Ah, sweet SUCCESS!

Happy New Year, everyone! And gee, I technically got this edition of the blog in within a month of the last one :-)

As you can see by the title, the word I've chosen is success. I was surprised when I looked back through the blog to see that I hadn't written about success before. I think that's because we are inundated with articles, books, blogs, emails, and TV shows about how we can be "successful" ~ and it gets a bit old, doesn't it?

The problem with all of that is that most of the time, the term "successful" is defined by the world and not by us.

I'm reading a book right now called "Permission to Succeed" and it begins with the author asking his father if it's okay if he is more successful than his dad. Weird question, eh? But as I thought about it, I thought about how many people I meet in my workshops who have never given themselves permission to succeed. And I don't mean permission to earn lots of money, get a big title, big house, big car, big yacht - although I certainly am not against those things :-). But permission to just be who we were meant to be - and to be the best at being that person that we possibly can.

As I looked back over the list of words I've written about, many of them speak to me of "success" in the true sense of the word for me. Determination, listening, encouragement, contentment, simplicity (YES!), patience, appreciation, attitude (with a capital A!), awareness, forgiveness, giving, joy, learning ~ all of those and more spell s-u-c-c-e-s-s for me.

The more of these I have in my life, the more successful I consider myself. A good book in front of the fire, a furry little friend on each side, and a mug of hot cocoa with lots of whipped cream - some days that is the perfect picture of success!

How about you? How do you spell success? And how will you find more of it in 2011?

Happy hunting!

Blessings,

Linda

http://www.lindasworkshops.com/

Linda@LindasWorkshops.com

Growth...I think!

Ahem...(wink, wink)! Aren't you proud of me? Just over 2 weeks and I remembered to post again - that's growth, right??
As you know, I tend to talk about words that keep popping up around me. Growth is the word this week. It's been in what I'm reading, in conversations, in the very few TV shows I watch...you name it, it's "growing"! (By the way, the kitten who will soon be growing is no "relation" ~ I just came across this picture and considering Guy's music store full of guitars and my affinity for critters, I decided I liked it!)
What I want you to think about, though, are the areas in your life where you would like to see some growth. Unlike most people, my hubby, bless his heart, is trying to "grow" his weight - argh!! He loses a pound or 2 and I find them!! But it's a constant struggle for him and he has become very aware (there's that word again!) that he needs to be vigilant about it. Just one day of letting his guard down and he drops a couple of pounds. On the opposite end of the scale [get it? :-)], just one day of letting MY guard down and I add a couple pounds. So, let's just agree, that's an area many of us can be more aware of regarding growth.
But what are the other areas in which you'd like to see growth? I was speaking with a client today and found myself getting really excited when we were talking about developing new workshops - I love to learn and GROW that way. It's the reason I am still so passionate about what I do after more than 10 years. I am always growing - sometimes through personal learning on my own, sometimes through ideas from participants in my workshops, sometimes from "constructive criticism" from my participants ~ but always on the lookout for ways to grow. Maybe your job doesn't give you that much excitement...what are other ways you can "grow" on your job? Dealing with people? Making more of an effort to understand "their" side (whoever "their" is)?
"Growing" my writing craft is another area I'd like to work on. Last week, I sold a greeting card I had submitted and it made me realize how much I miss writing for fun. It's on my list...just not a priority at the moment.
Of course, I would like to see my "bank account" grow, but I am finding that I am less focused on acquiring material things - gee, I just have to dust it and take care of it :-), so for me, why get it to begin with?
Others are just the opposite - they have collections they like to "grow," be it Santa Clauses, fishing lures, unicorns, angels, duck decoys, or Hummel figurines. And that's okay, too ~ I love to look at their collections :-). The key is to make sure whatever you are "growing" is bringing you pleasure.
Another area that I like to keep an eye on is my growth as a person - you know, things like...am I kinder than I used to be? Less judgmental? Less likely to "bite back" when someone is rude or just oblivious to how they are treating me? This is probably an area that I will always need to work on. You too?
Let me know how you would like to "grow" in the coming year ~ and I promise, I will do my best to come back and wish you a merry Christmas before it has come and gone!
Blessings,
Linda
Linda@LindasWorkshops.com
www.LindasWorkshops.com

Simplicity - again!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
As I come across words I want to share with you, I jot them down on a "master list" of sorts, so I don't forget them. I have quite a long list! So it may seem odd that I am re-visiting a word we discussed almost 7 months ago.

