Aaah, words that would make Walt Disney smile.  At some golden, defining moment in your life, a glorious vision plants its seed in your heart and mind and begins to branch through your imagination.  An unflickering image of a person, place, event, achievement, or experience -it eclipses your fears and ignites your future perfect with wild hope.  Over time, as it grows from idea to driving force, you flip-flop it from top priority to back-burner ideology in reaction to life’s roller coaster, yet you remain steadfast to its potential and focused on its eventual fruits.  And that’s the part that the average person can’t grasp.  The ones who staple a shelf-life on childhood dreams and adult ambitions alike, in turn projecting their own insecurities and unforgiving failures.  It’s these hope-deficient naysayers who toss prickly words in envious aim to pop the faith-filled balloon that lifts you up daily.  And they turn up amongst friends, family and strangers, chancing that you’ll question mark your passionate pursuit of purpose and join their crowd of cowards.  But, each day that you face them down, your wish seemingly comes closer to becoming true, as if it champions the cause of YOU.  That said, never divorce from the dream, folks; for there is joy, love, excitement and priceless memories in the house of hope…and it’s safe inside. 

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

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…and on that note, this week I take reprieve and leave tech and task to sit idle for a few.  Family calls across the country and my heart sings to follow.  So, perhaps this prompts you to ponder the connection with your own Alpha and Omega and do the very same.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE  your peeps!  info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

So, you’ve heard that song a million times, tapped your foot to it, even sang along.  But one random radio-logged day, your steel-trap mind somehow sifts through the memorized words to unveil eerily profound meaning and magic…and something just shifts.  A veritable musical masterpiece colors your eardrums with a delightful enlightenment as the crooner sings directly to an audience of one.  At once, all other soundful distraction is eclipsed; your mind’s attention is fully focused; and understanding floods through every ounce of your being.  Amazing, you think, as the a-ha’s widen your eyes and lift your heart!  All that from just a simple song you’ve heard a million times.  Now, just think of all the points and perspectives you may have missed not truly “tuning in” to the sounds that hold much greater importance –like the voice of your loving spouse, hopeful child, overwhelmed business partner, needy friend, or special stranger… but most importantly yourself.  Prick your ears to hear the music of life and listen closely to embrace the power in its blessed lyrics whispered just for you.  

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE  your peeps!  info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

Stumble through this quote, and you’ll swear Yogi Berra concocted yet another puzzler. And though the labyrinth of lyrics wax ironic, the message nails the undercurrent of life in one fell swoop, regardless the language.  Change and her relentless rhythm unashamedly convicts and collectively connects us as we stand in awe of the seeming bombardment of negative events that the past decade has delivered: The tragedy of 9-11, the failing markets, the additional violence throughout America, the war in the Middle East.  You name it and it’s more than just front page worthy. And as the media cumulatively frightens the bejeezus out of us, many of us find ourselves re-evaluating, re-booting, and re-promising to re-unite and make this world a better place.  Geez, what’s the scurry all about, now?  Why are we feverishly trying to concoct our own band-aid therapy, while still fearing that the worst has yet to come down on us?

Folks, whether it’s  the 21st century or the 1930s, the barefaced backdrop may have changed along with the countless events of devastation, but we as a nation remain the same. We’re all still just a bunch of folks living on a big plot of land called America.  That said, there has never been a right time to share fellowship, take care of each other, go to church, invest in ourselves, our families, and our businesses; respect our elders, donate to charities, take time off, question our value system, show our emotions, pray for one another, or stand together.  Every day is the right time. So, fling open the doors, settle down and keep the home fires burning.  Change your perspective and, believe me, you’ll see how it doesn’t really matter where your assigned seat is.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman. This article contains a copyrighted excerpt from Kimberlie Dykeman’s book PURE SOAPBOX.

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Art of every medium has shown us, without exception or excuse, the powerful expression of the heart.  Be it poem, painting, screenplay or song, the manifestation of a gloriously uninhibited process reveals a submission of artist to the craft.  For the work to come out, the work must go in, yielding a timeless punchcard of a passionate pursuit of purpose, relentless trial and error, and unwavering integrity.  See, regardless the end product, the beginning to any blossoming business is the same: an unyielding personal devotion to what, how and why you do it!  So whether it’s followers and fans or clients and coworkers you seek, trust that if you build your little empire with your heart at the helm, they will come in droves… inspired by you!

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE your peeps! info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

Whether it’s beans, Jack, or squat, for that matter… fifty bucks says at least one person has javelined a presumptuous phrase that spotlighted your erroneous exhibit of education.  And regardless if the announcer aimed to shine his self-endowed crown of wisdom or honestly point out that which you do not know for your own good, your preened feathers were ruffled and defenses immediately fired up.  Sound embarrassingly familiar, yes?  Well, next time, before you begin projecting words you’ll soon regret, let alone have no ammo of tangible evidence to debunk the claim, perhaps you pull out a notepad and take some notes, my friend.  There’s a strong chance your perceived “opponent” has a stash of golden nuggets he’s willing, if not earnest, to share, if only you retract your ego and play student for a spell.  This humble listening then reveals a path for your own diligent investigation and excited accumulation of all the right stuff.  And when paired with your own inventory of learned and logged info, the living library you create will pale in comparison to the experiences you had while stacking the shelves…of Jack, squat, or beans. 

