Self Development
Confine Your Gremlin
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Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments
Keep planning even though things may go astray. Linda shares the story of Christmas Eve when her extended family gathered together. The evening was wonderful, but things went astray when she went off to Midnight Mass alone. Things rather flipped at that time; Linda did too! The kindness of people to help her up after her tripping on the sidewalk, and a spirit to start healing began immediately.
We are all saddled with problems. Some of these issues are easier to deal with than other issues. There were many upsides to this situation. We have to stay grateful for all the good things. Linda’s glasses though badly scuffed may have protected her eyes, and they were under warranty and fixed easily. The aches and pains may last a while, but x-rays showed there were no broken bones. No one else was injured and this is all temporary.
Assigning Different Words to Each Month
Two new words for this month include “slowly” and “sharing.” Going a bit more slowly may prevent mistakes and make things better. Rushing has become a way of life for so many of us and a few minutes more really do help us to stay safe. Sharing is my goal to give all of you the benefit of my experience by giving talks, writing, and podcasting.
Returning Packages to Amazon
Have you ever had to return packages? I met the loveliest lady standing in line at Kohl’s this week when I went to return a few packages. So nice to talk with a woman with red shoes. She shared how she would never have bought them because of the color. They turned out to be her most comfortable shoes and came to love wearing them. In the past, she would not have felt comfortable in red, but now she does! And all because she needed red for one of her kid’s events!
What profile do you dress for? Are you comfortable with yourself and how you dress or perform in your job? Do you find yourself continuing to learn? Know that whatever we do calls for practice and learning to do well!
Your Gremlin
Lock up your Gremlin and the terrible things he may be telling you. You hold the key to keeping your doubts locked up! Take the next step forward and put yourself on the escalator of success!
Have a Blessed Week!
Let the Race Begin
Let the Race Begin
Let the race begin is kind of ironic for me. I have assigned two words for myself as the year begins. More words will evolve each month as the year moves ahead. These are well thought out! I have chosen a few special words to use as a bridge into 2020. Here is a list from another site I discovered.
Slowly
One of the words is “slowly.” I am very guilty of rushing. Rushing to get things done. Rushing to make up for my husband who is slow due to his ailments. Rushing as if time is not my friend. What started this consciousness was a fall I took going into Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I skinned my face, hurt my right hand and arm, injured both knees and a hip. I never got into the service. The worst part is getting into a car now, I still hurt. Are you also rushed? Time is our friend. Doing things slowly has the benefits of doing it correctly the first time and being safer!
The upside is that I didn’t break anything except my pride. I recognize this is all temporary. I am already mending although it will take a while to fully mend. It makes me more empathetic to those who have permanent injuries and reminds me to slow down. Again slowly is fine, it will ease me into the next month with care.
Sharing
The second word for the month is “sharing.” I need to share my experiences in writing, coaching, counseling, podcasting and speaking. I have been blessed with many stories and I can help you! Now is the time to do this. Expressing with other people need to have affirmed and acknowledged is my way of developing a legacy for future generations.
Now to share a photo of a gift given to me at Christmas from a cousin who had it made especially for us. As many of you know, we build an outside garden house in our yard a few years back that I have come to enjoy around the year. After many names, we came up with The Delightful Den. She had this sign made for it. Isn’t it perfect! The Delightful Den is an extension of my philosophy to Delight in Living!
During the Fall season, I began cartooning. I am sketching ideas to help me see exactly what needs to take shape. You will be seeing some of these as the year goes forward. Simple to say the least.
As with all the topics we share here, self-development is essential. We need to know our values, our concerns, and the direction we will pursue for self growth. We need to develop great relationships and enjoy what we have. Let the race begin for you. Decide you key words for the month. Launch yourself forward by connecting with people you appreciate. Enjoy!
So welcome to 2020.
Feel free to send me topics, and ideas to share. Most of all remember to take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success!
Thanksgiving Blessings
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Yes, ultimately I believe that Blessings in our life flow from God. Throughout each day there are many opportunities offered to us that keep them coming. Our brains allow us to think thoughts that in turn give rise to emotions and then behaviors. A simple example is: If you believe someone is unkind to you, it may make you angry. In turn, you may react in a poor way by being nasty to everyone around you or even physically lashing out. Rather than see the negative things, be kind and gentle to yourself and clarify your thoughts. Then your behaviors will be gentler and more amicable.
