Enjoy While You Can

Personal-Development-Enjoy-While-You-Can

The weather these past couple of days is a rude reminder that summer is almost over. Oh sure, we still have some sunshine and warmth coming our way, but haven’t you noticed that the days are getting shorter?

So before it’s too late, take some time to enjoy the beautiful flowers that surround you. You know, the ones you hurry past on your way to your next meeting, your next whatever. Take just a moment to appreciate those same flowers that you take for granted every single day.

They won’t be around much longer. Pretty soon they will be covered with a mound of snow and gone until next spring.

I found this beautiful array of color just minutes from my home. They’re gorgeous!   And just taking a few minutes to stop and enjoy them helped me put things in perspective. It’s a reminder of the things in life that are important to me, and to take the time to enjoy them while I can.

I’d love to know where you’ve found beauty, whether it be flowers or the sounds of birds or a hug from a good friend. Whatever it is, savor it and treasure it – you never know what will happen next.

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Beauty in Our Own Back Yard

Personal-Development-Beauty-in-Our-Own-Back-Yard

STOP! Take a breath. And look at the beauty that surrounds you.

Isn’t it funny how we sometimes overlook the everyday treasures that are in our very own city, our very own neighborhood? We take them for granted and often forget all about them.

For me, it was the fields and fields of sunflowers that grow just miles from my home. A friend told me about Pope Farm Conservancy in Verona, Wisconsin and said: “This is something you really don’t want to miss.”  She was right. Who knew that a ten minute drive would make me feel like I was in another world.

In fact, pick one thing right now in your own town that you would like to discover and experience. Then put it on your calendar to make it happen.   I’ve already chosen mine. I’m finally going on that tour of the state capitol building in downtown Madison. It is something I’ve wanted to do for over two years now, so this time, I actually scheduled my tour.  That way it is on my calendar and I know I will actually do it.

What treasures lie in your back yard? Tell me about them so I can put them on my “list of things to do” the next time I’m in your neighborhood. But don’t wait for me to visit. Take some time this week-end and explore on your own. What did you discover?

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My Best Friend Forever

Personal-Development-My-Best-Friend-Forever

Right now I am visiting my friend in Seattle. I’m sitting on her patio and looking over Puget Sound. Absolutely beautiful! But the best part of it all – the very best part – is the friendship we share.

I have been blessed with the best friends anyone could ever ask for. They have been there for me to dry my tears when my heart was broken, they have shown up on my doorstep with packing tape in hand to help me move when I just didn’t want to go, and they have shared belly laughs so intense that tears ran down our cheeks. I couldn’t have survived without them.

And now, my very best friend of all times is the same person who walked down the aisle with me last year. He is my rock, my safe place, my #1 fan. He is teaching me to love unconditionally – something that isn’t easy to do. Believe it or not, he will even do the Macarena with me. Now, that is true love!!!

Don’t know what the Macarena is??? You don’t know what you’re missing!

So, who’s been the rock in your life? What stories can you share about your friends? Right now I have a huge smile on my face because of all the crazy experiences I have had with mine. I hope this post brings about some memories for you, too.

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Failure is NOT an Option

Personal-Development-Failure-is-NOT-an-Option

What would you dare to do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

A good friend of mine asked me this question a couple of days ago – great question!

I thought about it long and hard. Taking failure out of the equation really opened up a lot of doors for me. Let’s see – there’s skiing down the double black diamond hill. That has to be the closet feeling to flying that you can possibly have.

Then there’s something as simple as swimming. I remember my mother saying: “Nancy, you swim like a rock – you sink to the bottom.” What a great feeling it would be to glide through the water with no fear at all.

And let’s not forget loving unconditionally, with no hesitation or thought of being hurt.

What would you do if fear wasn’t an option for you? What chances would you take if you knew you couldn’t fail? I recently read on article that said the one thing that most people regret at the end of their life was not taking chances. I agree. I refuse to end my life saying “I wish I would have”. In fact, this quote was written for me:

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!

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