Self Development
Appreciating the Present Times
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Appreciating the Present Times
Good morning and welcome to Podcast 172. The bright green growth of grass and the greening up of trees and bushes from spring rains have ushered us back into Spring. But it isn’t enough for all of us to enjoy. It hasn’t given us the opportunity to sit back and relax.
In fact, the current pandemic, Covid 19 has tainted our thinking like a black wash that makes everything gray. It is messing with our thinking. Sending shock waves into our economy. Making us anxious to run out of our homes and get on with the once familiar routines we thought were so important. It is scaring people into a mental panic thinking that this will never end and that the effects will be long-lasting. I am not sold on that thinking. We are bright and learned people. We will bounce back rapidly and forget the pain just like a woman does after labor. The pain is remembered, but it doesn’t stop us from having more children. We know the outcomes rich and filled with the joys of parenting.
Yes, the fear of contracting the Coronavirus has destroyed our ability to connect in person with the people we love. Easter was far different this year as we tried so desperately to stay connected to the traditions of the past. For many of us, we missed the gathering together at Church. We longed for the feast of good old custom foods of years gone by. For me it was bittersweet. Rather lonely, just the two of us sitting quietly. It was unconventional in what we ate. I actually made a simple linguine dish for us. Unlike in the past years with parents, children, grandchildren playing and running around. We missed the laughter, silly banter, and hugs. We missed teasing one another and feeling stuffed from all the desserts. Much of this will recreative itself on future holidays, I am sure of it.
Coronavirus is indeed the hot word of the past few weeks. One that none of us want to know about first hand. Even though most of us are dealing with isolation, we are becoming more creative and getting more chores done around the house.
Appreciating the Fresh Green
Staying Connected
Call or connect with us. I want to help you!
A section recorded on Saturday as Linda worked on her bookshelves. Looking back in history, Linda talks about her time as a child when Polio was around. She shared about her father having had a leg affected by Polio. She remembers getting the polio shot. Life improved and people felt comfortable. Linda believes a vaccine will be developed and that we will find life more comfortable in connecting once again.
If you’d like to connect on a weekly basis to focus more on your business or mindset, please join our Mastermind.
Are you watching movies? Linda is watching many. She talks about a movie she saw on Friday night about an older couple in their 80’s who were going through a difficult situation. The wife was losing her memory and the multi-level house was no longer safe. She began falling and forgetting where she was. Their 8 children were represented by 2 of them who try to understand, but also struggle to watch their parents. The man begins building a single level home but runs into problems with the community he lives in. He tries to follow all the new rules and has to hire his lawyer to represent him. All in all, it turns out well and the movie left us knowing that the man was 91 and his wife was still alive and with him. they had been married for over 60 years. It was a movie that involved his family and a community of people who had feelings and emotions too.
Like this movie, it helped fill her need for meaning. This pandemic has certainly affected how we are feeling. Staying up late, I noticed that the lights on our 3 season house were not working. We are in a PAUSE, trying to figure things out.
For the best Tech advice, Linda recommends John
“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. the learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” Eric Hoffer
What is your best asset? Let’s face it that the best asset you have is yourself. It is the curiosity that we have within us that moves us ahead. We are curious about a desire to grow and develop and become better. It is so much fun to read a new book or watch someone doing a project. They set examples for us.
There is an internal opportunity within each of us to grow. Curiosity is irresistible. You have the potential to learn so many new things. There is this internal desire to grow and learn. Even those who are able to continue working, we all have opportunities to learn new things. Assign yourself to do something you want to learn or accomplish.
Linda was talking to the man her cuts her grass. It was nice to learn from him about his work and about what is living in our front yard. An unknown critter. There are so many things we know little about and yet we keep getting challenged to learn.
One of the blessings of this virus is that we are able to do things without being interrupted. Take that opportunity and cherish it!
Thanks to Jim Haisler who signs us off each week.
Remember to Take the ONE STEP forward, it may put you on the Escalator of Success.
Today’s Small Insights
Today’s Small Insights
A Mid-April Snow cover is melting.
Know that we are here to help you through the changes.
Stay close in spirit! We support you and wish you well today!
Take the first step forward it may put you on the escalator of success.
