The Gift of Memories

As I get more seasoned as a mother I realize more and more how great my own parents are. They provided for all our needs as we grew up but always put more attention on the non-material things in life. They were constantly putting time into making memories with us over buying an over-abundance of gifts. Our Christmases from the past included caroling, tobogganing, homemade eggnog, and surprise visits from Santa. Each year was complete with a flurry of gift opening as well, but these are the memories I remember. Yes, we all want the best for our children but I think there is something to be said for a child to be raised with wanting some things that they never quite get. And for those gifts that they do get…isn’t the excitement that much more intense when a gift has been on their wish list for years prior?

As my children get older I try to parent them as my parents did my siblings and me. Instead of putting the focus on the gifts at Christmas, I try to put the focus on making memories. Memories are a funny thing though; there is no way for me to know what things my kids will remember and what they will forget. All I can do is to take the time to create memorable experiences for them and hope that they remember.

We got home at about 10:30pm on Christmas Eve, after a busy evening of church and then a family gathering. The drive home was a little treacherous, but once we made it we could appreciate the beautiful evening; calm winds, warm temps in the upper 20’s, and the hugest snowflakes coming down over our neighborhood. Now my normal routine is to hurry from the car into house while my husband unloads the kids. But this night was different as I instantly saw an opportunity to make a memory for my daughter. As we stood at the edge of the garage watching the snowfall I reached down and packed together a snowball and threw it at my husband. I’m still not sure who was more surprised, my husband or my daughter. It took a few moments for her to realize what mommy had just done. Then she let out a laugh like you’ve never heard. Before we knew it all three of us were out in the driveway throwing snowballs at each other. And there we stood, still in our dress clothes from the Christmas evening, having a snowball fight, and making a memory for my daughter.

There was so much to enjoy about this past holiday season but that was easily my highlight and I hope it’s a memory that sticks with my daughter. If not, oh well, I plan to give plenty more throughout the years!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” ~From the television show The Wonder Years

Is there a Santa Claus?

I don’t remember specifically when I realized that there was no real guy, dressed in red, assisted by elves, who rode around the world in a sleigh powered by flying reindeer? If I had to guess, I would say I was around 10 years old. I have 3 younger siblings who believed and carried the idea of the real physical Santa on for several years after me. I guess pretending with them, and for them, kept the idea alive for me somewhat.

Now fast forward a number of years. I am now a mom; my son and daughter are at the pivotal ages of “believing” and “kinda sorta believing, but beginning to question”; ages 9 & 12, respectfully. I can’t say that they haven’t inquired about the idea of a Santa who receives their letters every year. In fact, my son asked me a couple weeks ago, “Mom, do you believe in Santa?” I answered him truthfully, “I believe in the magic of Christmas. This is the time of year when Christmas angels make miracles happen. Whatever you believe in your heart is the true spirit of the Season.” He must have been satisfied with that answer because he does still 100% believes in Santa. And, I thank God that he didn’t ask me, “Mom, is there really a Santa?” instead. I don’t know how I would’ve answered that question. Talk about your Christmas miracles.

It won’t be long before these two give into the peer pressures of their friends and this one Christmas secret will soon be a memory. Yes, this might just be the last year of tip-toeing their presents under the tree in the middle of the night. With that said, this year I will treasure the moment seeing the magic in their eyes, and excitement on their faces when they finally see the gifts under the tree. Although, Santa may not stop at our house next year, the spirit of everything Santa stands for will be forever in our home.

Now, I pray that my son doesn’t read this blog before Christmas or my goose is cooked.

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Christmas Compromise

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it…the Christ Child, the decorations, the get-togethers, the food, the giving.

Too bad it always seems that other aspects of life get busier at the same time. Each year I say I’m going to get a jump-start on the holiday prep so that there is more time to enjoy the season. Each year I drive my husband to the brink of holiday insanity as I’m scrambling to put up just one more decoration, send one more card, wrap one more gift, create one more memory (yes, that’s why this blog post is one day late!). Meanwhile I wonder why he doesn’t share my same level of excitement for the perfect tree topper.

I guess I used to think that the Christmas Holiday held the same kind magic for everyone. I remember way back to the Christmas when I was three. We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Schwab’s farm in those days. I remember watching out the window for Santa, and then…The bells! The excitement! The flurry of activity! Suddenly, as if from nowhere, there were presents under the tree. I got a Betsy Wetsy that year. We ran out of cloth diapers in short order and had to resort to disposable Kleenex ones. They were a little big as I recall but a few pieces of Scotch tape solved that!

Those early Christmas memories are so vivid to me and that’s why I still find it hard to believe that my husband can hardly remember any of his. Early in our relationship I felt compelled to make Christmas an extra special time, partially for his sake, partially for my own. Yet each year led to disappointment as my efforts failed to get him any more inspired.

This was once a point of contention between us, but we’ve since been able to compromise. After 22 years of marriage it’s become a give and take; he humors me as I belt out my favorite Christmas carols and I cut him some slack when he’s not. As we’ve come to see it, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a Cindy-Lou Who and the Grinch.

Kim

Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ~Dr. Seuss

A Special Holiday Offer for You

What a delightful time of the year…truly one of my favorites. If I had to put my finger on the one thing that I like most about the Christmas Season I would have to say that it’s the feeling in the air. It’s that magical feeling that anything is possible. It’s the season of miracles both big and small.

I have to be honest; I have not started my shopping. Every year I strive to be one of those people who announces the week before Thanksgiving that they just finished the wrapping of their Christmas presents. And every year, this year being no different, I’m now starting to frantically shuffle through the store flyers and surf the internet to find the best prices, the whole time hoping that on-line purchases can be shipped in time for Christmas.

