2011

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Go Skating!

What great fun we all had ice skating yesterday! Everyone should make time to go skating... ice skating or roller skating! Both are great exercise and so much fun! Bundle up the kids, grab your sweetie and head to the ice rink today and skate your way to An Inspired Life!

Be Sneaky..... treats and a getaway.......

Sometimes you just have to sneak out of the house and enjoy a sweet treat without having to share it with the kids! lol. So I saw this Ben & Jerry's limited edition ice cream called Maple Blondie and OMG it is amazing! Total yummm!!! Last night, Thad and I snuck out of the house, drove to our favorite romantic spot where we go to get away and we ate the entire container of ice cream while laughing and talking about our day! What a great getaway! So tonight, sneak off with your loved one and enjoy a sweet treat and Live An Inspired Life!

Donate!

So Christmas is over and we have tons of stuff all over the living room... where do we put all these new things??? Every year, to make room for new stuff, we go through our old things and make donation piles. Each year without fail, my kids end up donating brand new toys from the previous Christmas that were never even opened!

So today is the day to go through your things and your kids things and make some donations. You can donate new unopened toys to Toys for Tots, they collect all year long. All the used things can go to local charities, hospitals, daycare centers or Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. Have the kids join in, teaching them to give is a quality that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Helping others, making donations and giving what you can all lead to An Inspired Life!

Slow down......

The Holidays are a busy time for all. Even if you don't celebrate you are still subject to longer lines and crowded stores. With that in mind, today I suggest we all slow down and take time to enjoy the Season! When you rush through a store you forget to watch all the people, when you speed through town you forget to look at the pretty lights. So today, slow down, observe the people, the lights, the decorations but most of all take time to enjoy your family. The kids would love to cuddle and listen to some Christmas music, or your spouse might like a cup of tea and a conversation about old traditions. Whatever you choose to do.... make sure to relax, breath deep, enjoy the Season and Live An Inspired Life!

Christmas Carol in random places.....

Thad and I were at the post office on Saturday, we had just purchased stamps and were standing there affixing them to our Christmas cards. Thad started loudly singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and another person in the post office started singing along! Of course I joined in and so we had a nice little group singing Christmas Carols for the other patrons whom really seemed to be enjoying the frivolity! The stranger singing with us was clearly pleased as she beamed a big toothy smile at us while never missing a note! Oh what fun!!!

So today give it a try... sing a nice loud Christmas carol wherever you are and Live An Inspired Life!

People watching...

Today we are headed to the mall to do some Christmas shopping! Undoubtedly we will partake in some fun "people watching" activities too! Sometimes Thad and I like to make up stories about the people we are watching.... where they live, how many kids they have, how long they have been together and so on. Not only is it a fun sociological activity, but its free too! :-) So today, head to the mall... grab a cup of tea and sit back and watch the crowds. You will observe so many diverse people and cultures and styles and behaviors and you will enjoy An Inspired Life!

loVe

Passion ebbs and flows but where there is true love, a relationship lasts forever!!!

Change your look!

What a great day to change your look! A nice fresh haircut for the Holidays will make you feel shiny new and ready for a new year! Do an online search and see what is in style right now and print off some looks to take to your stylist. A new look.... a new style.... a new attitude.... An Inspired Life!

Attend A Christmas Concert...

Tis the season to be jolly.... fa la la la laaaaa la la la laaaaaaaa! Tonight I am attending my daughters Christmas Concert at her school. What a fun (free) event for the entire family! I think that just before the concert I will serve cookies and hot cocoa. Then off to a night of adorable 4th graders singing Christmas songs and delighting in the Season! You can support your local church, community or school by attending a local concert and enjoying great music! If for some reason you cannot go to a Christmas concert, then just download some rocking Christmas music and Live An Inspired Life!

Homemade gifts!

I love gifts made at home! They are my favorites to receive and to give! Nothing says Merry Christmas and I was thinking about you like a nice mason jar full of yummy hot cocoa mix or some homemade cookies in a recycled tin! Yummmm!!! You can google search for ideas... they are limitless. Many gifts are very easy to make and take little time to prepare.... or even if you don't have time to make them today, you can start your planning and get the things you need to make amazing homemade gifts this weekend. So today, prepare some awesome homemade goodies and Live An Inspired Life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday to me!! Not bad for 39 today! I love birthdays.... especially my own! lol. Today, wish someone a Happy Birthday! Facebook lists all your friends birthdays on the home page but if you don't know anyone with a birthday today... then wish someone a Happy Monday! Living An Inspired Life means taking time to celebrate... CHEERS!

