Enjoy Success!

It could not be a more perfect time to begin posting again after a short hiatus. As I continue on the path of experiencing Abundance in my life I have a list of ideas ready to emote into weekly posts. The month of May has been for me "Enjoy Success". To put wings on my goals I chose this month to take time to feel proud of my accomplishments and applaud myself for some sound decisions I have made. It seems many times when we chose a goal for ourselves, fate or spirit would have it that some challenge will be put in our way toward that goal. May has been full of creative decision making as we maneuvered our way through a blown engine, two car collisions in two weeks, the purchase of a new car and a visit to a doctor for some preventive health goals. I guess you cannot enjoy success without a price. I have to smile and be thankful that May is closing and I can look forward to June. The good word for June is "Inspire Another" and I have plenty of ideas for that one. I look forward to Monday and sharing a group post of our collective words for the year.

Abundance is...meeting a challenge head on, and enjoying the success of the end!

WORDS TO INSPIRE

Although I have reduced my blogging, my commitment to this joint project with my friends across the world to post about our WORD remains strong. I love the consistency and depth of our experience with each other. We are living our words by example and hopefully will be an inspiration for others to choose a value for their own lives that they can commit to. This month we are simply stating a credo of our word.

ABUNDANCE by Avtcoach

The way I see it, I’ve lived a life of fortune: A college degree, a close immediate and extended family, and a quality group of close friends. These are the aspects of life that I had considered when I thought of abundance.

Still, I had the thought that I would “seek” abundance. I would “strive” for it. Since choosing the word I have intentionally lived my days with a certain assurance that my abundance was evolving. I put feet to it. I began new routines: yoga, more reading, more contact with friends and scheduling play dates with family and friends.

I can say now that I HAVE a life of abundance. I now have a habit of abundant living that carries me through even some stressed days. It is not that my life is perfect, I don’t live in perfection but I do celebrate each moment that I smile when I could frown, say a good word when I could speak ill, listen to music, read and meditate when I could fill my hours with slothful acts.
I love that no matter my financial or relational state my life of fortune continues. I will grow and evolve in many other ways on the journey but I do so abundantly.

EXCELLENCE by Octamom

When I chose 'Excellence' as my word for 2009, I had a broad sense of how that directive could be applied in the upcoming year. I knew I wanted to bring a bit more care and finesse to some smaller areas of my life, such as housekeeping and chores. I knew I wanted to instill in the kids a deeper level of respect for working on their lessons with better attention paid to their penmanship, smaller assignments and the like.

I hoped to apply seeds of excellence to those more hidden areas of our lives. And I believe those seeds sown will bring a fuller harvest.

So often in pursuing excellence I have found myself focused on the big items, committing time and effort and high standard to those things that are most obvious, most seen, most noticed. But I've come to see that excellence requires a pervasive attitude that must wash through all aspects of life, that the excellence I want to find in the grander projects must first be practiced on the smaller stage—a smaller stage in which I act for the benefit of the One who created me.


Because, really, that's what true excellence is, the commitment to doing one's best, even when no one is watching. When excellence is practiced at the smallest level, it becomes a true aspect of character. Anyone can act, on occasion, with great skill and adeptness, but true excellence should be found consistently, a thread of character binding all the pieces and patchwork of one's life.

And so our pursuit of excellence in 2009 continues.

BALANCE by Peggy

Leading a Balanced Life I have discovered IS in my control!


Very bold statement.....but when all is said and done it is not as difficult as we make it out to be. Let me explain how it works for me.

I begin each task with a purpose and give my attention fully to that task.

Some tasks are easier than others to focus on, so I have learnt to slow down, whether it be driving, talking, entertaining, working, exercising......


I recognise when I am off balance and this is when I stop and reflect and often ask for help.
For example my love of blogging sometimes interrupts my other interests/chores/work and when I feel it is taking over I discuss the problem with a friend who helps clarify what I want to achieve and gives me other options to ponder upon.

