I'm feel like sharing something light and fun today. NPR shared this great story back on May 4th - I hope it inspires you. I love serendipitous moments like the one producer Mark Johnson had one day in Santa Monica. Read the story from NPR below. Then take 5 minutes and watch the youtube video. It's good stuff!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103715874
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM
It's time to tell the truth:
Who stands by you? Who do you stand by?
Standing Strong and Standing by YOU,
Cindy
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Who's In Your Court?
I was having lunch with my friend Suzi (www.suziqcosmetics.com) yesterday and we got to talking about the power of girlfriends - imagine that. Girlfriends just seem to meet needs that no one else can meet for us. Girlfriends just get us! As many of you know, I've been blessed with an abundance of steadfast, beautiful, strong-hearted girlfriends along my journey. I hope some of you happen to be reading this right now.
The Power of Girlfriends is one of the 5 gems that will stand as a foundation for my book. I believe that if we are going to make significant, positive changes in our lives and the lives of others, we need to be intentional. We need to be intentional about who we spend time with and who we invest in as girlfriends. I think it's vitally important for us to have these ladies in our court - at least one of each - especially, if we want to become queens of less drama.
Your"Queen Mama" goes before you. She's "been there and done that". She's in the next season of life. She listens to you with all her heart. She holds you up when you feel like falling. She celebrates you when you succeed. She believes in you when you don't believe in yourself. She helps you see your mistakes gently (firmly when needed) and she helps you learn from them. She holds you accountable. She highlights your strengths and forgives you your weaknesses. She points to the truth (even when it hurts). She provides wisdom when you ask for it. She shares her journey with you. She gives you perspective. She reminds you "this too shall pass".
Thank you to Vickie, Miss Virginia, Joanne, Debby and Donna for being the Queen Mamas in my life.
Your"Lady-In-Waiting" is a noble companion. That's what they were called in Queen Elizabeth's time. I love my noble companions - Ashley, Lara, Lauri, Kerstin and Kate. Our lady-in-waiting is in the "same boat we are in". We listen to each other. We can carry on parallel conversations at the same time and not miss a beat. We keep up with each other. We learn from each other. We cry with each other and oh do we laugh (belly laughs) with each other. We celebrate each other. We have fun together. We listen to each other's rants. We talk each other down off the ledge. We know each other inside and out AND STILL love each other.
Your "Princess" comes along behind you. She asks you for help. She lets you hold her tight. She challenges you. You GET to love her well. You get to celebrate her. She inspires you. She teaches you that you really do have something to give. She helps you to keep it real and she knows you've got your own shortcomings. She looks up to you. She trusts you. She gets to learn from your mistakes (lucky her). She laughs with you. She reminds you that you're not crazy and you get to do the same for her.
Julie, Wynter, Alisha, Allison, Amy and Laura - thank you for letting me be your "Queen Mama"!
Do you have a Queen Mama, a Lady-In-Waiting and a Princess in your court? Who are they? Do they mean the world to you? Do you need a Queen Mama, a Lady-In-Waiting or a Princess? Think about the women that have been placed in your life. Could you cultivate one of these friendships? If you're in need, be on the look-out. Be intentional. See who comes along your way that might just fit the bill.
The beauty in these friendships is that they reinforce one of the values that I hold dear - the value of reciprocity - they allow us to give and receive. Yay for girlfriends!
Yay for you,
Cindy
The Power of Girlfriends is one of the 5 gems that will stand as a foundation for my book. I believe that if we are going to make significant, positive changes in our lives and the lives of others, we need to be intentional. We need to be intentional about who we spend time with and who we invest in as girlfriends. I think it's vitally important for us to have these ladies in our court - at least one of each - especially, if we want to become queens of less drama.
Your"Queen Mama" goes before you. She's "been there and done that". She's in the next season of life. She listens to you with all her heart. She holds you up when you feel like falling. She celebrates you when you succeed. She believes in you when you don't believe in yourself. She helps you see your mistakes gently (firmly when needed) and she helps you learn from them. She holds you accountable. She highlights your strengths and forgives you your weaknesses. She points to the truth (even when it hurts). She provides wisdom when you ask for it. She shares her journey with you. She gives you perspective. She reminds you "this too shall pass".
Thank you to Vickie, Miss Virginia, Joanne, Debby and Donna for being the Queen Mamas in my life.
