Monday, November 21, 2011

You Are Awesome, Unique and Amazing

Like everyone else, every year I receive several of the same Holiday messages and blessings. Many of these are Powerpoint presentations, videos or poems created by someone else and forwarded over and again.

Some of these messages are wonderful and incite feelings of love and compassion, which to me, is the gift of this season.

One message that floats around during every holiday tells you to compare yourself to others. Such as: If you have (certain things in your life), that someone else doesn’t have …. you should be grateful (that you are not them, have more then them, are doing better off than them, etc).

This message troubles me and as explanation I offer the following:

An excerpt from my recent book on Gratitude:

Dr. Robert A. Emmons, A UC Davis psychologist, conducted a 10 week research in the psychology of gratitude. In one of his studies the participants were asked to list what they were grateful for compared to what they weren’t happy about in their lives. In another study they were asked to list what they were grateful for where thought they were better off than others.

The results showed that those who expressed gratitude without comparing themselves as “better than” were significantly happier than those making comparisons between themselves and others.

From another study at USC on self esteem:

A dangerous silent damage to your feelings of self worth is created and intensified when you compare yourself to being better off or more successful, or more of anything than someone else. By practicing the habit of comparison when you are feeling happy with yourself or your life, you are establishing the foundation for feelings of lack of self worth when you don’t measure up to any comparison in the future. The inherent problem with this habit is that then takes considerably more effort to repair your feeling of lack which can contribute to difficulty in regaining levels of success in chosen areas of your life. A person who can see their unique qualities, success and strengths without the need to compare themselves to anyone other than themselves are found to be emotionally stronger when facing difficult decisions and occurrences.

I wish you all the Happiest of Holidays because YOU are awesome, unique and amazing.

This year, if you see yourself in the mirror wearing a brand new outfit - remember a time when you didn't or couldn't afford one - and be grateful to yourself that you now can give this or accept this for yourself.

This year, as you look into the eyes of a loved one, remember a time when you felt unloved, and be grateful to yourself that you opened your heart to love.

This year, when you take a deep breath of fresh air, remember a time when you felt ill or suffered a disease in your body - and be grateful to yourself for your opportunity to take a deep breath today.

Can you find other areas of your life where you were once without something important in your life, and now your life has changed where this is now present? Be grateful to yourself.

Compare yourself only to yourself and be grateful.

Wishing you PEACE as this year ends; HOPE as the new year begins and LOVE of family and friends.

Make Every Day Count

Written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend:

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.

I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market.

My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I'm not sure what others would've done had they known that they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift.


Friday, November 4, 2011

You are significant

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
~ Mother Teresa



Sunday, September 25, 2011

Keeping in touch

Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding stuff to us and many times without writing a word.

A person explained it this way:

When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do?
You forward emails.

When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.

When you have something to say, but don't know what, you forward stuff.

A 'forward' is intended to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still cared for.

So, next time if you get a 'forward', don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.

Hmmmmm........

Is this true for you?

Sunday, July 31, 2011

How did you SEE your world today?

Some people woke this morning seeing their world as a list of tasks to be done

Some people viewed their world as what they were planning to do today and the next few days

Some people experienced their world in the results of the choices and actions they were making today (and some of the choices and actions from previous days)

Some people felt the weight of their world from their worries, regrets and grudges

Some people saw their world through the news they read and watched, and felt a day of anger, frustration and lost hope

Some people saw their world as the same as always


Some people saw their world as ever evolving

Some people saw their world through their vision for their future, and chose actions in line with that vision.

Some people saw their world as full of opportunities and doors opening for them


Everyone sees their world through their own internal and physical eyes. How did you SEE your world today?


Thursday, July 28, 2011

"It is what it is" - or is it?


This is one of those phrases that is becoming part of some people's everyday vernacular.

Do you use it?

Do you dislike it?

What does it mean to you?

And how is it working for you?

Please share, we all learn from each other.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Repaying Gratitude

One can never pay in gratitude;
one can only pay "in kind" somewhere else in life.”
~ Anne Morrow ~

Shortly after reading this quote it was made clearer in my life by two separate incidents, and two different friends.

