Relationship Repair...

Do you understand the roles of masculine energy and feminine essence? (This applies to gay/lesbian couples too!)  Do you know what it means to live in alignment with your core? Do you want to make your relationship exciting, passionate, nurturing and fulfilling again? Please register NOW:

DIY: Relationship Repair

Thursday, February 7, 2013
7:00-8:30 PM EST (GMT - 5:00)
Enhance your current relationship; take it to the next level!
Find the right partner; learn how to choose your perfect mate!
Save a passionless marriage; reconnect, recreate, reunite!

Call in and listen from the comfort of your home as certified coaches, Heather Paris and Peg Haust-Arliss, present this thought provoking seminar that will immediately enhance your life and teach you the ways to live and love to your fullest potential. Learn to apply these skills to YOUR life... register now!

$20.00...register for this life altering how-to teleconference NOW by visiting my Upcoming Workshops page!

The Breakfast Club...

OMG... "The Breakfast Club" is one of my all time favorite movies! I think I may have to dig out the dvd and watch it this weekend! In the meantime, today I am joining friends for breakfast and we are calling it The Breakfast Club! I am so super excited! lol. When I lived in Rhode Island, my parents and I would often meet up for breakfast before starting our day. Now I have found another breakfast club to meet up with! :) Why not start your own club? Even if you only meet once per month, it is nice to spend some time with friends and catch up. So watch the movie "The Breakfast Club," then get together and bond with some of your friends for breakfast and Live Inspired Now!

Homemade toxic free soap!

Who wants to wash the germs off with toxic chemicals? I made my own liquid soap with a couple of recipes that I found online and combined to make my own. It makes quite a bit of soap so make sure you have several containers ready to use or reuse. I used a big refill bottle, a dish soap bottle and a flour canister. A gallon milk jug would have been more useful but we don't drink milk. Here is the recipe:

Peppermint Liquid Soap:
1 gallon water
2 tablespoons liquid glycerin
1 bar Dr Bronners peppermint soap bar
Several drops of peppermint essential oil

Grate the soap bar into a large pot, add water and glycerin. Heat on low/medium just until the soap shreds are melted, stirring occasionally (the soap melts pretty quickly.) Remove from heat and let it sit for 10 hours. After 10 hours, add several drops of peppermint oil, mix with an electric mixer. It will be gloppy and you will need to mix it for several minutes until it smooths out.

The soap smells so "pepperminty" and doesn't dry out your hands like store bought soap! It is nice knowing exactly what went into the soap and knowing that we are not washing with toxic chemicals. So today, make your own soap, try any number of combinations of soap bars and oil scents and Live Inspired Now!

You CAN afford it...

Very often I hear people say that they can't afford something when what they really should be saying is "I am choosing not to make this a priority." A smoker recently told me that she couldn't afford to buy certain foods because they were too expensive. While another person told me they couldn't afford therapy for their child who was in crisis yet they can afford other luxuries like cable and beer. I make no judgements here... I would never tell someone what they should spend their money on. I will however say that where you put your money, is what you are choosing to prioritize and it is your vote for what is important in your world. Many people make the choice to go without cable TV, name brand clothes, alcohol or cigarettes so that they can afford other things. In our parents and grandparents day, people always cut back when things were tight, but they cut back on luxuries, not necessities and they knew the difference.
Life is abundant and the free things are the most valuable in my opinion. You can take a walk for free, you can hike in the woods, look at a waterfall, listen to the birds, play with the kids and pets, share in conversation... oh the list is limitless. Enjoy the free things in life, spend your money on things that will enhance you or your children's lives and Live Inspired Now!

Save the world...

We are all connected, we are all joined in spirit to one another, we are all physically made of the same matter and we all have equal opportunity to impact our world. We have direct and indirect impact on every individual we meet and those we never meet. The decisions we make today can impact an entire generation to come. If you need proof of this, ask your grandparents how they met and how things would have been completely different had they not. Every moment that we have now can be traced back to the decisions of millions of people before us. So each time you decide to help another person, save a life or share kindness, you are impacting the world well beyond that moment. Choose always to do what is kind, righteous or helpful and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Thank you very much to Corinne Stern for the inspiration!! :)

Don't bottle things up!

