Love... CHOOSE WISELY!

Love has no conditions attached. You either make the decision to love someone or you don't. Do not attach conditions in which you would stop loving the other person, if you do, it's not a full and complete dedication to one another. With that said, when you are in the dating process and looking for a life partner, beware of "buts, if only and I can deal with it."

If you are saying any of these types of phrases, I want you to run in the other direction:

"He is really sweet and he loves me but I wish he would stop looking at other women."
"She's not always like that... you just met her on a bad day, next time will be better."
"He will stop drinking when we get married."
"I know he doesn't mean all the things he says, he can't help it, he had a bad childhood."
"She only does drugs on the weekend, she still works and takes care of her kids, she is fully functional most of the time."
"He is almost perfect, if only he would get a job and take care of himself better."
"He can't leave his wife right now, it's bad timing, but he will." 

Gosh, I could go on with these forever! It never ceases to amaze me the things people will tolerate in another person until they are together and then they complain about that very thing. Set a standard for what is acceptable to you and stick to it. That is not being "picky," that is having enough self esteem to know what you want and finding someone who will treat you the way you deserve. Remember, WE teach people how to treat us, WE show people what we will tolerate and WE set our own standards for what is acceptable in our lives. Choose carefully!

So today, if you are in a questionable relationship, get out, raise your standards, NEVER settle for abuse, find a love without conditions and Live Inspired Now!

Single people: Want more information on how to attract the perfect love?
Married people: Want more information on how to make your relationship way better?
Parents: Want more information on how to parent together and not let stress interfere with your relationship?

Contact Heather Today!

Step back, take some time...

Take time to react to stressful things. During a moment of chaos, stress, fear or anger, it is difficult to see the entire picture clearly. It is important to put off reacting if you can't react effectively. It took me a long time in my life to learn this one. Don't react immediately because things are often much more clear when your emotions have calmed. Not every frustrating situation is fight or flight, we most often have the option to step back from the situation, put our attention else where until we have time to cool down and come back to the situation later with a clear head. So today, don't react impulsively, take time to calm down and contemplate things, make more clear decisions and Live Inspired Now!

Dump the naysayers...

Get rid of people in your life that are constantly telling you that you cannot accomplish something. When you are INSPIRED and you are moving toward your purpose, sometimes people will try to derail you but you can't let them. Whether you are running for office, starting a new business, trying to change something or breaking a bad habit, no matter what it is, avoid people who say it can't be done! Instead, find other people that have accomplished the same goal or similar and make friends! Surround yourself with other people who have the same ambition and are like minded and you will not believe the momentum you can get! Stay positive, stay focused, dump the naysayers and Live Inspired Now!

Laugh with strangers...

Thad and I were at the eye doctor this morning and a older woman came in who kept laughing. She was clearly happy and having a good time waiting to see the eye doctor. Her boisterous laugh filled the waiting room and I just decided to laugh right along with her. I have no clue what she was laughing about but it was pretty funny. Because I was laughing, Thad started giggling too.
I couldn't really see the other patients, so I don't know if they were giggling or enjoying the woman's laugh but personally I think the laughter was pretty entertaining! So today, when someone else is laughing and enjoying themselves, just join in! Who cares what people think, laughing is fun... join the fun and Live Inspired Now!

REACH OUT!

We all need support or help sometimes, do not be afraid to reach out to people. Most people want to care or want an opportunity to help but it is our responsibility to allow them! If you are feeling lonely, tired, down in the dumps, reach out to someone and allow them to be kind to you. I see people who always seem down but who also push help away. If they would accept that people care about them, they might find themselves in a better place! Don't be afraid to call a professional either. Coaches like myself don't get paid to care, we do that part for free. We do get paid however to empower, excite and inspire people and if you are feeling like you need some support, reach out to a coach! You will be glad you did when your life is turned around, when you see the positive in everything, when love and passion are the forefront of each day. So today, reach out.... to a friend, a co-worker, a new person or a coach, change your life and Live Inspired Life!

YOU create your beauty...

