Loving the Chaos

Who are the real fabulous women in your life?

In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re inviting you to celebrate the real fabulous women you know and share with us what makes them special.

Here’s how:

Post a comment telling us about a real fabulous woman you know – first names only are just fine. Let us know what makes this woman special. It might be her attitude to life, her unique personality, her accomplishments, her contributions or something else.

Please keep your comment to 100 words or less.

You can post as many times as you like – but only one real fabulous woman per comment please.

On March 31^st , we’ll draw from all of the posted comments. If you are the lucky winner, both you and the woman you celebrated will win a one year subscription to the new online community RealFabulousWomen.com

Let the celebration begin!

I have the great good fortune to have many people in my life who provide me with a sometimes needed cosmic kick in the butt. The latest little jolt came from

my friend and colleague Tony Barton who has finally ventured into the world of video blogging after procrastinating about it for some time. In his last newsletter he posed this question:

What if, like me, you stopped making up excuses and just got on with it?

That’s a simultaneously annoying and empowering question, isn’t it?

When someone asks that question, you usually feel the need to justify your inaction. Your first response is likely a flood of “yes, but” answers. Something along the lines of….

They’re not excuses, they’re reasons.

I do want to do this but I don’t have the time, or money, or energy, or fill in the blank.

I am going to do this as soon as I have enough information, or motivation, or skills, or fill in the blank.

But when it gets right down to it, if you really want to do something you have to let go of all of the excuses that have been holding you back. You need to shift from an “I can’t because” attitude to a “How can I?” one.

The empowering part of this question is all about the “What if?” part.

Imagine if you actually just got on with it.

What would become possible?

How would things change?

What new opportunities would open up?

Ever since Tony’s newsletter arrived I’ve been pondering  the things I need to just get on with. Definitely think there are a few excuses that could get kicked out.

What are you making excuses about?

I was saddened to hear of the passing last Saturday of modern philosopher Jim Rohn. I have often shared his quote: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” It’s a thought that tends to stop people in their tracks as they reflect on the qualities of the people they surround themselves with.

Jim makes this challenge to us:

You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay?*

Very good advice from a wise man.

Fortunately for all of us, the legacy of his thoughts and inspiration will carry us forward as we stretch ourselves to live our very best lives.

*This quote is by Jim Rohn, America’s Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.com Excerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. Copyright © 1994-2008 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.

Today is World Teachers’ Day - a day dedicated to celebrating teachers and the role they play in guiding children, youths and adults through the life-long learning process.

One of the teachers who had the greatest impact on me was Mr. Pilutti, my high school English teacher. In the book I co-athored called Create a Ripple, I shared the impact he had on me. Here’s part of the story in an excerpt from the book:

It was my great fortune to have had John Pilutti for an Enlgish teacher more than once in high school. He was the kind of teacher whose love for the subject he taught was evident and who held the bar high for his students. Being in his class made literature come alive – written assignments were not simply exercises but opportunities to explore ideas and opinions – and discussions in his class challenged you to stretch your mind. English was always a comfortable place during what seemed like a turbulent year.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

We always contain within ourselves the possibility of change. We need never be the prisoner of yesterday’s choices.

Nathaniel Branden

What are you choosing today?

The consciousness of  loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.

Oscar Wilde

Who do you love?

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

Gandhi

How can you slow down?

Why always “not yet”?  Do flowers in spring say “not yet”?

Norman Douglas

What are you saying “not yet” to?

Think enough and you won’t know anything.

Kenneth Patchen

What are you thinking about too much?

Think sideways!

Edward de Bono

How can you be creative today?