I have always loved one pot meals. Reminds me of when I was growing up and the stews my mom would fix. She wasn’t what I would call a gourmet cook, but her stews were by far the best thing she knew how to prepare. We ate mostly meat, it’s the way it was back then. My dad was a hunter so I grew up on wild game like venison, elk, duck, pheasant and the like.

Now days I still eat everything, but lean towards cooking healthier and lighter. One of my favorite recipes is for Minestrone. Lots of fresh vegetables from the Farmer’s Market and I add some crusty bread…YUM!!

This is what I’m making tonight and I thought I’d share my recipe with you…enjoy!

I was out in Palm Desert this past weekend when I received a call from a friend back home. Looking down at the screen I hesitated and took a deep breath.

My thought in the moment before pushing the connect button was, “Do I really want to answer this? I was positive the person on the other end was calling me to find out how to “fix this” or “do that”. Rarely do they call just too say “Hi”.

How many times in our day do we look at our phones and run complete conversations in our minds before we have even said “Hello”?

I’m grateful I answered. My friend was calling to thank me for our friendship and to say how much they appreciated me.

Happy Monday!

In gratitude,

L.

It’s Wednesday, Hump Day. For me today it feels like a Monday… maybe it was the holiday? Actually as of late, all of the days seem to collide and become one in the same. I don’t mean it in a negative way, more like I’m noticing it’s 3:00 in the afternoon and only minutes ago (my perception), it was 11:30am? I find time is flying by and my question is: is it for you as well?

Something that helps me when I feel this way is to get present. Many times I get caught up in the everyday “doings” and I forget about just “being”…being in the moment. So, wherever I am (aware and present ), I take a time out to center myself, let go and just be. Many of you know me and and have witnessed this event in my centering exercise at our Victory Networking meetings. It’s like immersing yourself in a cool pool on a hot summer’s day, you just relax.

It works for me and possibly it can work for you too.

Keeping it real… L.

Living in Laguna Beach between May and July 5th is usually pretty gloomy. “May Gray” or “June Gloom”, take your pick. Dense fog with maybe an hour of sunshine peeking through, is the norm. I have to tell you though, I’m anticipating the joys of summer. Water temps that call you in, BBQ’s with friends and movies and concerts in the park. Even though the tourists drive me crazy, I can’t wait to hear that first trolley bell leaving the station below my house. My very favorite thing is lying outside on the deck at night, gazing at the stars and waking up to a coyote’s howl.

Perhaps you can relate to my story. Do you have fond memories of a time of year, a special holiday, or some other experience near and dear to your heart? Has this memory become more special as you have enjoyed it over and over again? If so, you are thinking of it with either anticipation or expectation. I invite you to consider the difference.

For me, expectation is my emotional attachment to an outcome. If the weather never gets nice, or I don’t get to enjoy the beach because it’s closed for health reasons, my expectations set me up to be disappointed. We all know that there’s nothing worse than an unfulfilled expectation.

Anticipation on the other hand, is very similar to expectation, but has none of the thorny negatives. I’m still every bit as excited about every detail of summer, but not emotionally attached to it. I’m open to the idea that summer will be wonderful, no matter what happens. Perhaps I’ll be gifted a ticket to spend summer in Paris, or even better, the beaches being closed would give me more time to paint a seascape on my deck. I imagine myself to be fluid and soft like water, shaping myself to the container of summer. What ever happens will be perfect.

In gratitude…and joy!
L.

The Law of Circulation states that all things in the Universe are always flowing in circulation, but at an ever expanding rate. What you give to one person, you will receive from a different source. So you don’t have to give with the expectation of receiving back from the same person you give to, but knowing that it will definitely come back to you multiplied from other sources. It works according to the Law of Cause and Effect where the universe always mirrors back to you whatever you emanate.

What have you given today? What have you received from the experiences? What is staring back to you in your mirror?