Oh my gosh.... I have heard from many parents recently who are struggling through the challenges of raising teenagers. Unfortunately, many people don't seek help right away because they are embarrassed or ashamed of what they are dealing with but I am here to say there is no reason to be embarrassed! We all face challenges in our lives, there is no shame in seeking help. All kids struggle with something at some point, but if your child has made some drastic changes, used drugs or alcohol, become sad or seems depressed, or if you are concerned that they might hurt themselves or others, you must seek help! It is imperative that you seek help before things progress too far; it is easier to be proactive and address a problem before it becomes huge and you are only reacting to crisis. Also, bring these issues to light by talking openly and honestly about them, it takes the sting out of them when you can speak about the problem with friends, family or professional care providers. Don't bottle it all up, there are so many others that have been through or are still going through the same things you are experiencing and by being open and honest you give others the validation they might need to be open and seek help too! So today, be brave and reach out, seek help for a child in need or crisis, realize that you are not alone and Live Inspired Now!

Every day opportunities!

I love this quote by Orison Swett Marden about opportunities! I cannot tell you how many great things have happened in my life that started as just every day common occasions. From meeting my husband to getting jobs to helping a stranger... all of those things turned into life altering events or opportunities for greatness yet at the time, they just seemed like regular every day occurrences. One of these days I will post my transformation story but it is too long for today, but the shortened version is one day, many years ago, I decided to get off the couch where I was to enjoy a nice relaxing and much needed nap and that decision forever shaped who I am today. Had I traded the workshop I was to attend for that nap that I wanted, I might not be sitting here writing this today! Opportunities are all around us, all of the time, you just have to open up to them. The very BEST opportunities we get each day, are meeting new people. Our lives are only as rich as our relationships. Accept every chance to meet or talk to someone new! Every single person in our life is a valuable resource; they are a wealth of personal stories to learn from, they are an index to a whole new community and they may open your eyes to new experiences! So today, look at every common moment as an opportunity to do or be something great, step out of your comfort zone and Live Inspired Now!

Cold hands, warm heart!

Here in Upstate New York, USA, it is freezing cold outside; our pipes even froze! We are blessed with a home to keep up warm, food to eat and warm clothes to wear but not everyone is so fortunate. During this cold snap, please remember to help others out. Make sure the pets are warm, check on elderly neighbors, donate your unused coats, cold weather gear and blankets and be prepared  yourself! My parents taught me to keep some extra warm items in the car during the cold months, even a blanket... just in case. Nowadays we have cell phones and can call for help if we break down, but making sure we are prepared and can stay warm is always a good idea. So today, be prepared, help someone in need who may not be able to be warm enough, keep warm yourself and Live Inspired Now!

PS: If you live in a warm climate, you can still donate cold weather items to shelters. Temperatures can still drop in the evening, making it very cold for homeless people.

Say nothing...

Silence is sometimes a better option than anything you have to say. Sarcasm rarely prevails, especially when you are using it to point out another persons flaws or mistakes. You certainly don't win friends by constantly pointing out what another person is doing wrong. In addition, changing another persons opinion will not make you "more" right. Who cares what other people think! Every person is on their own journey and rarely do they come to self realization because you took the time to insult them or point out all the ways they could be better. Keep quiet and set a good example. This is especially true with religion and politics. Fighting, debating, sarcasm and constant badgering will never win a person over to your side, your religion or your way of thinking. Let your actions be your testimony to a life lived well and Live Inspired Now!

The key to success....

My favorite and most powerful mantra that I use is "consistent focus and action!" Consistency is one of the biggest keys to success in anything that you do. Business, personal growth, overcoming challenges, making or breaking habits..... all rely on consistency for success. If you want to get your name out there and be the person in your field that people will call on... you have to be consistent in your marketing. People will remember you when they see your marketing every single day. They will not remember you if they hear about your once in a great while. You can't create a healthy new habit or pattern by doing something once in a while... you have do it consistently, every single day! Same goes for breaking a bad habit or addiction, you consistently avoid doing it and consistently implement the new strategies. Focus on what you want, not what you don't want. Take action toward your goals, inaction will pull you further from it. Consistent focus and action will always get you there, don't give up and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Feel free to contact me for more information or if you are ready to step up your game and create the life that you have dreamed of!

Walk don't wait....

