Change YOUR view...

The sooner we realize that we control nothing in this world except ourselves, the sooner we find happiness! People spend so much time in their personal relationships trying to change other people. Trying to change the feelings of their lover, wishing their boss would be more appreciative, attempting to prove to co-workers that they know better, manipulating friends out of guilt, or even using emotional blackmail against children or parents. NONE of these behaviors will truly change another person, it will however damage or in many cases, sever the relationship.
If you don't like the way things look, change the way YOU look at them. You are the only person responsible for the way you view things and the way you treat other people. If you are constantly trying to change others, you can't truly appreciate them. Change the way you look at things, find ways to appreciate and encourage. Find ways to look at things in a new light, with a new perspective. You have a lot to offer the world and so does everyone else. If you can't find a way to appreciate another person, walk away, it is not your responsibility to change them. Change the way you look at the world, find ways to be appreciative and Live Inspired Now!

You can thrive in chaos if you.........

My whirlwind life has not slowed down at all.... lately, busier than ever! Summer is here, 4 kids at home and we are in the process of moving to a new home. I have been thinking a lot lately about the process of getting things done and how stressful it can be... if we let it. Hectic doesn't have to mean unhappy. You can survive and even thrive in chaos if you get your attitude straight about it. So in the midst of moving, MOMMMM....., dog surgery, new goats arriving, MOM I NEED THIS......., packing, cleaning, MOM I NEED THAT........, serving clients, laundry, MOM MY FAVORITE SHIRT IS AT THE NEW HOUSE........, driving kids around, organizing and donating, working with my book publisher......... OK OK... you get it... it's busy! lol. All that chaos would have killed me years ago but I am doing pretty well staying present and enjoying the process.

As I pack, I think about being one step closer to living in my new dream home with my family. As the kids beckon me, I think about how much space they will have once we have moved. As the dog recovers, I think about all the acres he will have to run around on. As I drive to see clients, I think about the new home office that will allow me to see clients in my home. My mantra these days is "Enjoy the process; otherwise, you are living for the future and missing the present." The process has become much more enjoyable knowing that I am happy in the present while I am working toward something in the future!

If you are doing something you just can't enjoy, acknowledge it but stay present in the process, knowing that it leads you to something better. The process of getting to your next goal or step in life is often more fun than arriving so enjoy the process and Live Inspired Now!

A lesson from Grandma Bea...

My Grandma Bea used to say "Every day that I wake up and have a dollar for a cup of coffee and gas money... I am good!" She loved to wake up early each day and drive to the cafe to have a coffee with her friends; she did this until her last day. I loved hanging out with my Grandma because she was crazy!! lol. She knew how to have fun, she made the most of every moment, and she was never embarrassed to be herself. I always admired her and probably got some of my zest for life from her.
My grandma loved extravagant furnishings... gold wall paper and white furry rugs. She also loved to drive and never missed a chance to take a road trip... long or short.

What have you always wanted to do? What excuse is holding you back and are you ready to let go of it yet? The fact is, the only guarantee in life is death so make the most of it while you can! What have you been saying "no" to? What have you been too embarrassed to try or wear? LIVE IT UP MY FRIENDS!!! Take a lesson from my Grandma.... live life to the fullest and never let anyone tell you what you should wear, say, think, believe, feel, or do!

Today, I am off to finish painting my office. I am entering a painting contest and my office wall is my creative submission. My wall has hot pink, black, the word INSPIRE, waves and stripes... and, why not! I LOVE it... so what if it's a little bold! (I will post a picture here when it's done.)
So today... I hope you will be creative or do something you have always been too shy to try or too intimidated to pull off. Life is short, live and play like it's you last day! Do things you love, enjoy every magic moment and Live Inspired Now!

Love is.......

As long as you continue to look for people to "make you happy" you will continue to be unhappy. Relationships that exist to serve your needs will fail. If you are looking for the person to take care of you, to complete you, to make you happy, to motivate you, to love you, to provide for you, to raise your kids, or to make you happy, you will not find them. YOU have to be a whole person in order to have a healthy, happy relationship.

Love is about giving, not receiving. Everyone thinks you fall in love... not true; you decide to love. You make the choice to love another person. Love is an action, it is something you decide to do and sometimes that means making hard decisions that don't seem to work in your favor. Love isn't staying and tolerating abuse. Love isn't pushing people away or checking out of the relationship. Love isn't just about staying together. In fact, sometimes love means going your separate ways. Love is putting the needs of the person you love first.... even if it means leaving. Love isn't about having control over another person. Love wants the other person to be free and freely love back. Love is unselfish.