Today I gave: Love, support, compassion, empathy, a smile, praise, accountability, passion, trust, focus, a good look in the mirror, appreciation, intention, authenticity, expansion and… gratitude. It’s interesting…what I received today has many of the same components as what I gave, but so much more…

A good look in the mirror, love, support, compassion, empathy, a smile, praise, accountability, passion, trust, focus, appreciation, intention, authenticity, expansion, and…beauty, confidence, understanding, touch, memories, a listening ear, fortitude, courage, depth, awareness, joy, connection, consideration, harmony, freedom, safety, hope, meaning, discovery, spontaneity, consistency, growth, presence, purpose, fun, play and gratitude. I certainly received more than I gave today.

Staring back at me in the mirror? …a huge smile, knowing I can choose to do this every day and the infinite possibilities that will unfold.

Now it’s your turn, what will you choose? I want to remind you… there is no wrong answer.

In gratitude,
L.

Many times we look back on our day and ask the question, “where did my day go?” We get stuck on autopilot and forget to stop and smell the roses…literally!

When was the last time you actually stopped to observe a wonder of nature and really absorbed it? A spider building a web, a beautiful flower unfolding, the smell of the ocean, looking at the stars in the night sky, or feeling the warm sun on your face? Maybe you’ve been so busy you haven’t noticed anything at all.

I know this happens for me, and as of late more than care to admit. Taxes, resume, laundry, graphic work, grocery shopping, driving, phone calls… you get the idea. When we are in this mode are we really living or just existing? I know for myself, I feel more alive when I stop, take in what surrounds me and become aware of my senses. This connects me to the much bigger picture called life.

Today I am committed to stopping and just being, even if it’s only for a few moments. I will notice the difference of how I feel and the shifts inside.

Want to play along?
In gratitude,
L.

After a break I’m back in the saddle…post 100!

I turned double nickels while I was away…that’s 55 for those not versed in Vegas lingo. Had an amazing b-day with friends and my kids, the kind that is embedded in your mind for a lifetime. BTW – if you haven’t gone bowling on your b-day you really should consider it !

Life for me has been very interesting in the first 52 days of the New Year. I liken it to a symphony, some whimsical notes, some ominous overtures, a few subtle nuances, huge clashing symbols, thundering drums and delightfully sweet melodies.

As I head down my journey’s path, (not too far mind you), I find that I am coming to some new major choices. Did I mention I like choice? I feel truly blessed to be where I am right now, “The World is My Oyster”… (did I also mention I like these? especially with lots of horseradish, lemon & Tabasco!). I wake up every morning and consciously choose how I want to show up that day. Even if I’m in a foul mood I can decide with the very next step I take, that my perception and my way of being, can change my whole day.

It really is about choice. What will you choose tomorrow morning when you first open your eyes to a new day? A fresh start? Endless possibilities? Roll over and hit the snooze button? Will you choose to live in your past, which is gone. Fret about what hasn’t even happened yet, the future? Maybe you’ll choose to give thanks and be in moment. The choice is solely ours to make…our lives are truly an inside job.

Love this video and thought you might as well…beautiful!
L.

Today more than ever Charities need your help…but before you say, “I am almost a Charity Case Myself…How can I help?” ….read the following mind stretching idea’s that will help YOU give even more than you did before the media started to use the ‘R’ word! (You know the word the one with Recess in it!).

1. What if you exchange your service for a tax receipt…. so, if you have book keeping or accounting skills. Or if you have a legal background… or if you have mad chef skills…. Speak with the charity to see is they would be willing to exchange your service for a little piece of paper that saves you money in tax season.

2. Christmas Jars… (my family and I read a book several years ago by that name.) All year long, we through our change into a jar… then in December, we pick a person or family to give the jar to. We don’t tell them why or who we are…we simply put the jar on the step and run away.

3. Recycle … go through your closets, and shelves..tidy up the shed and the garage… and take that stuff into a shelter or Goodwill or Salvation Army. You’ll help families in need and in some cases..you will get a tax receipt ….or store credit that you can hand to the next person walking in the door!

