Men; Don't be afraid to be strong...

Men, start paying attention to your lady, that is what she wants more than anything! Women want to feel like they are the most important person in your life, they want you to be fully present. That means, not watching television while they are telling you about their day, and yes, they may tell you every last detail right down to the ugly boots the woman at the store had on. It may be completely irrelevant information but be thankful that she wants to share with you. Just let her talk and express herself, don't try to correct her or fix any of it unless she asks, she just needs to get the words out.
Also, when a woman is "emotional," that is when you need to be present even more! Stand strong through her storm and show her that you are an immovable force that she can count on. Women like to know that their men are strong enough to handle it and won't run away. Take your woman in your arms and hold her, just let her cry and rant and quietly hold her. Women like to test their men and his strength, don't be afraid to push back, don't let her emasculate you. Stand up and take action, don't be afraid to assert yourself in a way that will make your lady understand how you feel. You have to be strong enough and allow her to be vulnerable. If she is "taking care of everything and everyone" she will never feel taken care of herself. Take out the garbage, drive the car, open her doors, carry the heavy stuff, buy the saw blades and when she tries to do it, don't let her! Tell her that you are her man and you need to do certain things so you can take care of her! (Of course the specific things are different for every couple, but you get the idea.) Just man up, take care of your woman, pay attention to her, make her feel like your queen, truly listen to her, do the man jobs, bring her flowers, be strong and immovable, communicate openly and Live Inspired Now!

Ladies; you are not equal to men...

Ladies, stop trying to prove to your men how strong you are, you might render them useless! I get this from so many couples, the woman is upset because the man has become emasculated. Ladies, you need to allow your men to be men. You are not in competition, you are in a relationship. Every relationship has roles that need to be filled, don't try to fill your mans role.
Men and women are NOT equal. Yes, we deserve equal human rights, but we are far from equal. (Again, we deserve equal human rights, no one is less valuable than another.) Allow your man to do things for you; let them carry the heavy bags instead of saying "I can do it, I can do it!" Yes, you CAN do it, but he wants to help you, that is an act of kindness it doesn't take away from your strength. Also remember, our men are our partners, not our children. If they leave their socks on the floor, so what? Either pick them up or ignore them.... do you want a clean bedroom or a happy husband? Seriously, people make big things out of little ones and that is what causes frustration. When you "scold" him about the socks, it puts you in a parental role and then it becomes harder for him to act like a man. A man doesn't want to ravage your body and treat you like a woman if you act like his mom.
I know all this sounds harsh, and I will address the men tomorrow but for today, it's all about us ladies. Treat your man like a king and he will make your his queen and there is nothing wrong with being the queen! Embrace your feminine essence and let the man express his masculinity. Don't turn him into your girlfriend, because you rob him of his role as man, husband, mate, protector, bag carrier, door holder, knight in shining armor, ravager, lover, partner and so much more. Most men want nothing more than to please their women and see them smile, smile at your man, thank him for wanting to take care of you and Live Inspired Now!

Get to know your mate...

Thad and I listen to the radio while getting ready for work each day and we enjoy the random facts that they report. Today they were reporting on what percentage of men don't know this and that about their women. 12% of men didn't know their woman birthday and an even higher percentages didn't know their sizes, favorite stores and even their cell phone number. Yikes! No wonder there is such a high divorce rate! Get to know your partner! Show them that you are interested in them, take notice of the things they like or do. Be present for your partner, when they are talking, truly listen, notice their expressions and don't do anything that could distract you. (You can't be fully present for your partner while watching television or emailing a co-worker.) Let your partner know how much you appreciate what they do and that you notice even the simple things. If your partners co-workers or close friends know more about them than you do, there is a problem. Make sure to let your partner know they are the most important person in your world. Get to know them better, learn the basic facts as well as their nuances, show them how interested you are and Live Inspired Now!

Alone is not so bad...