Want to look prettier? Want to feel absolutely stunning? Want to turn heads with your beauty? Want to have many friends and be surrounded by people who really care about you? Who wouldn't right? It is simple, worry less about make-up, clothes and the latest trends and focus on what you can give to the world. Kindness is the most beautiful thing you can wear and thinking of others is the most attractive thing you can do. Be kind and considerate, never talk badly about people, do not judge, put others needs first, offer to help someone, be nice to or stand up for someone who gets picked on, start a kindness campaign and vow to be compassionate to everyone you meet.... THIS will make you more beautiful! BE the type of person you wish you had around you. BE the person that people look up to. BE the compassionate friend that everyone counts on. BE the one who sets a standard for kindness and generosity. BE beautiful and Live Inspired Now.

"Like happiness, beauty is a choice, not a result. It comes from an inner desire to put others first, to never judge and to offer kindness even when it doesn't come easy. You can choose to be beautiful and that choice shines through for the world to love."

What to do when sick in bed list....

While I was home with my sick daughter last week, I caught her cold and thus this week I am home with a sick me. I do tend to push it and not let myself rest when I get sick but not this time! This time I promised my husband I would get plenty of rest and not work. Knowing that I would need SOMETHING to do though, I created a "What to do when you are sick" list! There are so many tedious little things we never get to, they are perfect activities when sick because they require little energy, you can do them from bed and are super useful to have completed! Can you think of any more to add?

• Update your address book
• Make list of Christmas present ideas
• Re-arrange/organize your apps on your iPhone
• Organize computer files in your laptop
• Upload digital photos
• Respond to emails
• Meditate
• Go through the mile high pile of paperwork
• Online marketing if you are self employed
• Finally read all those books you couldn't wait to read
• Organize iTunes and create play lists
• Read this blog... all the way to the beginning and Live Inspired Now! ;)

Take a painting class...

I had my first art class yesterday and it was really fun! We are working in acrylics and painting a farm scene with a red barn and a horse grazing in a field. I thought it was going to be really difficult since I have only painted one other time but that was in oil paints and following a Bob Ross video guide. It was pretty easy though and in the first day I already drew the image, primed the canvas and started to put color on! I will post the finished product here in a few weeks... even if it's ugly! lol.
So today, I would encourage everyone to try an art class. Every town has local artists and many of them offer classes at reasonable prices. Take a class, find your creative outlet and Live Inspired Now!

Crappy day? Start again....

Did you have a bad start to your day? Start again! Sometimes we just wake up on the wrong side of the bed, but you have the option to start again. Take a deep breath, let go of the missed bus, torn stocking, lack of coffee, dog pee on the floor and tell it all to STOP! Then, smile, tell yourself that from this point forward things will go your way and start again! Our days aren't just happening to us, we are fully participating and we have the power to start new at any time. So today, or any day that starts on the wrong foot, start again, make it better and Live Inspired Now!

Less talk more DOING.....

Do you know someone who is always talking about problems, about what needs to be done, about homelessness, poverty, civil rights, drug problems, politics, etc.... but never does anything? Ugh! This is one of my biggest pet peeves, STOP talking about the problem and START doing something! If you see a homeless person who is hungry, don't go and tell 20 people about it, then post about it on your facebook, then write a letter... just bring the guy a sandwich and an apple! Help a single mom find a job by scanning online postings and offer to babysit during the interview. Hold a blanket and coat drive and deliver them to the homeless in your town. Invite people to dinner that don't have family to eat with. Visit the elderly at a retirement home, they love to have people listen. Join big brothers, big sisters or mentor a child. Send Christmas presents to a struggling parent. Be polite and friendly to other people in a store or on the street. Pay for the coffee of the guy in line behind you.
There are SOOOO many ways in which you can DO instead of talking about the problem. Yes, Thad and I have done all the things I mentioned and many many more things and we will always do things to serve our fellow humans. So today, stop talking about the problems of the world and think about what you can DO to make a difference and Live Inspired Now!

Let go of the fight...

