Happy Labor Day! I trust that you are making the most of this longer holiday weekend. I am. ☺

I had a massage yesterday. I actually have made a commitment to myself to get more regular massages. They do wonders for my body, particularly after traveling. They also do wonders for my mind.

Just prior to my massage I spoke with a lovely woman who was also there relaxing, waiting for her massage to begin. We talked briefly about how wonderful it was being there and about the importance of self-care. She was a teacher and asked me what I did. I explained that I have several roles but at the core I am a salesperson. My role in corporate and my role as a coach both involve sales.

She smiled and nodded. I then mentioned that she, too, is a salesperson. To sell high school students on the merits of learning and the actual learning process – not to mention the information taught, involves selling every step of the way. She said she had never thought of it that way but then she whole-heartedly agreed.

“Sales” has gotten a bad rap. Sure, there have been some examples of ugliness. But at its most pure nature, it is the most natural, beautiful exchange that well serves all involved. It is involved in pretty much every other profession. And that is a good thing, indeed.

Let us learn to embrace and celebrate the fine art of persuasion. There is no shame in it at all.

I continue to look up. I continue to look inside. I continue to press on. I invite you to join me. We have places to go.

I didn’t write my Monday message. I played hooky instead. I left for a business trip. In my world all trips are business and pleasure because that is how I have designed it.

I had intended to write it. Then yesterday when I realized I put my laptop in the overhead, I decided not to write it. I told myself that I really needed and deserved a break.

That may have been true. I am glad I had some down time, some lovingME time, just as I am always prescribing. The only thing is that I really didn’t. My mind kept going back to you, my peeps, and how I had committed to being here each weekday.

Now I am not going to make any outlandish suggestion that I will never play hooky again. I am, however, going to look at what is most loving should I decide to do so again. How I could keep my word AND play hooky. I owe it to you and ultimately, I owe it to myself. My word to myself is of highest value as it builds trust and confidence from within.

Sometimes clarity comes in the most unusual way and time. Sometimes it comes when you least expect it. Sometimes it just takes some time to soak it in.

Sometimes, it simply needs to be given a new perspective in a safe and unbiased environment.  

Oftentimes, a conversation from someone not at all close to the subject or any of the participants who can ask the right questions is all it takes.

Are you seeking clarity in your life on any topic? Are you unsettled and not sure why? Or do you know exactly why you are frustrated but are just unsure of what to do about it – what step to take first?

Then now is your chance to talk to me live in a one-on-one Clarity Call session, compliments of Love Starts with Me if you book by August 29^th.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Take action.  Take the time.  Get clarity.  You deserve it.  

Sometimes you work to make a plan and it seems like it isn’t going all that well. You run into roadblocks and detours. You get stalled out and things don’t go as quickly or smoothly as you would like. You keep moving forward and keep the best in mind.

Then, out of the blue, you see that the setback, delay or challenge actually was there all along to open a better path for you. That better thing falls into your lap with little or no effort.

What a wonderful life we live.

Our best friend and worst enemy lies between our ears. Our minds hold the power for a life that pales in comparison to anything we have yet experienced. And depending on your mindset that is wonderful or terrible news.

If your mindset is not supporting your ideal life, nothing else you do is going to allow you to live it. If your mindset is supporting, creating, receiving and allowing your best life, nothing you will do is going to stop it.

Take some time to think about that. Ask yourself where your mindset tends to be. What are your thoughts like most of the time? Are they positive, expansive, full of possibility and abundant living? Are they full of love, acceptance, forgiveness and joy?

Or not so much?

The thoughts we have, and specifically, gaining control of our minds so that we can choose our thoughts consciously is perhaps the most important thing in living our lives according to our purpose. We are instructed to keep our minds on things above and to take captive our thoughts.

We have all heard this many times. We perhaps even tried to do it.

It is not a one-time thing. It is a constant practice that gets easier and more pleasurable the more we do it. It becomes habit. It becomes a routine. Eventually it becomes your new normal mindset.

The lovingME mindset is worth it. You are worth it.

I can help you on your way.

If you are ready, join me for a Clarity Call, compliments of Love Starts with Me if you sign up before August 29th. I am ready to talk to those who are ready for a new, better way.

