SOAPBOX of the week: memorial for motivation

“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.

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

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SOAPBOX of the week: set free the animosity

“Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”     – Malachy McCourt, writer and politician

Some wise person once enlightened me with the deflatingly realistic truth that people can and will let us all down.  Weaved amidst the plethora of people, places and things you see, go and do, are situations that arise to tangle your plans, stomp your expectations, and defeat your hopes.  In virtually every place you and someone else cross paths, that somebody has the ability to let you down.  Be it with benign backfiring or malicious intent, their actions will cause nuisance and nuclear blast alike, leaving your spirit with wounds of hurt, anger, loss, and regret.  Left to fester, they poison your heart and mind, while the wrong-doer simply moves on.  But regardless the impact, it’s ultimately your choice -if and when- to forgive.  Electing absolution allows for your healing and rebuilding with a mere memory of the mistake left to fade.  Learn to let go, and you’ll learn to hold on to what matters –living a fearless life still chock full of positive plans, expectations, and hopes.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.comA 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 silver lining of suffering

“A broken heart is a rite of passage and, looking back, I must have wanted one pretty badly.”     – David Sedaris, comedian and author

Perhaps it came out of left field, as if someone slapped a “KICK ME” post-it on your back with a tagline…”and leave a mark.”  Or all the signs were there but you just wouldn’t see them.  Regardless the lead-time to the headline, the impact was the same: life shattering, and the universal reaction yielded one abysmal question: What do I do now?  Well, what if I said…Celebrate!?  After all you’ve earned it!  You experienced the priceless joy, peace, and enlightenment that bless you when you open your mind, share your heart, lay down your ego, and trust another.  Even though true love’s initiation delivered a double-edge of extreme highs and lows, you’re still alive and kickin’, folks,  and the real you has emerged.  So, I say again, celebrate this experience!  Knowing that your willingness to leap for love allowed your heart to heal and beat even stronger.  You earned your graduation to the next stage of life.  And so, welcome to the real world!

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.comA 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: drop your weapons!

“Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.”     – Sholom Aleichem, author and playwright


For the lot of us walking this earth, we shall bear title of wise and fool, rich and poor countless times in our lives. And thus life shall appear a dream of magical imagining and pursuing; a game of senseless galumphing; a comedy of carefree consuming; and a tragedy of painful enduring. Where we each begin or end matter not, for the ebb and flow of a greater current is at hand here. And therein lies great beauty in the mystery. Alas, though, nowhere in this verse does it say life is a battle, nor a war, nor a challenge to be stared down, fought or overcome by any of the characters. So, then, why do many of us assert ourselves through the days with swords held high and shields at full coverage? There is no ONE EVIL OPPONENT to seek and destroy, and the whole world ain’t out to getcha, friends! Furthermore, a mouthful of deflective judgment, six-pack of pepper spray, and tube of SPF 100 ain’t the solution for survival. After all, countless folks are simply caught up in their own changing current…unaware of this so-called duel you’re claiming. So, perhaps it’s time you lower your weapons and stop wounding the innocent; shed your armor, reveal your heart, and trust your intuition. Life is a journey, regardless the lens you’re viewing it through; but it’s a heckofalot easier to course the rhythm and rhyme without all the gear weighing you down.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.comA 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: be a singular sensation, sister!

 “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.”     – Gloria Steinem, feminist icon, journalist, and political activist

This glib statement of women’s lib may indeed pierce the ears of family-focused conservatives and over-excited wedding planners alike.  For this fearless queen of feminism delivers a face-jam of alternative thought.  Ironically, though, for too many sisters this underlying empowerment is still tough to swallow.  Come on, ladies, snap out of it!  It’s time to bash the pipedreamy, you-complete-me-scenario and accept that you alone are complete, whole, perfect…and fabulous!  After all, men are referred to as the opposite sex for a reason  -they can only attract or repel.  Period!  Get right with yourself first, woman!  The right time, right place scenario will then reveal just the right man: attractive, complimentary and complete.  Just like you!

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.comA portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG. 

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

SOAPBOX of the week: the almighty cape of courage

“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.comA portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG. 

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