Category Archives: couple/newlywed

SOAPBOX of the week: til death do us part

Posted on by
1

“It’s not that I’m afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”     – Woody Allen, actor and director

Death and taxes.  The only two surefire things in life. Though some Vegas regulars and sports fanatics may preach differently.  And while Uncle Sam keeps us whining and strategizing about the latter, our fear-filled culture grants only mumbled tones of “passing-on”, in private settings and intimate moments.  Funny thing, though, is that unlike taxes, we cannot evade death.  At some point reality face-jams us with the irrefutable fact that we’re all immortal.  And the more fear the passing of time, it seems to tick even faster, scooping away youth and presumed opportunity.  Be it old age, a fluke accident, or valiant yet failed fight, we’ll all exit stage left at some time and in some fashion.  Of course, you can choose to personify its coming via the grip of the Grim Reaper or the loving embrace of the grace of God.  Of course, you can avoid the topic in the safety of blissful ignorance.  Or you can invite the comedy, celebration and conversation about the, literally, life-changing event of death.  It might just add more humor, appreciation, understanding, and life to your life.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

CHECK OUT NEW SOAPBOX inc offerings

SOAPBOX of the week: reflection resurrection

Posted on by
Reply

 “Hindsight is 20/20.”     – Anonymous

No doubt, someone’s Mom coined this phrase…and she deserves to wear “The Crown of Common Sense”!  But whoever first shared this golden nugget of wisdom with you probably saw you stomp on it in youthful rebellion.  And yet a jillion times you’ve caught yourself shaking your foolish head, wishing you’d listened to your gut, screaming “Yes”, “No”, or “RUN!”  Well, that which doesn’t kill ya, only makes you stronger.  So, review your past, rethink your future, and refresh your promise to finding and following the truth within.  Tough to swallow?  Well, probably.  But remember, Mom’s always right.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

SOAPBOX of the week: check your ego

Posted on by
Reply

“There’s one thing we ought to let folks find out for themselves, and that’s how great we are.”     – Kin Hubbard, cartoonist & journalist
   
Remember, as a child, feeling as though you could do absolutely anything?  Make yourself invisible, be an Olympic athlete, own a huge company, morph into a superhero, make a million dollars, be president someday.  Indeed, as the list grew daily, so did the volume, of your voice to ready the world for your coming!  That self-proclaimed omnipotence ensures your drive to succeed still to this day.  But tread carefully upon the trail of self-confidence; for left unchecked, unyielding conviction can wander out of control, undermine your natural gifts, instigate judgment and jealousy and leave you jaded and lonely.  Practice humility to combat the barbs.  And when tempted to broadcast your greatness, choose to beam it instead.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

Looking for a cutting-edge speaker?  SOAPBOX® Motivation for the 21st Century

SOAPBOX of the week: the enlightenment of failure

Posted on by
Reply

“Failure: A man who has blundered but who is not able to cash in on the experience.”     – Elbert Hubbard, writer and publisher

Celebrating success is an important practice.  It reinforces self-image and provides an ignition sequence for more victories.  But it’s equally necessary to recognize failures…because the lessons learned are launch pads for even more satisfying achievements.  That said, take a closer look at your last flop:  Did you have a clear vision of what you wanted?  A plan?  Did you ask for help to stay on track?  Did you expect a miracle in record time…and then become deflated at your lack of skills and resources.  Or procrastinate and overanalyze yourself into quitting?  If your answers define a full-fledged failure…GREAT!  Knowing why and how you bombed is the secret to tilting the cause and effect scale in your favor…to profit from another success.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

SOAPBOX of the week: the arithmetic of friendship

Posted on by
Reply

“It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend of his faults…To speak painful truth through loving words… that is friendship.”     – Henry Ward Beecher, clergyman
   
If there were a system for categorizing friends, you could say they add, subtract, multiply or divide your life somehow.  With a little analysis, you can easily file them as such.  Mind you, doing so is neither to praise nor condemn any as “good” or “evil”.  Instead it prompts you to evaluate each person’s impact and influence in your daily life. Who multiplies your joy?  Adds to your problems?  Divides your burdens?  Subtracts from your own identity?  Those who do not increase the positives within and around you will inevitably decrease the value of your experiences with negative drain.  So, do the math.  You’ve chosen your pals…now decide what you want to absorb and be surrounded by.  Speak up about what lifts you up and drags you down and create a formula for the strong friendship you both deserve.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

SOAPBOX of the week: rejecting rejection

Posted on by
Reply

  “Never take “no” from someone who can’t say yes.”     – Anonymous

So…you wonder, “What’s his deal?!”  The guy who stamps an echoing NO on everything.  Who agrees to disagree.  Nothing can break this guy down.  Not even a good bottle of scotch.  That said, no brilliant gameplan or persuasive speech you deliver will make him flinch.  NO is his way of life.  But it’s not about him.  It’s about you.  And it’s up to you to decipher whether he revels in it, or is simply petrified to look beyond it.   But have faith that YES is buried in there somewhere.  So, whether you choose to stand firm and crusade for your cause …or plot a path over, under, around or straight through this barricade of No’s …you’ve got to adapt to get what you need.  Dig in …or dig around…but definitely dig up a YES!

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.