What is worse than being alone? Being with people who make you feel alone. Choose well, listen to your inner voice, don't go along with things you know to be wrong or that don't feel right just because you don't want to be alone. Being with someone who treats your poorly, ignores you or makes you feel very lonely is not a good relationship! Don't settle, hang in there and value yourself enough to find a quality relationship based on truth, friendship, mutual appreciation and respect, trust, kindness and putting one another first. (This goes for friendships too, not just romantic relationships.) Today, set a new standard for your life and relationship, don't spend time with people who make you feel completely alone and Live Inspired Now.

Be genuine to who YOU are...

I was talking to my daughter Carrie yesterday and she was describing her demeanor at school. She said she is friends with this group and that group, she isn't afraid to wear what she wants, she is nice to everyone and she is not afraid to give her opinion (respectfully) even when the teacher disagrees. I was proud and asked her if she knew what all this meant. She wasn't sure so I smiled and proclaimed her to be a "leader!" I explained that her genuine concern for others, fearless approach to style and her willingness to be open minded makes her a natural leader! She was pretty excited and then explained how her closest friends were also leaders too! I told her to always be genuine to who she is. I told her that being a leader meant not letting other people "dare" you into doing things, following your own style not trends, being brave, standing up for what is right, having a quiet confidence and never letting anyone stand in the way of your dreams, goals or purpose!
Be genuine to who YOU are, don't let others dictate what you wear, who you see or what you say, be true to the real you and Live Inspired Now!

Getting ready for Christmas...

Today is "decorate for Christmas day" in our house! We are heading over to the barn to pick up our Christmas totes, then home to put up the tree and get ready for my favorite holiday! The Christmas music is playing, the house smells like cinnamon and we are all excited to get the house ready! In years past, I have always put the tree up well before Thanksgiving to stretch out the fun but this year I have been so busy that it is now "late" for me! lol. My late best friend and I used to compete to see who would put the tree up first! (I always won!)
Today, if you celebrate Christmas, get the house ready, put up the tree, play Christmas music, sip hot chocolate, have fun with loved ones and Live Inspired Now!

Alternative gifts.....

The "Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau" board that I serve on has a table at this years alternative gift fair here in Ithaca, NY. I had never heard of an alternative gift fair until this year but what an awesome idea! The concept is that you go and make donations and you get a card to give to someone to show that you made a donation in their name as a gift. What a great idea! I think it is nicer than exchanging gift cards, or evenly exchanging money. My parents always give us a gift card each year and we always give them one for the same amount to a different store. Rather than exchanging money, why not donate in someones name! Many of us don't really need or even want anything for Christmas so why not donate to a person, program or non-profit and let that gift serve someone less fortunate. Even if you don't have an alternative gift fair in your area, you can still donate in other peoples names! Check out your favorite charity, many of them will send a nice card to the person who's name the donation was made in. So today.... "black Friday," think outside the gift-box, give a gift that helps others and Live Inspired Now!

Ithaca area friends, stop by and say hello at the gift fair: http://www.ithacaaltgiftfair.org/

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

I am so excited! I LOVE Thanksgiving; I love sharing the day with friends and family, I love yummy vegetarian food (yep, we eat tofurky instead of turkey. lol), I love pumpkin pies, I love playing Christmas music, I love the smell of my house, I love the kids running around and driving me crazy, I love all the texts, emails, facebook messages and tweets with Happy Thanksgiving messages, I love knowing that much of our country is celebrating together, visiting family and taking a day to remember all we have to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy the day, eat too much, tell your family you love them and Live Inspired Now!!!

Remember your elderly friends...

I'm at the barber shop with my boys getting their hair cut for Thanksgiving. (Posting this from my iPhone today) There is an elderly man in the barbers chair just smiling so bright... He is delighted to be here. From what I can tell, he seems very happy to just be out. His son and daughter in law brought him here, they have to help him because he's on a walker. This man looks like he just won the lottery! How sweet it is to see someone so happy and appreciative to get something so small. Today, remember your elderly people... Grandparents, parents, neighbors or friends. Our elderly people who can't get out by themselves count on us to remember them! So visit an elderly person, show them you care and Live Inspired Now! 

