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!!! :)

Henna!

I have wanted to try henna for a long time and yesterday I finally did! My friend Lauren is an amazing artist and she creates beautiful henna art for people. It is a great way to "try out" a tattoo before you commit or just a temporary expression of beauty. In some cultures, woman get henna on their hands and feet for their weddings. I think it looks so gorgeous! My friend Lauren's link is below for local Upstate NY people. If you don't know someone who does henna in your area, you can buy a kit at your local craft store and do it yourself! There are millions of possibilities for designs, check them out online. So have some fun and give henna a try, or even host a henna party and Live Inspired Now!


Henna Art By Lauren

Awaken...

Guarding your heart from getting too close to people will not prevent you from being hurt, it will only drag out the pain for a much longer duration. It is time to wake up, time to start feeling things again, time to move forward and start living a life of joy and passion. Yes, yes you could get hurt again... so what? YOU CAN HANDLE IT! It is time my friends, time to awaken your souls and experience life and all the fun, excitement, love, passion, happiness and adventure that it has to offer. What have you been guarding yourself from? What have you been too afraid to try? Who have you resisted giving your heart to? Today is the day... awaken to possibilities and Live Inspired Now!

Snow day!!!

Wow... here in Upstate NY, we have tons of beautiful snow and it is still coming down! They are those giant wet flakes that stick in your hair and make everything look so white and clean. The pine tree branches are all weighed down and the yard is calling out for the first person to make tracks in the smooth white cover. I can't wait to get out there and play!
Today, take some time to play in the snow. Snow angels, snowmen, sledding, snow forts, snowball fights and even catching snowflakes... are all wonderful, fun, snow day activities! Get out there and have some fun and Live Inspired Now!

PS: No snow where you are? Get out and have some fun anyway.... get some fresh air, enjoy nature or take a hike. 

Love is the true purpose...

I watched a documentary the other night about this doctor who devoted his entire life to developing medical procedures and tools that made life easier for terminal patients. He never married, had no children but had plenty of patents and a legacy of making a difference in peoples lives. This doctor had done amazing things and was highly honored and respected but at the end of the interview, he said he had but one regret. He regretted never getting married and having someone to love. I felt bad for the man because at the end of the day, he went home alone. He had tons of friends and colleagues and lots of awards and honors, but nobody to fall asleep with or to smile at in the morning.
You career, job, book, invention or hobby may keep you busy and entertained but they will never provide love. Give you heart to someone, this is the true purpose in life.... to love someone.
Today, think about how much better off we are for the people in our lives that we love and Live Inspired Now!

Set a fine example...

Thad and I took the kids on Christmas day to volunteer serving meals to the needy and this is what our daughter Madison posted on facebook that same evening.
"Today I got the opportunity to help out people who are less fortunate and don't have any family really to spend Christmas with. Today I was their family, and to know I made their day that much better makes my whole life that much better. I want to be able to devote my life to always helping people, because it is honestly such an amazing feeling."
This is why we should always set a positive example for our kids and let them get involved in making a contribution. Kids are highly impressionable; which would you rather they learn from... your life experiences or Jersey Shore on television? A woman I met at the community center that day said "Lessons are caught not taught" after she complimented us on bringing all of our children to help. It is true... you can try and teach a kid how to act or what to do but ultimately, they will mirror your behavior. So today, set a fine example for your kids, not everyone has to volunteer but be sure that whatever you are doing, it is something you wouldn't mind your kid doing as well and Live Inspired Now! 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas full of love, laughter, joy and peace! Enjoy your friends, family, pets and everyone who is blessed to be in your life!
Love, Thad & Heather Paris & Family

Adopt an elderly person...

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!! I am so excited for Christmas! Tomorrow; besides spending quality time with family, eating too much and opening presents, our family is volunteering at an elderly home. There are plenty of seniors in need this holiday season that would love your company and it is not too late to sign up to volunteer. There are so many elderly people that do not have family to visit them or spend time with them. "Adopt" an elderly person today, spend some time sharing stories, getting to know one another, making them feel like part of the family and Live Inspired Now!