4. Give Flowers… when we lived in the city, on our trips to Costco, I would buy a bouquet of roses. (crazy inexpensive) then on the way home we would give half of them away. Several times, we would stop at the local coffee shop and my children would walk up to a sweet older woman ..hand her the roses and say something like, “ the universe wanted you to have a special gift today..and here they are.” Hand her the flowers and walk away. She would either have tears streaming down her cheeks or a shocked look on her face…but it didn’t matter. Then the rest of the way home, my kids and I would make up stories about how the rest of the ladies day would go. (This is something that the giver gets so much more out of…than the receiver…try it to see what I mean)

5. Charity Credit Cards… did you know that some credit cards give a small percentage of the money that you spend to charities… for example the Bank of America’s World WildLife Fund Visa gives that charity $100 when you sign up plus .$0.25 for every $100 that you spend. If you are using plastic anyways… might as well give it to a good cause.

6. Speaking of Plastic… why not donate some Air Miles to a charity like Ronald McDonald house so that families can fly to be together with their children when they are having treatments.

7. If YOU work for a large corporation, they may already have a matching charity gift program in place…that way for every dollar that you give.. your place of employment will double the donation. It is worth looking into or encouraging your employer to start.

8. What about sponsoring a child or a family as a group? Have several friends or co-workers come together to sponsor a child… that way people get help..and you don’t have to do it alone. (A World Vision Sponsor is tripling any donation given to World Vision in the month of December.)

9. Most of the time, we really don’t need any more things to add to our already too big “Stuff” collection …so why not ask that the givers on your list..donate to your favorite charity instead of allowing your “Stuff” to take over your space.

10. If you are a business owner and have excess inventory… why not donate it? For examples, if you have a shoe store..donate last year’s shoes to the sports team at school. If you have a jersey store..why not do the same thing? Schools need things like art supplies, musical instruments ..music, craft supplies, games, sports equipment and soo much more. {Need a school / organization to donate to? Here is my favorite.. Team Genesis http://www.teamgenesis.org/ expanding on the core methods of mentoring athletes, academic success, and the overall attainment of personal goals… inspiring the students of today to be the Leaders of tomorrow. }

11. Bikes that your children have out grown…give them to a family that may not be able to afford one for their children. (write a note on it and leave it on their step.)

12. Lots of companies honor their employees that volunteer… some give awards that include a cash gift to the winners charity. If you have a criminal records check done.. you can volunteer as a coach or assistant in everything from cheerleader to basketball.

13. Turn your Christmas party into a fundraiser or food drive…

14. Encourage company management to sponsor the Operation Red-nose campaign …(or whatever you call it in your town.) Local University or College supply’s designated drivers to bring home party goers and their cars…so they don’t drink and drive. It is all donation ‘s to support the athletic department.

15. Christmas Baking… if you are doing it anyways..why not make double the batch and drop it off with a family that may not have the time or resources to bake their own.

16. Coats… if you have winter clothing or blankets that are gently used, drop them off at the shelter to keep other people warm.

17. Gift Books to the school Library… You can add a tag that say’s this book was donated by “insert child’s name and year.” Then as your kids grow, they can she how many children get to check out the book that they donated.

18. Babysit… for a neighbor (unless you live in the UK where it is not legal,) so that they can finish up their shopping without packing the kids to the mall.

19. Helping Hands … Carl Van Haght and some other Earth Angels of HelloHello.net is mentoring people with their ‘online’ skills to help give a hand up rather than a hand out. HelloHello.Net is: A Social Networking Portal where you can upload your profile, search for friends, become friends, upload pictures and videos, chat, blog, email, use Twitter & Facebook on the site, check profiles, update your online status, start groups, post a poll, add an event, and much, much more. Compared to all other similar concepts that make billions of dollars per portal per year and don’t share this revenue with their members, HelloHello.Net pays 60% of all income from different advertising sources on HelloHello.Net back to all members. HelloHello.Net also has a strong mission regarding charity and fundraising that is why helping hands is so successful! 60% of all income from advertising and other ventures will be paid back to the members. 38% of all income will go to HelloHello.Net (administration). 2% will be given to well established and reputable charity organizations. 50 cents will go to charity each time a transaction is made via PinPay (Merchant). Check out http://bit.ly/2ceZFs to Social Network for $$$’s for Charity and YOU!