Holiday Mail For Heros

We are sending cards again to our military men and women to show our appreciation and support! I love making homemade cards and sending them to service members. Watch the video and you can see how much they appreciate getting them! Get the kids involved too! Some of the soldiers say they love the kids cards the best! The Red Cross does have a few card guidelines which I have posted below. So today, gather the entire family, make some cards together (purchased cards are good also) to show your love and support for our military and Live Inspired Now! (Video link: http://youtu.be/HPD1quy5mIw)

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country. Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

-Ensure that all cards are signed.
-Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.”  Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
-Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.
-Do not include email or home addresses on the cards: the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
-Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos: these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
-Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
-If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

The deadline for having cards to the P.O. Box is Friday, December 7th.
Holiday cards received after this date cannot be guaranteed delivery.

LOCAL ITHACA NY AREA FRIENDS: I will be mailing out a box of cards, feel free to get them to me by this date and I will include them with mine so you don't have to pay for postage!

Set an extra place......

Wooooo! It is Thanksgiving week here in the USA! As tradition would have it; most of us will gather together on Thursday and share in a huge meal, watch football and enjoy time with family and friends! This week, invite someone to share that day with you; a military person stationed away from family, a single person who may not want to cook for one person, an elderly person or anyone you think could benefit from sharing a meal and good company! Open your home, share your food, give thanks for all that you have and Live Inspired Now!

(I will be posting the address to send holiday cards to our military people in tomorrows post! Get those cards ready, our troops need to know that we appreciate them!)

Breaking Dawn day!!!

Today my daughter Mattie and I are going to see the latest movie in the Twilight saga... Breaking Dawn part 2. We have seen all the others and I have read all of the books too. We love the movie but whats more is that I love going to see it with her. We get so excited, we have planned for it since the last movie and we get to talk about our Vampire fever for weeks! (Yes, we are on Team Edward! lol) Even if you are not a fan of Twilight, there are many movie and book series that have come out that you can share in with your kids or someone close. (I also highly recommend Harry Potter which is my favorite!) So today, pick out a series to share with someone, watch the movies together and make a day of it and Live Inspired Now!

Say it with authority...

Don't be meek, say what you mean and mean it! People often have a hard time being clear and asserting themselves. Try it out in the car when you are alone if you have to. Pick a phrase that you have had to say in the past, something that you were meek about and try saying it with authority! People will not feel confident about what you are saying if you are timid, so convey your thoughts with authority. Whether you are teaching a workshop, applying for a job, speaking with a client, or talking with friends or colleagues, speak with authority! Try it today, practice your authoritative voice, have fun with it and you will build up your confidence; try it today and Live Inspired Now!

Be present for your partner.....

Last night was the relationship teleconference! We had people from all over the US and out of the country too! While I was on the phone teaching the workshop, Thad came in and placed a bouquet of flowers on my mantle, it was so sweet! After that, he stayed and did some work and quietly listened in. He would glance up at me from time to time as I paced the floor back and forth, passionately speaking to my listeners. After the conference, Thad said that he was glad he listened in because he got some reminders! I certainly don't think he needs any, but was glad he enjoyed it.
Well this morning, when we were kissing and saying our goodbyes before he left for work, Thad took me in his arms, pulled me in close and just stared into my eyes. He was so present, so completely there, he melted me! Then off to work he went! lol. In that 45 seconds he stared into my eyes, he owned me. It was so awesome!! Maybe that was the refresher he picked up for my workshop? Today, be completely present for your partner. Even if only for a magic moment or two, but be there. Without distraction, without phones, kids, dogs, work or whatever, just be there 1000% Try this with your partner, give them your full, un-distractable attention, get really connected and Live Inspired Now!

No room for anger...