This year however, all this talk about the economy is causing many people to cut back. The retailers accommodate; it’s amazing the specials, sales, and offers that the stores are advertising. Get 20% off your entire purchase today only, buy one get one free, free shipping, my personal favorite the unadvertised sale, and the list goes on. To track every deal, and determine which really is the best value, would take an expert shopper, which I am not.

Cutting back financially will certainly benefit our pocket books, but more needs to be done. Anyone have a hot deal on Christmas Spirit?

We have an idea…maybe we take a lesson from our friendly stores and offer our own personal unadvertised sale? Try the “20% off unnecessary commitments” and spend more time with family and friends. Or how about the “buy one, get one free” and hand down a family tradition or two to a child in your life. Some people like coupons, why not redeem this…“1/2 off stress and live in the moment”.

For a truly special Christmas Season, focus on the simple things that the holidays have to offer. Start now, well before Christmas, and see the magic waiting to happen.

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

P.S. Become a Soulspring Empowerment Group fan on Facebook and download our Soulspring Holiday Coupons (just click on our Facebook pdf tab). Not your usual discounts, but a creative reminder of the special opportunities available to you this holiday season. Print them off and redeem them today! Finally, some coupons you can really use!

Soulspiration of the Week:
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” ~Burton Hillis

Miracle of the Heart

There’s always a special something in the air during the holiday season. For some it inspires a permanent grin affixed on their face, rouses a kind deed amongst the hustle and bustle, or motivates nonstop humming while going through daily tasks. So what exactly is inspiring all this behavior? I believe it’s because people live with more of an open heart this time of year.

Living with an open heart is one of the leading causes of happiness. When we live with an open heart we express gratitude easily, are quick to forgive, and continuously wish others health and happiness.

I just finished listening to a great interview of Marci Shimoff, author of Happy for No Reason. She told a great true story that supports the power of living with an open heart. A woman had been living with Lupus for 15 years. Bound to a wheelchair and constantly in pain she was very depressed. She came across the concept of meta meditation, which is the act of silently wishing everyone you meet a wish of health and happiness. While she was skeptical she decided that she had nothing to lose and so she made a commitment to herself to practice meta meditation for one year. She would wake up every morning, sit up in bed, and say silently to herself, “May I be safe, may I be happy, my I be healthy, may I live with ease.” And then with everyone she would meet through the day, from the people in line behind her at the store, to the fellow drivers on the road, she would silently send them this wish, “May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease.”

It has been a year and doctors are now calling her a medical miracle. She is completely symptom free, out of her wheelchair, and exercising three days a week. The only thing that changed in her life was the openness of her heart.

After hearing a story like this you have to ask yourself, “is it possible to heal by wishing others well?” I’m not exactly sure myself, but one thing if for sure; I’ll be trying this meta meditation out for myself! What do I have to lose, right? What a beautiful act of self-love and a generous gift to others…and what better time of year to try it out than during the holidays?

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much.” ~Unknown

Giving Thanks

My sisters and I are busy preparing for this week’s Thanksgiving holiday, which has a significant meaning to us. It might surprise you to know that we are actual descendants of the first Pilgrims who joined the Wampanoag people at Plymouth for the harvest celebration we now know as Thanksgiving.

Yes, Francis Cooke and his son John (you can Google them if you like), are our relatives from way back. They came across on the Mayflower, leaving Portsmouth, England in September of 1620. After several storms and close calls they anchored at Cape Cod on November 11.

It wasn’t until the next year that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. It was a hard year and nearly half of the Pilgrims had died. Thanks to the local Indians, and their ability to speak some English, peace and trade treaties were established and special guidance was offered by the Wampanoag regarding the ways of the land.

In early autumn 1621 the 53 surviving Pilgrims held a celebration, which today we refer to as the first Thanksgiving, to show gratitude for their bounty. The local Indians attended and the event lasted three days.

I don’t mean for this blog post to be a history lesson. Dates and figures aside, the story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving is inspiring.

First of course is in keeping with our theme for the month; gratitude. After enduring a horrendous journey across the ocean, a harsh winter of cold and disease, a land that at first glance may not have appeared as bounteous as they had envisioned, and the loss of many close friends, the Pilgrims were grateful. They saw through the hardships and thanked God for His many blessings.

And then there is the reason these people even considered leaving the security of their homeland to begin with. Enduring religious and political persecution became unacceptable to them. Instead of conforming or continuing their futile protests they chose a form of peaceful action. They would set out for a new land where they could live in alignment with their own values and beliefs. They become empowered! How many of us would do the same?

While hopefully not to the same degree, we often face similar adversity in our lives each day. How many times do we endure living out of alignment with our own values and beliefs because of the views of our work (or boss), church (or church leadership), friends, and family? Do we choose to take peaceful action and move on to our own new world? Do we choose to become empowered? Or do we instead conform to the popular views in an effort to keep the peace, or complain from under the radar? Hmmm, where might we be doing this very thing in our lives right now?

Thanksgiving…Yes I’m looking forward to the turkey and stuffing and a day off work to spend with family. And, of course I’m proud to be part of the Pilgrims’ brave and hardy lineage. The Thanksgiving story however is really one of gratitude and empowerment, and for that I give thanks.

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Heap high the board with plenteous cheer and gather to the feast, and toast the sturdy Pilgrim band whose courage never ceased.” ~ Alice W. Brotherton

Face Your Light

One of the few plants I have sits on my kitchen window sill. It has always loved that spot as it gets plenty of southern sun there. Every few days though I need to give that plant a full turn. As most of us know, a plant’s foliage cheerfully grows towards the sun. And unless you want a crooked plant you need to spin it every now and then. Plants turn their attention constantly towards the light to reap the full benefits of the sun. This natural process is very important for the plant to grow and reproduce.