Today that first step helped me get started with spring cleaning. LOL
Hope for All
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Coaching can connect you and take you forward.
Education, Motivation, and Spiritually connect to bring us ideas of hope. Where are you at? Where do you want to be? Coaching is a wonderful place to get direction. It helps close the gap from where one is at and directs us to where we want to be. What do you want to improve? Where do you want to go? A Coach can motivate you and give you perspective. They help you discover and help you to be motivated. It is time to seek success and an avenue to follow.
Set goals 5 years out. It isn’t impossible. You may have some dreams that are attainable. Earn the way you want to get there. Maybe you want to beef yourself up through free and new opportunities to learn. U Tube and many online courses give you help. They allow you to put yourself in the right direction. Check them out.
Be creative. Be fulfilled. Are you a numbers person? Do you prefer writings? Are you an adventure-seeking person? Do you want to be physically active or return to an old passion? Now is the time to connect with others. Or perhaps. it is a time to just pray and reflect. Let this time of living through the Pandemic of the Coronavirus as an opportunity to grow and think of the future.
Linda talks about the adventures of growth.
Now we are in the Easter season with changes in weather. Stay alive and well. Let a schedule and give yourself a routine that works for you. Make these opportunities a great one. Move away from the obstacles. Maybe you wanted to change occupations and now may be the time. This is temporary.
Here are 6 ideas to help you:
1-Continue Learning by reading, going online, taking a course, or singing along.
2-Find rewards in your home. Read old letters. Look for books on your shelves. Most of you who listen to me have plenty of magazines and reading materials.
3-When was life fun? Was it when you had a pet? Was it when you rode your bike down the street?
4-Engage in your senses by listening to music, smelling new scents, or perhaps when baking? For me, I am back to cooking again out of necessity and I am embracing it.
5-Making small decisions count by shifting a few details and making small changes is good.
6-Activate a spirit of gratitude by talking to friends on the phone. Step outside and notice the beauty with the weather of the day. Just enjoy something or someone you know.
Here is an activity for you to do!
Make a list of all the people in your past and present. How did each person help you become who you are today? Linda shares an example of how her Grandmother gave her a philosophy to help other people and how to become generous. For her Grandmother set an example that was easy to follow, but the list goes on. That was just one person. It is a fun exercise that you will enjoy.
Blueprints
Have you read any blueprints? What did they offer you? They usually offer us sizes and the direction things are built. We see the details of the rooms, ideas, or options for building something. I am going to help you put systems into place with upcoming workshops. This will help you create your own blueprints. We want you to be part of it.
Mastermind groups
Register for our Thursday morning 10:30 CST meeting.
Do you know what day it is? I have been stumbling on keeping the day straight ever sense we are quarantined. The week was set by the specific things I did. I used to get gasoline on the same day, at the same gas station, but now I am not using the car as much, so that weekly marker isn’t helping me. I used to go to the church on the same day and same time. Now with the church closed, that is isn’t helping me either. I have started using my husband’s system. He does the laundry on certain days. I am using his schedule now.
How are you keeping the days straight? Are you in a position that is keeping you on track? How are you setting markers on your week? Share with me how are you figuring this out.
Time Management
I am writing more letters to keep connected with people. I hope it brightens their day, as well as, mine. As we go forward through the Easter Season, find ideas to focus on. We have a skunk (we think). It is still a mystery as to who is digging in our front yard. hear a neighbor has a woodpecker at their home who is mighty busy too. Amazing adventures are all around. Please stay focused and aware. I will continue praying for all of you.
Remember putting the first step forward my put you on the Escalator of Success.
Who Are You?
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Who Are You?
Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moment where it is the small moments that make an impact in your life. Who taught you and how you do things is unique to each of us! Og Mandino wrote many books, but most recently I am rereading the University of Success. It is filled with stories and ideas for better living, Og helps you reflect on yourself. Listen to today’s podcast as Linda asks a series of questions that might help you to advance.
Mastermind groups are the rage today, Join Us!
Join our Mastermind that meets on Thursday at 10:30. It is support for you and for your business. Now more than ever, we all need support. Check us out at https://lindagullo.com/mastermind and follow the steps to become part of it. Here you get feedback and can brainstorm with other people navigating through life.