I would not achieve BALANCE in my life without DISCIPLINE....thank you Annemarie for choosing that word and explaining how important your word is in all aspects of life.


Keeping the FAITH that balance is achievable and not to give up when the going get tough...and JOY that it brings when successful....bless you Roban for those words.

Of course an ABUNDANT life is then possible.....so grateful to you Coach for leading the way. And then EXCELLENCE in all aspects of a balanced life becomes possible.....Julie more than anyone I know shines through with this word.


Finally the easiest way to lose our balance is to cling to fixed beliefs or notions of how things should be. The only constant in this world is change, so the more things we cling to, the more we will be thrown off balance when they disappear. It is like trying to ride a bike while balancing an enormous weight on your shoulders. It is much easier to maintain our balance if we lighten our load.

DISCIPLINE by AnneMarie


Discipline can sound like such a harsh word. It often conjures up thoughts of detention, grounding, the principal's office when actually it should be just the opposite. A person who lives a life of discipline is living a directed and goal oriented life - setting their sites on the prize and making sure everything that she does will lead toward that end.


When I chose Discipline as my word for the year, it was because I saw my life spinning out of control. I was completely living in the moment which is not always a bad thing. However, I was letting circumstances dictate my actions instead of the other way around. It was a life full of excuses and shortcuts. For example fast food instead of cooking because I had too many things to do.

A Disciplined life does not come over night. It is long journey, but it is one I am glad to make with my supportive bloggy friends.


JOY and FAITH by Roban


Joy seems like such a simple three-letter word, but it is really so much more than that to me. It's not about being happy. It's not about everything being right in my world. It's just an internal sense of well-being that, despite what happens throughout the day, remains a part of me. I just have to be aware of it and look above, below, and through the din of daily life to see it sometimes.

When I chose my two words for the year, "faith" and "joy," I barely thought of the connection between the two, but as the year progresses, I am more aware of how faith and joy go hand-in-hand. To have faith means I can worry less. To worry less opens a window between my soul and the joy that surrounds me. I won’t say that I am now leading a worry-free life. No. I still worry. But I do know that needless worrying is using up more of my energy and crowding out the joy of life. So choosing to walk in faith and embrace the joy that is given to me is something I am learning to do… one step at a time.

Abundance is...friends who help keep you grounded.

Spring A Step Forward

April's theme in creating an Abundant Life is "Spring A Step Forward".

To me this means..avoid the stagnant. Continue to move in a forward direction in my thinking and in my doing. Take some chances. Get out of your comfort zone.

Here is what I have been doing:

Remember that ipod? Well, I have put it to good use. I have downloaded music yes, but so much more. I am filling my mind with the positive messages. Here is what is playing in my ear...."Marianne Williamson's Miracle Thought For the Day", "Pray As You Go", "Meditation Station", "Meditation Oasis". These are all free downloads from itunes. I also download on a regular basis: This American Life, This I Believe, and NPR: Storycorp podcasts. Downloading them means I can listen when I have the time or need a boost.

Another step. I have increased my connections with others. Meeting new people can open the doors for new experiences and ideas. Meeting up with old friends can help you see where you have been, maybe will tell you how far you have come, but also may give you a new perspective.

Recently I met a new friend in my yoga class. We meet for coffee after yoga at our favorite coffee/chocolate shop and our range of topics so far spans religion, politics, family, and yoga. We have had a similar response to our new yoga experience and we have enjoyed each encounter. I am looking forward to what this new friend can teach me!

Last week I received a call from a high school classmate. She is soon moving to another state. This week we met and it was so much fun. She is the same intelligent, smiling, fun-loving, beautiful and creative person that I knew in high school. Even with her move I know that our friendship will continue to thrive.

I have renewed connections with cousins. Those children I knew who ran around at family reunions. We are now adults and we are still having fun together. Our relationships as adults are very different. A step forward. They are deeper, more loving, and more engaging.

