

How to Enjoy Life
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Welcome to Podcast 187 and the month of October. Hope you are enjoying the beautiful colors. They bring us an understanding of how to enjoy simple ordinary opportunities that can make you feel awesome.
Simple things help us find Balance
Balancing energy, eating, sleeping, and getting work done helps us enjoy life. Working smarter not longer can make us feel accomplished. How to work smarter and get ahead will make your life easier. Here we tackle a few strategies of the mind and how we can advance. Focus on one thing at a time. Think ahead to get necessary things done for today. Building a Healthy Mindset takes away the idea that you are a victim, but rather you are in control or on a good path towards a goal. Creating small habits and doing small things to advance helps one feel good. Dealing with challenges can also move us ahead in ways we can’t control.
Building a Healthy Mindset
There are options for us like making small changes and habits. Linda shares about her exercise calendar that gave her a feeling of accomplishment. Create habits with a starting point by finding a cue of something you do regularly. Little strategies help us get the final line easier.
Celebrations

I completed this! It calls for a celebration!
There are many celebrations are around events like birthdays, life celebrations, or religious times. Many daily achievements should also be celebrated too. What are your daily wins? What have you gotten done that makes your week full? Laugh more, love more, enjoy more!!!
What has made you happy this week?
Take the next step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success!

Striving for Advancement
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Striving for Advancement
Books provide us with insights. Insights to help us put into practice things to make our days better and allow us to strive. Jon Gordon wrote The Energy Bus. It is a book that allows one to move ahead with a great transformation. This week our podcast is all about striving for advancement in your life and this book is an excellent resource.
The Dip by Seth Godin is a small book and a quick read, but it talks about eliminating the negative things in life that take us away from using our time wisely. He shares that some of the winners in life are actually those who have become the best quitters. In lieu of reading this book, I made the decision to move away from 3 different things that have kept me busy for the last 15 or 20 years. I don’t think I wasted time in contributing to projects, committees and the sort, but after reading this simple book, it was apparent that it was a time for change and advancement.
Reading helps us focus. It sets dimensions and boxes us in for a span of time. Focus helps us accomplish the things that make you feel better. Let new ideas grow when you are focused. Transform your life!
Dealing with Changing time…
The way we deal with the Pandemic or any transitions time can help if we put the right things into place. We need to engaged with others, stay physically active, and mentally healthy. We may need to give ourselves new direction and open ourselves up to new ideas.
Last week I participated in a conversation with Rev. Paul White and another Counselor like myself, Geri Condon . We talked about deep breathing, about moving well, and ways to shake ourselves from stress. It is important to stay prayerful, keep busy, and engage in conversations and opportunities that connect us with one another. Being isolated is not healthy on any dimension. We must talk and help find productive ways of moving forward. Linda shared about stretching out one’s shoulders and shaking one’s arms losely. She shared how an older uncle of hers taught her about how dogs realign themselves.
Living with your whole heart and whole soul means knowing what is authentic for you. How are you engaging with others? Linda talks about the things that make us feel connected and certain about rest, joy, and connecting. Find things that lift you and are meaningful. An old hobby, dancings, and music lift us!
Back to the Energy Bus…
How do you fuel yourself? People who share your vision may be help you advance and progress. Who are your energy vampires? Who are the “driven people” in your life?
The Carpenter is the book that I am reading. It is also by Jon Gordon You may relate to the struggles of a man who is racing through life. The Carpenter helps him by building a new mindset!

Getting Replenished
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Getting replenished takes insight and time. Sometimes we need to make simple changes. Enjoy a few thoughts on this matter with this week’s podcast.
What have you had to assemble?
Reading directions helps us to put things together. We are all given roadmaps, and directions to succeed. Affirmations move us forward. Learning comes from trying new things. Letting change help us go forward calls us to turn to other people.
GPS helps us and we don’t realize how learning to read a map is still important. Maybe it doesn’t seem that way as it was years ago, but it is a good skill. Schedules, deadlines, and calendars move us into a productive mode. Linda talks about a wren and how it set an example
What is relaxing for you?
Having Passed Labor Day Linda talked about a relaxed day. She recommended a book by Anne Lamot called Bird by Bird. It talked about instructions on writing and life. A good book stressing how habits set us up for success. Linda mentions the value of listening to books being read to us.
Trust your own judgment!
People that seek help are usually good about working through issues. I am fortunate to have people coming into my office who want to excel.
Confidence grows when we share our knowledge with other people.
What are you good at doing? What do you share with other people? Being happy for other’s joys and celebrating with them will help you grow!
What forces you to make a change?
Loss of jobs, needing a doctor, or getting gas in your vehicle may seem insignificant until you have no choice. Maturing continues until the day we die so we need to be patient with teenagers and ourselves. Roadblocks are often good for us because we are forced to change.
Take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success.