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE  your peeps!  info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

Well, there you have it. Indeed the chaos has settled, and what has been revealed is probably even less surprising and news-worthy than one man’s use of profanity.  Profanity whose purpose and placement was spot on, in response to an event that ranks right up there in significance with one certain black president being elected.  Yup, Vice President Biden is just another guy.  Just like a jillion other Americans, he puts his pants on one leg at a time, played football in college, carries a lucky charm, has failed at getting elected for something, used to stutter, and indeed can swear like a sailor.  Yup, the man knows history-in-the-making when he sees it…and can’t hold his lips.  Big friggin’ deal, folks. 

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

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Needless to say, I’m not taking a cheap pot-shot at good ole Scarface.  Nope, instead it’s a blatant jab at all of you oblivious, frantically-focused-on-me-and-mine people out there (and yes, we’re all guilty at times!) …whose tunnel-vision scope of the world is often your biggest shortcoming.  Left unaddressed, that microscopic, micro-managed viewpoint can infect all sacred spheres of your life.  The blind-siding result?  A self-defeating stumbling block that leaves quite a mark when you finally stand-up and shake off the fumble.  I know it sounds extreme, but the reality is too true when you “get real” with yourself.  Yeah, you know there’s an election…but do you know the issues?  You know there’s this thing called environmentalism, but do you know your carbon footprint?  You know your zip code but do you even know your neighbors’ names?  You know your kid’s school, but do you know what her favorite subject is?  It’s more than the old adage “what you don’t know might hurt you”  ringing it’s reminder bell.  Thinking the whole world revolves around you, then choosing to ignore it CAN’T NOT catch up with you!  You matter to society, to the environment, to your neighbors, to your family!  SO, choose to rotate your perspective, reel your sense of self-importance back into orbit, and participate in them all.  You’ll experience a whirlwind of understanding that brings balance and appreciation for just how valuable the sum of the parts really is to your life the rest of this thing called earth.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE  your peeps!  info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

I don’t know what to say.  I’m afraid how they’ll respond.  I’m too busy to explain everything.  They wouldn’t understand.  It won’t change anything anyway.  Sound familiar?  Of course it does, ‘cause we all think it…all the time!!  We violate the truth in our emotions with silence, for a plethora of reasons, causing all of our relationships to suffer, both personal and professional.  Ironically, though, when we were kids, we wore our hearts on our sleeves.  If we didn’t want something, were frightened, upset or anxious, or simply not budging…someone heard about it!  Equally, when we liked something, wanted to know something, and felt joy, trust, love, or hope… we broadcasted our feelings for the world to hear!  And we got RESULTS!  Changes were made, mistakes fixed, we got what we wanted, and relationships with the people that truly mattered grew to fulfilling, multifaceted new levels.  Wake up, folks!  We all still hold that priceless ability to openly communicate what’s on our hearts.  And fifty bucks says there’s a sensitive, outspoken child inside of you, just jones-ing to speak up!  It’s time you own up to the lame excuses you’ve been spewing for not sharing your heart-driven thoughts with those who could make a difference in your life…if they just heard them!  Turn up the volume of your heart without the barriers of fears and assumptions, and create the magical experiences that might just trump your childhood!

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE  your peeps!  info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

Hustle, kid!  Don’t stop until you’re finished!  You got time to lean, you got time to clean.  You gotta earn your dinner tonight.  Hard work never hurt anyone!  Yup, and there’s a jillion more … to match the jillion people who regularly need a fire lit under their collective arses to simply do some work!  Whether in recession-rough times or “Reagan Eras”, there will always be a dichotomy of the loyal doers and the lazy divas… ever at odds!   And as damaging as it rings in many a slow-go-ers’ ears, if you find yourself wearing the title right now, perhaps you’re perpetuating your own poverty…one that spreads from your brain to beyond your business card and billfold.  Folks, it’s common sense that surviving and thriving are of your own choice.  Digging in creates passages to powerful people and wells of your own wealth; and the respect you earn rallies a safety net of resources you can never drain.  So, if you find yourself complaining about Wall Street if you’re not even busting a gut on Main Street, you’re closer to clenching your last belongings than you think!  Remember, there’s solution in the solving not the sitting…and you’ve got to believe that deep inside you still is the little engine that could …and it still can! 

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
“Pure Soapbox“ available nationwide online and where books are sold.   AUDIOBOOK NOW OUT on iTUNES & Audible.com!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE your company!  310- 500- 9587