Affirmations
Dolly Pardon encourages us to affirm ourselves. “You are good enough!” Yes, you are great! We need to stop criticizing and encourage ourselves and one another. Provide affirmations for yourself. Note the things you are good at doing or enjoy and engage in those activities. Remind yourself or your own gifts. Walking hand-in-hand with others makes everyone’s life easier.
Today’s podcast is about helping yourself and giving yourself good vibrations! Having good thoughts repeated over and over again are affirmations that we can feed to ourselves. Therefore, do it regularly. When we help others carry the load, we help ourselves too! Sometimes it is for a friend, a family member, or our 4 legged friends that we love.
Don’t isolate yourself!
Linda talks about forgiveness and how it keeps us healthy on a physical and spiritual level. The “formula” sentence she shared is “I forgive (name) for (name the specific offense).” Do this for each offense rather than trying to forgive the person for all offenses and work through them one at a time. We need to clear our minds of things that pull us down and the way someone has hurt your feelings, upset you, degraded your work or disregarded you may need to be pulled apart and deleted. Forgiveness does not mean to forget. It means to feel better about yourself and to move forward. Forgive and forgive and forgive. It will help your heart, your mentality, and your days happier.
Align yourself with a variety of fun times and as a result, you will have a well-balanced life. Relax, play, pray, and enjoy. best of all find people who joke and laugh a lot!
Playing is fun!
Join our Mastermind on Thursdays at 10:30 am. You’ll be glad you did!
Working as a Team to Propel You Forward!
Enjoy something special this weekend. Make your days count. Happy Thanksgiving!
Want to get involved in a wonderful race, then join in on the first Sunday of December.
This Sunday is our Community Santa Run!
The Value in Relationships Cannot Be Diminished
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The Value of Relationships Cannot Be Diminished
Welcome to Mini Miracles where the smallest things in our lives are often dismissed. The value in relationships cannot be diminished. Minor times develop opportunities to strengthen the ties that bind us together. Times to develop healthy relationships. They shouldn’t be because they bring us great joy. It allows us to share with other people times to smile and laugh. Linda talks about how we can be located at different places in the world and still relate.
What are your relationships? Are they nearby? What kind of work do you do? How do relationships stick? What things can you do to promote your friends, businesses you use, and people you enjoy?
Relationships are so relevant and necessary. You are an integral part of the lives of other people. Our Chamber of Commerce is always evolving as we bring new members and businesses into the area. We need to add these to our Rolodex. Linda shares a moment in time when contacts saved her house from a fire situation and serious follow-up issues. Contacts and healthy relationships do count!!!
Stay Connected
Know the links that will help you and your neighbors. Create a team of people who can reach out and take action. We grow in gratitude. Keep in touch with those you know and appreciate.
(Now is the time to sign up for our Women’s Entrepreneur Group that meets every two weeks on Thursdays at 1 pm. Enrollment is open until Dec. 25th. It is also a good gift to give someone. Call our office at 815-459-5161. )
Thanks to Jordan Debbink, the communications and resource management contact from the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. Jordan brings a background in programs and development.
Keeping yourself joy filled and strong! It’s all about working together with others no matter where they are located.
Take the first step, it may put you on the Escalator of Success
Being Grateful
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Gratitude was suggested as a topic for today because it helps us to embrace the minor moments where miracles show up. Listen to a quick story from 29 years ago. A friend recognized one of Linda’s most important needs at a stressful time while stuck in a waiting room of a hospital.
The friend went out of her way in the midst of a blizzard to provide a shopping bag of her fresh fruit. As it turned out, Linda was stuck there for 5 weeks in an ICU waiting room and a vending machine would not have been the best option. More than the fruit though, it told her someone was recognizing her needs and showing a real concern for her. Wow, don’t we all want to do that for other people? Wouldn’t you want to be that thoughtful person who took the action?
The beauty in that gesture of seeing Linda’s needs and doing something special blessed her then and the memory continues to bring joy even today. It also prompted Linda to give the friend a call in the midst of recording this episode.
Being thoughtful of others is never lost. Whether it is taking the time to send a card, attending an event, showing up at a hospital, or being silently nearby is so important. Expressing gratitude and appreciation to those who reach out to us is good for the giver and the receiver.
Counting our blessings may help to make our blessings count even more. Most of us are blessed with plenty of space to enjoy many physical possessions around us throughout the day. Are you a collector? We do need to be careful and not collect things we don’t need, but also recognize how lucky we are to have things around us that bring us joy. The Cubs hat or memorabilia from an event or trip is a reminder of a fun time. Those are indeed times for us to share our joys, our time, and our talents.
