The Power of Girlfriends - Who's in Your Room?

I love when one of you sends me an idea for our Truth or Dare. Kate sent me this one a couple of weeks ago. Thanks Kate!

This will be a fun little exercise to highlight the power of girlfriends...
I'm gonna ask you to tell the truth.

So the "truth" this week is to choose 12 women (who have touched your life). They don't need to be in the same town or even the same country. Take some time to ponder who you would ask to join you if given the opportunity and then jot down their names on a piece of paper.

Think on this: If this unique and special group of women were ever to be in one room together, there is nothing that would be impossible. Imagine the possibilities. What would you do? What problem would you like to solve? What gift to the community could you envision? The opportunities would be endless.

Here's the quote that was attached to the email Kate sent. I liked it, so I included it.

"May today there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Who did you choose? Do you want to let them know they were chosen? If so, I dare you to forward this onto them with a little note of thanks and wonder.

Yours,
Cindy

P.S. Kate - you are definitely one of my 12 =)


cindy@lessdrama.com
www.lessdramaqueens.com

Rx = Laughter

I just got off the phone with one of my best girlfriends. It was so good for the soul - we got to LOL (not quite "my side hurts" kind of laughter but definitely the tears were flowing-belly laugh kind). I needed that. I think we both did.

Earlier this week, I read a great blog on the benefits of laughter (physically, spiritually, and emotionally). I dare you to take time to read this fun blog entry:

www.tiny.cc/bellylaughs



I double dare you to be on the lookout for some belly laugh moments this weekend. Laughter is such good medicine for whatever ails us.
I'm so thankful that my family laughs well together =)

On the lookout for laughter,
Cindy

What's on your happy list?

More time, more joy. Want some? What's on your happy list? What can make you feel happier and takes less than 30 minutes? Please take 3 minutes to read this article:

www.tiny.cc/happylist

It's simple. I dare you to do one of these things on the list this week and report back to me via email - did it work?

I double dare you to come up with your own happy list of 3 simple things that energize you or give you joy that don't cost more than $5 or take more than 30 minutes to do. If you're up for it, send me your "happy list". I'd love to compile "our" happy list and post it.

First thing on my list is picking fresh flowers:

Building a happy list,
Cindy

Inside OUT!

Simply daring you to remember...It's what's on the inside that counts!

This 1 minute video makes an impression:
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/home_films_evolution_v2.swf

Enjoy these beauty tips from humorist Sam Levenson
(they were a favorite of Audrey Hepburn and she often quoted them):
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.

And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!

You are a treasure!

Behold your beauty,
Cindy

cindy@lessdrama.com
www.lessdramaqueens.com

Put "fun" on your to-do list today!

I don't know if you're like me, but when I hear the words "stress reduction" my ears perk up. Stress reduction - I ask you, "Who doesn't need that in their life???" I know I do. I read about a stress reduction technique that coaches often use in my nursing text today.

After getting off the telephone with one of my clients, I was doing some homework and came across these words. They struck a chord with me because my client had just been asking me if she was taking on too much and as every good life coach is taught, I answered her question with a question. "Of all that you are doing, what gives you life?"

So, here's what I read:

"The next step is restructuring and setting priorities, which involves shifting the balance from stress-producing to stress-reducing activities. A recent study indicated that the daily occurrence of pleasant events had a positive effect on the immune system. In fact, adding pleasurable events has more benefit than simply reducing stressful or negative ones (CBS Health Watch, 2000).

Essentially, learn to replace time-consuming chores that are not really necessary with activities that are pleasurable or interesting. Making time for recreation is as essential for healthy living as is paying bills or shopping for groceries."

Did you read that? I'll say it again for effect, "Making time for fun is as important for healthy living as paying bills and shopping for groceries." The daily occurrence of pleasant events has a positive effect on our immune system. Wow - that's good news for those of us who love to have fun and want to live healthy lives, don't you think?

I dare you to make time for fun this week! Put it on your to-do list if you're all about healthy living.

Planning for fun,
Cindy



P.S. I can't believe I'm quoting my textbooks - what has my world come to?

Varcarolis, Elizabeth M., Verna Benner Carson, and Nancy Shoemaker. Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing A Clinical Approach. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2006. Print.

Take a little picnic away...

So, it's been a crazy busy week here in my little world. So many men...so little time (just kidding - do you remember that song from the 80's?). It's actually a case of so much to do...so little time.

Conversely, last Wednesday, Brad and I had the opportunity to drive up to King's Canyon and had a day in the mountains...a day sitting by the river. Can you hear the late summer not-so-in-a-rush water flowing over the rocks? Can you see the sun peaking out from behind the clouds forming over the mountain? Can feel the breeze gently chilling you as it passes by? Ahhh...how it soothes the soul. I got to take a long walk by myself. It reminded me of my high school days in New Hampshire. I would come home from school and take little hikes through the woods or meander down our secluded road...some days it would even be snowing. Oh, how I loved those walks. It was my way of getting away from it all. I walked, I dreamed, I contemplated, I processed. It was good.

Brad and I love to take day trips to the mountains or the coast. We love to cast ourselves into nature. If you're like us, funds are a bit tight right now but all it costs us for a day away is the gas to get there and back. Our little "picnics" away from it all allow us to dream and contemplate. It never fails on our drives to and fro (I've started bringing a hand-held recorder to capture these moments) - We dream. We create. We brainstorm. Good stuff happens. Visions are planted. New ways of thinking emerge. Energy flows.

The creative juices flow when we take the time to get away. I dare you to step away from the desk, the email, the cell phone, facebook, the rat race...I dare you to step away from it all every so often - be intentional. Get away for the day or even just for lunch - just make sure you take time to "get away". Let it flow...all that stuff that stays trapped on the treadmill of life. I dare you to plan your little picnic away. I dare you to put it on your calendar today.

Contemplating and implementing our brainstorms on our day away,
Cindy

P.S. I met this cat on facebook. He's a cat that's not daunted by stereo-types. He's sees what he wants and goes for it. I dare us to do the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UTdhK0lwuw

Chocolate is good for the heart...

I am almost positive that chocolate is good for you and your heart. "They" tell me dark chocolate's got anti-oxidants and those are good for you, right? Because I'm a girl who LOVES chocolate, I'm all over that kind of talk/research. It does my heart good.

Here's some of my own anecdotal evidence: The other day I was indulging in a piece of Dove dark chocolate and I got this little message in the wrapping - Dove calls it a promise message. The message said, "You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore." That's deep (pun intended). It might even be profound if it helps just one of us discover our "new ocean".

Are you on the journey of discovery? Do you have the courage to lose sight of the shore? I dare you to join me in setting sail. I dare you to give it some thought. Get out your binoculars. I dare you to put your sails up and see where the winds will take you. What do you need to leave on shore? What thoughts aren't invited for the sail? What ocean are you exploring?

Out discovering,

Cindy