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!