I bring my kids to Kumon Learning Center twice per week and have to wait about an hour for them. I wear my yoga pants and running shoes and instead of sitting in the waiting room, I do laps around the building! Luckily Kumon is inside an indoor plaza so I can lap around inside the building and window shop as I go! Take advantage of waiting time and walk or run... it is a great time to get your exercise in! We ourselves must walk the path, not sit it, not watch others walk it, not talk about it.... get out there and walk! Besides feeling good, you never know what good might come of it! So today, take advantage of "wait" time and walk, feel great and Live Inspired Now!

I think....

Knowing that everything first begins with a thought, have you taken time out to think today? We often run through our day without ever stopping to just think about things. All great ideas, inventions, technology, cool products, beautiful art... everything; it all started with a thought. Personally, I do my best thinking in the shower, it's quiet and peaceful and I have come up with some great ideas in there! Take time out to process your thoughts and feelings, think about where you are and where you want to be, think about new ideas or businesses or just sit and think about that very moment. Some of the most brilliant ideas that shaped the world came from a quiet moment in thought. So today, make time to sit and be alone with your thoughts and Live Inspired Now!

Be afraid of mediocrity!

If you are going to be afraid of something, be afraid of mediocrity! Be afraid of waking up one day with regrets for what you didn't do. Be afraid to walk blindly through life without ever taking time to notice it's beauty. Be afraid to sit idle while others play. Be afraid to lose love because you didn't put yourself out there. Be afraid that you may never listen to your own inner voice encouraging you to live up to your potential. Be afraid to stay stuck in a dead relationship that leaves you feeling empty and alone. Be afraid to watch the seasons rapidly pass by your window while you focus on the TV. Be afraid that your body will get sick and old from not taking care of it. Be afraid that you will settle for mediocrity when you were born to be so much more. Today... fear mediocrity enough to go out and be amazing and Live Inspired Now!

Never Give Up!!!

Do you have dreams, ambitions, goals or purpose? Do you think about them daily? Do you obsess about what it will be like when you accomplish your dream? Do you get excited each day to work toward your purpose? Don't ever give up the dream you have! People will always try to get you to quit and give up but don't listen! People say it's "impossible" but that is only because they don't want to make the effort themselves! NEVER, EVER use other peoples limitations as YOUR excuse to give up on something that is important to you! Nobody can force you to give up, just ignore, avoid or delete anyone that discourages you and do your thing! Don't give up, keep striving toward your dreams and Live Inspired Now!

Giving away power...

Recently someone asked me to write a post about "losing power." I replied that you can't "lose" power but you can give it away! Nobody can lose their power, nobody has to be controlled by another person and what another person thinks, does or says... even if they think or say it about you! One thing I learned long ago is that when you do good things, when you live a positive life and dedicate your entire life to helping and serving.... some people STILL won't like you. If I sat around feeling bad about the things I don't control, I would spend my entire life feeling bad and what a waste that would be! You can never control what other people say, think, feel or do but you can control YOU and how you react to others. Do you really want to give your power to someone who doesn't like you? Do you want that person to have such easy access to how you feel? Tell your ego to let it go! Ignore rude comments, avoid negative or hurtful people, distance yourself from family that doesn't care about your best interest. If you spend your days angry, your world isn't out of control... YOU are! Relax, let go of EVERYTHING that you have no control over (which is everything but your own thoughts and feelings,) don't give away your power and Live Inspired Now!

Give up on feeling bad!

Isn't it time to give up on feeling bad? How long do you want to do this for? So many people sit around thinking about all the injustices that have occurred and how they were the victim in one way or another. So much so, that they miss the gift of the present moment. We have all fallen victim to some hardship before, what makes yours so special that you should use it as your reason for stagnation? It is time to let go and free yourself of past pain. People hold onto pain like a security blanket, well it's not; it is your burial wrap! When you are thinking about what he did to you or why did you allow abuse, or if only I had.... you miss the beautiful baby's smile, the kind stranger who held the door, the gorgeous sunset, the sound of the birds, the calm and stillness of a cool night, the warm glow of the fire, the tender moments between lovers and a million other opportunities to choose happiness.
Get PISSED off at destructive thoughts, yell and scream at them, tell them NO MORE, decide to be in a better place rather than falling into old patterns! When you start to think of past hurts, ground yourself... take a mental inventory of all the material things surrounding you. EX: I am safe in my car, I have my water bottle, my hat is on my head, my purse is right next to me and I am driving home. Take in the present moment by noticing your reality.... you are NOT walking in to catch your X boyfriend kissing another girl. Then, take deep breathes and remind yourself of the time and date. EX: Today is Monday, January 14 2013, I am healthy, free and have every opportunity for happiness. Finally, create a new memory! If you are driving, crank up some happy music or pull over, get out, stretch and take in the view! If you are at work, take a quick walking break and get some air or go and hug someone who needs it. I cannot stress enough how focusing on helping someone else is the BEST medicine for mental health!
So today, live in the INSPIRED now by being present in each moment and creating new positive memories for the future and Live Inspired Now!

