As younger people we were under great peer pressure to be like everyone else.  We all tried to dress like our friends.  We all tried to talk like our friends.  Remember all those fad phrases?  The idea was to fit into the crowd.  We all wanted to be in the “in crowd.”  Perhaps, there was comfort and security being a part of the whole. But — there was one girl in my high school class that was different.  I can remember how we all made faces when she entered the room.  Most ... Read Full Story

Today many of us need a dose of reality.  Some want to be out of credit card debt.  Others want to lose weight.  Still others are thinking about other goals.  Getting started may be the hardest part — getting the ball rolling, that is.  However, once the ball is rolling, when we have set inertia in motion, some of us become frustrated by the s l o w pace of our progress. When we become frustrated there are a few things to remember.  For those with too much credit card debt or too much... Read Full Story

You and I cannot determine the direction of the wind, but we can set our sails to go where we want to go. That’s really what life is all about. Yet, most of us spend more time planning our vacations than we do planning the direction of our lives. Having grown up along the coast, I spent many summers sailing with family and friends. I can remember as a young child wondering how we could be heading in one direction when the wind was blowing directly into my face. No matter the direc... Read Full Story

Rather than discuss the possibilities of making money or earning additional financial wealth, today I wish to discuss the possibilities of opening one’s mind to ideas and concepts that may be beyond your present belief system. Again, today I will continue with the theme of having the courage to face the truth.  Most of us like to think that we are open minded.  However, each of us have biases and prejudices.  We either shun people who are overweight — and yes, we have all said s... Read Full Story

Something few of us do, but most of us need to do is to take a walk.  It is amazing what a walk can do for us. The most obvious benefit of taking a walk is that we get some much needed exercise.  On the eve of 2009 many of us made resolutions to lose weight, to get into an exercise program or to seriously begin a journey toward reaching a new goal we have set for ourselves.  Chances are those New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside — probably sometime in February, if n... Read Full Story

It’s time to clear the decks!  Many of us are ready — really, really, really ready — to set some goals.  However, before getting started with the 7 Steps to Goal Setting, we need to clear the decks. So, let’s tackle the issue.  We have all learned by now that in order to accomplish anything we must have the courage to face the truth — our truth, regardless of what that may be.  We have all learned that excuses only satisfy those who make them.  And, we all know... Read Full Story

We all know these are tough economic times, more so for some of us than others.  But, the truth is everyone is tightening the budget belt these days. If you are the controller of the family’s purse, you are under extra pressure.  The kids, if you have kids at home, and your spouse may be talking about things they want… and think they need.  It’s time to have the courage to face the truth with yourself and your family.  Be honest about your financial situation with everyone... Read Full Story

Most of us are complacent until we are motivated to take action.  But, what motivates us?  What is real motivation?  What is the difference between inspiration and motivation?  Those are a few of the questions I am asked over and over again.  So, let me give you an example of motivation and inspiration. Inspiration comes from within.  For example, we may hear the story of someone who has done something for the community that inspires us.  In our neighborhood, I would name Happy and Maya as ... Read Full Story

Yesterday, the discussion was all about procrastination.  While most of us consider procrastination as putting off an activity, we described it as deciding not to do something.  Many of our goals and dreams have been swallowed up by procrastination. In fact, our successes or failures can be defined as much by what we omit… what we do not do… as much as by what we do.  To borrow from my Catholic friends, we are victims of the sin of omission. Here is example of “omission fa... Read Full Story

Putting off making the decision to recreate your reality is a decision to NOT change your life.  We all have days when we put off until tomorrow what we should do today.  In fact, that’s probably the reason you are where you are today. Again, we are asking you to have the courage to face the truth… your truth.  Are you doing anything today that will change the course of your life?  Did you do anything yesterday that could be life changing?  What about la... Read Full Story