2010 is coming to an end and many of us have family members and loved ones that are dealing with serious issues, like alcohol or chemical abuse.   You don’t have to be a celebrity to be touched by this issue, and when we talk about Reclaiming Your Life Now, this can only be done if a person is healthy and able to make good decisions.

New Year’s Resolutions are popular, but for many of us, there are some things we must resolve now.  I can say from personal experience that my family has dealt with the issue of chemical abuse for decades with some family members. 

Once your loved one is free, it’s a cause for celebration!

Is It Time For You or a Loved One?

What I found was that when the time was right to make some changes and take action, the time was right.   My intention with this post is not to bring you down, but to show that there is a ray of hope for individuals and families that are dealing with chemical abuse of any kind.

The beauty of getting your life back is that it always involves transparency and taking responsibility.  This is a hard thing for many families, but it’s a journey, that if successful, will roll back the screen of shame and the roller coaster ride that addiction takes a family on.

Encouragement is a Powerful Thing

If you know someone who has been searching for a way to “get their life back,”  encourage them now.  Maybe it’s their time and all they need is a little push. 

The Clock is Ticking

2011 holds promise for all of us to get our life on track and get about the business we were put here to handle.  We can make an unselfish New Year’s Resolution, even if we resolve to be a source of encouragement to someone in need.   Sometimes one of the most unselfish things we can do, is to take some time for ourself and not think we can solve everyone else’s problems. 

Until the next post, the countdown to 2011 is on…so, enjoy and be safe.

Filed under: Choices

ThanksGiving is my favorite holiday because it gives me the opportunity to reflect on all I have to Give Thanks for.   Sometimes we get caught up in consuming and forget about what we can give.  One of the reasons I love this holiday is all of the great food, which includes many of my favorites.  The only thing better than ThanksGiving Day is the day after with the leftovers.

As much as I love ThanksGiving, I’m thankful that my good friend, April and her husband invited us to to dinner so I won’t be spending the day in the kitchen cooking & cleaning.  I love that girl~

I’m also thankful that my team and I were able to cut costs and not lay off one of my 85 employees.  That’s something to be thankful about.

I’m thankful for my husband who I love with all my heart and for good health, a beautiful home and an income to care for us and to give to others.

I’m thankful that I could serve you, my readers, with writings from the heart.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Today’s post is simple, because as you know, I like simple. I’ve blogged about steps to make in order to bring about change and get you started on the road to reclaiming your life. I make every effort to keep it simple and doable. So, if I present 7 easy steps, I’m constantly working on a way to break it down to 5 steps or maybe 3. I came up with 1 Decision that in my mind trumps them all and here it is:

Decide to do Whatever It Takes

This sounds too simple doesn’t it?  How could I guarantee that making this 1 Decision will change your life?  Because it’s true.  Once you decide to do Whatever It Takes to get your life back and to live it your way, there is no need to stop and think about a questionable activity or to canvass your friends and family to get permission.  You’ve already decided to do Whatever It Takes.  This simple decision is very liberating and will change your life.

A Lesson From Will Smith

I recently came across a YouTube video featuring actor, Will Smith.  He was talking about his life and what turning points meant the most for his success.  Please take a moment to view this clip:

Make the 1 Decision that will change your life, help you reclaim it or live it the way you desire. Do whatever it takes to live, not just exist. Share this & comment. I’l love to hear from you.

Tags: changing your life, self-help, self-improvement
Filed under: Choices, Sacred Living

Welcome to what I think is a very special post. Sometimes, the best lessons are the most simple ones.

So, you’re invited to take 3 minutes and 8 seconds and watch this video…guaranteed to help you reflect, regroup and reclaim what you may be looking for.

Filed under: Choices, Sacred Living

I’m writing this post today because I felt an urge to express something that is crucial to take hold of this precious commodity called, Your Life.  This post will be simple and I hope you can relate to it.

If you’ve been blessed to do much travel by plane, you know the drill, where the flight attendant talks about what you do in case of a loss of cabin pressure.  He/She then goes into the demo of what to do when the oxygen masks drop into the cabin.  Seasoned travellers usually do anything but listen to the instructions.

Yours truly, always pays attention, even though I’ve heard the speech many, many times.  Why?  Because I believe it when I’m told that if I’m flying with a child or someone who may need assistance, I must FIRST get my oxygen mask on and properly fitted before I can help someone else. So, I don’t mind sitting in the Emergency Row or reading the laminated card giving me instructions in case of an emergency.

I think we go through our lives doing charity for others and donating precious time, when we are gasping for air ourselves.  Please understand, this is not an indictment against giving, just the opposite.  I feel that we are better able to give, when we have our “mask” on first.

How do you cut through everything to put your mask on?  Here are my 3 steps:

SIMPLIFY

While this is a very personal thing, it must be done and the amount of time it will take depends on how much stuff you have to deal with.  In an effort to keep things simple, I recommend doing what I found works and that is, eliminating all consumer debt, getting clutter out of your living space, setting up a plan to pay down your mortgage, (yes it can be done), opting out of a lot of repeat offender e-mail lists, and making an old-fashioned to-do-list.  (more on this in another post)

SET UP A FREEDOM FUND

Initially, I called this a Mad $$$ Account, but Freedom Fund made more sense I guess.  This is important, not only for the 3-6 month living account financial advisors recommend, but no matter what may come your way, you’re prepared to weather the storm.

DECIDE HOW YOU WILL LIVE

Only you know HOW you desire to live and what environment will help you feel a sense of fulfillment. Once you have simplified things by de-cluttering, and gotten your freedom account funded, you’ll be amazed at the miracles that come your way.  What a great way to end 2010 and start off a New Year, on the road to freedom to living on your terms.  Until next time~

Filed under: Uncategorized