We all like to think we are loving to ourselves and treat ourselves with love and respect. Especially those of us who have done some work in this area.

Most of us, however, are blind to the fact that there are still significant opportunities for improvement, no matter how far we have come. This is NOT intended to discount the movement you have made. I celebrate all successes with you and high five you on every single accomplishment, big or small. Yes!!!

My encouragement is to keep it up and to take it to an even deeper level. We will never know the depth and breadth and width of God’s love for us. We can sure choose to open up and receive more of it.

The more we have a lovingME mindset, the more we meet our goals in all areas and the more peace, joy and freedom we have in the process.

To help give us more clarity and insight, here are some areas where we can look and often find opportunity to love ourselves even more deeply.  If we have challenges in any of these areas, you can bet it goes back to mindset and consciously developing a greater lovingME mindset will improve our results.

• How we use our day.
• How much joy we experience regularly.
• How much and how well we sleep.
• How much time we allow ourselves, just for ourselves.
• How much money we have to spend on ourselves.
• How often we speak up about what we would like.
• How much freedom from burden we allow ourselves to experience every day.
• How well we eat, knowing what is best for our bodies each day.
• How well we move our bodies in the most beneficial way for us each day.
• How much we allow and move toward our own desires.
• How much we are even aware of our own desires.

I can hear some women already. Susie, you are clueless as to what I am facing here. I have kids, a husband, a full time job, a house, three dogs, a turtle and a goat. I can’t just turn into a selfish bitch and do what I please all the time.

Yep. I hear ya. I hear ya loud and clear. Your words give you away that you are putting yourself last. Again and still.

That is not loving.  I do not say that in judgment. It is observation. The mirror, the thermometer, the barometer does not judge.  It it simply shows us what we may not otherwise see.

What you do with what you now see is up to you. You can think me crazy and continue on your path just as before you read this.  That is your right and privilege.

Or you could consider what I said with as much detachment as you can muster. What if you were your best friend looking in on your life in observation. What would you tell you?

Is there an area that pops out?

As I always do, I recommend treating yourself with more love and respect. It is not selfish. Taking care of yourself is the least selfish thing you can do. It is the least bitchy thing you can do.  When you are well-tended, you can give so much more. And will do so joyfully.

Ready to learn more about how to develop or just to talk through the lovingME mindset?  I am gifting the Clarity Call to you, if you are ready, and book by August 29th.  You can sign up here.

 

 

 

I am outing myself as a waiter and claiming my intent to reform. I mean, yes, I was a waiter and bartender in school, but I am talking about another subject entirely. As an aside, I think every person everywhere should work in a service industry, retail or restaurant, at least for a period. It gives you a better perspective.

I have been waiting my whole life. I waited to be a “big girl” so that I could go to the amusement park rather than stay home with Aunt Barbie. I waited to get into Middle School, because that is where you want to be. I waited to get out of high school because I was too cool for school (and let’s face it high school really wasn’t my thing because I refused to allow myself to participate, being too cool to fall for all of that – ha!). I waited to figure out my major in college. I waited to graduate. Then I waited to get a job and couldn’t believe no one was calling me!

I waited to find a better job. I waited for the right guy to come along and then I waited for him to ask me to marry him.

I stayed put and stayed safe over and over and over and over again. Worse, I missed out on much of the benefit of where I was because I was always waiting for something better.

I am here to admit that I still find myself falling into that trap if I am not conscious of it.

The difference is that now I have a clear picture of where I am going. I just don’t exactly know how long or exactly the route to get there. I find myself thinking about how great it will be. And there is nothing wrong with that. That is how goals turn into reality.

This time, however, I choose to enjoy the heck out of where I am now. Right now, this instant even though I have lots of goals that are not yet in my physical possession. I also choose to move forward with the best intention and the best information that I have now, even if it is wrong.

I refuse to sit and wait for perfect timing or complete information. For I know that there is no such thing. I refuse to just sit on my hands anymore. I act in faith once I have direction.

Sometimes I will make mistakes but even the mistakes help me on my path, they teach me something I had to learn. My life is in my thoughts, words and deeds. No one else can do my work for me and I wouldn’t want them to or feel right if even they could.

No, this is my journey. And I refuse to wait for the time is now. I am enjoying and acting NOW.