20. Never underestimate the gift of a smile… holding a door open, or helping someone carry some packages.

21. Clean your child’s room (if you don’t normally do it.)

23. Visit people in an old folk’s home. Adopt a grandparent!

24. Give as you earn Payroll… giving is a simple, tax-efficient way of donating through your salary. Because your donation is taken from your salary before tax is deducted, it costs you less you get the tax credits.

25. Give More...Get More! Want your donation dollars to have the greatest impact possible? Make your contributions to GlobalGiving projects around the globe go further with $250,000 of available matching funds! http://www.globalgiving.org/

26. Give the world & YOUrself the Gift of Peace… by making a conscious choice to Stand for Peace. Download your own unique Peace Certificate at http://www.peaceinourlifetime.org/ all you do is add your name and country…no email… and you can post your own peace certificate proudly anywhere you choose.

So there YOU have it… a little list of how YOU can really make a great impact no matter what your resources look like. Plus…as an added bonus… every time YOU decide to make a difference for someone else, YOU are making a deposit into your Karmic Bank Account… and it never hurts to have some Karmic Cash laying around for the times that you need it. Remember that “Givers, Gain!” No matter how small the amount may be… every little bit of service that you offer, makes a difference for all parties involved. The cool thing about the list above…is that it really doesn’t matter what time of year it is… YOU can still be of service… be charitable with your time, skills, love, and friendship. I promise you that when your heart is in the right place… you are aligning yourself in the flow of abundance. Allow it to flow to you and through you, to create a cycle of giving and receiving.

Step into action this holiday season…you’ll be glad you did!

Time to get off the Hamster Wheel…are you ready? If I have learned one thing over the past year, it’s to not stay frozen like a deer in the headlights, it’s times to take ACTION.

• Be Ambitious
Be passionate about your goals and success would follow. Be prepared to work hard and remain committed at every step. Aligning your passion with goals makes the journey much more enjoyable. Being ambitious fills you with unwavering enthusiasm that is much needed to overcome a bad phase in the journey.

• Invest in Yourself
Keep learning new things every year. While experience is a very good teacher, one should also makes an extra effort to increase their scope and skill set. Learning new and diverse things never harms you because everything in this world holds some basic connection with other. Learning is an excellent way to keep your mind sharp and focused!

• Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy body holds an underlying secret of success and happiness. Never ignore your health and always strive for a healthy lifestyle.

• Be Responsible
You need to be responsible towards you family, society and environment. A careless attitude won’t take you far. There are people who are part of your journey to success and you should give them utmost importance. One has never become successful in life if any part of his responsibilities has ever failed. Make partners in success, derive strength from them.

• Learn From Failures
First of all, THERE ARE NO FAILURES!!…Truth: Failure = Feedback, period. Always do an introspection to get an unbiased view of what has happened and what can be done in future. Once you acknowledge the feedback and prepare for next step, the final destination inches closer to you.

• Patience is the Key
The concept of overnight wonder is a myth. It takes a lot of hard work to achieve your goals and while the journey can be long and tiring, one should be patient about it. Success may eventually come but it tends to follow those that have kept the courage and believed in themselves.

• Never Give Up
This essentially is tied up with patience but with packed with abilities to rise up with every fall. Always give yourself another chance and believe in yourself. Remember, whenever you come up short, it is not about you personally… it’s your approach or idea. Try or take up the next idea and keep moving.

• Remain Positive
Nothing above will hold true if you don’t remain positive. Optimism in itself holds a magic that can help you sail through biggest difficulties of life. Being positive about ourselves, our lives, and our goals brings in us an extra power. It keeps us enthusiastic and committed to our goals. Never ever give space to negative thoughts in your mind.

I actually wear a rubber band around my wrist and snap it when my mind goes to the negative. Doesn’t happen much anymore!

• Celebrate Success
It is important to celebrate success no matter it is big or small. Get success, celebrate it, and prepare for next journey. The breaks are important to keep you fresh and energetic for next day. Keep a mark of things in your journey and get an inspiration from it. It’s okay to be successful!

Don’t let yourself get slack with the holidays nearing…be prepared for 2010 by starting now…it’s not too late!