Life Support

I was chatting with a friend recently and realized that we had a common malady.  We would often go the extra mile for friend or colleague in need meanwhile short changing ourselves in the process.

The more I pondered this self-sabotaging behavior the more aware I became of how much this has gotten out of hand.  The need to please others has become so commonplace that we often put our own goals and dreams on the back burner as to support others in their endeavors.

I am not saying that we should turn into selfish beings but to become self-full.  In others words put the oxygen mask on yourself so that you can help others.  The truth is that when your tank is empty and you cannot breathe for giving all of yourself to someone else you are in no shape to support either you or them in the life you are called to lead.

Declare today the day that you breathe in the fullness of you and give to yourself first!

 If your oxygen mask drops down, it's time to take a breather! ~ Richard Simmons

Dreams Really Do Come True!

This past week, I had the honor of being in New York City among elite Latino authors and publishers at the 14^th annual International Latino Book Awards.  I must admit I was a little awe struck by the talent and distinguished presence of those who attended.  And then it happened...My book “In Memory of A Saint Lessons From My Mother I Didn’t Pay Attention to Until She Died” received an Honorable Mention in Best Women’s Book- English.  All I can say is WOW!!!http://tinyurl.com/InMemoryofASaint

The dream to write and publish a book started when I was a child.  As a voracious reader, I would often imagine that if I had written the tale, it would have ended differently.  I would tell people that when I grow up I would write a book.  Out of the mouth of babes... I spoke a dream into reality.  I took action and actually turned my Mañana into Today and accomplished a lifelong goal.

I learned a shocking statistic that 81% of people want to write a book and yet so few accomplish their dream.  So do you have a dream that you are planning on working on tomorrow?  Why not start today.  Every baby step you take will put you that much closer to your dream.  Turn your Someday into Today.  Come on I Dare you!!!

Words of the Year

Today I learned that pragmatic was the word of the year as determined by Miriam Webster. I thought nope...That is certainly not the word of the year for citizens from the land of Positivity.

Florence Scovel Shinn wrote the book "Your Word is Your Wand." She spoke about how our words are filled with magic and power.

Thus, I conjured the seven words that positively describe this year and how they can propel us in 2012.

7) Believable! Whether it was a moment of synchronicity, a time when the Universe winked at you- It was not unbelievable but Believable- Good things can and do happen.

6) Angels- The angels that walked through our lives… some we knew and more often than not the anonymous ones that just do good on this earth. They’re all around and have helped us all this year.

5) Dreams- Just by have the ability to dream, to have goals and a wondrous plan is what gives us hope to go on in this topsy-turvy world.

4) Action- The song Put One Foot in Front of the Other, inspired this thought. As long as we keep moving in a positive direction and take action, we live to dream another day.

3) Transformation- This year has been all about change and for every constant there is change. The time to change is now. If you want, create a new reality. Dare to be the person that you want to be… Today!

2) Gratitude- The ability to be grateful for taking a breath and a brand new day is essential to a positive attitude. We often assume our abundance is reelected by our monetary status. Our abundance is so much more- and it multiplies when we say thank you

1)Love- Love yourself enough to be brave. Make a difference in your own life and others. When you see the world through Love colored eyes the world reflects love right back at you.

Stop and Smell the Roses

On a recent walk, I passed a neighbor’s house and a rose waved to me in the sunlight. I could not help it; I had to stop to sniff the beautiful scent of the rose. The rose gave me a magnificent gift that day, as it beckoned me to enjoy her beautiful aroma.

Another couple walking towards me saw what I had done, and yelled out, “That’s the spirit, stop and smell the roses, we never take time to that.” I joyously laughed and as they passed me, they too, stopped to inhale the beauty of the rose.

As I continued on my walk, I began to ponder the phrase stop and smell the roses. We often do not take time to enjoy simple pleasures. We live in such a hurried and harried society, running in many different directions at once. Mores the pity, that such a simple thing to do seemed like such a novelty that day.