How to "deal..."

I recently bumped into a young person that I worked with a couple of years ago. When I worked with him, he was a bright young man with a huge heart and a tremendous amount of potential. At the time, he had a knack for getting himself into trouble but was nonetheless a good kid.
He sent me a message after we bumped into one another and thanked me for having a huge impact on his life and asked me to "write about how u delt with me in school and how on my worst days you always made it better for me." I thought that was really sweet and so this post is for him!
The way I used to "deal" with him was by always being consistent and never enabling. I treat kids with compassion but I am completely honest with them and help them see reality. I will not do things for them that they can do for themselves. I also don't believe in sugar coating things just because they are kids. They don't live in a pretend world, they live in the same reality that has drugs, disease, crime and an overwhelming amount of temptation that glorifies bad choices. When I work with young people, I want to help them prepare for whatever they will face and pretending bad things don't exist will never help them make good choices. When a kid does make a bad choice, it is imperative to let them face the consequences. Allow them to "suffer" through the choices that they have made, even if it involves paying money, community service, a painful breakup, rehab or even jail time. It is essential to their learning and developing a sense of responsibility. You can still be there for them and let them know that you support them when they are working toward recovery or rebuilding their life but will not enable them by rescuing them from consequences or by diminishing what they have done. (On a side note, hugs, smiles and encouragement go a long way. Many kids tell me that I am more like their Mom... or what they thought a Mom should really be like.)
I tell all the kids I work with that I will always be there for them and support them through all the struggles but I will also say what they need to hear especially when it's harsh. I encourage you all to say what is difficult... it might not always be listened to immediately but it will be a planted seed and sometimes it might just save a life! (I have worked with suicidal teens too.) Sometimes you have to walk away from a person (young or not) that is continuing to make bad or destructive choices. You can let them know that you will be there when they are done hurting themselves and others and walk away. (Nobody should ever put up with abuse, not even from a child.) 
There is nothing in life more rewarding than having a young person come to you and tell you that you helped them! I am forever touched by all these young people I am lucky enough to "deal" with. Some have amazing success stories, some are still a work in progress and I am blessed to be a part of it. Think about the difference you could make in a young persons life and Live Inspired Now!

Which parent are you?

I read the book Kids Are Worth It by Barbara Coloroso about 18 years ago and it shaped who I became as a parent. The book basically states that there are 3 types of parents: brickwall, jellyfish and backbone parents. Here are those profiles:

BRICK-WALL: rigid, unyielding, strict rules, highly conditional, obedience expected, order, punctuality, cleanliness, punishment, humiliation, threats, ignored feelings, competition, fear, needs not acknowledged, they do things for the kids rather than letting them learn through trial.

JELLYFISH: loose or no rules, no follow through, unknown or not applied consequences, chaos, chaotic emotions, put downs, humiliation, no structure, threats, bribes, giving up, oblivious to needs, kids easily influenced by peers, they allow the kids to have lower standards for themselves.

BACKBONE: unconditional love and caring, acknowledging kids needs, letting them know they are important, smiles, hugs, HUMOR, motivation (you can do it!), simple clear rules, natural and or reasonable consequences, encouragement, encouraging self awareness and personal growth, allow mastery.

The jellyfish parent sometimes seems like a brickwall because when things seem very out of control they resort to rigidity but when that doesn't work they just give up. The brickwall parent doesn't allow children to think, they teach them to respond rather than think and learn to do things; this type of parent stifles creativity. Obviously we all want to strive to be the backbone parent which allows kids the freedom to be creative and expressive yet within boundaries that will keep them safe.

