Pure Soapbox » lifestyle/well-being

SOAPBOX of the week: devotion to the dream

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:17:18 +0000

“The very least thing you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it at a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver, author

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.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: families valued

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:08:02 +0000

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” ~ Anthony Brandt, author

…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.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: the upshot of upset

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:50:15 +0000

“If you’ve broken the eggs, you should make the omelette.” – Sir Robert Anthony Eden, British politician

Aaahhhh, crap! You dropped the ball and somehow missed that crucial appointment or forgot a birthday; totally bombed a performance or royally embarrassed yourself in front of someone important. You know it the moment it happens, and you literally feel like the world is about to collapse. Perhaps you even wish it might open up and swallow you whole! Even with the most calculated gameplans and benevolent intentions, we all screw up something every day…and sometimes more than once! On top of that, we make mini-mistakes left and right without realizing it. After all, we’re only human, right? Thought armed with 5 senses, 4 limbs, and 1 brain, the hands of time challenge us with a mere 24 hours in each day. Alas, with an out-of-control list of tasks, trips and tabulations, the fumbles are just bound to happen. But of course, not every spill is remedied with a simple “cleanup on aisle 9.” Nope, some are royal messes! Regardless of the magnitude, we have both obligation and opportunity to flip each situation back to the plus side… and who knows how surprisingly sweet the aftertaste may turn out after all. To err is human, so forgive yourself and go concoct a divine batch of lemonade.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: the melody of epiphany

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:58:27 +0000

“Never underestimate the power of listening.” – Anonymous

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

SOAPBOX of the week: the science of love

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:29:19 +0000

“Love withers with predictability; its very essence is surprise and amazement.” – Leo F. Buscaglia, psychologist, author

Lasting love ain’t interested in scientific systems, processes of play-by-play, nor sequences of schemed strategies. She ain’t up for pressuring data for deduction and calculation. And above all, l’amour ain’t suited for spreadsheets, where formidable, formulaic boxes limit her possibilities or forecast lofty expectations. Nope, she’s a bit more of a rebel with a gypsy chaser, enthusiastically driven to create adventure for all involved. An insatiable curiosity propels her into life’s nooks and crannies to reveal golden gems that leave her incredulous… yet thirsty for more! Indeed, her daily inspiration is effervescently uplifted by the ebb and flow of spontaneity. Let her reign freely and she will grow to overcome the troubles of time, perhaps even its reality of mortality. When you and she meet again, remember to let her lead and simply enjoy the unmappable journey.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: exchanging hope

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:42:52 +0000

“Have a penny, leave a penny. Need a penny, take a penny.” - 7-11 penny dish

A nudging notion saturated with the simplest of wisdoms, right up there with the Golden Rule, that whole lemon-lemonade adage, and probably a slew of Newton’s discoveries. Ironically, Lincoln’s loose change symbolizes all the basic needs to survive life –even in this 21st century. But most of us limit the concept of “needs” to the Salvation Army scope of money, food, shelter, clothing, pots and pans, books…whatever. Well, wouldn’t life be a string of struggles without other things like family, friendship, transportation, education, activity, or music? And it’d be downright unbearable without conversation, love, laughter, prayer, fellowship, celebration, and charity. Tell me I am not off base, folks! For every single one of us, life is a roller coaster of times of having and needing all of these glorious symbols of sustenance. But moreso, each day presents an opportunity of choice to ask for the sake of our own survival or to offer for the sake of another’s. See, the world is full of abundance and so are you! And I ain’t just talkin’ currency, folks. When you have it… give it. When you need it… take it. Yup, it’s that simple.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: life’s luscious roulette

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:04:53 +0000

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” - Forrest Gump, shrimp boating captain

Hollywood may have etched these lines of script in their Canon, but I think many of you need it tattooed in your mind’s mainframe. So, mull with me and let the sweetness of its monumental meaning melt in your mouth. Life is like a box of chocolates –each day offers up a square to devour whose core confection may impact us for a flash or forever. Indeed, some are truffles of petty delays or divorces; pralines of pitfalls or pink slips; and caramels of hangnails or heart attacks. Oh, but do not forget that time’s beautiful gift box also offers up manna in the making …of breakthroughs, best friends, birthdays, big raises, new babies and blessings beyond words. Deemed “good” or “bad”, they all offer the sustenance to challenge, change, and ultimately define us. Point being, even the crappy ones ain’t so terrible. And when given a choice between a chocolate of mysterious midsection or none at all… fifty bucks says you’ll take the treat, and probably find the surprise inside worthwhile for the future of your family, faith, career, relationships and place in this timeline we call life. And that, my friends, is the meat of the sweet.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: memorial for motivation

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:49:12 +0000

“All the same, we take our chances, laughed at by time, tricked by circumstances. Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose. The more that things change, the more they stay the same.” - Geddy Lee, musician, & Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, journalist and critic

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.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: motivation for donation

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:32:14 +0000

“Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone – kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.” - Adam L. Gordon, Australian poet, jockey and politician

The ultimate win-win situation, yes? Lending a hand to someone in need. Anyone. Any circumstance. Be it plates of food or pints of blood, the poetic powers of good prevailing to alleviate ailments, fix fences, revive relationships and salvage spirits. And magic ensues… for both the giver and receiver benefit beyond words, simply because hardship is a stranger to none of us. Think of your own spells of strife when, amidst the despair, deep down there still churned a fire of faith that proclaimed help would indeed find you! And, low and behold, it did! But know this: along with your saving grace of hope grew your bold voice of bravery that stoked you to face the lions while asking for a lifeline. And so the cycle continues…as it always has and always will. Just as change is the only constant, kindness and courage shall each emerge as the future dictates your present. Share this wisdom with others and the proverbial pay-it-forward chain shall never be broken.

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

SOAPBOX of the week: I swear we’re related!

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:43:47 +0000

“This is a big f**king deal.” - Joe Biden, US Vice President

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.

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