On November 3rd, there was a Busted Halo Daily Jolt. It was that “Gratitude is riches. A Complaint is poverty.” Those few words reminded me of how beautiful gratitude can be! We can be discontented and lament over so many things and find faults if we focus on that!
Stretching ourselves to help others!
We are so blessed to share opportunities. Looking for things with an open mind allows us to spread a little sunshine. A loss of a job may actually be a new opportunity for growth and meeting new friends. A car accident, although not good, makes us aware of the fact that no one was hurt. The availability of doctors when we are sick or having the money to get help is a blessing and something we must be thankful for receiving.
Our office extends opportunities to build relationships and bring clarity to you. Our women’s Entrepreneur group is opening enrollment for next year. Do contact us and enjoy the offerings, you’ll be glad you did.
Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success.
Keeping it Simple
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Keep Things Simple
Keeping things simple and enjoying life can be sweet. In today’s podcast Linda helps us think about what is important. Whether we are fortunate enough to have the best or everything, or we are struggling to take ourselves to a different level, being thankful is best. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments that highlights education, motivation, and spirituality.
As Linda was waiting for her car to have the radio fixed she saw the positive things in the waiting room played out. While people were waiting for their vehicles, many were engaging with one another, and keeping things light and upbeat. Connecting with one another, praying for each other, and listening well help us enjoy life.
Look to People of the Past for Insights
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Linda’s mom also had a few good thoughts that help us. If we need to resolve and do things, it helps us to do them as they come along. We can conquer the issues at hand and deal with them efficiently. In the process of completing work, we learn to enjoy daily work. It can end up bring the fun things into your life.
Let your creativity sore, find a job you love, be with the people that bring you joy. Find things to be grateful for as often as possible. It will elevate your spirit. Carving pumpkins with the family is a good annual event. Many families look forward to the harvesting of apples. Whatever fits your lifestyle at this time, go for it!
When things are going your way, be thankful. Little things make our days move along well. Finding a parking spot can elevate our spirits. Receiving a request to help another person, or getting a phone call is uplifting. What makes you feel great? What helps you with your work that makes it easier? Who has given you insight that helps you many times over? How do you reach out to others?
So what simple things give you pleasure? How can you serve the needs of another person? When have you felt like Queen for a day? Or King for a day? When respect and admiration is shown to you! When has someone extended hospitality to you? Provide hospitality to someone else, it will make you and others feel great.
Today is Halloween and for some it is a Religious Celebration.
Imaginations at Work!
Halloween moments makes for great fun.
The costumes and the kids excitement spills out and makes us all happier. It is a Holiday for some people, All Hallows Eve.
Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success!
Reaching Out to One Another
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Reaching Out to One Another
Have you ever acted impulsively? Acting on a hunch to sell a sock may be all wrong. Or hurried and made a purchase and then regretted it? Young people often do this because they do not research. Are you sleeping well? How are you making good decisions based on facts and reality? When are you aware of the philosophy you carry about life and do you reach out to others? Have you suddenly realized you are in the wrong job and need to update your skills?
Research tells us about how we contribute to being isolated and upset by looking at our smart phones or other devices by not reaching out. We totally ignore one another when we could be cushioning ourselves and others from the negative emotions that sore through the universe. 3 different university studies tell us people are not engaged with one another. No surprise. Right? We contribute to the problems all around us by doing the same thing. Linda shares about her time at the car dealership that illustrates how we might help one another. Tension seems to brew everywhere; let humor help us reach out to the people we share space with on a daily basis.
Enjoying every day!
Engaging with one another helps us alleviate anxiety, tension, and emotions. So how does this happen. Levity and humor helps eliminate the stress that comes from problems. Laughter relieves our emotions; not our actual problems, but it does put things into perspective.
Take time to listen and enjoy one another. Be patient, respect, and politeness in your day.
Take the first step forward, it may put you on the Escalator of Success!
Strengths, Feelings, & Overwhelm
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Strengths, Feelings, and Overwhelm
There are times when we are tested to discover our strengths. Challenges come flying at us and there are so many things to resolve. Whether it is a large corporation that you work for that makes a big decision. I know of one that suddenly decided to let many of it faithful workers go without a warning. Or perhaps you are a person that just encountered a health issue and the repercussions affect your entire family.
Encouragement!