I needed some assistance in solving an important problem. I had run out of ideas, and it was more than I could handle by myself. I asked several people for assistance, with different replies and reasons why they could not help. At the 11th hour, I was blessed when someone I least expected stepped out of her own comfort zone to help me. It wasn’t a simple solution either. We met several obstacles, and she never gave up. She was committed to help until the problem was solved. I am deeply grateful to my friend for making my day end better than it started and I consciously look for ways I can repay this kindness to her. However, because I was feeling so much Gratitude for her kindness and friendship, a situation a few days later allowed me to pay it forward.

One morning after my meditation, another friend popped into my mind. We had recently emailed each other a few times about getting together soon and catching up. The urge to contact her immediately was very strong, so instead of emailing her, I called. She answered the phone with, “I sure needed to hear your voice right now.” Her car had broken down the day before at a location almost 100 miles away from home. She had spent the entire morning making efforts to find a way to get her car towed to its mechanic. The possibilities she could come up with, were costly, so she was concerned about how she would pay for getting her car moved on top of the mechanics charges to fix the car. She had even placed a call to her ex-husband, who took the opportunity to criticize her, which only added to her feelings of helplessness and frustration. She had just finished crying when her phone rang and my name appeared on the caller ID. She told me her dilemma, and my first response was to offer her the use of my Auto Club Card. As I had extended the mile towing service included on my membership, her car could be towed for free. All she had to do was call my Auto Club Card and set up the appointment to meet them at her car and have it towed to her mechanic. When we met for lunch so I could give her my Auto Club Card, I told her about what happened the day before, and I thanked her for the opportunity to pay it forward.

Sometimes we find ourselves in need of assistance and at other times in the place where we can give it. Sometimes paying it forward can be done anonymously.

Think about a time in your life when you needed assistance or support through a difficult time or event.

Take a few minutes to write a list of a few of those.

Then look at each one again, and see if you can find the connections where you were given the opportunity to pay it forward.

And then write how it made you feel, both receiving and giving.

Excerpt from The "G: Spot, the ecstasy of Gratitude
ISBN #978-0981523859
All rights reserved, Self Investment Publishing

Sunday, June 19, 2011

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... "DAD!"

...Author Unverified

Happy Fathers Day

Friday, June 10, 2011

Learning Success - your personal style

Are you aware that we all have a different learning style. Some children and adults learn certain things faster and different. Some of us like visuals, like text and images; and others respond to hearing it over and again. some of us learn better when learning feels like play and others like to hunker down and stay focused for long periods of time. You could be someone who learns best when you're left alone to your owns schedule alone and others respond better when they are in organized teams.

Attempting to force everyone to learn the exact same way can actually be harmful to our learning process and maybe our self esteem.

Most of us have childhood memories of school. Some can recall great teachers who inspired them to learn and grow. Other adults can remember times as a child in school, when they just "couldn't get it", or worse, when they were punished for learning too easy.

I was one of the "learning too easily" kids who looked forward to school. For a few years anyway. I was constantly reading and wanting to know the answers. And then I would be excited when I knew I had learned it and I wanted to share my knowledge and assistance with anyone who would listen. Unfortunately I do have memories of elementary school where I felt like Hermoine in Harry Potter. I would get excited and raise my hand, but then be told to put it down and wait for the other kids to learn. It seemed they were getting the attention for not learning and I was being punished. My excitement for learning waned. Fortunately in middle school, someone noticed my quick learning and place me in advanced learning classes where I could again be challenged and stimulated to learn.

Today, we are more aware of the differences in our personalities, motivations and learning styles. How we are taught as children can effect us into adulthood.

For years I have advocated for self investment rather than self-improvement. When we focus on improving ourselves, we are condemning ourselves for where we are, instead of seeing that our behaviors are separate from who we are. We are doing the best we can with what we know, and what we have to work with - at that time. With different tools, training, experiences and mentors we may learn now ways of thinking and behaving. We may then make different choices that will then provide us with different results. Our thinking is changing, our actions are changing, and therefore our results must change.