The Value of Conversation
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Welcome to this week’s Podcast on Conversation. Sometimes this is a problem for some people. Do you doubt about what to share or say? Are you feeling what you experience is worthless? Learning to share thoughts and feelings takes practice and discernment for sure, but listening to another person really helps. Linda shares some ways to engage in good conversation, so continue to listen.

Talking and Walking is natural and begins early in our lives. Communication grows.
Trying to communicate with others is to really listen and reflect. We need to work on expressing and enjoying one another. We need to be congruent and honest. Where are you when it comes to being authentic? Do you think you are lacking a sufficient vocabulary? Linda talks about some of these things this week.
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Working as a Team to Propel You Forward!
Sharing with one another helps us develop self-confidence and self-esteem. We learn to take risks and grow. We are people who need a community to stay well. All of us need one another on a regular basis to stay well. Reaching out on a regular basis is healthy and allows us to feel the joys, fears, and dreams of one another. Putting on our masks at this time is fine if it gives you a chance to engage.
Times of success are important and give us value. We need to share with others the books you read, the doctors you like, the stores that work for you. Talk over the backyard fence, call another on the phone, and connect in ways that aren’t just on social media.
“Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success.”

Moving Ahead with a Joyful Spirit
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Moving Ahead with a Joyful Spirit
Conveniences are all around us. It is up to us to select and decide how to use our time wisely.
Making Choices happens over and over ahead.
Review of the book Juror #3
How different our sleeping patterns have become. Here is another resource for locking down better periods of rest.
Traveling with FigmentWalt Disney is quoted as saying “Taking a Chance.” This is a wonderful book about dreaming bigger and learning more about applying your dreams into reality. This man MartySklar was a Disney Legend. It says is is an Imagineering Ambassador
Linda shares about McCleod Daughters

Being Focused
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Focusing can be a hard thing to do! Even the best of intentions can distract us. In this portion, Linda shares about losses that distract us! Sometimes we don’t want to concentrate on some loss and might intentionally try to focus on other things.
Are you concerned about your employment? Are you looking for specific insurance coverage? Do your children need your attention? Have you ever forgotten a load of laundry in the washer or dryer? When do you focus the best? Do you have a place you work best in? What distracts you the most? Is it children, the phone, or the computer that defocuses your attention? Are you a morning bird or night owl?
Dedicate a time and place to get things done!
When we are concentrating on something new or issues that require focus, we need to dedicate time to tackle them. Even a 10-15 minute window works wonder.
A 15-minute conversation talking with your spouses can keep a good window of communication open, but often the things we relish the most are lost because we haven’t shared our concerns or needs with those we love.
Charles Schwab was the president of Bethlehem Steel corporation back in 1918. At the time the company was the 2nd largest shipbuilder and steel, producer. Schwab was a wealthy man. He consulted a man named Lee who taught the Ivy Lee Method of focusing and hired him to work with those in his office.
The Ivy Lee method had the workers write down 6 things that needed to be accomplished within the day. They were instructed to work on the top task until it was finished and then proceed to the next one. Every day they did this. This kept the staff committed to avoiding distractions. Commitments make us accountable.
The American way of thinking has pushed many of us to multi-task. In doing so, we have lessened our skills for doing things well. To master something well we need to stay focused and consistent. Those who are great tennis players, piano tuners, or CPA’s use their skills repeatedly and with habits that call for attention.
Measuring progress has been a motivating way to reach a goal. You might ask how many steps or miles did I walk today? Did I get two chapters read today? Am I down the extra 2 lbs this week?
By focusing, we are able to become healthier, more educated, or happier with ourselves. In the long run, we feel more accomplished and content.
Here is a brief summary:
1- Being persistent is one of the keys to accomplishment. Of course, one must still be humble and connected to other people. We need to be self-disciplined and feel deserving of what we are good at doing. FOCUS
2- Make a list and do the top thing, then proceed.
3- Gather together what you need for a project. Prepare for the task just like a painter prepares a room before painting. They bring in paints and set up tarps; they tape the areas that need to have straight edges. We too can set up whatever we need to focus and get our tasks done. Preparing for a job is halfway to completing it.
4- Make a list and cross off the accomplishments as you finish them. Seeing your progress in writing is very helpful. Note the wins so you feel better.
5- Focusing calls for concentration so put ourselves in the right frame of mind. Dress the part. Go to a place that allows you to concentrate.
6- Center yourself to do things well. Prayer helps us move through difficult times. Hope comes from faith and encourages us to forge ahead. Take short retreats. These times can help us to be appreciative and develop hope.
Taking the first step forward may put you on the escalator of success!