Traditions....

Have you ever sat and wished you had old family traditions for the holidays? Well those of us who do celebrate traditions started them somewhere! If you don't have any wonderful traditions to celebrate with your family then create some new ones! They all have to start somewhere.

One family tradition that we have is the way we decorate our Christmas tree. I sit and pass out the ornaments while telling the kids where they came from, or who they belonged to or why it is special. The kids love hearing about my ornaments from my childhood, or about the year that they were totally in love with Toy Story and got a Buzz Lightyear ornament. We also get advent calenders each year... the kids LOVE that tradition because it means a piece of chocolate every day!

So keep up the old traditions but also start some new ones! Change is good and new traditions are future memories.

"All old traditions started as something new!" ~Heather Deaville

Friends.......

//HIGH SCHOOL\\

ISN'T . MEANT . TO . MEET . YOUR . HUSBAND

IT'S MEANT TO MEET YOUR

BRIDESMAIDS

❤

Give in secret!

This month I will speak alot about "giving!" So today to live an inspired life.... I encourage you to GIVE in secret! There is no better feeling than helping someone in need. Today, drop off a bag of food, some toys, or a warm coat on the door step of someone in need. If you know the person, you could even call and leave a message from "Santa" or just leave a friendly note with the gifts. Either way.... give to someone needy, do it in secret and Live An Inspired Life!

Family Night Out....

Last night I took the kids out for "wing night!" Of course... myself and a couple of the others are vegetarians so it was "pizza night" for us, but the idea is to go out and have a dedicated "family night" out! We had fun.... eating, sharing stories about our day, telling jokes and talking about how much we miss Thad while he is away at work. It was a great night and the kids were really appreciative!

Tonight enjoy "Family Night" out and Live An Inspired Life!

Reach out.

The holidays are upon us! I believe that ANY time is a great time to reach out to those in need, but not everyone has the resources during the year so the Holidays are a great time to make contributions! Kids need Christmas presents, families need food, elderly people need company, single moms need warm coats, animals need shelter and so on.... there are plenty of people or animals in need this Holiday season. Please reach out to someone in need this Holiday season and Live An Inspired Life!

"Thoughts become things. If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand."

— Bob Proctor

Your thoughts become things....

So has everyone heard of "The Secret" or the "Law of Attraction?" It is all about how what you think and feel becomes your reality! So if you sit around thinking about all the negative things in life, that is what you will feel... negative. If you focus on the positive things, you will bring more positive things into your life.

If you get a chance... check out the book or movie "The Secret," it is a simplistic look at how to attract all the things that you want into your life. Have positive thoughts, focus on all that is good and Live An Inspired Life!

Take a family photo!

This weekend we took a family photo at the tree farm while we were searching for our family Christmas tree! It was so much fun and now we have a great photo to send in the Christmas cards! We brought the camera and tripod right out into the farm and took so many great photos! These photos will be reminders of the wonderful times we had and someday, the kids will love to sit and look through them and share these memories with their loved ones!

So take out the Santa hats or antlers, dress up the kids and take a family Christmas/Holiday photo and Live An Inspired Life!

Watch a Christmas movie!

Christmas movies are awesome! Even some of my non-Christian friends enjoy watching Christmas movies because the messages are always uplifting and fun to watch! We have a tradition in my family of watching ABC Family's 25 days of Christmas... each night in December they show a Christmas movie and we all snuggle up on my bed and watch together. My personal favorite Christmas movie is the Charlie Brown Christmas. I LOVE that movie soooo much and I still cry every year when Linus gives his speech on the stage.

So tonight gather up the family, make some hot cocoa and treats, enjoy your favorite Christmas movie and Live An Inspired Life!

Blow Bubbles!

Remember how much fun it was to blow bubbles as a kid? Well it is just as much fun as an adult too!!! So stop by the store on the way home today, pick up some bubbles and go home and have a bubble fest! If you have kids or pets... they will LOVE the bubbles too! Have a blast, channel your inner child and Live An Inspired Life!

Love yourself....