The word "simplicity," though, has popped up in conversation at least 3 times this past week. Each time, I thought, "Oh, I need to talk about that on my blog." But then I would remind myself that I already did :-).
So here we go - we are going to look at it again because, I don't know about you, but I never seem to "arrive" at simplicity. It seems simplicity is about as hard to find as the butterfly in the picture.
As I was thinking about the areas of my life, I realized that I do fairly well simplifying some areas and not so good in others. Overall, I'd say I'm about 75% there this very moment, so there's still lots of room for improvement.
But remember, I always remind you to be aware... I have become very aware of simplifying my work life. I have actually turned down jobs recently that would make my life a madhouse for a period of time (either topics I would need to develop from scratch or dates that would put me in crunch mode), although they would "simplify" my finances by adding to the coffers. I've even turned down work simply because the topic is not one I'm passionate about. I am not effective unless I'm passionate about my topic, so...okay -work life simplified? Check.
As for personal growth, NO WAY :-). I am in the middle of a learning process for myself that won't be over for years, if ever! It will lighten up, I think, and for that I will be grateful. But since I love to learn and grow, this is an area I "allow" to be a little less simplified than I would prefer.
Let's think in terms of relationships...hmmmmmm. Well, I think I have those pretty simplified as well. I could do better at staying in touch with some people I value in my life, but I don't let others "guilt" me into being involved in things that don't bring me joy or let them make me feel bad about what I just don't have time for right now - or have any control over. My husband and I understand each other very well - yep, all the quirks and sometimes-annoying habits we both have. I'm able to speak to my sister nearly every week. Email is my friend in keeping in touch with several friends and family members across the country. I even occasionally remember to pick up the phone and call some of them! So, relationships simplified? Check (pretty much, ha ha).
The next category I'll call "household" - so, NO, that's an area I don't have simplified. Because of my work and other projects I am so deeply involved in, that's an area that slides. I was discussing it with a participant in one of my classes, and we agreed - life is too short to get hung up on household chores. However, there is a BIG opportunity for me to simplify what I live with; things like knick knacks, more clothes (some VERY old!) than I could ever wear, and just plain clutter. That's something I've decided to approach in baby steps. Cleaned out a cluttered drawer? Hurray for me! One notch closer to simplicity. Started a special file folder for some important papers that may have gotten stuck somewhere? Gold star!
I guess what I'm saying is, don't let someone SPOIL your efforts to gain simplicity by telling you that you're not doing it right. Whatever works for you IS RIGHT!!!
And your challenge for the week is to 1) recognize an area you are already doing well with and 2) become AWARE if there is another area in which you could do better - then YOU decide what you'd like to do about it!
Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Thanksgiving!
Linda
Linda@LindasWorkshops.com

Journey

Well, when they say time flies, you can certainly attest to that by the number of days that have gone by since my last post.

I got a much-needed nudge from a friend today, reminding me that I hadn't posted in ages. I was thinking, "Yeah, it's been a few weeks." Then I looked at the date on my last post and, WHOA! I had no idea it had been that long.

My apologies to those of you who check in to see what I've written. I have some valid reasons - and some not so valid :-)

The bum shoulder I mentioned has been keeping me awake at night, so it's taking all my energy just to keep up with my work. I saw an orthopedic surgeon last week and thankfully, he does not believe it would be helped by surgery. Instead, I got one of the dreaded cortisone shots in preparation for some intense, painful therapy coming up.

Which brings me to my word for the week ... journey. Odd, eh? But aren't we all on a journey of some kind? My husband and I (as well as several friends) are dealing with health journeys right now. A few months ago, my journey was one of saying goodbye to my much-loved Abbydog. I'm in the process of taking an educational journey with some classes, that, while stretching me intellectually, have also stretched me nearly too thin over the past few weeks.

You all know I'm a big believer in balance in our lives, but that's a constant journey too, isn't it? Sometimes I'm able to journey for quite some time "in balance," and sometimes I get thrown off the path for awhile.

Whether your particular journey right now is with health, emotions, career, friends, family, or any number of things, make sure you remind yourself to stay in the moment.

Remember my favorite word - awareness.

If you travel your journey unaware, you'll eventually realize that you missed some pretty special things along the way...

Enjoy your journey, friends!

Blessings,
Linda
http://www.lindasworkshops.com/
Linda@LindasWorkshops.com

Determination!

Well, whaddaya know?? It's been 3 weeks since my last post and this is one of my favorite things to do! Life has been advancing at lightning speed of late and my blog has been a victim.

The adorable little guy pictured on the blog this week is Bud, my sister's oldest cat. She lost him several weeks ago due to kidney failure. His "given" name ("given" by me when we first foster-sat him for the Humane Society) was "Charles." I told people that we called him that because he wasn't that good-looking, but he was a real prince! And a prince he was - a very special kitty who is sadly missed by his "two-legged" mom...and quite a handsome boy at that.

And so here I am again - determined to get back in the swing of things. I came across a writing "call for submissions" this week and was determined to submit something. I looked through my files for the story I knew fit the category and used my determination to get it turned in before deadline. Not sure that it will be one of the ones chosen, but I was determined not to let the opportunity to do some writing just for fun pass me by. It's been so long since I've been able to really sit and focus on my writing and I miss it. But I'm also determined to not make myself feel guilty over not writing because that takes all the joy out of it.

