What Inspires You?

What Ispires You?

When I write, I am usually inspired by something I read, 

that I watched, heard, or someone I met.  

These 'impressions' in my mind end up being words on a page.

I might write a poem, 

or add to my blog, 

or start a new adventure - 

but it always seems to lead to a type of creative outlet 

based on what 'inspired' me!

I have also met many wonderful people

who have inspired me. 

I have this beautiful friend whom I adore. 

We first met some odd 18 years ago in Texas.  

This lady has the sweetest heart - 

Her tenacity to see life as a blessing just amazes me.

She has suffered so much in her health through the years I've known her.

However, she continues to inspire me - every day.

Why?  

Because no matter what trials she experiences, 

she has the strongest faith of anyone I've ever met.  

She also sincerely cares about you.

She could be having the worst day of the week, month or year

and she will still want to know if you're okay, 

to listen to our petty stuff....

because anything that her friends

and family have going on are that important to her!

That is just so precious to me!

Some people in the public eye also inspire me!

This video is older, but still has a great message:

Ashton Kutcher Speech - Teen Choice Awards

"Opportunities look a lot like work"

"The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart, being thoughtful and being generous - the rest is just crap, I promise you"

"Build a life, don't live one"

This inspires me as well.  I love learning.

I love learning new things, new ways to grow, new ways to be a better person.

I love learning how to build my life - to write - to experience.

What inspires you? 

What motivates you to strive for more?

What teaches you to teach others?

Share in the comments - I'd love to interact with you!

Blessings~DarleneBl

Selling Yourself

Puzzle pieces... 

we all know that

if you don't have the right ones -

they won't fit right, 

they won't complete the picture.

Think about it (only for a second)

Life - business - work is all like that.

If you are not loving what you do

If you are not sold on the product or program

it will show.

My daddy was a Fuller Brush Salesman in the early '70's.

Yes, he had a brown case and 

he went door to door. 

I remember as a kid how fun it was to help my dad gather the completed orders together. 

Then, we'd pack a lunch, load the orders in the car - and head off to deliver them to his customers. 

I was about 10 at the time, so I rarely was allowed to join him in the homes.  

I definitely knew to take a book to read - daddy wouldn't be quick about his business.

When I was older, I was able to join him 

and 

watch him in action. 

I was able to see why daddy was good at what he did.

He sold himself before he ever sold a product.

The customers might have needed what he was selling - but they bought more of what my daddy was about - 

who he was to the customer.

My daddy remembered his customers.

He asked about their families 

Petted the family dog

Told a joke or two

All before he even opened his case.

Guess what?

Rarely did he leave those homes without a large order. 

How did he do that?

They loved how friendly he was. 

He was someone who didn't try to sell to them.

He usually would leave with the name and number of a friend he could call on as well. 

Today, we would call that a referral,

Daddy just called it an 'opportunity' to meet a new

Friend!

I miss my daddy. 

His way of life and teaching by leading

will stay with me forever.

I want to carry on the legacy he left in my heart.

Start and build a

RELATIONSHIP first.

Sound advice if you ask me!

Removing Weeds

Weeds - we all have them -

 in our gardens and in our business.

Weeds?  Seriously? Yes!  

Last weekend, I was taking weeds out of my gravel driveway and yard.  Now, many would just pull the tops and be done with it - but then you leave the root so they can come back.

I found that when I worked on some of these weeds - their roots were deep in the dirt under the gravel and I had to work much harder to get them out.

While I was working - the thought came to me - 

People can be that way.

Their negative processes are either just on the surface - 

or sometimes the weeds that others planted in them went deeper - into their soul and they started believing that they couldn't ever succeed.

When this happens, roots are planted deep and harder to get out of the negative thought process.

People can be weeds in your life. 

Toxic to you 

and telling you 

'You can't' or 'Why do you try?' 

That root they start planting goes deeper and deeper 

into your soul 

and pretty soon - 

you believe what they tell you.

When you decide you won't listen anymore - 

sometimes you only remove the surface issue - 

but sometimes you also fail to fully remove the root they planted inside of you.

That is when you get a better tool - 

You study more - you research ways to succeed

and before long - all of this good will

choke out negative weeds!!

Have you ever seen Nick Vujicic's 

Motivational Minute Series?  

Click and watch - he is great!

So, remember - when you start to hear 'You can't' or

'You'll never succeed' 

Do NOT let the weeds 

start to grow.  

Push in positive thoughts 

Call your Business partner
 or a positive friend!!

 Feed good stuff in and you'll 

see how much happier and prosperous you'll be!

When Life Interrupts

When life Interrupts.....

You're going along, living life and it's all calm waters - 

like on the lake on a clear, crisp day.

Then, all of a sudden - you hit a brick wall - 

literally and figuratively!

It can be in the form of a severe illness.

It can be in the form of a work struggle.

It can be in the form of a family situation.

It can be in the form of financial changes.

But that wall still hurts and stops you in your tracks!

Ouch!!!

Bruised and confused, 

you pick yourself back up - 

You have to get back up!

There is simply no other choice!

I love John Lennon's song to his son - 

there is one part where he says 

"Life is What Happens to you

While You're Busy Making Other Plans" 

Very true!