If you don't love yourself, how could anyone else? Treating yourself with respect, not using negative words to describe yourself and living a healthy lifestyle are ways to love and respect yourself. Live in alignment, make choices that are in line with your beliefs and values. Live an Inspired Life and love yourself!

Remember old times......

From left: Lauretta, Heather (me), Blake, Carrie

Today I remember my best friend Blake. He left us a few years ago now and I miss him. We were friends since 9th grade, he was a wild character who filled up a room! When I think about him and other people that I have lost, I am grateful for the time that I had with them. We all pass away, but we never really leave. If you can make a home in the heart of friend or loved one, you never really die.

Time is not guaranteed so make the most of it! Enjoy each day! Live life! Love like there is no tomorrow. Do not go one single day without telling someone how you feel or that you love them. Most of all.... Live an Inspired Life, its the only life you have!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAKE!!!

Vegetarian Thanksgiving!

Today I am celebrating my VEGETARIAN Thanksgiving Day! We are about to enjoy a vegan Field Roast with potatoes, asparagus, green beans, homemade stuffing, croissants, sweet potatoes and yummy pies for dessert! Delicious! I would never tell anyone to become a vegetarian... however I will say, its not really hard to give up meat in this day and age. There are so many amazingly tasty meat alternatives! Besides all the natural fruit and veggies available, there is now a full array of meatless products like "no chicken" chicken patties and meat free meatballs! These products are delicious too! Give it a try... you just might like it and enjoy your Inspired meat free Life!

Words of affirmation!

Words of affirmation remind us of the little things we often forget... such as: life is beautiful, love everyone, I am full of peace and love, I have an abundance of time, I create my destiny or just as simple as: remember to smile! So grab a brightly colored sticky note pad and write out some happy reminders for yourself and put them everywhere today!

Post your little happy reminders and Live An Inspired Life!

Don't believe in limitations!

The only limitations we have are those we put on ourselves! You can do ANYTHING!!! I refuse to allow other people to impose limitations for my life or for my children's lives. We are all responsible for our own destiny's and choices and I believe that we can do anything in life. So don't be afraid to try something new or to allow love to come into your life! Never concern yourself with what other people think about you... their opinion of you is none of your business. All you have to do, is live a good life, love everyone and don't be afraid to try something new! Life has no limitations... and we only get one chance to live it... so go out and live YOUR Inspired Life!!!

Read a good book!

Ok- I admit that I listen to audio books rather than actually reading but either way... the book is getting read! Listening to audio books makes my commutes from NY to RI and back fly by! So today I recommend you read (or listen) to a good book! I prefer personal development or self growth books that inspire and teach. So today read a good book and enjoy your Inspired Life!!!

Here is a list of some of my favorite books:

-The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
-Fritz Perls- Gestalt Therapy: Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality
-Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power- both by Anthony Robbins
-PsychoCybernetics
-Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
-Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
-The Power of Now and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
-Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
-Kids are Worth It- Barbara Coloroso
-Three Minute Therapy
-The Shift- Dr. Wayne Dyer

Take time to enjoy the view....

There is beauty everywhere you look so today I suggest your enjoy the view! This morning as I sit in my office in this beautiful old historic building, I am taken by the color of the antique bricks and the intricate pattern of the tin ceiling, the amazing crown mouldings and the 10 foot window behind me that features a roof top nook. Everywhere you look there is beauty... you just have to find it! Go out and enjoy the beautiful view of your Inspired Life!

Thank you Thad for the Inspiration on this post and in life!

Bake a pie for a friend!

What a great way to say I was thinking about you... bake a pie for a friend! Bake a nice pie or cake or some other delicious treat for a friend today and show them how much you care. Everyone loves to receive baked good and it could really brighten a friends day. Sharing a treat is a great ice breaker too... maybe a friend you haven't talked to in a while, or someone you want to know better. Either way... share a yummy treat today and Live An Inspired Life!

Thanks Hope Coons for this delicious idea!

Exercise!!!

Exercise is GREAT for the body and mind! In my opinion, every person should get at least 30 minutes per day of exercise. This is great for your overall health and well being. What is the very best type of exercise to do??? Answer: The exercise that you WILL consistently do! Set yourself up for success by participating in exercises that you enjoy. Whether running, swimming, yoga, tai-chi or walking, do what you like and Live An Inspired healthy, fit Life!

PS... drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day!

Geocaching!