Love is unconditional; tolerance is not. Even with children.... you can love them but you never have to allow abuse of any kind. You are accountable for what you continue to put up with. There are no awards in life for the person who puts up with the most amount of bullshit. It is OK to put distance between yourself and a person who is abusive.... even if it's your child. You teach people how to treat you by what you put up with. Never accept abuse for yourself and never abuse another person.

Love is a wonderful thing, but make sure you know what it really is. It is not about control, it is not about monitoring one another, it is not about pointing out each others flaws, it is not name calling, it is not manipulative, it is not painful, it is not a trap, it is not something to be used against one another. Love is simple, beautiful, selfless, compassionate, and kind. Love is giving without expectations in return. Love is not about doing whats easy, it's about doing whats right for one another.

Are you really "loving" your partner? Are you putting their needs first? Are you making an attempt to understand and be compassionate? Are you looking at the role you have played in the challenges you face? Are you quick to point out the others faults without considering your own? Are you ready and willing to truly LOVE without conditions? Think about love today and make any changes you think might help your relationship and Live Inspired Now!

ME time....

Don't forget to take some "ME" time to replenish yourself. School is ending for most people, summer is here and things are 'bout to get crazy!' lol. I don't know about you but the past 2 weeks have been a complete whirlwind for us! Our family traveled to Rhode Island for my oldest daughter and nephews graduations. My daughter also enlisted in the Air Force while we were there. My 11 year olds are about to turn 12 and they just graduated from elementary school. We have another graduation this week as well as packing, painting, and moving to the new house. Our dog also had surgery so we are helping him recover through all the chaos! Oh my goodness...... it is a very busy summer so far and it just got started! Personally, I thrive in chaos but if you are the type who needs more certainty or routine, this can feel extremely overwhelming which is why it's so important to take "ME" time!
Thad and I are remembering to take time for ourselves. Thad's birthday was this past weekend as well as our wedding anniversary. We made time to celebrate our special day with an overnight getaway and a romantic dinner cruise. You have to make time for yourself to get away and replenish.
It is vitally important to "fill your cup" and let everyone else have what flows over the edge... everything inside is for YOU. If you don't replenish, you will feel drained and taken advantage of. If you don't reconnect as a couple, you will feel distant and lonely. You have to make ME/US time always.... a few minutes every single day, a few hours per week and a few days per month.
Today, the 3 Goddesses are having a special broadcast about "ME time!" We will be on spreecast today at 12:00 eastern, please join us. You will learn the benefits of taking time for yourself as well as HOW to make time for yourself with a hectic schedule. So today, please join us, learn how to make "ME" time for yourself and Live Inspired Now!

If you can't make it today at noon, please click the link anytime after the broadcast and you can watch the replay! 

'We are bringing ME TIME back' with the 3 Goddesses on Spreecast!

Chill the frig out....

If you make a decision, give yourself permission to be OK with what you have decided. If you are in turmoil over your decision, that may be an indication that you made the wrong choice. You can always make a new choice but when you do, allow yourself to accept it and move forward. Don't stay in a bad relationship because you are unwilling to make a decision. Don't settle for what you don't want because you are afraid to speak up. Don't teach your kids to live small by your example because you are afraid to shine your own light. Stop putting off decisions because you are afraid. Make a decision and be OK with it, right or wrong. Sometimes even the wrong decisions we make, lead us to better things. So today, make some decisions and make peace with them. If you make the wrong choice, change it and keep moving forward. Life happens... right or wrong, good or bad... so make peace with it, realize everything will turn out OK in the end and Live Inspired Now!
( In summary: Chill the frig out! lol )

Express your gratitude....

Being grateful is wonderful, expressing your gratitude is even better! Let people know how much they mean to you and how grateful you are for having them in your life. Let your clients/customers know how much you appreciate them. Thank your parents for all that they did to raise you. Thank the store clerk, waitress, gas attendant, hair dresser, and all service providers for the work they have done. Expressing your gratitude reminds people that they are important, some people really need this! It also allows you to do something nice for people by sharing the gift of thanks and gratitude! The more grateful you are, the more you will have to be grateful for! So today, don't forget to let everyone know that you appreciate them and Live Inspired Now!

PS: I am so grateful for all my amazing friends! I am grateful for my clients! I am grateful for this blog which allows me to inspire others. I am grateful for my readers and fans... you guys keep me motivated and inspired! I am grateful for my great kids who make me smile. I am grateful for my parents who were strict yet loving and gave me a good sense of being. I am super grateful for my husband Thad who is my best friend and soul mate and who inspires me every day!

Celebrate this!!!