Surrender. Give up. Let it go. Sometimes, this is the best way. Sometimes, it is just not a battle that can be won and once you let go and stop fighting, the problem seems to fade into the background and sometimes it just leaves all together. You can never solve a problem by continuing to focus on it. Look at all the wars that were waged and STILL have not solved the problem. The war on drugs, the war on crime, the war on homelessness, etc. We still have kids on drugs, crime happening and homeless people. We need to focus on solutions, not the problem, the more attention we give to the "war" the worse it will get. Let go of the "fight" and focus on solutions with positive energy. If you are "fighting" or at "war" with something, you are putting your energy toward prolonging it rather than eradicating the problem. So today, let go, step up with a positive outlook and solutions based action and Live Inspired Now!

Push the limits...

Have you ever pushed the limits? Is there a situation in your life now that you need to push the limits of? Sometimes we need to push to get what we want, to change something that is wrong or sometimes to make a difference! If you are facing a challenge, do not be afraid to push the limits, you can be a trend setter, you don't have to just go along with things because that is what everyone else does. So today, think about a system that needs change or a challenge in your life that you might want to push the limits of and Live Inspired Now!

The good life.....

A good life does not mean an easy life. Life takes effort but it is worth it! Go out today and make an effort, do something difficult, challenge yourself and Live Inspired Now!

Spirit Week...

The teens in my house are participating in "Spirit Week" this week at school. This got me thinking about getting into the spirit for other things; work, family, your business or even life in general. We could all use a little more pep! So today and all week, get excited about your endeavors, wear a shirt in support of your charity, bring the boss in some homemade cookies or cheer the kids out the door to school! Get excited, show your spirit and Live Inspired Now!!!

Be ready for excellence....

Recently I was listening to a speaker who told a story of missing an opportunity. He was approached by a national publication that wanted to interview him about his business. He said he would get back to them shortly and when he finally did respond, he told them that he was not prepared to give an interview. He missed a huge chance to bring attention to his business that could have resulted in more funding and additional opportunities.
Never miss an opportunity to be excellent! The best way to gain confidence is to be prepared, know your stuff, practice, practice, practice and smile! Whatever your business is, have a few lines memorized that describe it in a simple way that everyone can understand. Then, if someone catches you off guard, you are still prepared! So today, think about what you do, be prepared so you never miss the chance to be excellent and Live Inspired Now!

Dish to pass...

So my youngest daughter Carrie and her girlfriends started a band and I thought... what a great excuse for a dish to pass (potluck) dinner! I invited her band mates and parents over for this coming Saturday and we will all enjoy a lovely dinner together. (You all know that eating is my favorite hobby, so any excuse is a good one to have a dinner party!) Everyone will bring a dish to share with others and I think I will make lasagna. Have a potluck dinner for no reason, or use any excuse/reason you want but invite over the friends, enjoy the feast and Live Inspired Now!

Great thinkers...

The greatest minds in the history of the world knew that we have the power within us to change the world, we have the power to rise above our circumstances and we have the power to negate what’s wrong in the world. Not by fighting it, but by focusing on what is right in the world. Today, focus on the things that are good, kind, beautiful, helpful or inspiring and Live Inspired Now!

Warm the kitchen, warm the hearts...

Here in Upstate, NY it has started to get cooler. We have cold nights and mornings now, which I LOVE because it means Fall is nearly here! (My FAVORITE season!!) Last night when I got home, I baked TONS of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies which warmed up the kitchen and made the house smell delicious! The kids were all excited about homemade cookies for dessert and it felt great to bake again. (I don't bake in the Summer, too hot!) So today, warm the hearts in your home with some fresh baked goods and Live Inspired Now!

Say what you mean.......

When you speak, say what you mean. Don't tip toe around things, don't be passive aggressive, if you have something to say, just say it! Also, avoid backhanded compliments, they don't make people feel good, if you going to compliment, just pay the compliment without throwing in a negation. People like people who say what they mean and mean what they say! Kids especially need the "mean what you say" part. If you tell them there will be consequences for a certain behavior, be sure to follow through so they will know you mean what you say. So today, listen to what you are saying, be clear and follow through and Live Inspired Now!

Compliment a total stranger

You never know what another person is feeling or experiencing. When we offer kindness to someone, it might completely alter their day. They might turn their attitude around, they might get a renewed sense of life, they may re-pay the kindness or it just might make them smile! So today, compliment a complete stranger, offer them kindness without expecting to gain anything and Live Inspired Now!

Accountability to whom???