Technology
If you feel that you are being challenged by tech needs, you aren’t alone. For many people, it is something that wasn’t needed prior to the Coronavirus isolating us from one another. Now you may need to act quickly for your business and to relieve stress that is within.
Technology support is another area you may need to make life easier; especially right now. Well, I have a person who can help you. He has the skills and knows how to direct you. He is great at teaching you too. Just click here to check out John’s services, now is the time. He works on websites, integrations, and desktop needs of all sorts.
Delight in Living Studios
Groups
There is a weekly show on TV called MOM. It is a show about a group of 6 women that have addictions in their background. They come to rely on one another for support. We usually see them in a restaurant exchanging humorous commentary on a problem. Although they deal with self-made issues, don’t we all?
We too have a one-time pain workshop in addition to our Mastermind. It is on Reframing your pain and outsmarting it. It is a wonderful opportunity to grow in your own skills and self-esteem.
Our staying in touch with you is really important to me and those I work with here. We relish you and want to serve your mental health needs, to keep you motivated and inspired, and to help you be the best version of yourself. After a lifetime of detours in my own life, I want to help you find value in yourself during these tough times.
In the Delight in Living office, we offer counseling care in addition to Coaching. Let us help propel you forward to your next goal.
We are growing here and have added on Mary Gullo Balderas as our Virtual Assistant. She will be helping our office with the growing demand for online services.
Mary Gullo Balderas
Until next week,
Take one step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success.
A Balanced Perspective
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Welcome
Finding perspective in trying times is a challenge. How has your life been disrupted during this outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Can we help you process things? Here at the Delight in Living office, we are doing a lot of our contacts on the phone and thru zoom. No way do we want to leave you in a lurch. If you are feeling the loss of control, or in a place of how to be more resourceful, chances are that you are not alone. All of us are in a new environment. It is good for us to think about how we will accommodate. Self-care and taking care of our families is important. Also teaching one another not to be selfish is the greatest lesson.
“Perspective is the only thing consistently more valuable than the answer itself.” Andy Andrew
Steve Dotto teaches us online techniques. This is a time to teach one another. How to reframe thoughts. We are resourceful people. I am here for you to help you process things. A program on pain is coming up—how to deal with pain and things you are going to deal with. A program on “systems” is also coming up.
Taking Shortcuts
We all tried as children to take shortcuts. Here Linda discusses how we can’t always do that. Shortcuts don’t always work. That is when we are called to be responsible and look at the larger picture. How do you take shortcuts? What is the destination you are trying to reach? Do you find things fall into place naturally?
Shortcuts don’t always work!
Dreams and Visions
We all need to have a purpose. This is a time to look at them. Set a new series of goals. The question becomes, how can I help to be responsible. This is a time to teach one another balance. Variety in life reflects every area of our life. Eating is only one area in which we can do this. We need to learn boundaries; how to conduct business. How to care for our bodies and the expectations we set for ourselves.
Mini Miracles is designed to help you to stay in the moment. Keep balanced and feeling well is now a new focus for everyone.
Take the first step, it may put yourself on the escalator of success.
Labels, Tags, & Stigmas
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Labels, Tags, & Stigmas
Thanks to Jim Haisler who opens and closes our show each week. He continues to serve us and our community well at Heartland Realtor Organization.
One of the challenges we deal with include Technology. Many people are scared of divulging information or knowing how to navigate building a website. Are you a person who needs help with integrating different programs?
It is great fun to learn about websites, internet usage, and technology. Advance your skills in on an everyday basis. John Budd offers his skills for hire at https://www.realsimpletechnology.com
Podcasting Delights
Beware of how you interpret Labels and Tags!
Labels, tags, and stigmas can be temporary. These involve all of us. We have been labeled by our parents, teachers, and others along the way. Linda shares a comment she overheard when she was about 6 years old. As a small child in school, one may misinterpret or be confused by things being said. The comments may or may not be true. We also need to be careful not to label others either. Let this story speak to you and how it may help you jump-start success.
I am shy?
We must take into consideration that many tags are not correct. Some tags and labels are holding us back from striving and moving forward! I want to free you from the things that hold you back. As a counselor, I was made aware that the labels and tags used are very dangerous and hold people from enjoying life. Try new things. Throw away the stigmas that may be haunting you.