I have another friend who on a regular basis challenges me. I cannot be friends with this person and remain stagnant. This friend allows me to say what is on my mind, accepts the changes that I have been working toward and supports my quest for Abundance in many ways.

These are my ways of "Springing a Step Forward". They will be different with each and every soul. But, I do know that it is abundantly clear, I am meant to live my live in this way for today. I am meant to share my thoughts and hopes with these friends today. I am meant to be challenged and to grow spiritually and mentally and to live a life of abundance.

I cannot wait for what is to come! I know that April will offer more opportunities to Step Forward. We shall see!

There is a fitting movie clip about a woman's response to the risk of stepping forward. If you are interested you will find it here at Wingclips.com.

Abundance is....a daily miracle thought, old friends and new!

Reflecting On Our Words: March

One really never knows how one small choice can have such an impact. In January, Caroline at The Zen In You selected a word...one simple word. A word that would carry her through the year. From that choice came a like minded choice for five blog friends: Octamom, Miruspeg, AnneMarie, Roban and me. We wanted our "Word" to make a difference..and what a difference a choice makes. It is now the end of March and time for us to share our post reflecting on our word. This month we share a photo.

It is a simple task, the click of a button and a picture forms. I am loving the creativity of my dear friends. We have carried our "Word" with us through our days, and in no small way has our "Word" positively influenced us.

Through our photos, we hope in a small way you will find for yourself a path of Excellence, Balance, Faith & Joy, Discipline, and Abundance!

Octamom chose Excellence. There are many ways that she has walked this walk. Her "Word" has truly been a blessing as her child (7 of 8) who had a stroke at birth has now, through many hours of therapy begun to walk. A most excellent gift for this family! We certainly celebrate with her!

Miruspeg chose Balance. This woman has so many gifts. She has surely implemented Balance in her life since January. We all hope to have balance in our lives. Read her wonderful posts about how she practices her "Word".

Roban chose Faith & Joy. You can read her wonderful posts and see how she honors these words with her family and friends. A life of faith and joy surely shows through her beautiful photography!

AnneMarie chose Discipline. She is practicing this with style, documenting her most disciplined activities. I would say that she is courageously attacking Discipline in her life. Read more about her and get inspired!

I chose Abundance. What a journey I am experiencing!


We would love to see your photo and read your post about your word. Please let me know if you post about your word! I too would love to be inspired!

Abundance is....sharing a project with friends!

Change Through A "Down Dog": My Journey #2

How does real change begin? I have "started over" with my many commitments and resolutions over and over again. I always intended to keep my commitments to myself...what kept me from being consistent? I am not sure. What I do know is that since I began the year with my WORD "abundance" I have sought to define exactly what that means. I last posted on living in the moment. I am definitely practicing this one.

Part II of my journey started with a doctor visit. A new doctor who gave me some new medication for a chronic pain that I have experienced for years. Within days, the pain was more controlled. The next Sunday at church I met a visitor who had been in a yoga class I had attended several years before. She invited me back to yoga. The next night I was walking into the yoga room with a renewed energy. I was excited about the prospect of the experience.

It has been 8 weeks and I have attended yoga three times per week and I have to say there has been more than a change in strength and flexibility, although the physical activity has continued to lift my spirits and make me feel strong. The last 10 minutes of the class is a time of complete quiet and relaxation. Soft music plays in the background. It is truly the best part of my week. I have not yet been able to create the same experience at home but that is surely a goal. In that 10 minutes the goal is to completely relax, to allow the ground to support the body and for that moment to focus on the breath. It also beckons one to be comfortable with silence. Sounds simple enough...but it is not that easy. It is difficult to avoid letting thoughts of the day creep in or to be distracted by outside sounds.

I find this experience to be an abundant gift and the experience has led to a few more gifts for my spirit. More about that in future posts.

I have friends who take spin classes, bike, walk, and run in the outdoors. I suspect for each of them the experience creates the same type of effect...it can become a form of meditation, a time to be introspective.