Your"Lady-In-Waiting" is a noble companion. That's what they were called in Queen Elizabeth's time. I love my noble companions - Ashley, Lara, Lauri, Kerstin and Kate. Our lady-in-waiting is in the "same boat we are in". We listen to each other. We can carry on parallel conversations at the same time and not miss a beat. We keep up with each other. We learn from each other. We cry with each other and oh do we laugh (belly laughs) with each other. We celebrate each other. We have fun together. We listen to each other's rants. We talk each other down off the ledge. We know each other inside and out AND STILL love each other.
Your "Princess" comes along behind you. She asks you for help. She lets you hold her tight. She challenges you. You GET to love her well. You get to celebrate her. She inspires you. She teaches you that you really do have something to give. She helps you to keep it real and she knows you've got your own shortcomings. She looks up to you. She trusts you. She gets to learn from your mistakes (lucky her). She laughs with you. She reminds you that you're not crazy and you get to do the same for her.
Julie, Wynter, Alisha, Allison, Amy and Laura - thank you for letting me be your "Queen Mama"!
Do you have a Queen Mama, a Lady-In-Waiting and a Princess in your court? Who are they? Do they mean the world to you? Do you need a Queen Mama, a Lady-In-Waiting or a Princess? Think about the women that have been placed in your life. Could you cultivate one of these friendships? If you're in need, be on the look-out. Be intentional. See who comes along your way that might just fit the bill.
The beauty in these friendships is that they reinforce one of the values that I hold dear - the value of reciprocity - they allow us to give and receive. Yay for girlfriends!
Yay for you,
Cindy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Move over "perfect girl"!
Have you encountered your inner perfect girl lately? Is she getting in the way of your success? I'm wondering if "perfect girl" is a case of nature vs. nurture. Were we born with her or is she just one of those "friends" we've brought along with us from the "old neighborhood"?
I want you to read this blog entry from Back In Skinny Jeans. I think it speaks to us all:
http://www.backinskinnyjeans.com/2009/04/best-of-bisj-8-ways-perfect-girl-can-hold-you-back.html
Where do you need to tell "perfect girl" to get out of your way? I dare you to tell her to move over or move out today. Who is your true self?
I dare you to take 15 minutes sometime this week (preferably in the next day or two) to write a paragraph on your true self. Describe who you are today...Who are you becoming? What are you about? What do you value? What do you want to accomplish? What's important to you? 15 minutes - that's all you need. Take the first 5 minutes to settle in quietly and then reacquaint your self to your TRUE self.
Self meet True Self.
Cindy
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I can't decide!
Do you ever get overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make? Would you be willing to let total strangers make some of those decisions for you?
Please read this fun article. It will be a pleasurable diversion from all those decisions that are waiting/weighting upon you?
http://www.theweek.com/article/index/92141/The_last_word_Im_no_decider
This is quite the dare. Would you be daring enough to try this "random act of indecision" social experiment? I'm not sure I'm am, but, with enough of you on board I might be swayed. We could pick a date to let others make our decisions - it might be kind of fun. Let me know what you think.
Looking Forward,
Cindy
P.S. I would never have trouble picking out a dozen donuts. I know exactly what I would get. I can envision it now - Krispy Kreme, here I come. Just kidding - I don't even know where the closest Krispy Kreme is (boohoo).
Friday, April 17, 2009
She dreamed a dream!
Susan Boyle is everywhere I go this week. I found her on twitter. She's nearly 48. She lives with her cat. She's never been kissed. She's from a small "collection of villages". She has dreamed a dream...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
What a welcomed surprise! I "met" Susan earlier this week on twitter (thank you Perry -http://twitter.com/perrybelcher). Some of you might have already met her. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, I just had to introduce you. Brad said I should wait until next week (one truth or dare a week, right?). I couldn't wait any longer when I saw her on CNN this evening. She's glorious. So unassuming...so in your face in such a gentle way. Unexpectedly, she "screams" GO FOR IT. She makes my heart sing.
She reminds me not to judge a book by it's cover. My dare for you: Look underneath your "cover" to see what hidden gems are living deep within just waiting to be shared with others. For those who dare - Step out and share that gem just like Susan - it's never too late!
Be changed in these moments. Dream your dream. Make it happen!
Cindy
p.s. Want some more inspiration? Over 24,000,000 peeps have viewed her dream onwww.youtube.com. 4,000,000 while I was typing this Truth or Dare. WOW!
p.s.s. For more about Susan and her dream, please check out CNN.com. She's a headliner tonight.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/16/susan.boyle.simon.cowell/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
What a welcomed surprise! I "met" Susan earlier this week on twitter (thank you Perry -http://twitter.com/perrybelcher). Some of you might have already met her. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, I just had to introduce you. Brad said I should wait until next week (one truth or dare a week, right?). I couldn't wait any longer when I saw her on CNN this evening. She's glorious. So unassuming...so in your face in such a gentle way. Unexpectedly, she "screams" GO FOR IT. She makes my heart sing.
