February 29, 2012

Another Chance

READY… “There was just a part of me that just wanted to lie back in my bed, close my eyes, and find myself waking up to another chance.” ~ Author Unknown

AIM… Today is a special day. Happy Leap Year Day! We’ve been blessed with twenty-four extra hours, so…whatcha gonna do with your extra time? For most of us, today will just be another ordinary day at work, at school or hanging at home. However, how many times have you, or someone you know, said “I wish there were more hours in the day” ? Here’s your chance, friends! You’ve been given twenty-four more hours. You have another chance to do something amazing and incredible. You have another chance to tell your family and friends you love them. You have another chance to chase your dreams or make someone else’s dreams come true. You have another chance to say “I’m sorry.” So, seize the day and come back to tell us what you did with your bonus day this Leap year.

FIRE!   Take a LEAP of faith today and do something totally outrageous! I can’t WAIT to hear about what you did with your extra chance hours on your Leap Day!

Be Excellent!
Lori

February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

READY… "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.”
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

AIM… Happy Valentine’s Day to all my Arrows of Integrity sweethearts and friends! Are you prepared for a day full of mushy, gushy, lovey-dovey, ooey-gooey, happy hearts with singing birds and romance? After all, that IS what Valentine’s Day is all about, right? I was thinking about the commercialism of this holiday and the fact that it often takes a special day like today for people to remember to tell each other they love one another. Our society has taught us that love is: heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, a dozen red roses perfectly arranged in a vase, lacy lingerie, candlelit dinners, cards with beautifully written sentiments and crunchy candy hearts that say “Text Me” or “U R GR8.” Superficially, those are all things we can use to express our love to our significant other. However, on this Valentine’s Day, what does love mean to you?

As I was thinking about all my readers, friends, family members and people I come in contact with on a daily basis, these are some things I think best describe love.

Love is…a homemade Valentine card displayed on the refrigerator…eye contact and a smile from across a crowded room…a hug from your teenager in front of his friends…a warm, home-cooked meal enjoyed with your family…sitting on the same side of the booth in a restaurant after years of marriage…a husband or wife who crawls in bed to snuggle with YOU every night…a five minute phone call home from a military father who is stationed in Afghanistan…silent prayers from your closest friends…holding hands with your honey while walking around in the shopping mall…sitting at the bedside of a loved one after a surgical procedure waiting patiently for the doctor’s results…turning down an event on your social calendar to spend quality time with your family…a real hug using both arms, body contact and a sincere heart.

Love is SO many more things than those examples I listed above. How are you going to express your love this Valentine’s Day? Don’t fall prey to all the superficial, commercialized gifts and gadgets. If you dare to get creative, I guarantee you’ll experience some real love.


FIRE!   Be someone’s Valentine today! If you already have the obligatory sentimental card, chocolates and/or flowers, that’s fine, just figure out a creative way to use those tools to express your heartfelt feelings in a memorable way. You’ll be sure to have a love-filled day!

♥ Click here for a special Valentine Message from me ♥ http://ecards.dayspring.com/ecards/card.asp?id=13457286-49EF7


Be Excellent!
Lori

February 10, 2012

TGIF!

READY… "There aren’t enough Fridays in the week.” ~All Famous Quotes on Fridays

AIM… Thank God It’s Friday!! Have you had a crazy week too? Yep, it is nuts in my world right now. I’m SO glad it’s Friday because that means it’s the weekend and I can catch my breath to regroup before Monday rolls around again.

What is it about the normal week that leaves us giddy with excitement that Friday has finally arrived? I guess for the person who works a typically scheduled job it means time to rest and renew for a few days on the weekend. For the college student, it means party time! For the restaurant owner and retail manager, it means cha-ching: business = bonus. What does Friday mean to you? Whether you like it or not, today is FRIDAY, and I’m sharing my enthusiasm out loud. Join me chanting T-G-I-F, T-G-I-F!!!

FIRE!  So, what do you have planned for your Friday? This week, even if you don’t have plans, do something totally spontaneous and make sure it is fabulous and FUN!

Be Excellent!
Lori