READY8 “You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted.” ~ The Princess Bride
AIM8 Trick or treat! Little super heroes, ghosts, goblins and princesses will don their masks and cleverly coordinated outfits to go parading around for a few hours this week. What is it that is so enticing about dressing up as someone else? How quickly we forgot about our imaginations? It’s fun to pretend! Somehow, once we grow up a bit, pretending you are someone, or something you are not, outside of Halloween, isn’t as enchanting as when we were kids.
Have you ever walked into work with that “fake it ‘til you make it” mask on your face, hoping no one asks you how you’re REALLY doing? Surely, you have put on a mask once in your life when you just wanted everyone to think you had it all together, when in reality, you world was crumbling around you. It is hard to present the real you; it’s easier to hide behind the mask. However, I assure you, once you are able to eliminate at least one layer of disguise, you will feel so much lighter. Baby step by baby step, I encourage you to uncover the beautiful person who hides behind the mask. Do not be afraid to show the real you, even if the real you hasn’t been seen in years, it will be refreshing to simply be yourself and to finally stop masquerading as someone you truly are not. Trust yourself. I believe in you.
FIRE!8 Find one person you can be completely real and transparent with about yourself, your past and your current feelings. Take off your mask once and for all and promise yourself that you will make every attempt not to put it on again. Be the person God created you to be.
Be Excellent!
Lori
October 27, 2010
October 20, 2010
Puddle Jumping
READY8 “When it rains, it pours; so grab an umbrella and jump in the puddles!” ~ Lori Bodkin
AIM8 Have you ever noticed that when you have a full schedule, there always seems to be one more meeting or activity that needs to be squeezed into your already jam-packed week? Or perhaps there’s a day when things just aren’t going well for you and then you hear more bad news or have yet another bad experience? Well, you know how the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” You know what I say during those times? When it rains, grab an umbrella and jump in the puddles!
When the weatherman forecasts a rainy day, some of us see the rain as water for our gardens and the grass and trees. Others of us view the rain as nasty weather that ruins our outdoor plans. Children see rain as a chance to splash, jump around, get wet and giggle.
If you have ever watched a child jump in a puddle, his eyes gleam and he squeals with delight as the water explodes all around his tiny feet. Kids don’t worry about wet shoes and pants. Kids just enjoy a simple moment of stress relief and pure innocent fun. Hey, clothes and shoes dry out, right? C’mon, have some fun and lighten up!
I think we can all learn a valuable lesson from our children. As life piles up, in good or not so good ways, remember to just grab your umbrella, find the nearest puddle and splash to your heart’s content. Ahh…I can see the stress and worry melting away from your face already. Now, don’t you feel like you can face your challenges with a fresh new outlook?
FIRE!8 Jump in a puddle this week! Give us your positive ideas for “puddle jumping” when there’s no rain in sight and I’ll share your ideas with our readers. Now, go splash!
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM8 Have you ever noticed that when you have a full schedule, there always seems to be one more meeting or activity that needs to be squeezed into your already jam-packed week? Or perhaps there’s a day when things just aren’t going well for you and then you hear more bad news or have yet another bad experience? Well, you know how the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” You know what I say during those times? When it rains, grab an umbrella and jump in the puddles!
When the weatherman forecasts a rainy day, some of us see the rain as water for our gardens and the grass and trees. Others of us view the rain as nasty weather that ruins our outdoor plans. Children see rain as a chance to splash, jump around, get wet and giggle.
If you have ever watched a child jump in a puddle, his eyes gleam and he squeals with delight as the water explodes all around his tiny feet. Kids don’t worry about wet shoes and pants. Kids just enjoy a simple moment of stress relief and pure innocent fun. Hey, clothes and shoes dry out, right? C’mon, have some fun and lighten up!
I think we can all learn a valuable lesson from our children. As life piles up, in good or not so good ways, remember to just grab your umbrella, find the nearest puddle and splash to your heart’s content. Ahh…I can see the stress and worry melting away from your face already. Now, don’t you feel like you can face your challenges with a fresh new outlook?
FIRE!8 Jump in a puddle this week! Give us your positive ideas for “puddle jumping” when there’s no rain in sight and I’ll share your ideas with our readers. Now, go splash!
Be Excellent!
Lori
October 12, 2010
Even There
READY8 “Even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139:10 NLT
AIM8 It’s not often that we take the time to stop and evaluate our lives, our jobs or our family situations. As you look at your journey through life, do you feel like you are really thriving…or are you just simply surviving? No matter where you are on this journey, “even there”, God is with you. Psalm 139:10 says, “Even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” This Bible verse spoke volumes to me when I heard it in a leadership video recently. I can’t tell you how many times in my life journey that I have felt frustrated, elated, exasperated, overjoyed and even alone. It’s so easy to forget that God really is THERE for us; even in worst and the weirdest of times.