So today, discover what type of parent you are and see if you want to make some changes, check out Kids Are Worth It and Live Inspired Now!

PS: I would love to hear from you if you or your child needs coaching for a challenge that you are facing. Kids LOVE having a coach... just read my testimonials!

Don't ignore intuition!

One of the things I hear very often from clients is that they ignored their own intuition. Sometimes they did it because they were lonely so they ignored their intuition about the person they were with. They didn't listen to that little voice that said this is not OK, this person is not all they are cracked up to be. We are all equipped with intuition, we are born with it. The more you listen to it, the louder it becomes too, but when you ignore it, you don't even notice it anymore. Ignore it too long and you start to only hear your ego and your intuition goes for a long vacation.
It is very important to listen to the wise teacher within you. Whatever you want to call it... gut feeling, a knowing, intuition or 6th sense... they are all the same. They are your inner knowledge of things that will protect you, guide you and help you through your daily life. We have all had that "feeling" where you just knew something, you just knew not to go that way, or you just knew to call that person. We all have a million examples of intuition but it is up to us to LISTEN to it! The greatest and wisest teacher lives within us! So today, be quiet for a moment and listen, what is you intuition telling you about a situation or a person? Listen to the message and adjust your life appropriately and Live Inspired Now!

6 Tips to Keep Motivated!

I like to keep things simple so here is a simple list of ways to self motivate. Let me know what you think!

1 Keep it simple: Set SMALL goals. Ex: Don't try to lose 75 pounds, just try to lose 2, then celebrate the success and strive for a little more.... and each time, celebrate the success!

2 Raise your standards: Find people and groups who have achieved what you want and hang out with them. Allow other people's success to be a catalyst for your motivation. Listen to their stories and learn from them. Ask questions... people love to help!

3 Get INSPIRED: Nobody wants to commit to a goal that they are not invested in. Make sure you actually want what you are working towards. You might want to be more motivated at work but if you dislike your job and aren't truly invested then you won't be easily motivated. Motivation doesn't occur without some sort of inspiration. Be honest... is this what you TRULY want or is it what you "think" you should want based on family or societal beliefs?

4 Stay positive: Fill yourself to the brim with everything positive. Put positive quotes on post it notes and put them everywhere. Read positive posts, blogs, or articles... like this one! Take negative people, whiners and political posting friends off your facebook wall. Smile even if you don't want to. Put on uplifting or high energy music. Exercise. Recite powerful statements in your car "I am powerful!" or "I can do anything!" and say it with authority!

5 Help others get what they want: This is by far the MOST powerful tool in self motivation. People want to do things but more than that, they want to help others do things. When you help someone else reach their goal, you are making a contribution to the world which gives you a sense of belonging and importance. It also boosts your inspiration and attitude. It is much harder to drop the ball on your own goals when you are guiding someone else to reach theirs because you are accountable for the example you are setting.

6 Hire a professional: No matter what you goal is, a coach is just the expert you need to help you! Coaches and consultants are industry specific professionals who can keep you on task with tips, techniques, reminders and accountability. Coaching is so popular now because it works! You will love having a sounding board for your new ideas, someone to help you through your challenges, a person who always tells you what you need to hear and someone to cheer you on!

So today.... figure out what you truly want, get motivated and Live Inspired Now!

Like YOU...

My job as a coach is not to get you to like ME, it is to get you to like YOU! One of the biggest problems people face is self worth. Too often people come to me because they don't see their own value. They underestimate their abilities, they don't think they are attractive or they don't think they deserve love. I am not an easy coach, I don't allow people to overly self deprecate during sessions, I get people to look at the reality of things and often they don't like it. People like to hold on to the excuses or stories they have created because it feels safer than putting themselves out there. As a coach, I cannot allow this and sometimes I can come across as harsh but again, I don't coach to make you like me. You could go to your friends if you want them to tell you what you want to hear. I have been very lucky in that all my clients love my no-nonsense approach, they love me telling them like it is and not holding back. I love my job. I love my clients. But most of all, I love seeing them love themselves. Every client and every person on earth deserves love, happiness and all the wonderful things life has to offer and I will not stop until everyone realizes that. I know it's a lofty purpose, but what else have I been put here for? ;) So today, break free of your self loathing, discover your worth, discover how awesome YOU are and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Check out my Coaching Solutions if YOU would like some help reaching your goals, fixing your relationships, dealing with a challenging child or to guide you to your inspired life.