Most of us plan the first of the year right - 

setting goals for life and work - 

plus the tedious time spent

balancing the books to prepare for tax season (and headaches!) 

During all that 'stress' - 

you don't need anything else to derail you!

However, you still find yourself 

Stressing more - sleeping less.

Ranting more - smiling less.

Working harder - playing less.

Going in circles - getting less accomplished.

Be patient  - you still have a long way to go. 

Be encouraged - tomorrow is a chance to begin again.

Be strong - the storm can't last forever.

Be positive - how you speak to yourself.

Be quiet - sometimes just stepping away for a 5 minute walk can totally change your perspective.

Keep the balance - even when life interrupts.

Remember that you have what it takes to endure, 

to succeed and to make a change - 

right inside of you.

No one else will ever be like you.

No one else will ever know what you know.

No one else will make a change like you will!

So, pick yourself up -

brush off the dust and 

get back in the game 

and win!

Email me at balancinglifeandwah@gmail.com

The Big Picture (in a negative world)

The Big Picture (in a negative world)

Have you seen this video?  https://vimeo.com/105788896

It is intended to promote animation 

and jobs with Indeed.

My husband always gets a kick out of it, especially the end of the video.  

Today however, I watched it and saw something else.
If you watch it to the end - you will see that this rock person stopped the boulder from destroying the village, but he destroyed the church. 

1 building down 
and the villagers start attacking him.
The Rock man frowns 
and then lets the boulder 
finish the town off for the lack of gratitude!

So, this is what I thought.
How often do we have something finally go just right, but 1 little thing 
gives us a negative thought process.
1 little thing 
robs us of enjoying success or what went right. 
1 little thing 
gone wrong causes us to miss the 'big picture' 

How many times do you hear from those who you rely on to uplift and believe in you....
"You'll never make it"
"It's not possible, it'll never be done"
"You are going to fail"

How about how we talk to ourselves?  
That 'negative self talk'
where we tell ourselves...
"She/He is better than me"
"I don't have the skills to succeed"
"This is too hard, I might as well give up"
"I'll never get this right"

and so on.

I love to seek out positive things to read.  I love hearing about people who succeeded regardless of limitations.  

Have you ever heard of Nick Vujicic?
His story is remarkable to me.  
A man with no arms, no legs 
and yet he has such a 
positive outlook 
and desires to share with others. 
I love this poster:

There are going to be bad days - no doubt.  If you are breathing, you are going to hit walls.

However, if you constantly tell yourself you aren't good enough, or that you aren't going anywhere, eventually you won't be good enough 
and you won't go anywhere.

TV is filled with negative news. 
Facebook is filled with hurting, angry people.

However, there is still good in the world.
There are still great role models.
There is still hope!

So what is the big picture?

If you are having a bad day - talk to a friend.
If you haven't left your house in awhile - go take a walk.

A prime example is the movie 'About Time'.  
Tim discovers that he can travel back in time.
As the movie progresses, he realizes what is important.  After his dad passes away and Tim can no longer travel back to see him after his child is born, he starts making the very best of every day.

He wakes with purpose to make each day the very best, as if he had traveled back in time to that very perfect moment.

Will this attitude always work?  Probably not.
I am sure willing to try and I hope you will too!

Have a Perfect day and don't let the little things bring you down to the point you miss the big picture!

Reach for the mountain and soak it all in!

Relationships

Relationships

I was thinking the other day about the varied relationships I have been blessed to have in my life.  

I also pondered on all of the new ones that I hope to have long term as well.

What makes a solid foundation for a relationship?

Communication - mutual likes and dislikes - the same thought processes?

Yes...and...No.

I think that the main definition of a relationship is just like the picture above.

We accept one another - but don't try to change the other.

We know there will be times that we'll have to agree to disagree.

Yes, there will be similar tastes and common ground - but there should also be totally opposite views thrown in as well.

Relationships are tough and hard work!

Let's face it - they are!

Your best friend might not agree with a life choice you've made - 

but they still care for you.

Your business partner might not agree with a decision you've made - 

but you will bear the consequences.

An acquaintance you have might not get along with your best friend or your spouse - 

so you again 

agree to disagree.

What about your choices in your home business journey and adventures?

There are so many varied choices out there these days - 

and if you are a good advocate of your specific opportunity - 

you will feel that it is the best one for everyone.

However, it might not be a 'good fit' for everyone you encounter.  

It doesn't mean you can't have a relationship with one another - 

it just means you're probably not on the same 'team' 

and really, 

that is okay!

I have been married almost 33 years.  

He is my best friend and we talk about everything together

 - it works for us!

We support, uplift and encourage one another.

We don't always see eye to eye - 

but we are willing to hear one another out 

to gain 

a different perspective. 

We might not always change our minds - 

but we definitely learn something more about how the dynamic of our relationship filters out into everyday interactions with others too!

I am blessed to have this relationship in my life.  

It helps me when I am building friendships online.  

Some of my best online relationships?  I've never even met them in person!

I was listening to a training video the other day for one of my companies. 

I loved what she said specifically about 

Social Media relationships

 "It is not return on investment,
it is return on relationships."

Comment, 

engage, 

visit other sites -

build relationships!
  
You'll definitely be the better for it!