“A wound, a red badge of courage.”      – Stephen Crane, novelist & journalist

A decision was made, a choice acted upon, and the evidence runs red.  Sound familiar?  Perhaps you proudly stood up and spoke your mind or terrifyingly tried to sing in public.  Finally left home for good or left that joyless job with tail between your legs.  Maybe you declared a longing “I love you” or were dealt a devastating goodbye.  No matter your predicament, position or point… you can’t help but be affected by the gaping gash that painfully exposes your heart and ego to everyone.   But may I remind you that even as you invested precious time, energy, and effort, you did not offer up your name, reputation, or spirit in vain.  Bravery gives you the armor to face the battle; but in taking a leap of faith you demonstrate just how much you believe in yourself and your cause.  When all is said and done, a silver lining glistens one simple truth: all wounds eventually heal.  Trust in that and you’ll emerge stronger, both inside and out.  So, break out the band-aids, folks, and live a life worth fighting for!

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

“How often things could be remedied by a word.  How often it is left unspoken.”     – Norman Douglas, novelist

You know the moment it happens.  A breach of trust.  An error of judgment.  Something is broken, stolen, hidden, lost, faked or found out, and without hesitation, defenses are raised along with emotional weaponry.  A story of gossip.  A fumbled  statement.  Something is lied about, omitted, used against, or blurted out, and both peace and promise are shattered.  Be it  trivial or crucial, that “something” doesn’t just become the proverbial thorn in someone’s side…it becomes the veritable wedge that splits a chasm in a relationship indefinitely.   And whether you’re the guilty party or the targeted casualty, not taking action to mend the bridge only allows more opportunities to fall into the abyss below.  What, then, is the true value of conquering for self-elevation or crucifying for wrong-doings, when the bond of brotherhood is broken?  Folks, we are all born with a glorious gift to connect and re-connect with others, and a capacity to create harmony amidst upset.  Choose to turn a negative into a positive, regardless which side of the blame falls on, and get to talking.  After all, to err is human.

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

“Love wishes to perpetuate itself. Love wishes for immortality.”     – Mortimer Adler, philosopher, educator, and author

Love. Perhaps the best damn four-letter-word that ever was. It is deemed the greatest connector in the world, intrinsically mysterious in its depth, influence and effectiveness. A resource available to every single person who walks the earth, and which shall never run out. An impenetrable shield to conflict; a tireless fire to fatigue; the fulfillment of the law that binds us as human beings. It cannot be destroyed, and sits dormant in every cell of your being until your take your first breath. And one day you finally learn of its name and its powers, and witness its effect on family, friend, stranger and foe alike! Question is, folks, what are you doing to NOW release your love within? Do you insist on its value, but run in fear and deny to participate in it? Or merely sprinkle it out here and there with stingy calculation? Knowing all that it can do to create joy and peace in your own home, let alone across the world… keeping it bottled up indeed sounds like an absurd choice!  Am I right?!  Well, snap out of it and choose to perpetuate it.  Elect to experience the glory of its glow for your own heart and let love live…NOW!

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.

“One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people
 who can appreciate you for what you are.”       -Gail Godwin, novelist
 
From your first breath to your last, you’ll cross paths with millions of people, purposefully engage with thousands, and get to know a bit of the good, bad, and ugly of hundreds…who in turn, merely know you by name, renown, or need you fulfilled.  But because of circumstances and timing, from both clever choice and magical chance, a sprinkling of gems finally sifts out of the lot; the proverbial diamonds you’ve hoped for to keep for the long haul.  You know their birthdays and biggest failures, and can agree to disagree on anything…down to the best movie of all time.  But most importantly, they mirror your mindset; for they allow you to open the shuttered windows to your personal history and entrust truths and trials, fears and flaws without regret.  Call them confidantes, motivators, advisors, beer buddies, cheerleaders, lifesavers or just friends;  they enhance your daily mainstreet-wallstreet dual life and enrich innumerable facets you’ve overlooked, ignored or undervalued.  Net-net: they’re “keepers”.  So, while you count on them without second thought, make it priority to thank them with whole heart.  Just as you can count these premium pals on only one hand, trust that they’re doing the same thing…and couldn’t be happier.

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