We are born with this same innate tendency to turn our attention to light. It is natural for us to be drawn to positive emotion; joy, happiness, gratitude. But as we go through life we are constantly trained in noticing what’s wrong. We focus on areas of our lives that need improvement instead. We put attention on our children’s weaknesses, notice the annoyances in our friends, and criticize our spouses.

But just as plants need to focus towards the light in order to grow, so do we. Constantly putting our attention on negativity can hinder our growth towards living our best life.

Gratitude is a perfect way of bringing all our life’s gifts to our attention. It’s simplistic enough for everyone to understand and it’s easy enough to start today! When we consciously think about all that we have to be thankful for we retrain ourselves to notice all that is right, instead of all that is wrong. Even though gratitude is quite a simple idea, it isn’t effortless. It requires diligence and practice to create a gratuitous life!

So start an attitude of gratitude today and face your light!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman

Join our Virtual Gratitude Appreciation Month Event!

You can win these fabulous prizes!

Thanks to all our wonderful friends, fans, and followers, it’s been an amazing year! To show our appreciation we let our creative juices flow and planned a fun “appreciation event” that everyone can participate in, regardless of the miles between us.

For our “virtual” Gratitude Event, we’ll be connecting via the internet and thanking you all with give-aways and fabulous prizes! Here’s how you can play and win…

On Saturday, December 5, 2009 we will be holding our “Gratitude Event” prize drawing. Winners will be drawn at random. You earn entries in the drawing by completing the “Gratitude Event” activities listed below. The more activities you complete, the more entries you receive in the drawing and the greater your chances are to win! All activities must be completed by midnight, Friday, December 4, 2009 to qualify.

GRATITUDE EVENT ACTIVITIES LIST

1. Become our “fan” on Facebook. Yes, all our fans, both old and new, earn an entry in our drawing.

2. Post a “Gratitude” comment on our Facebook Wall. Type, “I’m thankful for…” and then just finish the sentence. Very simple, very easy and earns you an entry in our drawing!

3. Use the “Suggest to Friends” feature of Facebook to recommend your Facebook friends become fans too. Then post a comment on the Soulspring Facebook Wall stating you did so, and earn 2 entries in our drawing!

4. Subscribers to our monthly Soulspiration e-newsletter receive 2 entries in our drawing. Not yet a subscriber? Register for your free subscription here. We’ll be announcing our winners in the December issue and it might be you! You don’t want to miss it!

5. Become an “official” Follower of this Soul Sisters Blog and earn 2 entries in our drawing. Just click on the “Follow” icon (in the middle left of this page).

6. Follow us on Twitter and earn 2 entries in our drawing.

So there you have it, a fun way to share, give, have fun, and win…all online! If you complete the entire Gratitude Activities List, you will have earned 10 prize drawing entries!

PRIZES:

1 First: Flip Ultra Camcorder
The easy-to-use pocket-sized camcorder, featuring one-touch recording and digital zoom. Capture all those amazing life moments! A $149.00 value!

1 Second Prize: Ipod Shuffle 4th Generation
The world's smallest music player! Take your inspirational music and podcasts with you wherever you go! An $80.00 value!

3 Runner Ups: Soulspring Journals
Our Soulspring Journal is designed to inspire, motivate and provoke reflection. What’s your dream? What’s your passion? What mark will you leave on the world? This journal helps to make your vision a reality! A $30.00 value!

Good luck ladies! Stay tuned as we announce the prize winners
in the December issue of our Soul-spiration newsletter!

Be Grateful for the Journey

As we go through life we tend to put our main focus on what’s waiting for us at the end. We rush through our weeks, just to get to the weekend. We can’t wait until we are done with school, so we can finally get that dream job. We wish our newborn would sleep through the night, so we can get back to a “normal” life. And, we hold out for that someday when we have enough money, so that we can be out of debt, then we can be happy. But, it’s the in between moments, that when put together make our life what it really is, and what it will be.

Think of the hundreds of thousands of still pictures it takes to make a cartoon. When all these pictures are put together in a precise sequence and transitioned at a high rate of speed, the result is a cartoon that tells a story. The cartoon has seamless movement. The images flow together so exactly that it gives the picture a natural and realistic look.

Now think about making a cartoon of your life. How will your “Life Cartoon” look? Will you recall all the details of your journey to give your cartoon that seamless flow? Or, will there be huge gaps between your major accomplishments, resulting in a severely edited version of your story?

It’s not too late to start adding material to your “Life Cartoon”. Open your mind, and heart and you will begin to notice all the blessings you have in the here and now. Being grateful for what we experience during the journey is one of the secrets to a happy life.

Jenny
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

"The journey is what brings us happiness; not the destination." ~Dan Millman (Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives)

Love, Gratitude & Giving

It’s November and I’m excited! As anyone who knows me can attest, this is my favorite time of year. To me it’s the beginning of the holiday season; a time of love, gratitude and giving.

You see, I believe that love and gratitude are the most powerful of all emotions, easily trumping fear, anger and negativity. Is there any other time of year when love, gratitude and giving are more freely expressed than during the holiday season? I think not!

So while I try to do my best throughout the year to make love, gratitude and giving a daily focus, for the holiday season I intensify my efforts. Here’s how…

Practice present time consciousness. With every activity, instead of just going through the motions, I make a conscious effort to think about what it is I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and how it’s impacting the world. For tasks like wrapping gifts and sending holiday cards, this may seem like a no-brainer. But what about paying bills and running errands? While maybe a little more challenging at first, it is possible to find the giving, love, and gratitude at their core. This practice can actually make the most monotonous of tasks quite inspiring!