Hmmmmmm....are we sensing a pattern here?? I recently read a quote (it didn't say who originated it) that said, "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." I would amend that to say "Every accomplishment starts with the determination to do it!!" It's so easy to let ourselves off the hook when we utter, "I'll TRY," isn't it? It's a little tougher to let go of something when we have announced, "I WILL!"

As many of you know, my husband Guy has had some real health challenges the last few years. After-effects are still with us and just this week, I saw a determination in him to overcome one of his biggest hurdles to really enjoying life right now. He has trouble swallowing due to radiation treatments from tongue cancer 3 1/2 years ago. He has been working with a speech pathologist and this week they did another "swallow test." Her comment was that, "Well, you have improved, but not as much as we would like, so I'm going to send you to a doctor at Shands." (Shands is a nearby university-type hospital.) Yesterday, Guy said, "I don't care if the doctor says I am the worst case of dsyphagia (trouble swallowing) he's seen - I know I can deal with this." It was good to see that determination...

I asked the doctor who has been working on my bum shoulder for several weeks what would happen if I quit coming for the therapy. He said something along the lines of, "With your determination, I have no doubt you would keep up with your exercises and it probably wouldn't get any worse." DETERMINATION.

What are you determined to do? Forgive someone? Take up a new hobby? Be kinder to someone? Lose weight? Handle the stress of your job better? Quit worrying over things you can't control? Get your finances in order? Work on a relationship? The list could go on and on, but you get the picture. Unless you are determined, it probably won't happen!

So go and do what you have determined to do...!

Blessings,

Linda

www.LindasWorkshops.com

Linda@LindasWorkshops.com

Shhhhh - listen...!

Hi all,
First, thank you to Candee, Priti, Deb, and others who sent notes and messages about our dear "Big Dog" - also known as Abby. After more than 2 months, I still look for her nearly every day. I know many of you can relate - my sister just lost her precious "Bud," the oldest of her 3 rescued kitties. It is so hard to go through and yet they bring us such joy while they're here.

Tomorrow I will be talking to some folks about listening. One of the things that I always think of when talking about listening is how fast our minds can "listen" compared to how fast humans talk; we talk at about 125 words a minute and most of us listen about 4 times faster than that. That means that if you are talking to me, about 75% (or more!) of my mind is wandering around wondering what to do with itself!! Most of the time it finds something, too! And that means I'm not listening as well as I could.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God." But isn't that true in other relationships, too? Shouldn't we "be still" when we are supposed to be listening to someone we care about?

I know that for me, when Guy is talking about guitars (which he has done pretty much non-stop since I've met him!), I have a tendency to tune out (OUCH! I hate to admit that!). Sometimes my mind starts planning workshop outlines or deciding what to wear tomorrow or what to fix for dinner. It happens with good friends, too, but probably not nearly as often as with my poor husband. I will tell you, though, that it happens a lot less than it did several years ago because I have become aware of it and determined to do better.

There are many reasons we don't listen well - we may be planning what we are going to say next, we may be thinking about a problem we have or something we're looking forward to, we may even be distracted by smells (think "popping popcorn"), movement, noises, or whatever.

So...you've heard it before. We have to be AWARE and guard against not listening. That sounds so simple, doesn't it? And it really is if we will just practice it.

Now tell me, have you been listening????

Blessings,
Linda
www.LindasWorkshops.com

Encourage

Hi everyone,

Well, you can certainly tell by the dates on my posts that my life has been a bit hectic of late. Still dealing with the bum shoulder - now have 3 appointments a week trying to avoid surgery! Back still a bit achy and still have the issue with the inside of my mouth and tongue...ARGH!! Guy is still doing his "swallow therapy" with the speech pathologist, numerous other things have been pouncing on my calendar, we still both seem to be missing our dear Abby... and again, y'all know how it goes, I'm sure :-)

Here's what I've noticed though; apparently, others around me have sensed (maybe because of the whining that I have allowed to slip through - sorry!) that things have me a bit on edge right now. So some have taken to "lifting me up" with encouraging words, which is such a kind thing to do. My sister, who has her own daily irritants I'm sure, has been checking on my appointments. Two dear friends, Leslie and Cheryl, have been checking in on me and chewing me out when necessary when I'm too hard on myself(another form of encouragement,right?? LOL!). Guy has noticed that I'm not my normal cheery self (which, admittedly, sometimes drives him nuts!) and has been unusually "aware."

You get the picture - there are people who have taken time from their own troubles and full calendars to help me get my footing again - they have made it a point to encourage me.

So I'm taking a page from their playbooks - I'm going to try to get back on an even keel quickly so that I can once again be an encourager. I now know how it feels to be the recipient of those efforts - and it feels pretty darned good. Now it's time for me to get back on the other side and be the "giver." I can't wait!

How about you? Have you encouraged someone lately? Do it today and let me know how it goes!

Blessings,
Linda