If you woke up today, then you definitely have something to celebrate! Life isn't just about going, doing and accomplishing. It is about enjoying, being, and celebrating what you are grateful for. The more you are grateful for, the more you will have to be grateful for and the more you celebrate, the more you will have to celebrate. Gratitude is a habit created when you practice celebrating and appreciating life. Celebrate everything.... waking up, having a job, your kids report card, losing a couple of pounds, getting good news, feeling healthy, milestones, love, anniversaries, birthdays, half birthdays, friendships, etc. You don't have to throw an expensive party to 'celebrate.' There are many ways to celebrate... take a day off, pamper yourself, make a special dinner, have a glass of wine, make a toast, get an ice cream, take the kids to the park, have tea with friends, and laugh, etc.
Just be sure to make time to celebrate life and all that you are. If you are not taking time out to celebrate and enjoy, then why bother? Celebrate something today and every day and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Please join my friends and I for a free spreecast talk about Celebrations today at 11:00am eastern: We'll give you something to CELEBRATE!

7 Ways To Prevent Your Relationship From Slipping Away...

Relationships don't just fall apart, they slowly slip away. People get "comfortable" and start to take one another for granted. You start to run out the door without kissing good-bye, or you go to bed at different times, or you stop saying "I love you," or you start to give more of your time and attention to someone or something else outside of the relationship.

These little things add up and turn into big things that can damage or kill a relationship. They don't happen instantly, they happen slowly over time. You can reverse the damage and get your relationship back in time! Here are some "little" things that make a BIG difference.

1 Always say I love you, at least once per day, but more is better! They might already know you love them... but they NEED to hear it!

2 Take a moment to text/email/facebook message/tweet/instant message/post it note/ or call and let them know you were thinking about them. They need to know that you are important to them. There are enough ways to get a hold of someone today, use them to make them feel special!

3 Share intimate moments either kissing, hugging, snuggling, touching, holding hands or making love. You need the feel good chemicals that your body releases during intimate moments to create a bond. Don't let a day go by without physical touch of some sort!

4 Make time to talk about your day... every day. You start to disconnect when you don't know what is going on in each others worlds while you are apart. Smile and listen to him talk all about the mechanic that didn't show up for work, or the tractor that wouldn't start and you tell him about the weird lady at the nail salon or the funny tie your co-worker wore. Whatever your day holds, share it with one another so they feel connected to you each day. Let them into your world.

5 Eat together. Sharing meals together is a great way to re-connect after a long day. Make something you both enjoy, sit and savor a meal without television, and just decompress.

6 Give compliments and thanks. Don't let a day go by without saying something complimentary. "You look great today," or "Thank you for picking up bread on your way home, I really appreciate that because I didn't have time to stop." Don't let these things go.... even the small things! How great would you feel if you knew someone greatly appreciated all that you do?

7 Always be honest. Trust is much easier to keep than it is to get back... so don't risk losing it. Be completely honest with your partner about everything. Speak kindly but honestly about the little things that bother you rather than letting them build up into resentments. Talk to your partner about your relationship instead of to your friends. It is OK to vent and get advice but make sure your friends (and their advice) don't hurt your relationship. Your partner must come first... always. Friends are wonderful but if you need real help in your relationship, hire a professional and keep the friends out of it. Friends sometimes tend to hang on to what you have told them and hold a grudge whereas a professional is detached and can give non-biased advice.

Even if it's "not your fault" or you "don't think he will even notice," let go of your ego and try these steps today! Don't get discouraged if it takes more than one day.... you slowly deconstructed your relationship, it will take TIME to put it back together. If you implement these steps, he/she will notice and will start to respond as well.

Don't let the person you love slip away when it is easy to remind them how much they mean to you. Enjoy a healthy, happy, passionate relationship, and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Feel free to contact me if you need support through this process!

Heather Paris; NLP, CC, SI
607-269-7815
heather@liveinspirednow.com

Learn how to cleanse YOUR karma!

During my errand-filled day yesterday I was presented with an opportunity to help someone. When I was walking to my car from a store, I noticed an older woman kind of checking me out as she walked down the street. As I got into my car she approached me and in very broken English asked for money. I think she said something like "I need to buy a ticket, can you give me a dollar" or something to that effect. I have no idea what "ticket" she needed or really why she needed the money and I usually don't have any cash on me but I wanted to help. I had a little money in the console of my car so I reached for some cash and handed it to her and said "many blessings to you!"
As all of this is going on, a man was sitting in his truck next to us watching the entire thing unfold. I saw him rolling his eyes at the old woman and looking at me as if I was being taken advantage of. Just after giving her the cash I heard a voice say "Shes probably going to buy booze!"
I kindly turned and smiled and said "Maybe, but that is her karma, and this is mine" and I drove off.
We are only responsible for our actions and no act done is kindness or compassion is ever wasted. When an opportunity presents itself to help someone or something, take it, enjoy how great it feels to give to others and Live Inspired Now.