I like sharing introductions to people who assist us in investing in ourselves.

This week, I met wonderful woman who saw the need to assist our children and us as adults in our learning so we can create the results we desire, whether learning the answers in school or achieving our goals. I'd like to introduce you to Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis. She developed a powerful solution to our learning profiles and started Learning Success Institute. She offers tools for students that help them learn through their personal learning style, plus tools for teachers and parents. And for those of us who are now adults and need the re-learning she offers workshops and consultations.


AUTHOR:
As a Solutions Consultant, Sumner Davenport works in harmony with her clients to assist them in discovering solutions, not just answers to achieve their goals.

She reminds people that Your "Self " is not what has happened to you and not who other people judge your "Self " to be, and your "Self " worth is not based on other persons' acceptance.

As a best selling author, Sumner is sought after as a speaker and is quoted often. One of her quotes was voted to be included in the Top 10 Healthy Thoughts of 2007. Her greatest passion is seeing people live the life of their dreams while assisting others to do the same.


Monday, May 23, 2011

The world is demanding an apology for the NON-Rapture?

Today I heard that the world is demanding an apology from Rev.Camping who erroneously predicted the Rapture for May21st.


I currently live in this world and I'm not interested in any apology. And I'm curious why the "world" wants one?


His followers may need an explanation and/or an apology. And he may have some 'splainin to do, for the man who spent his life savings on publicity. However, the news stations seem to enjoy filling the airwaves with stories as they reported them several times a day, which drew an audience for their advertisers. Comedians had new content, and several companies made money from billboards to promotional items, including the After-the-Rapture t-shirts.


For some people I talked with, this was a wake up call of sorts. If they knew for sure the day they were going to leave the planet, would it change how they are living today? Are they living each day to its fullest and with integrity? Does that reminder need an apology?


Namaste'

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Rapture is in each day.

Here we are today after the declaration, by one very dedicated man, that yesterday was going to be the"Rapture", the last day on earth. I awoke to birds singing, a cool overcast day with a peek of sun rays through the clouds and fresh air.


This event is both sad and admirable.

It is admirable that a person can have such commitment to their faith, that even in the face of ridicule and taunting, that they will stay. This small group of people made headlines not only for the prediction, but also for their commitment to their beliefs.  Many people poked fun and others claimed he was embarrassing a larger group of people.

Whether it's religion, politics, opinions, choices or ways of living, countless people recant their alleged commitments in the first whiff of nonacceptance. Others deflect, become defensive and argumentative when faced with opposition of any kind.

The sad part is not that the predication didn't come true, it's about how people quit living. It was reported that some people ran up huge credit card debt with expensive gifts and vacations for themselves. Others gave up on their dreams. Some quit college and families quit their jobs to sit home and read scripture or pass out fliers. They survived off of their credit and meager savings, perfectly planned, so they wouldn't have anything left on earth when the day arrived.

Although dictionary.com defines Rapture as: " the carrying of a person to another place or sphere of existence" and this is a term used by many Christians regarding the second-coming of their Savior; it is also defined as: "ecstatic joy or delight; joyful ecstasy".

Many people have ceased living their lives everyday. Some of those who were waiting for yesterday, stopped their dreams or contributions to society. Each day, others are going through the motions of living, waiting for some future unforetold date. And countless people who have no belief in this thought at all, also fail to live in the moments of each day. The potential for rapture within each day is lost in the worry, guilt, judgment and plans only for the "sometime in the future", whether that's the spiritual rapture, marriage, weight loss, the perfect job...etc.... For some, the afterlife is where Heaven is, and that is all they can think about and live for, and they cease to live out the heavenly moments and rapturous potential in every day.

Some people were ready for the end of this life because they wanted out; and others were ready because they had lived each day to the fullest and believe they had completed their purpose.

Which one are you? Are you committed to your beliefs in yourself and your worthiness to have all the goodness that each day has to offer.  And if that daily rapture potential isn't readily apparent, you can make find it or make it?


