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Simple Guidelines for Living the Life You Want

Going through rain, thunder and sunshine in life, I have learned this: Whatever color of the skin on people we all have the same feelings, the same joy, the same fears, the same biology, the same psychology. Yes, on the inside we are all the same. So never judge on the outside. Also be kind to everybody including yourself. Kindness feeds kindness and we need more of that on the globe. This definitely includes never, ever hit your children. Talk to them, show them what is right. Hit and abused children often grow up to be hitting and abusing grown-ups.…

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Listen To Your Inner Voice

Do you hear something inside? Your inner voice may be speaking. Your special inner voice is like a feeling, sense, or a knowing trying to guide you to choices that are in your best interest. It urges and prods you to do or not do something, haunting you like a ghost in your heart until you heed its prompting. Sometimes, you may not be sure whether you’re sensing your true inner voice or whether you’re sensing your own emotions, logic, or other internal interferences. You may even feel torn between your own preferences and your inner voice. Finding your inner…

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The Importance of Smiling and 15 Other Life Lessons of Kindness

Be still in your life. Take time to listen to nothing but the sound of your own thoughts. Learn to like your own company. Share with others what you have. Even if it is just a dollar, share it. Listen with your heart. Do not be in a hurry to tell your story. Listen as others tell their story first. See what needs to be done, and do it. Do the dishes need to be washed? Yes? Then wash them. Are there dirty clothes on the bed? Yes? Put them in the hamper. Send a smiley to someone just because…

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Living Intuitively In the Present Moment

My daughter, Raegan, has taught me much on this intricate journey of ours. She has shown me how to love, believe in God, and detach from my anger, fear, and frustration. Her smile and effervescent spirit is the ideal demonstration of perfection in imperfection—she does not allow her fragile, broken body to dim the brilliant light of her soul. We have learned to embrace our world, taking each day as it comes, thankful and blessed to be together, not allowing fears of the future to interfere with our joy of the present moment. We choose to leave our feelings of…

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Love Forgive Listen Trust

After another loud, red-faced argument with my husband, I retreated to my corner to mentally reassert my rightness and curse under my breath. Our angry words hung in the air like trapped dust. We’d had too many of these arguments lately, and I hated how I felt. Like a shrew, the kind of woman who makes a scene in public and you watch, shaking your head and thinking, How could she do that? I hated too the inevitable aftermath: hours, days, of silence, polite avoiding of each other in the hallway, sleeping separately, and the only words spoken questions about food…

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School of HP: Listening to Those Who Can Help

While walking to work from the parking garage, I opened the door to see a little bird. The bird was desperately trying to fly outside and was hitting the windows as it tried one after another to go through. I opened the door and said, "Here, little birdie, here's the way". To my dismay, no matter how I tried, the bird wouldn't even look in my direction and kept on trying the windows. Finally, I propped the door open with a garbage can and left. As this was happening, I thought... what a wonderful metaphor for life. We keep on claiming…

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Bouncing with Style: Thinking about Thoughts

I have been reading about thoughts lately. I know that sounds a bit weird, but when I was in court a few weeks ago I watched this grandmother talking to her grown grand-daughter about how thinking too much gets her in trouble. I remember my own mother telling me that in my teens. “Thinking is good,” she said to me, “but, thinking too much will get you in trouble.” I have also been quiet lately - talking less since my radio shows are pre-recorded for the summer months – and listening more. I listen for message from the universe, from…

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The Power of Listening

By B. Lynn Goodwin. "There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." -- Edith Wharton Do you write or blog? Do you get tired of receiving little feedback, no feedback, or negative feedback? Do you need something to pull you back up? You’re in need of inspiration. Aren’t we all sometimes? Whenever I offer a journaling or writing workshop, I always explain that everyone in the room is a writer and everyone has a unique voice and stories worth telling. Recently, I gave a journaling workshop at the Sherwood Forest…

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The Anatomy of Listening Effectively

By Michele Howe. I admit it. I’ve always considered myself a good listener. I was wrong. Not until I read Stephen Covey’s book, The 8th Habit, did I realize how limited my listening skills have been. Perhaps my biggest mistake is trying to formulate a response while someone is still talking with me. Instead of giving my full attention to the speaker, I’m guilty of (1) allowing my mind to race ahead trying to solve a problem and (2) busy deciding if I agree (or not) with the one talking. In either scenario, I’m not fully engaged in what’s being…

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Listening through the Storms

We're in the British Virgin Islands, enjoying a bit of vacation and writing time for me. We are blessed to have a beautiful sailboat named Abundance that is our home away from home. The winter often brings northern swells, high seas and cooler temperatures. Yesterday I woke up after a stormy night on board the boat, moored in the Bight, off Norman Island.  It was if Mother Nature was ridding herself of the last remnants of wind and rain from hurricane season. The morning skies were ominous and I heard a voice warning me that we were going to lose…

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