I promised myself to make time for more moments like the one I experienced that day. I urge you to make a pledge today, to stop and enjoy the moment at hand and if you see a rose waving at you…Stop and say hello!

As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round. ~Ben Hogan

Maximizing Opportunity

I know I have been silent on the blogosphere. I have been very busy. My book “In Memory of A Saint: Lessons from My Mother I Didn’t Pay attention To Until She Died” has been published. http://tinyurl.com/InMemoryofASaint

I was speaking to a friend today, and she reminded me that although I feel as if I have been slow; I have been very busy maximizing my opportunities.

My mother always told me the race is not for the swift nor the strong but for the one who endures. Thus, I have been steadily working on my own goals and dreams, so that I can be a better cheerleader for all of you.

Are you a making the most out of your opportunities today? Better yet, would you take advantage of a new opportunity if one came your way? To work on your goals, you should explore every opportunity for you never know when you will be motivated to take a chance and leap into something new.

“Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want” ~ Marsha Sinetar

Glimpses Interview

Check out Jenny’s interview with me on The Dreamweaver's Cottage blog. It is never too late to dream. Come on...I Dare You!

http://jennykellerford.wordpress.com/glimpses/interviews/sandra-elaine-scott-author-of-i-dare-you-to-scream-your-dream-out-loud

Wishing On Stars

Early this morning I had a magical experience watching the Leonid Meteor Showers. Breathtakingly beautiful, this meteor show was magical in the early morning hours. I was surrounded by pure peace, and I was able to witness the energetic cosmic bursts of light.

I first gazed upon this spectacular meteor show in 2001, when I had the opportunity to view them with my mother. She has since died and yet in the early quiet of the morn I felt her calming presence among the stars as once again, God put on his fireworks display.

As I watched the stars fall and listened to the quiet I was able to hitch my dreams and goals among those stars. As I lifted my eyes to the heavens, I knew that my dreams were shining as bright in my mind as they were in that pre-dawn sky. I Believe!!!….Do You?

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Crazy Ideas Bloom Big Dreams

I have always been a fan of the "I Love Lucy Show." Lucy always had a wacky idea that seemed so out there that everyone wondered what was in her brain. The creators of the show seemed to top the ideas as the show went on. This show from the 50's is my constant inspiration of nothing is too outrageous to try.

I recently said to a friend just think of me like Lucy. She looked at me incredulously and said, "Lucy? You're Lucy? Oh, NO because if you are Lucy, then I am Ethel, and I am not going to go down whatever road trip you're on." We both started laughing as she had read my mind, I WAS about to hatch nutty idea.

You see what made "I Love Lucy" work was Lucy's ability to drag her friend into her dreaming and into her schemes. If you keep your ideas only in your head, they cannot grow.

Let's face it out of crazy ideas bloom big dreams. Do you have a friend who always has a crazy idea or are you the crazy friend? Today, share your dreams…laugh and play yourself into a new reality.

Ricky: Lucy's actin' crazy.
Fred: Crazy for Lucy, or crazy for ordinary people?

Ethel: There's lots of things you're good at. Lucy: Like what?
Ethel: Well, you're awfully good at...uh... You've always been great at...
Lucy: Those are the same ones Ricky came up

Pursuing the Dream

I have been off the blogosphere and I miss all of you. I am glad to be back and want to share with you what I have been up to. I finally finished the book that I had been writing about my mother called In Memory Of a Saint: Lessons from My Mother that I Didn't Pay Attention to Until She Died. As you know, I have written many posts about her and as a result, I wanted to capture her spirit in a book.

The journey has been marvelous as I have been able to put into practice what I preach which is to strive for your goal and to go for your dreams no matter what. I also had the opportunity to take part this summer in Jack Canfield's Breakthrough to Success Training and was able to be among others dreamers.

Today, I hope all of you are pursuing your dreams with passion!