Vigilante Philanthropist...

"A what?", you might ask. I use this term to describe people, like myself, who donate or give to others without going through an organized system or charity. In other words, you might give money, goods, food or offer services directly to people in need rather than giving it to a known charity. Charities are great and I support many, but I also very much love giving to people that I know are in need. Not to mention,  many people who are in need will not seek any type of charity or help.
There are so many ways to help people directly. You can send gift cards in the mail, drop off food, toys, wood or other heating sources, give a salon day for a single mom, bring warm clothes to the school, drop off blankets or coats to a homeless person... the list is infinite.
Today, I am going out with 2 friends and we are dropping off a full Christmas dinner to a family in need. I can't tell you how much fun it is and how much satisfaction you will get by helping someone in need. It doesn't have to be anything huge... every gift from the heart is priceless. So today, try it for yourself, be a bad-ass vigilante philanthropist, do it anonymously, if you can, and Live Inspired Now!

Don't live in fear!

People live in fear every day, most are not afraid of big things like the world ending or zombie apocalypse rather they are afraid to change. Many people stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid to be alone or they are afraid of the unknown, the "not knowing where to go or what to do." It never ceases to amaze me how people (and I have done it too) will prolong suffering because of fear. Fear causes us to find ways to control that which we have no control over and it is has been Fucking Even Awesome Relationships since the beginning of time.
Some people will try to control their partners and manipulate them to try to subside their fear but that will not create a healthy relationship. If you partner is going to lie or cheat, you can't manipulate them into not doing it... and why would you want to? Wouldn't it be better to be with someone you can trust rather than trying to "catch" bad behavior? Wouldn't it be better to be alone and have the opportunity to find a positive, healthy relationship that you can love rather than continue to live in fear of getting hurt? Nobody deserves abuse but we have to take responsibility for what we put up with and what we stay with.
Parents, please teach your young ladies and gentlemen that they deserve a healthy relationship that is not based in fear and that being alone and taking the time to find a quality relationship is far better than settling for abuse. Also, set a good example for your kids, they will have a relationship similar to yours. Ask yourself... would I be OK if my son/daughter had the type of relationship that I have now?
Don't live in fear, you can always make a change. Yes it is scary but yes you can do it. Never settle for abuse, don't live in fear of things you have no control over, seek help or support if you need it and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Check out my coaching solutions if you would like some support in your relationship or breaking the pattern of finding unhealthy relationships.

Homemade gifts...

Every year we make homemade gifts for one another. I am super excited this year because I made some really cool stuff for the kids. I can't tell you what it is because my kids read my posts each day. lol. But feel free to message me on facebook and I will send you a photo of the cool things I made this year! In the meantime... do a google search for homemade Christmas gifts, there are hundreds of thousands of ideas and pages to keep you busy! Get the kids involved too. Some of our favorite times are showing each other the secret presents we have made, brainstorming for creative ideas and then the proud moment when your family member truly appreciates your handy work. We exchange regular store bought gifts too but the homemade gifts are always a huge hit! So today, think about making something for your kids, friends or family, enjoy the satisfaction of making your gifts and Live Inspired Now!

Contentment...

I am content.  I love my life and all that I have but I still have things that I am working towards. Contentment comes when you are grateful for what you have or have already achieved. Being grateful will align you to receive more too. Today, be grateful, be content even while working towards more and Live Inspired Now!

We the people...

We the people need to set a HIGHER standard for what is acceptable in our lives. No amount of laws or regulations will change human nature. Laws do not prevent crime. As long as humans walk the earth, laws will be broken. Stop regulating and start EDUCATING!

Our teachers have become forced into babysitting for 6 hours a day. They have to be social workers to the kids who show up without proper clothes, hungry and or beaten down by their often appalling life circumstances.

While in every classroom now sits at least one very special young person who has been "mainstreamed." I have seen high school students who can't dress themselves sitting in algebra classes just drooling on their books. How is this treating them with dignity? I think it would be far more dignified if they were learning some life skills that could make them feel successful. Teach them to dress themselves, tie shoes, make a sandwich, use manners, and self advocate.

I once took my son Harry to a professional wrestling event and a lovely young man of about 16 sat next to me while his parents sat in the seats directly in front of him. This young man was mentally retarded and seemed to be quite excited about the event until the wrestlers spilled out into the crowd and were "beating" one another about 10 feet from us. The young man became very agitated and scared and his crying escalated to wailing. His parents were gracious enough to put their beer down momentarily to tell him to "stop that" and "get over it." So I sat there trying to comfort the young man and calm him down... all the while sitting in a wet seat that his parents spilled beer on before the show even started. Not all entertainment is suitable for all ages and this young man may have been 16ish but mentally he was innocent and sensitive like a very young child and this clearly impacted him in a very negative way.

Where are our standards? Why does the government have so much control; especially if they are not effective at it? We have laws that allow 14 year old girls to go and get birth control and abortions without any type of parental notifications or permission yet they cannot get a tattoo or a flu shot. Most 14 year old's will assume they will get in trouble and wont want to tell their parents. Some parents however are supportive and should have the opportunity to comfort their daughters, especially if they are going through something that can be life altering and extremely hard emotionally. We have young men who are being emasculated by a society that thinks strong men make women weak. This is the same society that teaches women that to be feminine will leave you vulnerable and unsafe.

Parents have had their rights stripped away but then are expected to be held accountable.
The laws are designed to protect people but they are just deterrents, not actual shields. It is still up to us as parents to step up, raise our standards and teach our children what is acceptable.
When parents do step up and ask for help, they should not be treated like failures. From personal experience and from close friends, I know how this feels. Schools are refusing to look at alternative placements for behaviorally challenged students. Kids who struggle with drug or alcohol addictions or have violent tendencies are left in the general population of students, often because a school will lose $12,000. per student. ($12,000 is the national average, some states are as high as $18,000+.)

Then, when parents try to hold their kids accountable for their unacceptable behavior, the parents are punished. Also, Child Protective Services can go to the school and interview your children at any time without notifying you. They can also come to your home and investigate you and when they find nothing wrong, they still won't tell you who made false allegations against you. They won't allow you to hold your child accountable, They say that if he is under 18 and refuses to come home, you must call the police and have him picked up and brought back, And if he is violent or hurts someone you must call the police and have him arrested. Then when you beg for help and ask for him to be placed in rehab or a school with counseling services you are deemed a bad parent for wanting to "get rid of them." It makes you think twice about ever asking for help again.

For as long as we continue to be humans, there will always be tragedy. There will always be people who break laws and hurt others. There will always be something negative to focus on and always people who want to try and control others with laws and regulations. There is no law that will govern the behavior or actions of all people.

The best we can do is to educate our young people. Teach men to be loving AND strong and teach them that strength is caring for other people, not hurting them. Teach our women that being vulnerable is a strength and to fully appreciate their feminine qualities. Teach children that life is not fair but it is still good. When we teach them that everything must be fair, they grow up with a sense of things being wrong and unjust and feel the need to constantly regulate their surroundings. Life is not fair. It never will be but we can still love every moment of it.

We should teach our kids to be kind, polite and respectful and never hesitate to hold them accountable to that standard. We should teach our kids that we are not all equal. We ALL deserve equal human rights but our diversity is beautiful and should be appreciated. We should teach our children that N and F words are beyond appalling and should not be "dropped" so casually. We should abhor drugs and instead teach the kids how to get high on life, adventure and adrenaline.

We need to cancel all television subscriptions. Reality TV is NOT reality, is is the lowest common denominator of so called entertainment. It preys on people who want to check out of their real life and feel better about themselves by seeing people who act worse than they do. Then, in between the idiocy, you get a feeling of well being by watching a commercial that shows a happy family sharing joy around a wet mop and you automatically want to buy it because it makes you feel better than the show you are watching. It gives you a respite from the drama.

Oh my gosh people!  We need to raise our standards, we need to get our civility and intelligence back. We must focus on all the good in the world, the joy, the love, the generosity and kindness that will always be here along with the bad. We need to ignore that which doesn't lift us up in love and light and give our complete attention to things that will enhance us and help us grow as people. We must appreciate and encourage people for doing good things, we must recognize the positive and reward kind acts. We must solely focus on things we would like to see repeated. We must Live and Love Inspired.... Now! -Heather Paris

Ahhh.... silence!

Don't invite or welcome bullshit into your life. Avoid people who talk badly about others or who consistently focus on the negative. Turn off the television or computer or anything that brings you a barrage of negative news and energy. Find peace in the silence, listen to the sound of your environment or nature, take a break from BS and Live Inspired Now!

Turn it off!

Turn off the news. Just turn it off and walk away. If you ever watch the news and start to get upset, heart racing, cry or just have an overall sense of despair, you are allowing the purveyors of gloom and doom to give you anxiety. On the other hand, if you are watching the doom and gloom and feel nothing, you have become desensitized to misery and need to do something to get back to a place where you can feel things. Terrible things happen in the world, that will always be true but amazing things also happen in the world... all the time. When we watch the news we focus on the bad and it makes us feel bad. No worldly problem has been solved by sensationalizing it or giving it attention. In fact, I would argue that bringing attention to problems actually makes it worse. Not only do we get desensitized to the problem because it becomes "part of life" but it also gives other people ideas about how to get attention for themselves by doing bad things. I do not and will not be part of that. Where is the news channel that only reports positive, uplifting, happy, compassionate stories that can also be very contagious? I want people who "copy-cat" acts of kindness and generosity. We need to focus on that which lifts the world up to a higher level of consciousness, not the drama, violence and pain that causes us to withdraw, feel depressed and have an overwhelming sense of despair.
So today, turn the news (and the television) OFF, do things that make you feel good, spread joy and love, don't allow negative influences to rob you of happiness and Live Inspired Now!

Every day...

It might be tough to make today better than my birthday yesterday! lol. Yesterday was amazing and ended with a meteor shower! We can TRY to make each day better than the one before by having a positive attitude and a willingness to be open to new things! Every single day that we wake up, we get a whole new chance to do something amazing, to live fully, to experience something new and to try that thing we were too scared to do the day before. Every day can be like your birthday if you love life! So today, try and make it better than yesterday, express your gratitude and love, do something fun and Live Inspired Now!

Happy 41st Birthday!

This is what 41 looks like! :) Happy Birthday to me!! I am so grateful for such an inspired life! I got the best present in the world today... my husband stayed home with me! Thank you everyone for your love, support and encouragement through the year! I am blessed with such good people in my life. Remember, relationships are what life is all about.... choose good ones, then cherish them! Have a very happy and blessed day... do something amazing and Live Inspired Now!

Hide secret messages!

My dear friend Karen gave me an amazing basket full of assorted teas for my birthday. The basket also had two custom tea mugs in it with my logo on them! I was blown away... what a very cool gift! The basket was so pretty with all the colorful tea bags and boxes and the "Heather Paris: Live Inspired Now" logo mugs sitting like royalty atop the admiring tea. It just looked so cool that I didn't want to take anything out of the basket! Finally, after two days to admire my basket, I decided to take it apart so I could proudly drink from my new custom logo mug. Well, I happened to notice something. There was a secret note etched right onto the bottom of the mug that read "Thank you for inspiring me! xo!" I couldn't believe it...it was like getting another gift! I swear all my friends are in cahoots to make me cry this month!
So today, find a way to include a secret message when you give a gift, put a message somewhere that they won't notice right away and Live Inspired Now!

You can buy all sorts of custom gifts from my friend Karen at www.wulfcreekdesigns.com  She and her husband do amazing work, please check out their site!

YOU are a star!!!!!!!

I love getting the mail this month! With my birthday and Christmas, most days I find cards in the mailbox and yesterday was no exception. There it was... a lumpy card from my dear friends Peg and Craig and I knew something was in it but had no idea what a wonderful treasure was hiding inside. The star ornament in the picture above was nestled between the pages of a beautifully hand made card with a note about the artist that created the star. This star was hand crafted by "Adede," who is also known as the "Queen Bead Maker" in her village of Krobo Odumase Nuaso in Ghana, West Africa. The 72 year old woman hand crafts beads from recycled soda and beer bottles. Wow! The personal message included from "Adede" the bead maker was "Your journey starts here."
I got all teary eyed when I read about my star. It was so amazing to me that this ornament was once in the hands of a villager in West Africa. I wonder if she sat and thought about the people who might receive her work, if she thought they would appreciate it or her message, or if they would admire her craftsmanship. Well I certainly do!
Last year around the same time, I received a package of shimmery silver stars, also from Peg with a card that reminded me that "I was a shining star!" I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends! I know how to inspire others and help them let their light shine but I often forget that I get to shine too! Thank you Peg!
So today, support a not so local artist, buy goods that will support women in other parts of the world, inspire a friend, share your light and love, be a star and Live Inspired Now!

Nourish your spirit....

Your human spirit is infinite so don't do anything to destroy it. Even if you don't believe your spirit to be infinite; you still have to live with yourself so while you are here, don't do things that will harden your heart or create walls. Every time you practice hate, jealousy, cruelty or anything that doesn't spread light and love, you scar yourself. Your infinite spirit was scar free when you were born and the hardship of life causes us to harden but we can focus on love, kindness, empathy and compassion and get back to our true selves. Focus on the things that will heal you and others, things that will express your inner light, avoid people and things that provoke you and encourage your frustrations. Take responsibility for nourishing your human spirit and Live Inspired Now!

Don't self destruct...

Don't be destructive just because you are in pain. We all experience tough times but wreaking havoc or creating bigger problems will never minimize the pain you are experiencing. Instead, try to find comfort in friends, family, talking to a coach or counselor, getting enough rest, exercising, taking a break or even going for a drive to clear your head. We all need to take a time out sometimes! It is better to take some time to think about the situation before reacting. Better decisions are made proactively as opposed to re-actively! So if you are in pain, get help, take a break and give yourself the same amount of compassion you would give another person and Live Inspired Now! 

Stay bold or get old!

Stay bold or grow old! Who wants to age with their years? Not me! With my birthday coming up next week, I have been thinking about aging and how it doesn't really have to effect who we are. I don't plan on aging at all!! My Grandma Bea was one of my biggest roles models in this department. She was a teenager well into her 80's! I used to spend summers with her sometimes when I was a kid and she would do everything with me. She would wake me up in the middle of the night, midnight, 1am, 2am, didn't matter and take me out for a drive. Sometimes we would go to McDonald's and eat apple pies and drink sprites in the parking lot. Then she would challenge me to a shopping cart race! We would each grab a cart and push it as hard as we could and the cart that went farthest was the winner! Sometimes she would let me steer her Cadillac on the way home...... we did everything together and it was so much fun! (OMG; you should have seen my grandmas Halloween costumes each year... one year she even wore balloons all over her entire body and went as a stripper! lol.) So I refuse to age! I refuse to settle for a numeric sum as the equivalent of my maturity or as an indication of the way I am supposed to behave. Screw it! I want to be bold and never grow old! So today, forget your age, do something fun and "youthful," change your attitude about aging and Live Inspired Now!

We were prepared... mostly!