Namaste'

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Born Worthy

All persons were born winners and born worthy.

Years ago and every day there is a race and, in most cases, only one winner.
Each person is the winner of the race.


It is a sperm race. A race to determine which sperm would be the ONE to impregnate the precious egg. The others were not born as losers. Only winners had the opportunity to be born. You were the winner from your own very beginning. So is every other person, a winner in their own race from their own beginning. Each may have taken a different route and embraced different behaviors and personality, however the fact does not change that everyone is born a winner and still is.


And as a winner, everyone is worthy of everything wonderful that is bestowed upon a winner.

It’s never too late to recapture the truth about yourself. 


In my experience, I see that when people begin to see their genuine self worth, the healing begins.






Excerpt from book: "Self Investment not Self Improvement"



AUTHOR:
As a Solutions Consultant, Sumner Davenport works in harmony with her clients to assist them in discovering solutions, not just answers to achieve their goals. As a best selling author, Sumner is sought after as a speaker and is quoted often. One of her quotes was voted to be included in the Top 10 Healthy Thoughts of 2007.Her greatest passion is seeing people live the life of their dreams while assisting others to do the same. 
Click here to contact her by email



Thursday, April 21, 2011

Fitting in or having the life you desire?

In a conversation with a friend one day, when asked how I was as I moving through a problem that came into my life.  I replied that I was focusing on solutions. She responded that she would do the same but since everyone else was complaining about everything, she felt she wouldn’t fit in unless she did the same.

I asked her, and I ask you “Which is more important – fitting in or having the life you desire?”

“The definition of Insanity is doing the same things
and expecting different results.”~ Albert Einstein ~

When you start focusing on your Desires, and you start to have them and accomplish them, you will not longer “fit in” with the people who choose to focus on the problems and the excuses. Only you can decide if you want to fit in with the people who criticize and complain, or fit in with the group of people who are having and accomplishing their deepest Desires.

As you write your List of Desires, answering two questions with each one may enlighten you and clarify your commitment:

(1) How will I change?
(2) How will this change my life?

“It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways,
but it's that place in between that we fear . . . .
It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to.” ~ Marilyn Ferguson~

Be deeply honest with yourself. Will you feel more freedom? Will you feel happier? Will you be more generous? Will you be afraid of what others will think and say? Will you be nice or mean?

Some people stop themselves because they are afraid of actually having what they really Desire.

“The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become. “ ~ W.E.B. Du Bois~

Others are afraid people may not like them.

”When you rise above the masses you will always become a target.
Just as a flower grows taller than the surrounding grass,and becomes a target for the nourishing sunshine,it also becomes a target to be cut down.”
~ Sumner M. Davenport ~

Others are afraid of becoming “like those mean or dishonest people”.

“Success does not change a person, it only allows them to express
who they really are on a larger scale” ~ Victor Frankl ~

By reviewing your reactions to the questions and your honest answers, you will find your fears. However, accompanying those fears will be your solutions. When you make an agreement with yourself how you will grow in a positive way, you will be able to see the obstacles that have been in your way. Some of these obstacles may have been deep in your subconscious and now in the light of your awareness, you can make conscious choices. Only though being deeply honest with yourself will you see what has been stopping you in the past, up until today. In the unconscious these obstacles may be seen as large and overwhelming as a mountain. In the light of your loving acceptance, they can be reduced to the size of a pebble, and you will be able to remove them from your path and continue moving forward.

“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself” ~ Alan Alda ~

When you write how you will change next to your Desires, you will be reinforcing your positive change every time you read your List.

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
~ Epictetus ~

Monday, April 4, 2011

Nutrition Choices

The FDA plans to order vending machine operators, chain restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and other food retailers across the country (except movie theaters, bowling alleys or airlines) to prominently display calorie and other nutrition information on menus and menu boards.

Do you believe this will make a difference with people and their nutrition choices, or their weight?  Are we letting the laws make our decisions for us on our eating habits?

Please share your thoughts.