Believe in divine timing. They say there are no good and no bad experiences; they are all neutral and it’s our own thoughts and beliefs that label good and bad. Try to tell yourself that while you’re stuck in traffic and late for an appointment! Yet, you can certainly look back on any “bad” experience and find some speck of “good” that came of it. At this time of year I practice trusting in divine timing; everything is as it should be at this moment in time, and all will be revealed at the perfect moment.

Be thankful for everything. Instead of complaining about the cold, be thankful for the crisp air and frosty beauty. Rather than lament your busy holiday schedule, give thanks for the friends and family who want to spend time with you. As you roll out of bed each morning, start your day with a “thank you” as your feet hit the floor, and set the tone for a wonderful day!

Be of service. It would be wonderful to spend time volunteering or somehow serving the less fortunate this time of year; it’s what the season is all about after all. But what about the everyday simple acts of service, like allowing a hurried mom to go ahead of you in the checkout line, opening the door for a stranger, shoveling the walk for an elderly neighbor. They take merely a moment, yet when given with love the ripple effect from these simple acts of service is far reaching.

They say that the holidays can be a stressful time, and I admit it certainly can be hectic. Here’s my holiday stress-busting tip just for you: Place your focus on love, gratitude, and giving, and make this time of year your favorite too.

Kim
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now. And the more grateful you are, the more you get." ~Oprah

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

A Brick is usually not Small Stuff

I caught myself this week! All this talk about worry, fear, and anxiety this month . . . I should’ve seen it coming. I should have detected the signs . . . An upcoming deadline, and approaching meeting that I feared was going to have a bad outcome, friends having a disagreement, and a list of To-Do’s a mile long. I had developed a knot in my stomach and my shoulders felt a bit heavy; physical conditions that had it written all over them. And, my patience was wearing thin; I admit it, I was a tad bit crabby. It is all so clear now as I look back over the course of the last week; I was becoming consumed by worry and fear of not getting everything done, wanting to fix my friend’s relationship, and hoping for a certain outcome from the meeting.

Then, I got lucky and received “my brick”. I refer to it as “my brick” ever since this story was shared with me many years ago.

An executive was driving down a neighborhood street in his new expensive car. He was in a hurry talking on his cell phone. Suddenly, he saw children playing on the side of the road. He muttered something about “stupid kids” to himself as he slowed down.

Then, he heard a thud. Something had hit the side of his car. He slammed on brakes and jumped out of the car. He saw a dent in the car door and a brick lying on the street. The man turned toward the kids and shouted, “Who threw that brick?” Fixing that dent is going to be expensive!” He was furious.

A child, a young boy stepped forward. The child was shaking and he was crying. “I threw the brick. I needed you to stop. No one would stop to help me. My little bother rolled off the sidewalk and fell out of his wheel chair. He is hurt and I can’t lift him up. I need some help. Will you help me?”

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat; he bent over, picked up the child, helped him back in the wheel chair, and wiped off his cuts and scrapes. As he watched the older boy push his brother down the sidewalk, the man slouched back towards his car. He looked at the dent – and made a promised to himself that he would leave that dent in the car as long as he owned it. The dent would remind him to slow down and not be consumed by all the demands of his life, to be on the lookout– and to listen - to listen to the voice of God. The man thought, sometimes God whispers to our souls, whispers to our hearts. But He sometimes needs to use a brick to get our attention.

This week “My brick” hit me in the form of my kids. They were discussing something that had happened that day at school. Middle school kid stuff that I remember was so very hard to process at that age. At that exact moment “my brick” struck me. . . My kids were struggling with this and I had to help them makes some sort of sense of it.

I quickly pulled something from my mental file cabinet that I remembered from the best-selling book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson. I asked the kids if this situation would be just as important a week from now, a month from now, or a year from now. As they were both chewing on what it was I just said . . . I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror and something told me that I hadn’t just said what I said just for my kids’ benefit. I took those words to heart myself and realized that I had gotten caught up in the worry of things that were either out of my control, or may possibly never happen. Not so surprisingly I noticed the pit in my stomach was gone and the weight was lifted off my shoulders a short time later.

Pay attention, listen, and watch out for flying bricks.

Jenny
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today. ~ E. Joseph Cossman

How To Overcome Your Fear: Stop It!

We’re often asked about overcoming fear and that makes total sense when you consider that fear is the most common obstacle to be conquered when pursuing a passion, dream, or goal. Empowered women know that when we succumb to our fears that we give our power away. That makes facing our fears and overcoming them an important skill to learn.

This classic Mad TV-Bob Newhart video offers some tongue in cheek advice for overcoming your fears and personal shortcomings. Bob’s advice; Stop It!

Good for a laugh and admittedly simplistic, there are still some nuggets of wisdom amongst the humor. Bear with us as we break them down for you…

1. Fear is based in our imagination: While our fears can feel very real to us, often times we’ve never actually experienced what we’re most afraid of. Only eight percent of our fears are actually realized, making ninety-two percent of the energy spent on our fears wasted. We can be disappointed, regretful and unhappy of the things that have happened in our past. At this very moment we’re currently experiencing the present, which hopefully isn’t too scary. That brings us to the future, where our fears reside. It’s what we imagine might happen that makes us most afraid. Our fear hasn’t actually happened; making it essentially non-existent! That realization alone can lighten our fears and lead to an important shift in power.

2. Are we making things too complicated: Most of us believe that overcoming our fears means following a complicated self-help regimen or difficult course of therapy. What if we challenged that belief and instead adopted a simple and straight-forward approach to managing our fears? Is it possible that five minutes of personal straight-talk, and a conscious decision and desire to “feel” our fear but live our best life anyway, is all that’s really necessary? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to give it a try!