THINK ABOUT YOUR CHOICES CAREFULLY
Invite people onto your team to move forward. Feel free to call our office to talk about things that haunt you or things you need to get past. We can be part of the solution.
Remember to take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success.
Discover the Solutions All Around
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Being Mindful to discover the Solutions that are all around!
How do you solve problems? What are you dealing with now? Here are a few thoughts on that matter. Have you ever found the answer to something you looking for and suddenly you have that “Ah-ha” moment? It is like finding a lost item. Bingo. You find it and the world seems so much better. What are the things you need to do to trust your own judgment and resolve a problem? Are you controlling part of finding the solution? Taking that step forward can happen easily. Listen now.
JOIN OUR MASTERMIND
Tomorrow is another Day!
Sharing your positive thoughts with other people is something that is so appreciated. We all want to be acknowledged and recognized. Everyone has issues and getting through them is made easier when one doesn’t feel isolated! Challenges of our own allow us to help others being challenged.
Perhaps you are being harassed by mental stress, physical pain, or a difficult job? We are running around putting out fires for our teenagers, grabbing groceries so our refrigerators are full, and preparing for the next day or next week. Sometimes worrying about what we are to wear to the next event. Our concerns are with what others are thinking. Our minds are racing and seldom relaxing until we crash in front of the television or from exhaustion. How can we be playful and happy when we are so confused?
My husband was and continues to do one thing at a time. Now he does it out of necessity because of health issues, but he has always done things with deliberation. He takes breaks and yet gets so much done.
When we were in our 20’s, we moved into a new home. A home that was a frame with parts of it to still be built. We had property without any trees or vegetation. It was a canvas for creating an environment we wanted. I look out the window NOW, these many years later and notice all the trees, plants, and beautiful groupings. I think of how we began by moving boulders, accepting plants from others, and working hard to make it our own.
We can also do that with our personalities. We can slowly, but with intent and passion create the ideal life; a life you want. We all have unique looks, gifts, and interests. We need to appreciate and share what we have received.
Are you appreciative of who you are? I have been thinking about that and how we are always trying to be better, smarter, and productive.
That brings me to a couple of simple solutions.
The first is Mindfulness. Much has been studied about Mindfulness. It does not require you to follow any particular belief. Nor is there is a leader to follow. Yet the effects of mindfulness include a reduction of stress, blood pressure, anxiety, depression, physical pain, risk of major medical issues, psoriasis, overeating, smoking, drinking, and loneliness.
Why is it then that we don’t exercise the simple remedy of stopping, sitting, and practicing mindfulness? It does not cost money. It can be practiced alone or with others around you. There is no risk. It is free for the taking, but so few of us take it.
Be mindful. Yes, I am laughing. Being rushed and overwhelmed is more common than not. In listening to a talk on mindfulness, one is reminded to keep the mind full. If you have ever held a baby, one just relaxes and melts. We often become as tranquil as the baby. We are aware of the beauty of a human person.
In this world, it is easy to be distracted. We are urged to read more, do more, earn more, and go more. We are engaged and thinking about the future. We are urged to watch the clock and be places.
Mindfulness focuses a person on the moment. It allows us to fully engaged at the moment. To have fuller moments.
Pray
Now I said there was another option and that is prayer. A prayer is also a form of focusing and relaxing. We can center our thoughts on the needs of others. We can communicate with God about our feelings, concerns, and desires to help others. We call upon a supreme being to help us make sense of things that are seemingly wrong. The person you love is ill, or the child you raised is striving for a scholarship. The job you wanted is serving you well and you find a sense of gratefulness for the path that led you there. You may want to relish and share the good things that happened in your week.
My dad would stop at the door of the church each week and bless himself. He would just stand there and seemed so tranquil. He would tell me that he was so thankful to be back and have time to pray and think.
To this day, I find prayer and also times of mindfulness very filling. I find it is where I get recharged and refocussed and I would love for you to have that same sensation and satisfaction.
“We deal with our mind from morning till evening and it can be our best friend or our worst enemy.” Matthieu Ricard
Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success! Linda’s own!
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!