Finding Your Rhythm in 2010

We are officially finishing the first month of the New Year. Has the newness worn off for you? What about the resolutions you made? What have you done? Studies show that less than 10 percent of people who make New Year resolutions actually keep them.

A friend sent this email to me "the 2010 Handbook". This is a much healthier way to set your goals and aspirations for 2010. Find your own rhythm and commit to being a better you.

2010 Handbook (Origin unknown)

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come...
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Dreaming into Action 2010

I wish you all the best to make 2010 an amazing year. The first of the year is filled with so much promise. I ask you to make this promise to yourself…. to take action on your dreams. This is the year to achieve your goals.

I encourage you to move in a positive direction, and dare to be the person that you want to be. The slate is clean. Make the commitment today to take action on your dreams. There is no obstacle in your path but you. Let the history of your past be your motivation for your future. Many of us start the year with New Year’s resolutions and then forget about them. Don’t do that this year.

Your future is bright. Your dreams that are shimmering in the distance are waiting for you to grab them, Go for It!

“Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your
soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” Pamela Vaull Starr

Childhood Dreams into Inspiring Reality

This morning as I watched the Today Show the video below wowed me that it is never too soon to start on your dreams. Ten-year-old Amiya Alexander had a dream to start a business. The amazing part of this story is that her mother encouraged her to follow her vision. This young entrepreneur has patented her bus, created an interesting business model, and at a young age learned the most important lesson of all to turn your ideas into action. We should all be motivated to go for it!

Oath of Positivity

I recently spoke to a group of young women on how to be positive in these challenging times. As so many of us have been sucked into "the ain’t it awful club", I thought I would share with them and you what was once given to me when I was a teenager. I hope it inspires you!

Oath of Positivity

as read by Pearl Bailey, Live on NBC By J. Morris Anderson

My physical appearance will always reveal my positive mental attitude toward life.

My head held high will indicate the mental and spiritual strength that lives within me.

My straight, cheerful manner of walking will exemplify the positive direction my life has taken.

My eloquent manner of talking will always relate the positive mental, spiritual and physical forces that reside within me.

My illustrious smile will always express the pleasure I receive from living.

The positive look in my eyes will always indicate the self confidence and positive spirits inside me.

THEREFORE:

I CAN perform any task;

I CAN sell any product;

I CAN succeed in any job;

I CAN cause any relationship to thrive;

I CAN overcome any obstacle;

I CAN accomplish any objective.

I AM a positive mental, spiritual and physical person.

I AM spiritually capable of succeeding.

I CAN successfully compete on any mental level;

I WILL succeed on any physical level of activity in which I engage.

¿Are You Somebody?

Recently, I taught a class and afterwards a student asked me, if I had resource name to back up a statement I made. I said, “Yes, that resource is me.” He then asked me if I could quote somebody who was famous, a celebrity, or well known. I reiterated, “yes, me.”

He was so shocked that I confidently stood beside my name and my statement. I said yes, I am somebody. You can choose to heed my words or not, the choice is yours. I am my credible source because the story is mine.

He was so startled that I said that I was somebody; he did not have a comeback. I thought to myself that so often we look for validation on who we are from other people.

Boldly and confidently, declare to the world

you know who you are.

You are somebody!

"I am larger, better than I thought. I did not know I held so much goodness."-Walt Whitman

¿What’s Your Legacy?

Listening to the memorial tributes of Senator Ted Kennedy, I realized the impact of his legacy. There was many a tale of him assisting the person on the street with whatever was their particular concern. He helped my family with immigration, Vietnam veteran issues, and even donated his staff to work on one of my charity events.

You know they say that dead men tell no tales. This makes me pose the question, what will be your legacy?

“I may be here for a short while, gone tomorrow into oblivion or until the days come to take me away. But, in whatever part you play, be remembered as part of a legacy...of sharing dreams and changing humanity for the better. It's that legacy that never dies” author unknown

¿Dream Job?