Are you tired of the same old results yet???

After a while, you have to get tired of making the same decisions and getting the same results. I hear it all the time! People keep getting into the same trouble, job after job, the same type of bad relationship, or the same feelings of despair day after day yet, never make a CHANGE. Change comes from new choices. You have to be willing to try something new, learn something new or believe something new, and your new life will unfold. Not sure HOW to try, learn, or believe something new? That is what I am here for! Hire a coach to learn how to have a happy and healthy relationship. Hire a coach to figure out what you are doing that keeps getting you fired. Hire a coach to support and encourage you to achieve that big dream you have. Hire a coach to, once and for all, lose that extra weight you carry around. Hire a coach to help you through school, work, love, stress, transitions, physical and emotional challenges, and life in general!
When you are tired of making the same choices and getting the same results... give me a call! Things change when YOU decide to change them. Life is abundant and joyous and has plenty of good fortune to offer you.... are you ready for that? If so, please contact me today and start Living Inspired NOW!

Inspired action..... how to get what YOU want!

My great grandmother used to say, "Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which you get first!" Grandma was right! Yesterday I spoke about manifesting the things you are dreaming about and today I am speaking about INSPIRED action! You can have all the dreams or "wishes" you want but if you don't take inspired action, you are likely to never get them. I often hear of people wishing for this or that and then learn that they spend their days on the couch watching TV. They either expect a magic fairy to deliver their wishes or they don't actually expect to get anything they wish for.

Inspired actions are those little things that we decide to do that are outside of our comfort zone, are not part of the norm, or come from a "gut" instinct. Like when you decide to go to work on your day off and you end up getting a promotion. Or when you decide to say, "yes" to a party and you end up meeting your soul mate. Or, how about when you take the time to talk to someone you don't know well and they end up becoming your business partner. None of those examples could have ever taken place without ACTION. Try saying yes to new experiences and meeting new people. Inspired action always brings us closer to our dreams, goals, or wishes but we have to be willing to say yes when opportunities present themselves.

I love the old story about the man who was drowning and God told him he would save him. The man refused help from 3 boats that went by because he was waiting for God to save him. As he took his last breath of air he asked God why he never saved him and God said, "I tried, I sent 3 boats."
Don't sit around "wishing" for things to happen, make them happen and accept opportunities as they come! Don't miss your boat by sitting around wishing for one! Take inspired action, enjoy every moment, and Live Inspired Now!

Learn the easiest way to achieve your dreams....

Dreams and aspirations are created from emotions. We all have things we want to achieve in this world; they give us emotions that make us feel good. That is why we want them. Those emotions can come from wanting the "thing" you desire just as much as if you actually had it. The more you embrace these feel-good emotions, sometimes called "vibrations", the closer you will come to actually achieving your dream! You should live and breath your dreams, keep those feelings and emotions resonating all the time so you will manifest what you want. Put pictures of what you want in prominent places all around your space, have an action plan with steps toward your dreams, and talk about it like it is already happening! For example, when Thad and I wanted to find our dream home, we put pictures of homes in our offices, I had a house on my vision board that represented all that we wanted, we looked online at homes, we talked as if we were moving, and the Universe led us to our dream home! If we had just passively said, "Maybe someday we will move," it would not have had the impact of "pack your bags kids, we are moving!" Emotions guide us through life; we base our decisions on how we feel about things. Assigning good emotions can launch us towards the point where we want to be and can be done in a short amount of time. Put some real spunk behind what you want, take a risk, use powerful feeling words, and be ready for what will come!
Emotions are extremely powerful, they can either make you feel amazing or horrible. Be sure to attach amazing, feel-great emotions to your dreams or goals. Take your life to the next level, never settle for mediocrity, let happiness guide you, and Live Inspired Now!

Create an incredible space in YOUR home....

I have spent the past 2 days at our new home painting walls. It looks incredible! I am creating a spa like feel in my bedroom with a deep rich green paint color and warm mocha carpeting. You don't have to break the bank to create an inviting or relaxing space in your home. Paint is cheap for the amount of impact you get. There are limitless options to creating something unique that will make you feel like you are in the most beautiful place in the world... your own home. Do some research online, look up designer rooms to get ideas. The websites www.pinterest.com and www.houzz.com have awesome ideas to look at. Then create something beautiful that reflects you and your family. Even if you only do one room, make it amazing. Create a bedroom for you and your spouse to escape to and feel like lovers. Or create a kitchen that makes you feel like a gourmet chef! Or how about a formal living room to entertain your friends in. Ohhh... or even a basement fun room to watch the games! Don't wish for an amazing and beautiful home, create one and Live Inspired Now!