She reminds me not to judge a book by it's cover. My dare for you: Look underneath your "cover" to see what hidden gems are living deep within just waiting to be shared with others. For those who dare - Step out and share that gem just like Susan - it's never too late!
Be changed in these moments. Dream your dream. Make it happen!
Cindy
p.s. Want some more inspiration? Over 24,000,000 peeps have viewed her dream onwww.youtube.com. 4,000,000 while I was typing this Truth or Dare. WOW!
p.s.s. For more about Susan and her dream, please check out CNN.com. She's a headliner tonight.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/16/susan.boyle.simon.cowell/index.html
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Yet Another Interruption
I've been thinking about the gems that I'm writing about in my book that I hope to finish this summer. Right now, I'm committing to you all to have it done by Labor Day. I'm playing around with the title - "Contemplations of a Less Drama Queen", "How to Increase Your Less Drama Factor", "Profile of a Less Drama Queen", "Little Gems to Live By...The Life of a Less Drama Queen", "Less Drama, More Freedom"...the list goes on!
My book is about the journey. It is centered on 5 life gems - communication, boundaries, growing, the power of girlfriends, and living the important life. I've been sharing some of my thoughts and insights along the way in this weekly truth or dare.
So today's installment touches on the topic of boundaries. Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. They help us let the good in and keep the bad out. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership.
Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. If I know where my "yard" begins and ends, I am free to do with it what I like. Taking responsibility for my life opens up many different options.
So - with that said about boundaries - I read this statistic this morning in the magazine, PINK, "Interruptions consume 28 percent of the average workday." Source - Basex.
Interruptions are sometimes welcomed. Interruptions and distractions are sometimes needed but sometimes they keep us from being effective and getting what we really want.
I dare you to tell the truth:
Where do you need to set up a fence, door, gate, wall to keep the interruptions at bay?
What can you devote 2 hours of un-interrupted time to in the next week? Where do you want to curb your interruptions? Where can you eliminate interruptions?
All good questions to ponder - especially when you are trying to write a book =)
My book is about the journey. It is centered on 5 life gems - communication, boundaries, growing, the power of girlfriends, and living the important life. I've been sharing some of my thoughts and insights along the way in this weekly truth or dare.
So today's installment touches on the topic of boundaries. Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. They help us let the good in and keep the bad out. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership.
Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. If I know where my "yard" begins and ends, I am free to do with it what I like. Taking responsibility for my life opens up many different options.
So - with that said about boundaries - I read this statistic this morning in the magazine, PINK, "Interruptions consume 28 percent of the average workday." Source - Basex.
Interruptions are sometimes welcomed. Interruptions and distractions are sometimes needed but sometimes they keep us from being effective and getting what we really want.
I dare you to tell the truth:
Where do you need to set up a fence, door, gate, wall to keep the interruptions at bay?
What can you devote 2 hours of un-interrupted time to in the next week? Where do you want to curb your interruptions? Where can you eliminate interruptions?
All good questions to ponder - especially when you are trying to write a book =)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
What will you do with the next 525,600 minutes?
I might be a bit manic today. Can I tell you how much I love the song Seasons of Love from the musical RENT? I LOVE it! I just happened to hear the other day when I was finishing up my speaking gig with Women with Visions Unlimited (www.wwvu.org).
As I was perusing youtube (I don't really have that much time on my hands - I love distractions), I found it.
So many truth or dares to be had in just one song. It's amazing (kinda scary) to me how one's mind can hold onto so many different thoughts at one time. Ok...let's get on to the more important stuff. Please take time to listen to this video (type in Seasons of Love in the youtube window) - REALLY listen to the words. Let them soak in...
What words stood out to you? What thoughts ran through your mind? What truth needs to be told? What dares need to be dared?
Today's Truth or Dare is a do-it-yourself. Do one of your own or choose from one that came to my mind:
What will you do with the next 1440 minutes?
How do you measure your worth?
Take time to watch the sunset some time this week.
How often do you laugh? Do you need to laugh more?
When you wake up tomorrow ask yourself this question : "What do I want to get done before the sun sets today?"
How would I live my life differently - if I measured it in love?
Are there any bridges that need mending?
How will you measure your life?
How will you remember this coming year in the lives of your friends?
How can you celebrate today?
How do you measure time? How do you WANT to measure time?
Is it time to celebrate?
Which ever truth or dare you choose - Make it relevant. Be truthful. Be daring.
Measuring my life,
Cindy
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