Please let today be the first day of our journey into a brighter era. That the last eight years has been difficult is a gross understatement. Rather than focus on the past and what went wrong, I’d like to focus on a brighter future.  I want to wake up on November 5th knowing that we are capable of true change, and creating a deep and powerful bonding and healing of our people and nation.

As someone who grew up in the midst of forced busing, I’ve experienced a first-hand and very frightening view of racism at it’s ugliest. For those that have never encountered it, I don’t know that I can ever adequately explain how it changes and haunts you. I’m sure it’s what’s fueled my life-long quest for equality, self-improvement, empowerment, and the American dream for each and every one of us.

I’ve loved watching Senator Obama bring people together. At the end of his speeches, as the camera pans the crowd I’ve been moved to tears to see the diversity of his supporters. There’s something powerful about seeing the hands of people coming together to shake his- they are the hands of all ages and ethnicities banding together for our future, and the beginning of a new era.

Please take a moment to watch this video, it really is worth the time.

It’s ok to play!

We’ve gotten so used to the frantic pace of our everyday lives that sometimes even I find myself feeling a bit guilty to stop for a minute. I’ve gotten much better abut tuning out the little voice that asks, “why are you reading for pleasure, you should be writing or reading something informative”.

This weekend, I decided to just go play and have fun. I love writing, books and music. Since everyday is filled with writing, reading and the internet, I turned to music. It saved my sanity when I was younger. I grew up just outside of Motown and I was always surrounded by, and appreciated all genres. Old school R&B, blues, soulful music, rock. Visualizing my desired life and music have always gone hand and hand for me.

Sunday I acted on the opportunity to see one of my favorite bands, Nickleback at the Forum in Los Angeles for a mini-concert and a commercial taping. We were one of the first ones there and got to be on the floor, front row! (and yes, this part of my visualization).  Lots of time and stopping and starting, but it was pretty cool to be a part of it.

We had cameras on us a lot, so who knows what will be edited or if we’ll even get 1 second in the commercial. It felt great to take action on something that was just plain fun, let my mind be free, and just let me be a kid again. For another kind of balance that ties in nicely, this is a great post on doing something different.  Now, go Play!

Whenever I was stressed – which was often then, I’d look at that postcard. Palm trees, a beautiful blue ocean and a white sandy beach. It got to the point that I could actually feel a warm breeze and imagine the crunch of the sand under my feet. Pretty powerful considering it was winter in Michigan!

Every time I sit on the beach I’m reminded of being a little girl and hoping for more. Hearing that roar, smelling the salt water and watching the incredible power of the waves before me, I feel completely connected and empowered. It’s still my favorite place on earth, whether it’s actually under my feet or in the vivid picture that is always in my mind.  Find your picture of perfect peace and visit it often.  The Mayo Clinic website offers great relaxation and stress management tips, including my favorite - visualization.

This article illustrates the importance of mindset in children and a practical approach to help them. I’m a firm believer that regardless of our age, the more we understand how our brain works, the better we’ll function in every aspect of our lives. 

I started teaching my sons about the human mind and related it to everyday things they could understand, like the sports they participated in, games, and friends. They both enjoy the scientific approach and I’m just happy they’re open and aware.

Know that this video is close to my heart as I grew up going to “forgotten” schools. This is a picture of my high school. The windows you see are not in the classrooms, the are only in the hallways. The school felt like a prison at times, and my escape at others.  Compare this to the video. You can make a difference in your own way.

What most people forget is that they are simply seeing the end result of many years of hard work. Practice, trial and error, failures and then success. The success comes from day after day of working on a specific goal. Whether you aspire to be an Olympian or an expert in your field, the path is the same. Dedication, perseverance, a specific plan and consistent action

Your life is comprised of a series of days and minutes.

Each day you wake up and make a choice. Are you going to do something that gets you closer to your goals today? Are your goals written out very specifically? We’re rapidly approaching the end of the year. Stop and take a moment to see where you are and make any necessary adjustments.

Have a long-term plan but live it every single day. One day you’re going to wake up and see how far you’ve come and realize that your success happened one day at a time.

Learning to trust your gut

At one time or another everyone kicks themselves for ignoring that “little Voice” that tells them to do or not do something. Where exactly does that “little voice” come from?  How can we develop it? Read or listen to interviews about people you consider successful. Stories of being intuitive, following hunches, and listening to the gut will most likely be present in the vast majority.

The following articles give a great inside look at the conscious and sub-conscious processes involved with what is commonly called intuition.

I learned to listen to my “gut” at a very early age once I realized that the times I’d made a bad decision were when I chose to tune out that familiar little voice inside. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to separate negative “mind chatter” from gut. Try thinking of your gut as a recollection of subconscious pieces of information your brain is feeding you, it may make it much easier for you to accept its warning signals.

My in-laws (who are real family, not “in-law” family) live in L.A. and endured the Northridge quake in ‘94. My first thought was that it was a strong quake and wanted to make sure everyone was ok. I researched it online first, as the Northridge quake taught me not to tie up the phone lines in case people needed to call out because of emergencies.

Everyone is fine and it’s a great reminder that your whole world can literally be shaken up in a second.  Are you “ok” with everyone you love right now? Is there anything that needs to be said? Have you told them you love them and appreciate them lately? Life can change in an instant. Make sure you’re prepared in every way.

You may be sick of hearing me talk about taking action, but I’m going to keep doing it because it’s the most important thing you can do to effectively meet any goal you set your mind/intention to. Since my last post, I’ve been taking daily action towards what I feel my life’s purpose is, and that’s empowering others. Yes, I have a special place in my heart for people in under-served communities, teens, the abused, but really, it extends to anyone that longs for “something more”.

So many people I’ve known get stuck in a rut of thinking that they can’t make a difference, whether it’s a difference in work or in life—yes you can! But guess what? You actually have to DO something. Whether that means speaking up, raising awareness, suggesting a solution to something you see as a problem, trying something new, anything-just do it.  Stop listening to the negative chatter in your head and do something – anything! Even if it’s not the perfect solution, you get momentum going. One thing leads to another. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again in my life. One tiny change can snowball into the life you’ve always dreamed of.

I have another secret; it’s not always comfortable. It’s not supposed to be. Anytime you want or need to make a change it can kinda downright suck. There I said it. No pretending, no sugarcoating. The best part though is the results. Whether it’s making a painful decision to get a divorce, leave home, change careers, if it moves you even one tiny baby-step closer to your long-term goals do it and revel in the feeling of being in charge of your destiny. No matter how scared, uncomfortable, or sad you feel in the short-term, the end result will be the life you want –but only if you are willing to take an active part in the process.

What’s holding you back? I’d love to hear.