Recently clearing out an old file, I ran across a description on what I was looking for in an ideal job from my youth. Idealistic, Naïve, or Impractical…? You be the judge.

I dream a world of togetherness, a job that is not work. It is cliché to say that making a difference is what I want to do with my life. The job I want should not just be a job, or a career, but a vocation.

I know that I am destined to be a revolutionary leader. A revolutionary leader holds the vision of an organization in their head, making it possible for others to share the same dream. Respect, encouragement, and motivation are my biggest leadership assets. I enjoy supervising others with the point of view that you cannot micromanage someone and help them to grow. We all make mistakes. The best teachable moment occurs when you give someone the opportunity to spread their wings while providing safety nets.

I want to work in a collective organization where being a part is part of the whole. This is an environment where colleagues come together to inspire each other daily. I know that when work stops being stimulating or fun, we should stop the madness and no longer go into a toxic place. The workspace should have an atmosphere that encourages laughter and tears, for both offers worlds of support. Some days working is hard but sharing the fun and the pain gives you the courage to continue for another day.

I am an extraordinary leader who looks behind and people are not only following me but they are developing into leaders themselves. My dream job is out here. I know this to be true because we are building a new society of visionary leaders who get inspired just the way I do.

I must say that reading this made me smile for my idealism, and for the jobs, I loved along my vocational journey and saddened me for opportunities missed. It occurred to me that in today’s challenging world, most people are scared to articulate what their dream job is. Should we be running so scared from our dreams and ideals that we drift aimlessly into thoughts of I will do it someday, maybe tomorrow, or worse yet, the chance opportunity is gone. The question then becomes, if not now when?

¿What is your dream job?

Field Of Dreams

This weekend I had the pleasure of watching one of my all time favorite films Field of Dreams. This movie struck such a cord with me on its main theme, how the world perceives people who strive for dreams that others find unattainable. More often than not, people who are dreamers, inventers, philosophers, artists and the like are called, crazy, in denial, and generally unstable because they march to beat of their own drum.

James Earl Jones’ character in the movie, comments on a passion so intense to that it can barely be articulated into words. The truth is often our dreams sound unintelligible to others. However, as long as you can keep your eye on the prize— the dream in your heart and don’t let go, you are more than half way to accomplishing your dreams and deepest desires.

I realize so many of us give up, because of the naysayers in our lives, “dream stealers.” The people who tell us that we are unrealistic, that it will never work, or even worse...wait…. until time, money or resources are better.

I love the movie's tagline

“If you believe the impossible, the incredible
can come true”

Keep Dreaming!!!

Kaleidoscopes

I love kaleidoscopes! When you look through them, you see all sorts of designs that have interesting shapes and vivid color. Shouldn’t life be like that? So that when you open your eyes to the unforeseen, your mind is able to see things you would never have imagined.

I urge you to take a walk and look around you and keep your eyes open for the unexpected. I can guarantee that in a daily walk around your neighborhood, your home, or even through your own mind, you will bump into something new. Look with wonder for all new possibilities!

At the height of laughter, the universe is
flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. Jean Houston

Living Her Dream Out Loud

I know many have seen the video regarding Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent. Feel to free to click the link that has it here in its entirety. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

As thrilled as I am with her performance, I am utterly annoyed with the media. One of the judges sheepishly admitted that that the audience was against this woman when she walked on stage. She has been described as frumpy, never been kissed, unlikely contestant, unkempt, and the list goes on.

This woman LIVED HER DREAM OUT LOUD!!! That fact should be the only thing we are buzzing about with such fervor. How many of us ever get the courage to realize our dreams boldly and fiercely?

Her song choice was so appropriate “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserable.

So I ask You Will this make you Live Your Dream
Today?

Happy New Year

2009 Welcomes YOU! With your entrance into the New Year, you crossed over into a world of new promises, paths unknown, and a road to new horizons. May your year be filled with all your hope and dreams. Peace

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce