Today I almost got into a car accident. I was in a parking lot stopped in my bright-you-can’t-miss-it red car with my daughter, waiting to turn left. All of a sudden we noticed a brand new Range Rover (the largest one) who decided for reasons unknown to put their gear in reverse and start backing up…fast! Luckily I pushed my hand on my steering wheel’s horn right away and kept it there while the Range Rover continued to back up. I thought the car would for sure hit me but they stopped with one or two inches to spare. Driving the Range Rover was a 20ish girl in the car who was texting on her cell phone. She just drove away, without an apology as at least ten people shook their heads at her.

An accident could have occurred because of multitasking and yet, we all look around and it is common to see drivers around us multitasking. They are holding their cell phones, talking and texting. Then there are always those who are putting on make-up, flossing, tweezing their eyebrows, shaving and even cutting grocery coupons with a scissors! I am sure that you have seen pretty crazy activities out there among your fellow drivers.

Are we really that rushed that we have to do these other things while operating a large piece of machinery? Are we “saving time” at everyone else’s expense?

By doing too much at one time or doing things too fast, we run the risk of costly mistakes which will cost us far more in time, money and energy than simply slowing down the pace and focusing on what you are doing.

Can we just slow down a bit?

Whatever happened to turning on the radio and winding down as we drive to our destinations? My Bluetooth has been missing in action for the past two weeks and I have been driving and listening to relaxing music and I notice that when I reach my destination I feel refreshed and recharged.

We have so many things to do in our days. We owe it to ourselves (and others) to slow down and cruise, especially when we are driving.

A Change of Scenery To Gain Clarity

Last year I spent half of the year in Hawaii. I know that the gorgeous sunsets, the vast Pacific, the emerald mountains and the amazing rainbows I saw each and every day allowed me to pause and reflect on the amazing beauty of the islands. Yet, it was something different that stirred emotions and feelings. It was the change in scenery and lifestyle that awoke ideas within me and sparked my creativity.

Sometimes a change of scenery is all we need to gain clarity.

My time in Hawaii made me absolutely aware that I wanted to inspire others more through my writing. It made my daughter absolutely aware that she wanted to study fine art. It made us both absolutely aware that beauty is all around us, everywhere we go and not just on a tropical island.

When we got back home, that beauty stayed within our hearts. Every afternoon when I take in the sunset in all of its’ red and orange hues, I breathe in the passion that has awoken within me. My daughter feels the passion when she draws, paints and designs.

I encourage you to try to find a place and time when you can seek a change of scenery to gain clarity. It can be triggered by a getaway to a different place but can also be close to home. It can be as simple as walking along the shore, taking in the beauty of nature or getting lost in a book.

These mini-getaways (whether physical or mental) can shift your perspective and give your mind, body and spirit a chance to sort out and recharge.

I encourage you to think about how you can get away to find a new perspective and new energy. Keep that vision alive as you make it happen.

It All Begins With A Vision, Your Vision

When you get inspired, you move closer to your vision, which reflects your passion and your purpose. Your vision is sacred and must be treated with care and respect. Write it down describing all that you can in vivid color. A design board or a notebook keeps your thoughts together and visually reinforces the life that you are moving towards.

You’ve heard of people putting pictures of a physically fit person on their refrigerator when trying to lose weight. This is a very effective tool to inspire and encourage. It engrains in the brain a positive result of what positive actions can produce.

Use that same technique to design your ideal life.

Amelia had been working in cubicle nation for fifteen years and had absolutely no interest in her job. Although she liked her salary, each year it became more and more meaningless because she felt that she was not making a difference in the world. She described herself as feeling like she was among the “walking dead,” those who woke up every day, went to work and came home all while on automatic pilot.

While visiting New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, she felt an incredible compassion stir within her as she saw the destruction. She spoke with many families and her heart opened up. For the first time in her life, she felt alive.

When she came home this passion stayed alive within her. She bought herself a scrapbook and started to fill it up with photos that touched her. She cut out photos from magazines of people touched by destruction, especially families with children.

This led to her realize that she did not have to move to New Orleans or become a full-time social worker to fulfill her passion. No, there were plenty of displaced families in her own area.

She started volunteering in local shelters and the difference in her demeanor is incredible. She reports that her life is filled with a depth that she could not get in cubicle nation.

You do not have to make a MAJOR change in your own life to make a MAJOR difference in the life of others.

It all begins with a VISION, your vision.

I Get My Best Ideas In the Bath

As we step in a New Year, let’s really stop the struggling with ourselves and begin trusting ourselves. We spend so much time and energy trying to achieve newer and greater things and can tend to lose sight of all of the beauty around us and within us along the way.

I get my best ideas in the bath. Seriously. It might be something about the flow of the water, the soothing warmth, the steam, the time-out relaxation time just for me. It is a place where I do not think about productivity or efficiency. I always effortlessly achieve my goal of relaxing my mind, body and spirit.

In the bath, solutions become clearer and my worries evaporate. That is why I make it a point to take one bath a day, usually after dinner before I really relax for the evening. Some days call for more than one bath and yes, they do make a difference in my peace and tranquility levels.

Try it! Let your family know that this is a time meant just for you, so unless it is a dire emergency (like imminent danger), you are not to be disturbed. Homework, phone calls and arguments among children DO NOT count as emergency or danger. This is a time when the family should be as quiet as possible so that when you are lounging in the bath trying to get your relaxation response, you do not turn off the water only to hear, “No fair, it’s MY turn! MOMMMMM!”

Maybe this could be a new tradition as you step into the New Year. Time just for you, what a novelty! You’ve got to leave the guilt and responsibility hat aside and let your husband watch the kids just for this short time. (When I mean short, it may just be five minutes at first but you can try to work up in small increments to a whopping twenty minutes or more!) Don’t worry about your family. They will eventually start to realize that after your bath, you are much more relaxed and peaceful, better equipped to conquer the entire family’s issues once again as the SuperMOM that you are.

So usher yourself out of this year and embrace the New Year and congratulations, you are now an official investor in yourself.

To Your Fulfillment,

Cara

Dr. Cara Alana is an inspiring Life Coach and author with a Doctorate in Psychology. Her empowering approach focuses on accelerated personal and professional growth where sustainable long-term change can be achieved, resulting in tremendous breakthroughs. Equipped with training in motivational psychology, she provides a safe and soothing place of growth and empowerment. What’s standing between you and your full happiness potential? Visit her website at http://www.lifefulfillmentnow.com

Clutter stands in the way of clarity. Clutter, especially paper pile-up can make you feel guilty and stuck. Are you saving things “just in case?” Chances are you may not be able to find it later anyways. Do you feel overwhelmed? Clearing even one drawer or one pile can work wonders towards mental clarity. It brings a sense of achievement and hope. For lifting spirits, it is VERY effective. Wouldn’t you rather look at a pure and empty space? It may seem like too big of a job but take it one day at a time. Remember, little by little does get the job done. You’ll me amazed how much you’re holding on to.

What can do you with all the clutter you are going to go through? Donate it to a women’s shelter or a local charity. If you wait for that big garage sale, you are just rearranging your clutter for a later date. Garage sales aren’t that great. Everybody nickels and dimes you and you still are stuck with most of your items. With your $21.50 profit (after nine painful hours of dealing with the best bargainers in history not to mention the time the night before spent preparing) you then drive all the leftovers to the local charity or worse yet, store the items in the garage for the next big garage sale. No, no more.

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You want to do something that speaks to you. Intuition does help but sometimes you just can’t hear the voice that tells you exactly what you are here on earth to do. You need a change but don’t know where to begin. 

Start with looking deep within yourself. Explore what REALLY brings happiness.

Try this. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you LOVE your life?

Do you even LIKE your life?

What do you enjoy doing at work?

What do you enjoy doing in your leisure?

Why do I enjoy the following activities/aspects of my work/leisure life?

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The Beauty That Can’t Be Bottled

I know many women who have lived their lives to please other people. First it’s parents, then friends, then husbands, then children. There comes a point of awakening, most commonly when the kids are practically self-sufficient, when these women realize that they have been living by someone else’s rules. They wonder to themselves, “When can I start living the life that I want?”

What a tough question. Difficult because deep down they do not even know what they really, really want. Of course, there’s the obvious. There’s happiness, good health, and let’s not forget a youthful appearance. But women want more. 

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As we begin the New Year we are excited for the changes we are all going to be making in our lives.  We want to lose weight, eat healthier, become stronger, spend more time with our loved ones, find work that brings true passion and look and feel our best. We want to make this year the year of discovery and action. (more…)

Gail believed in her BIG dream of becoming a freelance writer. She dedicated two hours a day to her craft and was writing a book of short stories. During her day job as an accountant, she envisioned herself living a passionate life in her home office writing away full-time. Ready to take the next step, Gail was excited to leave her high prestige accountant position in order to write a novel that she had been developing. She had saved up an impressive amount to cover her expenses for one year. So you can imagine how thrilled she was that she finally was ready to take the bold move and live her dream.  (more…)