Today I am about to embark on my first geocaching expedition! How much fun to go exploring for hidden treasure that random strangers have hid all over the world! Here is a link if you want to try it too: http://www.geocaching.com/

If you are not up for a full day of geocaching, try having a treasure hunt in your own home or yard! The kids would love to have a home made treasure map that leads to some small fun prizes that you hid in the yard. Or... make a treasure map for your love that will lead them to a special romantic interlude.

Today, let your geocaching or treasure hunting lead you to An Inspired Life!

True Peace

Don't let other peoples actions or choices harden your heart, be vulnerable and forgive and you will always know true peace. -Heather Deaville

Be Happy!

Every morning when you wake, you have a choice to make, choose to be happy. Happy truly is a choice... in life, pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. Even during the hardest of times we can choose to look at the positives that come with every situation, or at least believe that something positive will come even if you don't know what it is at that moment. We all get sad, or have hard days, but we don't have to live there. Today, choose to see the beauty in tough situations, remember those we have lost fondly, focus on the positive, be grateful for all we have, remember those who love us, be kind to everyone but most of all choose happiness, choose life and always choose love.

Dedicated to my friend who lost her beautiful daughter... your in our thoughts and prayers.

Laugh at yourself!!!

OK so last night I went out grocery shopping... while walking through the store, I thought my shoes felt a little funny. When I looked down, I realized that in the dark of my room, I had put on 2 different shoes. This was a wonderful opportunity to laugh at myself! Some people might have been embarrassed and made the choice to leave the store, but I decided to own it and proudly walk through the store like it was no big deal. The truth is... it really was no big deal. I got such a laugh out of it though... so if you can imagine, the crazy lady walking around the grocery store with 2 odd shoes on and laughing my head off! Don't be so hard on yourself... laugh at yourself and live An Inspired Life!

Practice makes Perfect!!!

The picture above are some of my son Harry's drawings. He is a 12 year old art prodigy who has clients all over the country. Though he is naturally talented, he attributes his skill to "practice." As I tell my friends, clients, students and my kids... practice makes perfect. Whenever I hear someone say "I'm not good at that," I simply remind them that they just haven't practiced enough yet. If something is truly important enough to you... guitar, music, art, juggling, double dutch or whatever it might be... love it enough to practice and get good at it.

Practice really does increase your ability and it makes for a truly Inspired Life!

Coffee Hour

I love Sunday mornings! This Sunday morning, have coffee and a rousing conversation with someone special. I love sitting and sipping tea (or coffee) and sharing stories of yesteryear and the kids love to hear the stories too! Talking about life and current events while having coffee hour is definitely part of An Inspired Life!

Smile

Smile and the whole world smiles with you! Smiles are contagious, you often get one back when you give one. Smile all day today! Pass around the simple pleasure that comes from sharing a warm smile. You never know what effect it might have on someone. Someone out there might really need a caring smile today! So go out and spread sunshine with your perfect smiling face and live An Inspired Life!

Be Spontaneous!!!

Spontaneity is the quality of being able to do something just because you feel like it at the moment, of trusting your instincts, of taking yourself by surprise and snatching from the clutches of your well-organized routine a bit of unscheduled pleasure!

Do something spontaneous today! Meet someone for a surprise lunch, or take a different route to work, randomly compliment a stranger or just go treat yourself to a movie during the day and for no reason! Spontaneity can awaken your creative side fill your need for variety and just make life more fun! So be creative and live in the moment today and enjoy An Inspired Life!

Thank you Sharleena for the inspiration!

Go to a concert!

I love concerts! Last night I went to see Michael Franti and Spearhead (shown above) with Thad. IT WAS AWESOME!!! Concerts are such a sensory experience... great for the soul! You can feel the pounding beat of the drums, revel in the energy of thousands of people, dance in the aisles with strobes flashing all around and bond with others. Music moves your body and your spirit! Plan a concert today... rock, reggae, soul, pop, classical... no matter what style you prefer, have fun and Live An Inspired Life!

Inspiration

Find inspiration everywhere!

Frequently Unleash Nonsense....

It takes no extra time at all to enjoy what you are doing so have some FUN! Frequently Unleashing Nonsense means have FUN wherever you are. The other night I went to Walmart with my boyfriend and we had a blast! We had to go and get some shopping done but we made the visit a blast by playing shopping cart basketball (one person throws items, the other person catches them in the cart) or by riding the shopping cart, or by chatting with other shoppers! We actually had a store employee cracking up because our laughter was contagious, we had a deaf shopper cheering for us with arms in the air when we would "sink a shot into the basket" and the cashier stated he was jealous of our "love."