Transitions & Growth
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Transitions & Growth
Welcome to the podcast of Mini Miracles from Minor Moments with Linda Gullo which helps you move forward. No matter what you want to do there is a pathway to get you there. Whether it is growing a profession, being a good parent, or trying a new profession, there are ways to grow or improve.

Pathways for Growth
Are you trying to break habits and redesigning your life to become happier? Just how are you doing that transition? Whatever is working may be made even better. Linda offers suggestions to make our bodies feel better, as well as, creating life long relationships and connecting with people we enjoy. We may need to get back to reading or singing. Perhaps playing an instrument or changing your profession? What motivates you? How do you warm up to doing a job?
First, “we make habits, and then our habits make us.” Charles Nobel
Learning to change habits takes time and trials. This can be great fun. Linda shares a story of doing grocery shopping that may inspire you to accept the circumstances around your habits.
Join one of our masterminds. It is a weekly commitment that will give you balance and a good feeling!
Progress, perseverance, and energy help to create a level of success you may desire. Linda talks about these things. What disciplines do you have in place? Prayer, meditation, eating, working?
Taking the first step may put you on the escalator of Success.
Linda’s own!

What are you Fishing for?
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What are you Fishing for?
1- Linda shares a story from when she was a child. What are you fishing for? Are you looking for a better relationship? Opportunities to travel? A new job or things to do? Are you looking for a new relationship?

Success
As we go through our lives, our desires change. Our ideas of learning changes. We keep recreating ourselves, renewing relationships, and looking for balance. Don’t let your dreams die!
2- What are you doing in your life to transition and grow during the Pandemic? Who do you know that has made a difference by setting up a non for profit, gotten involved in a new business, or started a new hobby? How are you contributing to history at this time? Are you dealing with your health? What are the wins you’re taking in now? Are you reading, taking courses, working on your yard?
3- Where do you get your information? Seeking out the correct news or the right books may make a difference in how we react. Linda suggests being careful as to where you seek knowledge.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” —Jimmy Dean
4- Jump in the try something new. Recreate some are of your life on a new level. Expand your horizons and what you want to learn.
Take the next step forward, it may put you on the Escalator of Success.

Recreating Yourself
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Welcome to today’s Podcast on Forging Ahead with Clarity.
Part 1 is on how our days can go astray or in a different direction than we want them to go. It isn’t always a bad thing to get a different perspective. We all can feel more accomplished.
Part 2 is on the Empty Nest. Linda shares a story about a bird’s nest that was in her yard. Like the bird’s nest, we all have new beginnings. We have opportunities to create new things and enjoy all that is going around us. How we communicate with one another now after the pandemic is developing. We are adjusting and learning new ways to adapt. Linda challenges you to learn a few new ways.
Part 3 is about Patrick Lencioni who is a consultant, author, and excellent Christian Speaker. He wrote a new book called THE MOTIVE. I recently heard him talk about leadership. Leadership as an Entrepreneur and as a Parent! Check out his website the Table Group.