Who are you accountable to? Do you hold your accountability to yourself or to others in higher regard? For me personally, I care more about what I have promised for others. For example, yesterday I went to the Dirty Girl Mud Run again with several friends. I have done it before but none of them had so I felt a personal responsibility to help everyone else make it through the course. It was pouring rain, then hailing before we even started the run! We were soaked and freezing cold and still had this 5K to run with muddy obstacles! Again, I had already done this before so in my head I was ready to dry off, pack up and go home to relax but I knew my friends had not had the experience yet so I said "we got this girls, let's go, we are here... what is a little rain when we are such awesome women!" Then we got on the shuttle and went to the run and we all completed it with the other 8000+ women there!
So for me, if I know that other people are counting on me, or I can be a good example, I will not let them down. Who are you accountable to and would you do better in things if you made yourself accountable to other people? Today, think about how you can be accountable to motivate yourself or to inspire others and Live Inspired Now!

TGIF...

It's FRIDAY and I am super excited about it! Friday's are reserved for the "casual Friday" dress code, TGIF excitement and gathering to discuss weekend plans! Fridays can be so much fun. Isn't it cool how a very good portion of the entire country gets excited about a day? We can all celebrate together! So today, dress casually, smile brightly, engage in Friday frivolity and Live Inspired Now!

Synchronicity

Do you hear the same song on the radio every time you get in the car? Do you have the same song stuck in your head? I have heard it said that the Universe sends you messages in everything... songs heard over and over, a sign you see again and again or even numbers that keep appearing (11:11.) It is called synchronicity.
Today, listen intently at the songs you are hearing repeatedly, what are the lyrics? Are they telling you something or do you feel particularly aligned with the meaning? Maybe the lyrics are suggesting you need to make a change or maybe they just remind you of a really great time in life? Let me know what you learning from the music playing in your life and Live Inspired Now!

PS: I feel aligned with the song Wide Awake by Katy Perry. It totally makes me think of a time years ago when I "woke up" and stepped into my new life.

Escape to your mind....

Your mind is an easy place to escape to! Give yourself some time to escape, think about a fun vacation, get lost in a romantic memory or recall that time you felt really confident. Set an alarm on your phone to snap you out of it so you don't spend more time than you have, then enjoy the brief respite. When the boss is cranky or the kids are whining, set sail on a little mind excursion to escape for a little while, enjoy the break and Live Inspired Now!

Family Pep Rally

Summer has come to a close.... time to get the family all pumped up and ready to start a new school year! Soon the leaves will be changing, the pumpkins will be getting big, the weather will finally cool off ( I'm not a Summer person) and we can start planning farm visits and holidays! OK, I admit... Fall is my season so I am pretty excited! So today, get the kids all geared up for an exciting new year. Talk about some upcoming things you can do in the new Fall season, give everyone reasons to be excited and Live Inspired Now!

Comfort vs Happiness

I often hear people remark "this or that would make me happy" but will it really make you happy or will it provide comfort? Things do not make us happy, shopping does not make us happy, food does not make us happy, even people do not make us happy. These things do provide comfort though. I catch myself saying it sometimes too. The other day I said "A chocolate brownie would make me so happy." I quickly retorted with "No, it will not make me happy, I am already happy, but it will provide some comfort right now to my sweet tooth!"
We all know how powerful words are and people talk themselves into believing that they need things to make them happy because they are using the wrong words. Using the right words can help us remember that we ARE happy but as humans we also love to enjoy comforts. So today, use the proper words, don't give happiness credit to things that are just providing comfort, choose happiness and Live Inspired Now!

Vacation from Vacation!

We got home last night from our vacation; we had an amazing time with the entire family down on the beach in Outer Banks, North Carolina! Now that I am home, I realize I need a vacation from the vacation! lol. We had so much fun and did so many things that today, I plan to spend the entire day in rest. A day to reflect and enjoy all the memories of the past week. To think about the interesting conversations that I had with family. To smile and wonder how that kite didn't launch me right off the beach! So many fond moments and I just want to spend the day in quiet gratitude and reflection! So today, or soon... take a vacation from your vacation, spend the day reflecting on your family vacation or your summer fun and Live Inspired Now!