Anger kills passion, it kills joy and it kills relationships. There is no room for anger in a healthy relationship. That is not to say you won't get angry sometimes, but do not let resentment toward your partner build into anger. I have been speaking all week about effective communication with people, about how couples should be talking, expressing their feelings and emotions. When you let the little things go un-said, they build up into things you eventually resent. "I don't like they way he responds to my text messages" becomes "I hate him, he doesn't care about me at all!" Talk to one another, allow your partner the luxury of being able to express themselves without you taking offense or feeling attacked. If you can tell each other how you feel while the other just listens and refuses to take it personally, you will have a long lasting relationship. Good communication is vital, it makes you feel safe with your partner, it allows you to get things out, it makes you feel appreciated and heard, it creates intimacy and creates a strong bond as a couple. So today, talk to your partner, do not allow resentment or anger to creep into your relationship and Live Inspired Now!

WORLDWIDE RELATIONSHIP TELECONFERENCE TONIGHT AT 7:00PM EASTERN USA. Even if you cannot make it at that time, if you register, you will receive a link to listen to the conference at a time that is better for you! REGISTER HERE: http://www.liveinspirednow.com/workshops.html

The Christmas Box.....

For those of you who celebrate it, Christmas is only 41 days away! Yay! Time to get organized! I have a Christmas box that I keep all my things in. It has a notebook for lists, receipts, handmade Christmas cards from years past and lots of ideas that I have about what to buy, make or do for Christmas. My box is looking a little beat up this year so I think I will have to spruce it up with some new decorations. Last night we had our first Christmas meeting, Carrie is in charge of finding out what the kids in our family would like; gift ideas. Mattie and Harry are in charge of coming up with creative ornament ideas that we can make. We all have or will have a fun task to make Christmas a special family event! Each year we make handmade gifts for one another, the kids LOVE doing that and personally, I love getting gifts that are handmade! Remember, Christmas is more about your presence than your presents! Time spent is more valuable than money spent! So today, start to organize your Christmas, get everyone involved to make it more fun and Live Inspired Now!

I have no limits!

The other night I strained my injured shoulder and Thad said "Be careful, you have to know your limits!" To which I loudly stated "I HAVE NO LIMITS!" lol. It was pretty funny but the thought is true. We have NO limits. We can say we do, we can make excuses, we can place limits on what we think we can or can't do but the fact remains... for every one of us, we have no limits! There are people with no arms and legs surfing, there are blind people playing instruments, there are autistic people revolutionizing math and science, there are poor people who rise above circumstances and become wealthy. The only thing they have that others don't is the belief that they have no limits! Attitude is EVERYTHING my friends! Check out your attitude today. Are you living in lack, expecting the worst and making excuses as to why you can't have, do or be? Or are you living in abundance, ready to take risks, push yourself through, get what you want and laugh at limits with an attitude of gratitude? No matter what your circumstances are, it is your choice... limits and excuses or limitless and happy! Drop the excuses, get rid of limits, love life and Live Inspired Now!

Through someone else's eyes...

These are my daughter Madison's eyes. She is so beautiful! She posted this picture on facebook and I got all verklempt and weepy. Those are MY eyes too... only hers are brighter and younger. My daughter will be 18 in just over a week; I can't believe it, it seems like it was just yesterday. Madison has turned into a beautiful young woman and I am grateful that I have taught her to see things through not only her eyes but through others. She takes time to notice how other people are feeling, she is very empathic and cares about her friends deeply. Teach your kids to view the world from different angles, to appreciate other people and their views and to respect the needs of others. Look in their eyes and see if you can see some of yourself, tell them how much you love them and Live Inspired Now!

The grand reveal...

Several weeks ago I posted about starting a painting class.... the picture above is my painting! Every Saturday I have been going to my class for 2 hours and painting the next layer. In the beginning, I couldn't really see how it was going to all come together but sure enough it did! I noticed as the weeks went by, 2 hours on Saturdays wasn't enough, I had caught the painting bug. I started doing some smaller, less challenging paintings on my own at home. I found it to be fun but also relaxing. I think I am hooked! I think for my first real painting, it's pretty good! So today, try something new and Live Inspired Now!

Get extra help...