3. Don’t go there: Playing the “blame game” doesn’t serve us, and certainly doesn’t lead to overcoming our fears. Reclaim your power and instead make a choice. The decision is yours; will you live a fear-based life or a fear-less one?

4. We all have fears: Life in general is the great equalizer, and nobody comes out of it unscathed as they say. Regardless of our sex, race, creed or hair color, we all have fears, issues and problems to overcome.

5. Nobody likes change: When you boil it all down, what we really fear is change. Whether good or bad, we would rather stick with our current reality than risk the unknown. View change as an adventure and live the life you want, not the life you fear.

So there we have it, and just like Bob, in less than five minutes. Only have a twenty? Never fear, that was at no charge!

Kim
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do”. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Are You Contagious?

Oh, fall; it’s a glorious time of cooler weather, changing leaves, and warm wholesome meals. Most would argue that this is the best season of the year in the Upper Midwest. But every year as we enter fall, we are also entering the cold and flu season. From what we’re hearing from the media, this season will be a bad one. You can’t get too far these days before hearing someone bring up H1N1, the seasonal flu, strep throat, or the hundreds of other communicable viruses.

As contagious as all these illnesses are, I think I have stumbled across something that is way more contagious than any virus; attitude! It’s a common practice of the season to focus on all the ways to stop the spread of sickness. But when exactly do we focus on how to stop the spread of negativity? This is something just as serious as physical illness and deserves just as much attention as the Swine Flu. How often do we wake up in a pretty good mood, coast through our morning routine, and arrive to work only to look a crabby co-worker in the eye? Probably quite often if you’re part of the average population and it sure doesn’t take long for our good day to start on a downward spiral.

We all know the responsibility of stopping the spread of physical illness is everyone’s; by washing hands, covering a cough, and staying home when you’re sick. The same also applies to stop a bad attitude! Keep your demeanor in check, speak only kind words, and be conscious of how you’re affecting others.

Now, as contagious as a bad attitude is, a good attitude is just as infectious! It’s amazing how a kind word or genuine smile can lift someone’s spirits. I experienced this first hand while on my way home from a hurried errand run this week. During the drive home the events of the day were running through my head; sick kids, a doctor’s appointment, pharmacy run, all the stuff that I should have gotten done but didn’t, and all the things I needed to do once I got home. Just then I noticed an old gentleman selling produce on the side of the road and as I drove by he offered a friendly wave. I recognized the man to have been there before. A retired farmer who spends most his days in late summer parked alongside the highway selling his vegetables. It’s still a welcome surprise though when you come across him as he waves at every car that passes on this busy highway. That simple wave was all I needed that day to step outside my crazy day and take the time to just smile.

I say we all need to get a little more contagious this season! Make a point to spread a positive attitude and see how much of difference such a simple act can make.

Becky
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. As you think, so shall you be.” ~William James

Life's Fortunes

While at work this week a co-worker of mine went through the office sprinkling a fortune cookie on everyone’s desk. Around mid-day I was getting a bit hungry and busted mine open. Before I even took my first bite I pulled out the fortune inside to see what lucky thing will be coming my way. My fortune told me this, “someone will acknowledge you for your positive attitude.” I thought to myself, “that’s a good fortune” and I stuck it on my computer monitor. I’d glance at it here and there throughout the week and would think to myself, “Yes! I want someone to notice my positive attitude!”

A couple days later my boss switched her “boss” hat for her “mom” hat to take a little timeout from her busy office for her daughter. It was a quick conversation and her daughter left within a few short moments with a chunk of advice from mom that will benefit her in all areas of her life. I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s good stuff; I could use that advice in my own life!” My boss switched gears just as quickly as before and returned to her desk without missing a beat. I thought about that brief two minute exchange several times that afternoon and decided to acknowledge what I thought to be a beautiful mother daughter moment. As I completed my end of the day ritual of shutting down my office I walked past my boss’s door and stuck my head in to compliment her for being such a great mom. She then turned to me and said, “Thank you, I really needed to hear that, you always know what to say, and you are always so positive, I love that about you!” I couldn’t believe it! My fortune came true!

On the way home that day I was recalling the week’s event. At first, I was thinking the fortune cookie must have had special powers in order to be so accurate. But then I realized that it came true in response to my actions.

It’s easy to float through life expecting that things should just happen for us. But it’s important to remember that we need to make the effort to get what we want. And strangely enough it’s usually the tiniest of efforts that reap the most benefits. Whether it’s a stronger marriage, more praise at work, loving children, or supportive friends – maybe you can take the first tiny step towards change.

Jenny
Sister of Soul


Soulspiration of the Week:

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. ~Clement Stone

It's Time for a Goal Check-Up

At Soulspring January is all about goal-setting; getting your dreams prioritized and your action plan set for the year. Why am I talking about January in September? With just over three months of the year left, it’s time to evaluate your progress towards your goals.

We begin the New Year with such optimism, don’t we? It all seems so attainable in January. Plus we have 11 more months to work our plan. But sometimes in spite of our best efforts and planning, we don’t consistently take the action that is necessary, and with time running out we chalk up another failed attempt at reaching our dreams. “There’s always next year,” we say.

The truth is that we are entering what I believe to be one of the most productive times of the entire year. Even if you haven’t thought about your goals since January you still have time to make some real progress and make them a reality. Here’s are 4 steps to get you back on track:

THE WHAT: First, you need to remember what it was that you wanted to achieve. Was your goal specific? For example, instead of saying you want to lose weight, you must state the exact number of pounds. You also want to consider your progress year to date. If you haven’t done any work toward your goal, why? Was your plan too aggressive? Were you lacking belief that your goal was actually possible? Use this new insight to revise your plan as you work through the steps below.