So whether you are at Walmart or at school picking up the kids, or at work, no matter where you are, have some FUN... it wont cost you a thing and it wont take any extra time. Find a way to unleash some nonsense and live An Inspired Life!!!

Pick a theme song....

Everyone should have a theme song for their life! Personally I like "I believe" by Blessed Union of Souls. The song lyrics really speak to my heart because I truly believe that LOVE is the answer to all. Do you have a song that really speaks to you? Or a song that just melts your heart? Or maybe a song that inspires you? Find your song... play it often and live up to the lyrics! If a song resonates with you, it means you are connecting on a deeper level, not just to the song, but to the ideas and feelings and concepts in the lyrics. So today choose a theme song for your Inspired Life!

PS: Here is a youtube link to my theme song: I BELIEVE

True Love

"True love is by nature unconditional; Love based on conditions is not love, it's fear."

Find an old friend...

Social networking is so much fun! My bff when I was in elementary school in Germany found me on facebook a few months back. I ALWAYS wondered where she ended up and how she was doing and now with facebook, twitter and classmates.com to name a few... we can keep in touch with old friends and make new friends along the way! So today, look up an old classmate, a past love, a person who was really nice to you in 3rd grade or anyone that you sit around and wonder "what ever happened to so and so?" Touch base with old friends, say hello to new friends and live An Inspired Life!

Determination...

My friend Diane Dengall painted this picture of my children.... With her fingers and bits of rolled up toilet paper. When Diane was young, her family could not afford to buy her paint brushes but her desire to paint was stronger than her circumstances. She taught herself to paint with her fingers and grew into a very celebrated artist who has done paintings for Oprah and Mr Rogers among others. The moral of the story is that nothing should hold you back. Determination is an amazing quality and will get you far in life.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pizza & Movie Night

In our house Friday is pizza and a movie night! We all look forward to it... it means a night where I don't have to cook dinner and we all get to sit around and relax and spend time together. If you don't have kids, plan a Friday night in with your Sweetie, you can snuggle up on the couch and zone out to some Hollywood entertainment! Have a fun pizza and movie night and enjoy your Inspired Life!

Maybe

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.

*** This is one of my favorite stories! It demonstrates that situations are not good or bad, they just are. Often something that seems really bad happens but a blessing comes out of it. If you can learn to find the blessing in all things, even those that seem "bad" you will truly be living An Inspired Life! ***

Create your destiny today.......

Wow! Did you know that the REST of your entire life is UNWRITTEN!!! That means you can create it to be whatever you want!!! Who says we have to be locked into something we chose 5 years ago? Or why shouldn't we try something new? A new career, a new baby, a new love, a new home, a new life... whatever you create, make it amazing!

Life is what you create! Start creating a new destiny today and live An Inpsired Life!!!

PS... Remember, love is always the answer!

Meditate......

Wow! Nothing is more refreshing than meditation! I love to meditate and lately I have been meditating solely on LOVE. If you have never meditated before... it is easy! Here is a very simple technique: Sit in a quiet room in a comfortable position, the idea of meditation is to clear your mind but many people have trouble doing that in the beginning. Instead of trying to clear your mind, just use a mantra to recite such as: I am filled with an abundance of love and my life is beautiful! Your mind might wander from time to time but don't worry about it, just get back to the mantra.

Meditate however long you feel comfortable, I usually do 20 minutes, but you can start with 5 and work your way up. You will feel so relaxed and refreshed after meditating and you will surely live An Inspired Life!

Share your LOVE story!

What is your story? How did you meet the love of your life? When was your first kiss? Sharing your story is so important! Kids love to hear how mom and dad met and can really benefit from knowing how to grow a healthy relationship. Tell your kids (and whomever else will listen) about how you met and fell in love, about your special romantic places or the things you love doing together. Everybody should have an example of what love truly looks like so if you are lucky enough to have found it, share it! Kids learn primarily from example so model a good and healthy relationship, share your love story and live An Inspired passion filled loving Life!

PS... when you model love at all times... people tend to catch on and mimic the behavior and then Everybody Loves Everybody!