God is there to give you patience and peace for your rough days when even getting out of bed seems impossible. God is there to share your joy when you are celebrating the success of an important business deal going through. God is there to give you strength and assurance when you are cuddling a frightened and fevered child in the doctor’s office. Most of all, God is “even there” giving you love when you’ve given every last ounce of yourself and just can’t possibly muster the energy to do one more thing. “Even there…”
I encourage you to let God be your safe-zone, your recharging station, your sanity saver and your spiritual connection. You will definitely notice that your energy will be renewed and your outlook on life will improve. “Even there” God will strengthen your efforts at home, at work, at play and He will reward your faithfulness.
FIRE!8 Make time to be still this week. Give yourself five extra minutes in the morning before you rush out the door to pause and reflect on how things are going in your life. “Even there” God will meet you and give you energy and ideas for the new day.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM8 It’s not often that we take the time to stop and evaluate our lives, our jobs or our family situations. As you look at your journey through life, do you feel like you are really thriving…or are you just simply surviving? No matter where you are on this journey, “even there”, God is with you. Psalm 139:10 says, “Even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” This Bible verse spoke volumes to me when I heard it in a leadership video recently. I can’t tell you how many times in my life journey that I have felt frustrated, elated, exasperated, overjoyed and even alone. It’s so easy to forget that God really is THERE for us; even in worst and the weirdest of times.
God is there to give you patience and peace for your rough days when even getting out of bed seems impossible. God is there to share your joy when you are celebrating the success of an important business deal going through. God is there to give you strength and assurance when you are cuddling a frightened and fevered child in the doctor’s office. Most of all, God is “even there” giving you love when you’ve given every last ounce of yourself and just can’t possibly muster the energy to do one more thing. “Even there…”
I encourage you to let God be your safe-zone, your recharging station, your sanity saver and your spiritual connection. You will definitely notice that your energy will be renewed and your outlook on life will improve. “Even there” God will strengthen your efforts at home, at work, at play and He will reward your faithfulness.
FIRE!8 Make time to be still this week. Give yourself five extra minutes in the morning before you rush out the door to pause and reflect on how things are going in your life. “Even there” God will meet you and give you energy and ideas for the new day.
Be Excellent!
Lori
October 5, 2010
Dare To Dream
READY8 “Never laugh at anyone’s dreams. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.” ~ Anonymous
AIM8 When was the last time you found yourself daydreaming? Were you dreaming about a vacation, lunchtime, your warm bed at home, a new job or how to enjoy some quiet time? It’s not often that we daydream and then turn those dreams into realities. Why not? Are our dreams too far out of reach? Even if we think our move towards making our dreams come true. Sometimes all it takes is committing our dreams in writing or telling a trusted friend or family member to get the ball rolling. Who knows, once another person knows our dream, she may have contacts or additional information to help us take the next step towards our dream becoming a reality. It’s healthy, therapeutic and life-sustaining for each one of us to have goals and aspirations for our lives. Give yourself permission to find time to dream today. You and your future deserve it!
FIRE!8 Take out a piece of paper and start writing a list of all the things you’d like to do during your lifetime. Identify the ones that you can do immediately, in the next year and farther in the future. Give yourself permission to take the necessary steps to make at least ONE of those dreams a reality in the next year.
Be Excellent!
Lori
AIM8 When was the last time you found yourself daydreaming? Were you dreaming about a vacation, lunchtime, your warm bed at home, a new job or how to enjoy some quiet time? It’s not often that we daydream and then turn those dreams into realities. Why not? Are our dreams too far out of reach? Even if we think our move towards making our dreams come true. Sometimes all it takes is committing our dreams in writing or telling a trusted friend or family member to get the ball rolling. Who knows, once another person knows our dream, she may have contacts or additional information to help us take the next step towards our dream becoming a reality. It’s healthy, therapeutic and life-sustaining for each one of us to have goals and aspirations for our lives. Give yourself permission to find time to dream today. You and your future deserve it!
FIRE!8 Take out a piece of paper and start writing a list of all the things you’d like to do during your lifetime. Identify the ones that you can do immediately, in the next year and farther in the future. Give yourself permission to take the necessary steps to make at least ONE of those dreams a reality in the next year.
Be Excellent!
Lori
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)