The feelings that come along in any challenge aren’t right or wrong. There are feelings that overcome us that seemingly come out of no where. The problem is that we often become emotional and let the emotions rule our behaviors. Instead it is wise to reflect and act with prudence. Laughing out loud as I write this, because it is not easy to hold back the tears, call a friend and complain, or throw a dish at the wall. We all need a healthy mindset to go forward. Linda shares how even going out with a friend for a quick lunch can give her space on how to deal with problems and the overwhelming feelings of having too much to do. How about you? How do you slow down and recoup when things seem out of hand?
Linda talks about feeling overwhelmed. What and where do these feelings that overwhelm us come from? Were does it come from for you? Does it help you to turn to other people and get some insight and space to figure things out. What puts things in perspective for you? What slows you down?
Rest when you need it: ask for help and be grateful!
Getting help when you need it. A shout out to K & S Computers on 101 North Main in Crystal Lake, IL who helped me in here last week.
We are all learning even if we are not formally registered in classes. We are building our vocabulary, our skills, our thinking, and our connections with one another.
Take the first step forward, it can put you on the escalator of success.
Traps to Keeping A Focus
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The Traps to Keeping A Focus
Welcome to this weeks Podcast on trying to stay focused and connected to those around you.
Trap #1: The Comparison trap
Appears in many disguises
When we compare the amount we earn..
When we compare the education we don’t have
When we compare our family with someone else’s family
That people have better behaved kids
That others have a prettier house
That the neighbors have a cleaner yard
Someone has a better spouse or even a better behaved dog.
The list goes on …
Trap #2: We are blind to our own gifts.
We don’t use our gifts
We can’t identify our gifts.
It is our responsibility to use the gifts God has given us!
Trap #3: Losing Direction
What happened to your purpose? Your “why” for doing what you want to do and for doing it well!
Your focus is so cloudy that you cannot see the end post.
Something derails you.
You lose momentum and get stuck in quicksand.
Without light, guidance, and a push to regain momentum, you may be sad, still, or sink lower.
Lost, Confused
Trap #4: Seeing only a partial truth
ei. Like driving through a street filled with water that appears shallow enough to drive through. Upon entering it, the car ends up in a sink hole.
Or when a person seems to do things easily, one might assume that it is an easy job. What we don’t see is the endless years of study, practice, and hands on experience.
Challenge is to figure out, “What is stopping you from focusing?”
Here is a challenge to jump in and get involved at our office, with our blogs, podcasts and gain valuable self insight along the way. Contact us to be part of the ongoing development. We appreciate your contributions.
Our purpose changes along the way. We have different skills and opportunities to serve God and our neighbors along the way. Keep you mind alive. Linda suggests a few good magazines to read: Entrepreneur’s Magazine, Experience Life, Success Magazine.
The Loner
Linda stresses the importance of staying connected with one another regardless of the businesses you run, the homes you keep going for your family, or the projects you take on. It is valuable to give and take from the spirit and joy of life to one another.
Join In with Others
A shout out to Scott Harvey, John Budd, Edwin Soler, and Kiwanis friends for their ongoing support and insights.
“Take the first step forward, it may put you on the Escalator of Success!”
Your Journey
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Podcast 152 – Your Journey!
Achieving the wins that we want as we step forward toward our goals is possible.
According to a Stanford study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, individuals are more likely to continue their positive habits after they have reached their goals if they have a mindset that there will be continued wins.
Keeping yourself joy filled and strong!
Reading a Chapter a day helps us learn to move ahead. This is the idea of developing good habits and moving forward. One chapter leads us to the next and the next until suddenly we have read the entire book. That allows us to not only learn from each chapter, but to retain an overall view of the book. We also take away for the feeling of accomplishment. Linda talks about setting one goal and building upon it, over and over again.
Weeds, Seeds, & Growth
We need to listen to the beliefs we have and maybe rearrange or replace those ideas.
We need to go forward and set the example for one another. Linda shares an example of something that happened in the 80’s when her belief system failed her and how it opened her up to learning something new. Thank goodness she realized how making a mistake helped her re-evaluate.
September is Food Safety month. What are your takeaways from this?
The All American Apple
An exercise for you to follow up with! Where have you traveled? Write down everyplace you have gone? What do you want to do or where are the places you want to see? What do you want next? What things do you need to expand in your life? Do you need to read more? What opportunities do you want for yourself?
Here is an invitation to Join our Thursday Mastermind, our Women’s Entrepreneur Group here in the office, or experience Coaching. Call 815-459-5161 or email Linda@delightinliving.com
Take the first step forward, it may put you on the Escalator of Success!