THE WHY: Don’t underestimate the importance of why you wanted to achieve your goal in the first place. Chances are if it was important to you then, it’s even more important now! Really visualize what achieving your goal would mean to your life and the lives of those around you. And, although it can be uncomfortable, it’s also important to visualize what it would mean to not achieve your goal. What would you be depriving yourself, your loved ones, the world? Make it real by feeling the emotions behind these revelations and putting it into writing in a journal or incorporate it into your actual plan so it’s fresh in your mind. You can achieve anything if it’s important enough. Make it important.

THE HOW: Now you are ready to dust off your earlier plan. Re-evaluate the steps you identified to make your dream a reality. Check off any that you have accomplished and adjust any remaining actions and tasks by determining if they are still crucial and then make any necessary shifts. This is also the time to ensure that your plan is achievable. If you plan too aggressively, it’s impossible to keep up and you’re likely to fail before you begin. We understand the plight of the busy woman and for that reason you will often hear the Soul Sisters say, “Don’t underestimate the power of baby steps.” You would be surprised at how much a woman can achieve by just taking two or three small (sometimes even tiny) steps each day. These small actions add up over the course of a week, month and year. The development of Soulspring Groups is just one example of this theory put into action!

THE WHEN: Chances are that back in January you set target dates and deadlines for your action steps. Most likely these will need to be adjusted to reflect a new timeline, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up for being behind, instead celebrate your new dedication and promise yourself some added incentive or a reward once you achieve your goal. It’s surprising what a treat or reward can do to drive you toward achievement. Make your reward something that really motivates you to put in the hard work!

Don’t let another year, and another goal, go by. There are still 109 full days left in 2009 and that means over 218 baby steps can be taken toward your goal. Get started now and New Year’s Eve is going to take on a whole new meaning!

Kim
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal.” ~Benjamin Mays

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

It’s Time for Back to School – The School of Life!

This week millions of children are making preparations and will be returning to school for another year of learning. Many will be dragging their behinds, complaining all the way. While others have had their new school bags packed for weeks and they can’t wait to get back at it. This whole process and time of year has always excited me and still does; the new school supplies, the new clothes, a new schedule, a new routine, and a chance for personal growth.

Why not take advantage of the thrill of learning that is currently in the air and put it to good use? This “Back to School” feeling doesn’t have to apply to just children or even students. This is a great time for anyone to start anew; set a new goal, learn a new skill or maybe brush up on an old one, take a tiny step toward achieving your dreams or your life purpose. The curriculum is only limited by you.

You’re already enrolled in the School of Life where opportunities of learning are around every corner. It’s never too late to discover something new. Let these "Soul-Searching Questions" jumpstart your personal learning program:

• What are your greatest strengths?
• What is the greatest vision you have for your life?
• What are you willing to do about it?

Jenny
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. ~Mary Kay Ash

Did You Plug Into It?

What an amazing and “powered up” week! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our energizing tele-class, Power Up: Overcoming Your Personal Energy Crisis! If you missed this training event, don’t worry! For a limited time you can receive a download of the recording and training materials for free! Just click here: Power Up Tele-Training Event

As with every tele-class, for each question we answer during the course of the training we seem to generate another. Believe it or not, that’s a good thing! It means we’re making breakthroughs and stirring up some new and different ideas and thoughts. Keep your questions coming!

Below are a few we received after the session. Perhaps they will address a question or two you had yourself.

Q. “Thank you for a great call! As I worked through the exercises I realized that my energy issues seem to stem from a lack of time. How do I overcome that?” R.B.

A. Great question! Time is another big issue for many women and it’s a topic we would love to dedicate a tele-training event to. To help you until that time however, we offer the following recommendations.

Pull out your Power Up training materials package. Notice that the words “energy” and “time” could almost be used interchangeably throughout. You want more time; more time for what? Until you have that question clearly answered and in writing, you won’t get control of your time issues. Likewise, you may need to overcome some pretty deep-seated “beliefs” about time to really experience a breakthrough in this area. And, the same “Frustrations” and “Incomplete Cycles” that drain your energy also eat away at your time. Try reworking these same exercises using your “time” challenges as a reference point and let us know what you discover!

Q. “I’m really having a problem with limiting beliefs. I recognize how many of my beliefs are affecting my energy levels but I’m really having a problem changing my mindset; any advice for someone like me?” T.J.

A. Yes, beliefs can be tricky but guess what? By recognizing the beliefs that are holding you back, you’ve actually made a significant breakthrough! Congratulations!

The secret to changing our limiting beliefs is found in the Pain Pleasure Principle. Associate enough “pain” with your old belief and a tremendous amount of “pleasure” to your new empowered belief, and you will begin to experience significant changes in your life! Here’s how you can use the Pain Pleasure Principle for yourself…

Step 1 ~ The Pain: Think about your limiting belief. How has this belief hurt you? What has it cost you in your life? How has it affected those closest to you?

Example Limiting Belief: “I’m always too tired.”

Pain: I can’t help but think of all the experiences and opportunities I’ve missed out on in life. Instead of spending time with friends and family, my tiredness kept me at home. Instead of pursuing the next phase in my career, I let my tiredness hold me back. That’s also hurt me and my family financially. This belief has kept me from getting the exercise I need and has actually led me to seek out convenience foods which aren’t as health for me or my family. It’s a cycle that only contributes to my feeling of being tired.

Step 2 ~ The Pleasure: Now think of your new empowered belief. What will this new belief mean to your life? What pleasure will come from it?

Example Empowering Belief: “I am powered up because I choose to be.”