A New Opportunity for Life
Please follow us and recommend us to others. Just sign in here or connect with Linda at 815-459-5161.
Part 4 Is about introducing Tony Robbins and his motivating content. It is about setting our own limits and learning about people he has encountered. He shares people, books, and has great ideas that may help you. Making changes means remolding our thoughts and emotions. Some of our thoughts are no longer valuable as they used to be and we can shift. What things are limiting your goals are and what is limiting you?
Part 5 is a directive about accountability. Who are you accountable to other than yourself? Being Accountable to a partner or someone you trust can be so valuable. It keeps us on target. It teaches us to be honest and to trust yourself too. Ask questions. Learn from being inquisitive. You will grow!
Part 6 is around the idea of success. Is it getting a degree? Reading a book someone has recommended? It depends on where you are in life. Success changes with each job, each relationship, and every goal.
Thank you for following us. We want the best for you. Have a wonderful and successful 4th of July!
“Take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success”

Growing Together with Love
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Good Morning and Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments Podcast 178.
This is merely a preview of what Linda shares. It is not a word for word transcript. Please listen.
Over the last few weeks, I have been learning a lot about skunks and the way they live. I have learned that they have this incredible ability to dig deep and hide. I have learned they self preen like a cat and don’t normally smell unless they are provoked, get hit by a car, or die. When they die, their muscles relax and they smell. This knowledge was given to me as I tried to evict several of them from under our front sidewalk. I learned they have their litters in May and can have up to about 9. Thankfully this event in our yard was the first in 43 years, and hopefully, it will be our last. Having said that they are really kinda cute, just not in our yards. We have so far eliminated 5 of them. I hope our yard will be free and that they will not return for a visit next year.

Skunks Entrance
The reason I bother sharing this is that so many of the things we know about come from experience. Those experiences whether good or bad are what help develop the kind of adult we will become. Our thinking affects our emotions, our emotions affect our behaviors and the way we perceive others. Then our emotions affect our behaviors. Taking steps to improve our mental health is critical at every stage in life. During this difficult time of the pandemic and the recent issues with the killing in Minneapolis, we are all called upon to think of positive contributions to make things right. Many people ware dealing with losses of their jobs, their family members, or homes.

Natural Beauty
Unfortunately, vandalism, looters, and demonstrations are not helping our country right now. People are really hurting in many ways. So many people are without jobs and homes due to Pandemic. Those trying to establish businesses that provide jobs and help others have been destroyed by the coronavirus. It is hard to see the positive in any of this, but as we look back we will see things we have learned. Some are now trying to come back from the demolition of stores in our cities. We need to gather together and do what is good for one another and good for our country. We are all longing to be in touch with each other, to give hugs again, and to have family celebrations, weddings, and jobs and things that make us feel purposeful. We need to gather together and do what is good for us and for one another.
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I am not a big movie watcher but have gotten better during this time with the virus. Today I am sharing about the movie The Ultimate Gift. The Ultimate Gift was a wonderful story. We all need to learn about the gifts of money, friends, learning history, opportunities to learn about ourselves, the gifts of problems, and illnesses. The gifts of laughter and family cannot be ignored. There are so many gifts we all need to work on and cherish. Drew Fuller, James Garner, Abigail Breslin |
Linda embellishes more on this topic in the podcast.
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This section is on Less is best! Less is sometimes more functional. Linda shares a few personal examples here that may help you.
Linda embellishes more on this topic in the podcast.
Are you a rule follower?
Today I was listening to John Williams on WGN. I get a kick out or his speed jokes that he plays in the mornings to keep us all feeling good. Actually he plays them twice in the morning in case you miss them the first time. But one thing that he said was that he is a rule follower. I thought that was interesting because I had had a conversation with a family member last week about that. I guess I too have fallen in the category of following rules. I do it from the perspective that rules are usually meant to help society, families, and the average person from getting hurt or the rules help protect us from something or someone. In the case of wearing masks which were the context of John’s conversation today, I realized I wear a mask not only for me but for those around me and so I don’t bring anything home to my husband. We are responsible for others as well as for ourselves. People are taught in the army to protect their squadrons; they look out for one another as a family. So are you a rule follower and what is your perspective? I was also thinking about the rules we follow and the things we read.
Do you read the labels on the products you buy? Rules are there for our perspective and to protect us. What is safe and what isn't. We read things for our safety like on bottles of liquids. We need to be aware!
Linda embellishes more on this topic in the podcast.