Today I enrolled 2 of our kids in Kumon. Kumon is a center that provides extra help in math and reading for kids of all levels and ages. One of my kids was super excited about it, the other kid was not super excited but totally understood the benefit and looks forward to getting on track with math. If your child is having difficulties in school, find them some help. Even if you don't go to a formal education center, you can find a tutor or even a high school student to help. There are limitless possibilities for getting a child help and getting them on track for a successful and happy future. Most of you know how I feel about school, I am not a fan of traditional education at all but until we have another system in place, we need to make the most of what we have. I want my kids to be able to feel successful and master the skills they need to move forward. Only we as parents can teach our kids self advocacy, self esteem and personal growth, one way of doing this is through enrichment programs that allow them to feel successful. My kids totally rock, I am super proud of them. Not because they get good grades or excel at school but because they are creative and kind, loving and helpful, respectful and motivated and they make the most out of life! So today, if needed, get your kids some extra help, encourage them to be happy, healthy and proactive in their own personal development and Live Inspired Now!

Try a holistic approach...

After months of pain in my shoulder, I finally decided to go get some help for it. I don't go to doctors if I can help it so I decided to try a physical therapist and massage therapy and call my Shaklee rep Jeff (Jeff Whittaker on fb) for a natural anti-inflammatory supplement. I went to my first appointment with my PT Lance; turned out that I had rotator cuff tendinitis and he showed me the exercises to do that would help. Then, I went to my massage therapist and she really worked my arm and shoulder area out. After my massage, the inflammation went down immediately and it felt so much better! I have been going to therapy now for several weeks and I am just about healed!
I had to bring my kids in for immunization shots before school and while there I inquired about my painful shoulder. The doctor said I should make an appointment immediately and he would send me for an MRI and he couldn't rule out the possibility of surgery! (One reason why I don't go to doctors.) Of course I left and never made the appointment with him.
So by going the holistic route, I saved a ton of money, didn't have to take any medications and surgery never became an option. We all have the means to take care of our bodies with proper diet, exercise and healthy supplements. I always advocate for natural healers first; chiropractors, acupuncture, physical therapist, massage therapist, coaches, physical trainers and more! So today, check out the natural healers in your area, take control of your health and wellness and Live Inspired Now!

Gift Cards Drive....

There were many people who suffered great loss from Hurricane Sandy; losing people, property, belongings and a feeling of security that only comes from returning to a warm cozy home each night. There is an immediate need for supplies, food and lots of love and support. The aide from government and from benefits often takes time to get into the hands of the people who need it most and they often have to fill out a ton of paperwork to apply for aid which takes time. My friend Joanne who is in NYC has graciously offered to accept gift cards at her location and she will distribute them to people in need immediately. I would love if you could help! Gift cards from Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, fast food places, chain restaurants and even toys stores. Many homes were destroyed and people will need to rebuild and replace everything. I am grateful to you all for your help and thank you so much!!
Please send gift card donations to the address below and Live Inspired Now!
Joanne LaRocco DiJoseph
108 Main Street
Staten Island, NY 10307

Dump abusive friendships....

Most people think of abusive relationships in the sense of romantic relationships but friendships can be abusive too. All too often people stay in abusive friendships because they have been friends for so long they can't imagine not being friends anymore, or they are afraid of being alone, or they feel like the person will use information spoken in confidence against them if they aren't friends anymore. I have a client that was unable to express her true feelings to a friend because the friend would hang up on her, berate her, talk about her behind her back and even went so far as to say nasty things to her kids. My dear readers... THIS is not friendship! A friend appreciates what you have to say even if they disagree. A friend respects your secrets and doesn't share them with others. A friend gives back, not just takes. A friend encourages you and doesn't try to hold you back so they feel better about not going forward themselves. A friend doesn't call you names or spout mean words to your loved ones. So today, take a look at your friendships. Are you in an abusive friendship or are you treating a friend poorly? Be the friend you would want to have, ditch any and all abusive friendships and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Abuse comes in many forms: physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and even financial. Another person attempting to control you to get what they want it never OK. You are worth the entire world... don't ever settle for less.

Encourage young entrepreneurs...