Be a good follower...

Not every person is going to be a leader. In fact, without followers, we wouldn't have leaders. If your child is a follower, teach them to be a good and discerning follower. There is nothing wrong with "following" as long as you are not following someone destructive or making bad choices. You don't have to tell the child they are a "follower" but encourage them to find friends with the same or a higher level of values. Also, ask them if their current friends are supportive and encouraging. Explain the difference between friends who inspire and those who manipulate. Also, be a great example for the kids. If they see you spending time and getting caught up with people who are not good leaders or examples, they will follow suit. Make sure your friends are of a higher caliber too, be the example you want your kids to emulate because YOU are their first and most influential leader.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with following someone as long as you don't compromise yourself or your values. So today, if you have a child or someone else in your life that is more of a follower, set a good example, encourage them to follow a path in line with their own values and Live Inspired Now!

Now or Later?

I was having a conversation with my 14 year old son Harry this morning about a camera that he wants to purchase. He was considering buying a lesser model because he wants it now rather than saving up a little more money and buying the version he really wants. I told him that instant gratification was no substitute for quality but I would support whatever he decided to do. Harry is a very determined young man and when he wants something, he makes it happen! He decided to wait a bit longer and get the big fancy video camera that he really wants that will help him with his business. I think we all need to learn to wait a little. Our society is all about "instant" and it is compromising our values on earning and gratitude. Anticipation has been replaced by entitlement. One of the finest lessons we can teach our kids is to appreciate and be grateful for what they have. So today, make sure you are not trading quality for instantaneous gratification, think about quality and value and Live Inspired Now!
PS: You can check out Harry's youtube channel at: Harrys youtube
and see his art at his facebook fan page: Harrys Art

What's missing?

What is missing in your life? I'm not talking about what are you wishing for... a mansion or a fancy sports car. I mean what are you missing, what do you long to be or do, what would help you feel more fulfilled? Are you missing love or passion? How about that "calling" you have been ignoring? It is time folks, time to step up into who you are meant to be. Gone are the days of sitting idly by and watching everyone else live and love and fully experience life. It is YOUR time now, find what's missing and go get it! Step up and live. Life is so full of rich experiences, the opportunities for enrichment are abundant, we all have the ability to make a contribution that will leave our mark on the world and now is the time. So today, figure out what is missing in your life. Is it love, contribution, a new path, a new attitude or an accomplishment? Figure out what it is, make a plan, hire a coach if you need extra support and Live Inspired Now!

Let's go toxic free!

Thad and I are taking the next step to living a toxic free life by switching over to all natural and organic beauty/body products. We already eat vegetarian, and have rid our home of most toxic cleaning items but now it is time to stop dumping chemicals onto our bodies. A friend recommended an awesome website called Cosmetic Data Base which offers toxicity ratings for over 78,000 products! Just type in the product you use and get the rating. It amazes me how many toxic chemicals are put into products and we dump them directly onto our heads, skin and our children. These chemicals cause cancer, skin diseases, asthma, allergies and overall unhealthy environments. Also, don't assume things are OK because the bottle says "natural." If you want to be forever changed... look up HEK-293. I won't tell you what it is... but I will tell you that it is added to many foods and beverages because it makes sugar taste sweeter. (When you google it, be prepared to be horrified!)
So today, take a look at what you are putting on your body and in your body, make some better choices, even small steps are better than no steps and Live Inspired Now!

Don't miss out...

Subscribe to the new LiveInspiredNow.com mailing list and get free inspiration, relationship and parenting tips and a FREE gift on YOUR birthday!! We will be doing a monthly mailing so you don't have to worry about a clogged up daily inbox and we will never share your information with anyone! Click the link on the right and join today and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Do you have any friends who are down in the dumps, suffering through a bad relationship, struggling with a challenging child or someone who just needs a more positive outlook? Please share our inspiration with them too! :)

Happy 2013!!!

Wishing you all the very happiest and most joyous year! Happy 2013... it is going to be amazing! Have a super safe and fun day everyone!!! Much love to you all!!! :)