Pleasure: My new belief means I’m spending more quality time with my children. We laugh and even play games together. We’re creating happy family memories I know will shape their lives into adulthood. I’m the wife, friend and mother I’ve always envisioned I would be. I’m advancing in my career and my new responsibilities suit my talents and abilities perfectly. Producing my best work energizes me! I exercise four times a week and nourish my body with healthy food. I’m losing weight without effort. I feel better and my family feels better.

With practice you will be amazed at how simple the Pain Pleasure Principle actually is, and even more surprised at how it can shift your way of thinking. It’s important to regularly review how your limiting beliefs cause you pain in your life and how your new beliefs bring you pleasure. We’re naturally wired to want pleasure in all things so what “feels” better to you is the direction your mind will naturally go. Stay committed to the process and I promise it will work. Please keep us updated on your progress!

If you have questions about overcoming your personal energy crisis, please email us at SoulSisters@SoulspringGroups.com. We promise to personally answer each and every email we receive.

Sisters of Soul
Kim, Jenny and Becky

Soulspiration of the Week:

“Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” ~Sarah Bernhardt

The Power of Collective Energy

I ran across the most interesting interview that ties in perfectly with our energy topic this month!

Gregg Braden appeared on an online program, “The Aware Show”, to speak about his new book, Fractal Time. Part of what makes Gregg so interesting is that he is a scientist, visionary, and a scholar all wrapped up into one. In his interview he shared how much scientists have learned about energy in the last decade. Here’s just one amazing example:

In 2001, two satellites were placed in space, 22,000 miles from Earth, one in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere. These satellites were to record the energy given off from the Earth every 30 minutes. For the most part it was in constant ebbs and flows, like an EKG, until one day it jumped off the chart for both satellites! Scientists immediately began to search out what would have caused such an increase. When studied it was discovered that this jump in energy began at 9:00 a.m. on September 11, 2001 – fifteen minutes after the first plane hit the first tower of the World Trade Center.

This discovery lead to a series of studies and what was found was when millions of people collectively focus their heart energy or emotions on a specific thing it has the power to influence the energy fields of the Earth. Isn’t that amazing?!

For hundreds of years science has taught us that the only influence we have on the Earth is just our physical bodies. But now we know that our emotions and energy have a much greater impact. Our inner energy can impact ourselves, our families, our friends, and even complete strangers! Imagine what it would mean for the world if we could harness this power, collectively focusing our energies in laser-sharp precision through affirmations, meditation, and prayer! What shift in energy might these satellites see with millions of Soulspring Groups meeting monthly all over the world? What a news story that would be!

It’s clear that energy is even more important than we once realized! Now more than ever you must ask yourself, “how’s my personal power?” If the answer is that your inner energy is a little low these days, be sure to take advantage of our FREE teleclass, “Power Up! Overcoming your Personal Energy Crisis”, taking place this Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Register here!

Becky
Sister of Soul

Soul-spiration of the Week

“We have learned that power is a positive force if it is used for positive purposes.” ~Elizabeth Dole

Quiz: Are you headed for a Personal Energy Crash?

Feeling tired? Lost your oomph? You’re not alone, it’s one of the top complaints we hear from women, which led us to dedicate the month of August to the topic of energy.

Sure, as women we lead busy lives and sometimes our hectic pace can get the best of us. But burning the candle at both ends for too long can lead to a personal energy crisis. Avoiding the problem all together can soon lead to a crash!

So are you on the verge of a power melt-down or have you formed a solid foundation of thoughts, belief, attitudes and habits to protect yourself from a full-fledged crash? Take this self-assessment and find out!

Are You Headed for a Personal Energy Crash?

Answer TRUE or FALSE to each question below.

TRUE FALSE What I do for a living really turns me on.
TRUE FALSE I surround myself with high-energy and positively charged people.
TRUE FALSE I’m living my life purpose and my life is an exciting adventure.
TRUE FALSE I’m invigorated knowing I’m living in alignment with my highest values.
TRUE FALSE I rarely feel overwhelmed; there is plenty of me to go around.
TRUE FALSE I feel a daily sense of pride in myself and my accomplishments.
TRUE FALSE There’s only one “me” and I take care of myself.
TRUE FALSE I take time regularly to focus on my own hobbies and interests.
TRUE FALSE I work at a healthy pace.
TRUE FALSE My daily to-do list is challenging, yet manageable.
TRUE FALSE I take breaks and time off free from guilt and regret.
TRUE FALSE When it comes to “me”, I have no problem saying “yes”.
TRUE FALSE I easily say “no” to requests that deplete me.
TRUE FALSE I feel empowered and in control of my life.
_____ _____ TOTAL

SCORE: Add up the answers in each column. Compare the number of TRUE statements to the results below:

12+ Sure, your hectic schedule tires you out, but overall you are one powered up woman! Stay focused and on track. Your positive example will inspire others to live an empowered lifestyle too!

9-11 You’ve been working hard to live your life on purpose but negative thoughts, beliefs and habits keep coming back to haunt you. Old habits die hard but stay strong. A few more tweaks will take your personal power to new heights!

6-8 Watch out, you’ve been pushing it to the limits for far too long. You’re definitely in crisis mode and it won’t take much to throw you into a real tailspin. Take steps now to protect your energy stores. As is usually the case, you have a pretty clear idea of what’s draining you. Take steps now to rev up your life once again!

0-5 Girl, we’ve been there! You’re a walking, talking example of frazzled, fizzled, frenzied and frayed! This is no longer a drill but a real live energy crash. Implement your emergency energy plan now!


So, how did you score? Are you in the midst of a crisis? Don’t worry; a full recovery is possible.

If you’re in need of a source of high-power fuel, you won’t want to miss our free tele-training event…

Power Up: Overcoming your Personal Energy Crisis
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Location: The Soulspring Tele-Classroom. Come as you are and learn in the comfort of your own home!
Fee: We invite you to be our guest!

Get the Details Here!


Sisters of Soul


Soulspiration of the Week:

“Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness.” ~ Shakti Gawain

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

Be a Day Maker

How do you begin your typical day? Do you hit the snooze button and hide under the covers, expecting the worst? Or, do you jump out of bed with an attitude of gratitude, asking the Universe how you can serve?

We tend to get wrapped up in our own problems and challenges. But when you look at the people who are happiest in life, you find that they don’t focus on their own needs, rather they focus on the needs of others. They are the Day Makers; the people who let you cut in line at the grocery because they can sense you’re running late, the ones ahead of you at the coffee shop who surprise you by paying for your latte, the drivers in rush-hour who slow down to let you merge safely into traffic.

It’s these little, and not so little, surprises that send a ripple affect through our lives. Case in point; this amazing video which was filmed in the central train station in Antwerp, Belgium last March. Not to give away too much of the surprise, I can tell you that at 8:00 a.m., as people are rushing off to their destinations, a recording of Julie Andrews singing “Do, Re, Mi” begins playing over the public address system. The early morning crowd is then stunned and surprised as some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd. Click here to see for yourself what happens next.

What must it have been like to witness such an event? Enthusiasm is contagious and most likely every person in the train station went on to live a very different day than the one they expected upon waking that morning. Plus, I doubt very much they kept the experience to themselves. It must have been the highlight of their day and they went on to share the experience with their co-workers, friends and family, who then went on to have a great day too!

If you’ve been fortunate enough to cross paths with a Day Maker you know what kind of affect they can have on not just your day, but your life. If you haven’t yet experienced this phenomenon, maybe it’s time you become a Day Maker yourself. While this video is a shining of example of how one event can trigger and shape a day for yourself and others, it wouldn’t take a feat this big to have an affect. Try it for yourself this week and let us know what happens!

Kim, Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week

"You will rise by lifting others." ~ Robert Green Ingersoll

The Women Before Me

As I move through life I am more and more proud of the older generations of women that surround me. It may be due to the fact that now as a mother I know what they’ve gone through; the pregnancies, the deliveries, the sleepless nights, the cooking, the cleaning, the care giving. Or maybe it’s the fact that as I get older I’m more aware of what they’ve all had to endure as women; the responsibilities, the glass ceiling, the discrimination. But what I really think is the reason that I’m so proud is that as I get older I realize all they’ve accomplished and, more importantly, are still accomplishing.

While at a family get together last weekend my mom very nonchalantly said to my sisters and I, “who wants to go with me to get my ears pierced?” We couldn’t even believe it! My mom is 64 years old and has never had her ears pierced. The reason maybe a little bit of fear and a little bit of thinking my dad wouldn’t like it. With retirement and travel (and we hope because of Soulspring!) she has been blessed with a new sense of adventure; an “it’s never too late” kind of attitude!

It may seem silly that out of all the things my mom has accomplished in her life, her getting her ears pierced will be the one that make her three daughters the most proud. And not because she’s going to be a little bit more fashionable with some cute “danglys”, but because she’s officially adopted the philosophy that it’s never too late to do something that you’ve always wanted to do. And we, as daughters, will be so happy to be a part of this moment!

So, what have you always wanted to do? And what are you waiting for?!

Becky, Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week

“It's never too late to be who you might have been.” ~George Eliot

Life Lessons from an American Pastime

As my son began his sixth little league season earlier this summer, he took the field just as he did every other season. He hustled out to his position, glove in hand, cap pulled down low to shield the sun, wearing a smile that screamed, “I love this game”. I have to admit I became a little emotional; fighting back a tear or two I couldn’t help but begin a prayer asking God to bless us with a great baseball season.

Well, the season is just about half over and the boys have faced some pretty tough competition. They’ve won some games, lost some games, and even really lost some games. But in my eyes God has answered my prayer. You see I didn’t ask Him for a perfect season. Wins are nice but it’s in the losses, hot practices, long innings, where the life lessons are learned.

As adults we need to take lessons from these young ball players: Teamwork, sacrifice, encouragement, confidence, enthusiasm, endurance, and perseverance make us true winners.

Jenny, Sister of Soul


Soulspiration of the Week:

“It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you got to have is faith and discipline when you're not a winner.” ~Vince Lombardi

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

Plant Good Thoughts

"How do I stop my negative thoughts?" - is a question that has been asked many times. If you have ever asked this question then you will feel such enormous relief in knowing the answer, because it is so simple.

Q. How do you stop negative thoughts?

A. You plant good thoughts!

When you try to stop negative thoughts, you are focusing on what you don't want - negative thoughts - and you will attract an abundance of them. They can never disappear if you are focused on them. The "stop" part is irrelevant - the negative thoughts are your focus. It doesn't matter if you are trying to stop negative thoughts or control them or push them away, the result is the same. Your focus is on negative thoughts, and by the law of attraction you are inviting more of them to you.

The truth is always simple and it is always easy. To stop negative thoughts, just plant good thoughts! Deliberately plant good thoughts! You plant good thoughts by making it a daily practice to appreciate all the things in your day.

Appreciate your health, your car, your home, your family, your job, your friends, your surroundings, your meals, your pets, and the magnificent beauty of the day. Compliment, praise, and give thanks to all things. Every time you say "thank you" it is a good thought!

As you plant more and more good thoughts, the negative thoughts will be wiped out. Why? Because your focus is on good thoughts, and what you focus on you attract.

Don't give any attention to negative thoughts. Don't worry about them. If any come, make light of them, shrug them off, and let them be your reminder to deliberately think more good thoughts now.

Becky, Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” ~ Unknown

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