Last night we had a fire in the kitchen! One of the kids put a veggie burger in the toaster oven and a couple of minutes later it was engulfed in flames! Not just a little bit either, the entire thing was on fire! My son said "Mom, FIRE!" I instantly jumped into action. I pulled the cart away from the wall, told Harry to pull the fridge out so we could reach the outlet, told Mattie to unplug the toaster oven, I grabbed oven mitts and another kid opened the door and I took the toaster oven outside! It was so scary but everyone kept their calm and did as they were told and nothing was harmed... well except the veggie burger and the toaster oven! After I brought it outside in the grass, I ran inside and got a pitcher of water and took it outside and threw it on the fire and put it out. I was so proud of the kids who were responsive and calm!
It occurred to me after, I have no idea where our fire extinguisher is, then when Thad got home, he told me we don't have one! Yikes! I will be getting one today! After the fire though, I talked to the kids about our plan... what to do in case I wasn't home and something like that were to happen. We all went over the plan a couple of times to make sure everyone knew what to do. It is a great idea to go over that with your family too. Make sure everyone is prepared, be sure they know to remain calm and let them know who to call. So today, go over your fire plan, be prepared and Live Inspired Now!

WHY?

People always ask "Why?" Why do people get sick and die, why do people suffer, why are there homeless people, why are people hurting, why are people going hungry, why do people abuse their kids, why why why? The answer is that it is just part of life, unfortunate, but inevitable. If you don't like that answer, start asking better questions like why am I focusing on all the negative when there is just as much positive in the world, if not more! Why do people smile at one another, why do we get butterfly's when we are in love, why are we so lucky to live in a time with so much cool technology, why do we have so many wonderful people in our lives, WHY NOT? If you are the type of person who is always asking "why" ask yourself "why" aren't you thinking about all the beautiful, wonderful and amazing things we have to be grateful for and Live Inspired Now!

Keep It Simple Stupid......

I am a firm believer in KISS; Keep It Simple Stupid! While I could do without the "stupid" part, I will use it because it makes a better acronym. Keeping things simple is almost an art form. I am not sure why people want to make things so complicated. Break things down, chunk your tasks, stop over-analyzing and keep it be simple. Simplicity is beautiful, uncluttered and makes things easier to accomplish. Look at your life, your relationships, your job, your chores, your writing... how can you simplify it? Today, 'KISS;' find the way to make it simple, free yourself from the overwhelming feeling of difficulty and Live Inspired Now.

Please check my upcoming workshops for the "Becoming Badass" teleconference that will teach you just how to keep it simple! Upcoming Workshops

Hug too long....

When you give a hug, give a real hug. A nice embrace and make it last just a little too long. People just don't hug long enough, they do an obligatory hug without any real feeling behind it. Physical touch has many healing properties and a hug can be just what some people need. Have you ever hugged a person and they seemed fine but started to cry when you hugged them? All that stress and tension came out when they felt secure in your arms. Hugs are very therapeutic so don't rush them! Give a nice long hug to a willing participant today and Live Inspired Now!

How to be badass....

Being badass has everything to do with attitude and being true to who you are. A badass person marches to the beat of their own drum without regard for what others think of them. They also don't hurt other people... bully's aren't badass, they are usually scared and lack any confidence. People who stand up for others are badass. Badass people follow their dreams even when others say "it's completely unrealistic!" Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Sylvester Stallone, Walt Disney, Dalton Sherman, Derek Redmond, JK Rowling are all examples of badass people who did something amazing, something that others told them they couldn't or who showed extreme bravery when others would have walked away. There are so many more examples... who do YOU think of when you think of badass? Today, channel YOUR inner badass, stand up or speak out, do something amazing and Live Inspired Now!

PS: Check out my "upcoming workshops" page; I am hosting a "Becoming Badass" workshop that you will want to participate in! (It's a teleconference so you can listen in from the comfort of you own home!)  

My biggest fan!!!

I have been posting about relationships this week and yesterday on facebook I asked 2 questions: "What jobs should the woman of the house be doing?" and "What jobs should the man of the house be doing?" I received a host of answers but only 1 person really got the answer that I was looking for. She responded with "Taking care of the man of the house"... and "Taking care of the woman of the house..." which is exactly right! Put one another first, take care of each other, honor your relationship and be each others biggest fans! Your health and success of your family is only as strong as the foundation that you build as a couple, put one another first always and Live Inspired Now!