I can only be encouraged that so far so good on the commitment. That in itself feels like a small victory. Yoga is an ancient practice. It is an awe inspiring thought that throughout history people through yoga have sought change and inspiration. The achievement of "enlightenment" in yoga practice is said to be an ultimate quest, but for now my personal quest occurs one class at a time with the next balanced pose and 10 minutes of inner peace.

Abundance is...holding a "Down Dog" for longer than 10 seconds!! :) (heels still not down)

This Very Moment: My Journey #1

Ah! What an amazing moment I just had opening my blog site after several weeks. It was like coming home. I have been taking a journey and discovering some wonderful things about life and myself. The journey has been taken within the schedule of my own life. It has required no vacation, no special resort. I look forward to sharing some of my journey in the next few weeks.

The first lesson I am learning is to live in the moment. Not just talking about living in the moment but actually doing that. It requires practice.

I can do nothing about my experience in the past. I cannot change it or control it or make it different. Really, it no longer exists.

And the future is not in my control. Tomorrow is not in my control. I heard someone say that worry or concern for the future is fear that something may happen that I do not want to happen.

So, I could spend time worrying about what is to come that may or may not happen the way I want it, or I could accept the fact that tomorrow will come and I shall live in that moment when it arrives.

Living in the moment is freeing and allows us to enjoy or life without strings that tie down.

I am reading Paulo Coelho's book "The Alchemist". Here is a quote from this book: "Because I don't live in either my past or my future, I'm interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man. You'll see that there is life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and that tribesmen fight because they are part of the human race. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living right now."

I am used to thinking about my calendar and always wanted to know what was to come. I used to live through my precious time on the weekends thinking about what I had to do the next week. In fact, my favorite quote was from the movie "Kate and Leopold", paraphrasing Kate was sitting in Leopold's arms on their deck on Sunday. It was a tender moment and Kate says, "I hate Sundays. And Leopold asked why. Kate replied.. Because tomorrow is Monday."

In order to have a more abundant life I am taking time to discover how I can do that. For this reason I have not been blogging. I love my blog and I love the people who I share this interest with. I think that my blog and my life will be better for the journey.

So for today, at this moment I am only thinking about this post, sharing life with others and enjoying the fact that I love opening my blog and seeing the beautiful blue and the lovely picture I have chosen. I love seeing the faces of those who share posts with me and looking at the titles of others posts as they pop up on my screen. Soon I will live in a moment to read some posts, share some encouraging comments. For now, I wish you abundance in this moment of your life.

Abundance is..."enjoying this moment!"

Laughing Out Loud

I could not resist this song list for the month. Although these are old and a bit dorky, you just cannot listen with out a grin or two. There are so many ways to build laughter into your life. We get started in our day and before we know it we are "singing the blues"! We'll, not me. At least not in March. I want to have more wrinkles from smiles than frowns, I want to lower my blood pressure (experts say laughing does this), and I want to keep on the sunny side....there is just too much out there that can bring us down. We get to decide what we put into our minds.
A friend of mine recently participated in "Laughter Yoga" at an event he attended. Although it was a bit of a strange experience at first...the result was a room full of happy and relaxed people. I looked this up and there is an "American School of Laughter Yoga" and there are Laughter Yoga clubs around the country. Visit their website and watch a short Youtube video about laughter yoga as presented on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Youtube is no stranger to providing all the laughter you can muster. My personal favorites are the laughing baby videos. Here is the link to one of my favorite belly laughs. "Baby Laughing at the Wii".
I also spent an evening last weekend watching a video of Tim Hawkins, a Christian stand up comedian. He performs at churches across the country and I have to say, I released more than a few chuckles listening to him. His website and Youtube provide short videos to give you a sample of his work.
Okay, so no excuses. Try a bit of laughter this week. I feel better already!

In closing, turn off my song play list and enjoy this favorite from Mary Poppins!


Abundance is...looking for joy and finding it!