More on the announcement can be read in the LA Times

.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

No more resolutions

Learn something and do something NEW this year








Learn something and do something NEW this
year


Last year went fast didn't it?

How did you do? 

Each year millions of people have a reaction to the transition of one year to the next. Some people are happy with their results. Others want something to change. Some people exceeded their goals and are excited for their next results. Others are struggling to make ends meet, find love, drop those extra pounds. Some will be glad the year is over. Some will end yet another year with regrets.
What does this new year hold for you? Will it be more of the same or are you looking for a change? Even those who are happy with their results last year, many would still like something new or a change in something in the coming year.

New Years Eve is the re-start of many old habits. Millions of people will voice new years resolutions in one night, and within the week over 75% will have broken them. Some people know they will never meet their resolutions but a small flicker of wishing and hoping that this year will be different motivates them to say them anyway.


So many people fail to prepare or plan for their success, instead they lunge forward with the same habits and behaviors that got them to this point today. If you like the results you are getting, then by all means, continue with your current behaviors. On the other hand, if you are open to a change in anything, consider starting your New Year differently.


"The definition of Insanity is doing the same things
 and expecting different results."
         ~ Albert Einstein ~

Tip #1:
Don't make New Years resolutions this year. 
Make your acknowledgement list instead. 

Studies show that the best time for a sales person to make a sale is right after you made one. The best time to create another success in your life, is right after you have just experienced one.  

Why is that?

It is because your energy is now focused on success, feeling good about  what you just accomplished and you are feeling a "success high".  So then it would make sense that the most difficult time to set new goals or resolutions is when you are not feeling confident, not feeling proud of your accomplishments or not feeling successful. Yet this lack of success is what most people are feeling when they set New Year resolutions. This seems to be one answer to the question as to why over 75% of people give up on their new resolutions after only a couple of weeks.

Start your New Year with a "success high" and propel your self towards greater success in 2011.

Start by NOT making New Years resolutions this year and make an acknowledgement list instead.



 "The more you focus on and list your accomplishments,
the more accomplishments you will recognize."
~ Brenda Stuart ~



Tip #2:

Purchase a
three ring binder, preferably one with the clear front and spine so you can insert a custom front cover page. You will also writing paper and tabs for this binder and a separate spiral notepad. Throughout this year this binder can assist you in getting your best results.After answering the questions on the Acknowledgement pages, punch the appropriate 3 holes in the pages and place them in this binder.  Start a list today with your accomplishments and add to the list everyday. These accomplishments can be large and small.  Keep your sheets in your three binder under the "success" tab.  As you receive inspiration or creative ideas write them on a clean sheet and place that sheet in your "Inspiration or Ideas" tab.Just in case you might be saying, I don't have time to do this, please stop and re-read the quote from Albert Einstein above.

Tip #3


Become aware of old habits that might attempt to deter you from your new direction.  

Keep your self motivated. Visit 
Karen Drucker's music page for a FREE full-length MP3 download of a song titled: There's Enough from her CD - Shine.

Many studies have been made on the effect that music and sounds have on a person. Take the few minutes to listen to this song, and then add to your acknowledgement list. 
Karen Drucker is a gifted song writer, entertainer and speaker. Her music motivates, inspires, assists with healings and helps people to stay centered.


Let this song remind you that there is enough.


Free

e-book



THE MAGIC STORYThe Secret of being what you have it within you to be, plus a very important Key.

A man down on his luck encounters a long time friend, who only recently had been in the same near bankrupt  situation, yet now his life has changed dramatically for the better.  
Excerpt:
"...I was down on my luck thinking of suicide, looking for you, hoping you would lend me enough to pay my rent, when I met Sturtevant. He told me a story and, really, it is the most remarkable story you have ever heard; it made a new man of out me. Within 24 hours I was on my feet and I've hardly known a care or a trouble since....Everybody who has heard the story had done well since, including two of my friends. They have experienced the same results that I have; and they are not the only ones..."

What is this Magic Story that changes people's lives?
Can the story do for you what it has done for others?

Click here to get Your FREE copy of THE MAGIC STORY e-book