The other day, I was telling my daughter Mattie the story of when I was a pre-teen in the early 80's and MTV was first coming out. (They actually played music videos back then!) I was in middle school, 7th grade I think and I created a nice little business for myself by selling MTV logos that I had hand drawn and decorated. Almost all of my friends had businesses, from delivering newspapers, to making friendship pins to selling stickers. We were all little entrepreneurs and loved it and really loved having extra money! Once, I even ran a lemonade stand outside of my moms store. My sister and I raised enough money to take a trip to Bush Gardens. These early experiences set the tone for my life, I have been a go getter for as long as I can remember and I have almost always been self employed. So today, encourage a child to start their own business, allow them to be creative and think about how they can turn their talents into profit, or to use it philanthropically, to help other people. Teach kids about working for themselves and inspire them to take some business risks and Live Inspired Now!

Show your thankfulness...

Thankfulness and gratitude are something we can all share, it is not reserved for certain people. No matter who you are, you always have something to be thankful for. This month we celebrate Thanksgiving and we remember all the wonderful blessings we have in our life. I think one of the best ways to be thankful is to give to others. With the cold weather setting in here in the Northeast, there are many people who need warm clothing, coats and gloves. You can drop off warm clothes to schools, many children unfortunately show up to school without coats. You could drop off a Thanksgiving meal to a family in need. There are so many opportunities to show your gratitude through service and contribution; especially now with Hurricane Sandy leaving so many people without shelter, food and electricity. Show your gratitude and thankfulness for all you have by helping someone else and Live Inspired Now!


Watch the video: Change For A Dollar here.  Let me know if you are able to watch it without crying! I can't! ;)

Genuine interest or don't bother....

Show a genuine interest in other people and what they have to say. If you are not genuinely interested then don't inquire. We have all met people who ask questions about you, your religion, your family or your political views just so they can start a debate with you or to prove you wrong. Nobody likes this! If you ask someone a personal question and they respond, they are sharing part of themselves with you and trusting you to be respectful of their answers. It is manipulative to ask a question with the intent to harm, embarrass, change or to prove the person wrong and it comes straight from your ego. When approaching people about something personal, come from your heart with a true desire to know the other person better. Today, ask a genuine question, show genuine interest and care and Live Inspired Now!

Compassion over tolerance...

I don't believe in tolerance, I prefer compassion. To me, tolerance sounds like "Yea, I can't stand you but I put up with you." Compassion on the other hand sounds to me like "I care about you as a person and wish you well." Maybe it is just semantics but I prefer to offer compassion to other humans. I may not agree with what they believe in but I don't think I have to. I don't think I have to change anyone or convince another person to believe what I do. Politics, religion, morality or whatever the topic, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that has no bearing on me which is why I can remain compassionate. I hope I am never just "tolerant," I hope I am always compassionate to my fellow man no matter who they are or what they believe. You never know what another person is going through, dealing with or working on, so today, try compassion and Live Inspired Now!

You are not broken.....

Although we all can work on ourselves and grow as people, that doesn't mean you are broken. People are not broken, people cannot lose part of themselves even though we use those words sometimes. If you are feeling down or like you have something blocking your growth, reach out and seek help but don't spend time feeling that you are broken. Life is too short to go through it feeling broken. Every person on earth has an inner light that wants to shine, some allow it, some only allow it a little but even some refuse to let it shine. Our life is our opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the world, how will the world remember you? Do you shine your inner light, grow and evolve as a person, help and give to others and live to the fullest? These are the things that make us feel good, that remind us we are whole and not broken, that we are capable of unbelievable love and joy. So today, realize that you are not broken and make the decision to live a full and joyous life and Live Inspired Now!

It's a drive by.....

When Thad and I were dating, we used to do lots of "drive by" hugs and kisses. We were both working full time but I would often have to run somewhere for my job so I would purposely drive by his work and text him that I was there and he would run out and give me a quick hug and kiss! It was so cute! Now I drive by hug friends too. My friend Holly just last week gave ME a drive by hug.
We don't always have time to visit with the people we care about but if you are in the area, there is always time for a quick hug or a kiss! So today, make someones day and surprise them with a drive by hug or kiss and Live Inspired Now!