a moment of thought she said, “Well how come Wonder Woman doesn’t have snarls?”

Wonder Woman doesn’t have snarls?  This was complete news to me.  Why wouldn’t she have snarls from time to time?  Don’t we all?

So I had to ask, “Why doesn’t Wonder Woman have snarls?” 

“Because she would use her super powers against them,” my youngster replied quickly.

This isn’t the first time my daughter has taken my long-standing limiting beliefs, and presented them to me in a new and fresh way.  It’s one of the things I love most about her and is a little like a refreshing slap in the face.

After some thought I realized she was right; it would make complete sense that Wonder Woman would use her super powers in every way possible; from the biggest of rescue missions to the littlest of knotted hair. 

(Do you feel an analogy coming on here?  Of course you do!)

We all have our own unique set of super powers, but how often do we really use them?  Do you tend to keep them secret, saving them for something truly worthwhile?  Or maybe for you it’s the opposite; when you see a BIG opportunity to show off your stuff, you freak out and sink out of sight?

Your super powers are unique and special to you; a gift for you to use.  They won’t run out or deplete with regular use, in fact it’s just the opposite.  The more you use your unique set of strengths and talents, the stronger these super power gifts become!  What a waste to not use them frequently and to their full potential!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?” ~Benjamin Franklin

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

From Fearful to Powerful: 16 Quotations to Conquer Your Fear

There’s no denying there is power in words.  That’s why at Soulspring Groups we believe an inspiring quote has the ability to empower, encourage, and uplift, even when all else has failed.  If you’ve ever been held back by fear, and who among us hasn’t, you’ll want to keep these 16 quotations close at hand.

The next time you’re tempted to let fear get the best of you, let an opportunity pass you by, give up a passion because of the “what if’s”, read these wise words from those who looked fear in the face and did it anyway.  Consider each your Soulspiration of the Week...

“You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”  ~Mary Manin Morrissey

“Fear is a darkroom where negatives develop.”  ~Usman B. Asif

“Panic at the thought of doing a thing is a challenge to do it.”  ~Henry S. Haskins

“Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.”  ~Brendan Francis

“Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small.”  ~Ruth Gendler

“Fear:  False Evidence Appearing Real.”  ~Author Unknown

“Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile... initially scared me to death.”  ~Betty Bender

“I have accepted fear as a part of life - specifically the fear of change.... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says:  turn back.”  ~Erica Jong

“Fear is the cheapest room in the house.  I would like to see you living in better conditions.”  ~Hāfez

“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”

“He who is not every day conquering some fear, has not learned the secret of life.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“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.”  ~Marianne Williamson

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”  ~Joseph Campbell

“You are frightened of everything. You call it caution. You call it common sense. You call it practicality. You call it playing the odds, but that's only because you're afraid to call it by its real name, and its real name is fear.”  ~Mick Farren

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind.”  ~Dale Carnegie

Do you have a favorite piece of wisdom that's inspired you in times of fear?  Please share it in the comment area below and help us grow our Fearful to Powerful collection!

The Soul Sisters

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

Women's Empowerment Tip: Soul-Searching Questions for Abundance

The long warm days of summer are coming to an end and suddenly there is a chill in the air.  Fall is certainly upon us and we love what this time of year brings with it.  Cool days meant for cozy sweatshirts and sweaters, warm hearty eats, and bulging baskets of fresh garden produce. 

Abundance...it’s all around us.

Abundance is the belief that we have enough and will continue to have enough.  As economic and political news is intently focused on scarcity, lack, and that which is in short supply, a focus on abundance is especially important right now.  And since we’re in the heart of the harvest season, we couldn't think of a better time to reflect on the fullness of our lives. 

Yes, we all want more time, more money, more stuff.  Yet, if we only open our eyes, and look at our lives differently, we see how blessed we truly are; our lives are overflowing for sure!

So often when we think of abundance and prosperity, our thoughts turn to money and financial wealth.  While money is an important aspect of life, and an abundance of the green stuff is a definite blessing, we can experience abundance in other areas of our lives, too.  Energy, love, joy, solitude, freedom, and space, are just a few areas you might enjoy in greater quantities. 

Where would you like to experience greater richness?  How can you get focused in on the abunance currently present for you?

We’re big believers in the benefits of journaling and personal contemplation, and when combined with our Soul-Searching Questions, the process can reveal the abundance and prosperity currently in your life, as well as areas where you wish to attract more.  So grab your journal (or a notebook) and spend some quite time documenting your thoughts around these gems.

Soul-Searching Questions about Abundance:

• Where in my life do I see and feel the most abundant right now?
• Where in my life would I like to experience more abundance right now?
• What is one thing I know I must do to attract and experience more abundance in my life?
• What thoughts, behaviors and attitudes are keeping me from a more abundant life?

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:
“I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then whenever doubt, anxiety, or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal and soon they’ll forget my number.”  ~Edith Armstrong