Category Archives: empty-nester

SOAPBOX of the week: ode to happiness

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“Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.”     – Anonymous

Relax and open your mind to embrace and absorb this overtly fundamental, yet life-saving concept of candor. Grab hold of its depth and pour a pitcher of happiness in acceptance of your current reality. Then wade into the flood of prompting prose and choose tidal change over drowning correction.

Create bolder. Rescue braver. Shine brighter.
Explore broader. Relax calmer. Fight cleaner.
Speak clearer. Follow closer. Lounge cooler.

Breathe deeper. Save earlier. Travel farther.
Run faster. Dream fiercer. Commit firmer.
Pray forever. Trust freer. Retreat fresher.

Laugh fuller. Befriend gentler. Celebrate grander.
Think greener. Cook healthier. Practice harder.
Fly higher. Treat kinder. Donate larger.

Stay up later. Eat leaner. Pack lighter.
Sleep longer. Hang looser. Sing louder.
Write neater. Play nicer. Walk prouder.

Forgive quicker. Preach quieter. Share richer.
Drive safer. Dress sharper. Plan simpler.
Chew slower. Owe smaller. Discipline softer.

Reply sooner. Aim straighter. Sweat stricter.
Kiss sweeter. Serve swifter. Stand taller.
Hug tighter. Lavish thicker. Build tougher.

Perform truer. Touch warmer. Smile wider.
Dance wilder. Spend wiser. Act younger.
Work smarter. Feel stronger. Look better. Live longer.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman.  This vignette is an excerpt from “Pure Soapbox… a cleansing jolt of perspective, motivation, and humor” .   Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

COMING in late ‘09: Network TV talk show  and SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile (Click for sneak peek!)

 

SOAPBOX of the week: communication transpiration

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“The next message you need is right where you are.”    – Ram Dass, author and spiritual teacher

Each day you’re bombarded with contradicting messages, caught in the cross-fire of the present-tense purists and future-perfect fanatics.  One sizzles immediate gratification, a mindful calm sans calendars, and lessened let-down of expectations; while the other lures you with earned harvests, clarity from timelined plans, and the believable creation of your Big Picture dream.  So what’s the best ideology to follow?  Well, I say, read the ingredients so you know what’s “going down”, but then go ahead and swallow ‘em both!  The mixture yields the very best of combination for all of us: an appreciation of the here-and-now in all its glory, plus a hand-crafted hopeful lifeline of tomorrows.  Spontaneity can pair fabulously with the spreadsheets and scheduling …if you choose to allow it.  For ultimately, the more you commit to knowing thyself, the more obvious it becomes which recipe to nosh on, and when.  Now is the only constant, folks.  Changing your perspective of where you are and will yourself to be will potently power you both today and to infinity.

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.

COMING in late ‘09: SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile & a network TV talk show

SOAPBOX of the week: life’s tapestry of teachers

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“For every person who wants to teach there are approximately thirty who don’t want to learn – much.”     – WC Sellers, author and humorist

Ain’t that the truth!  And I wouldn’t doubt for a second that every one of you could rightfully confess a time when you indeed were that aggravating, non-receptive student.  But at some point, I hope, you’ve dropped the rebellious, disinterested, lazy attitude to embrace not only the teachings…but also the teacher.  Who, by the way, aren’t all huddled up in crowded middle school classrooms.  Folks who are driven to “teach” are everywhere.  They’re in boardrooms, churches, libraries and at conferences… just as they’re at the flea market, performing on stage, or cooking at a local restaurant.  That said, if you seek to learn, those who bless you with their experiences and worldly knowledge, will in turn watch their very own horizons expand.  Give them a chance to share and you’ll both profit for 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.

COMING in late ‘09: SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile & a network TV talk show

SOAPBOX of the week: fears take flight

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“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.”     – Orson Welles, actor-director-producer

Puddle-jumper and jumbo jet alike, you’re packed in like sardines encased by fake air, fake food and fake hospitality.  Seated cheek-to-cheek, you resume the practiced process of popping gum and punching last minute texts.  Amidst a motley crew of complete stranger, you can’t help but wonder why each is traveling on the same skycap cruise and what they’re thinking as you taxi toward takeoff.  So what are YOU thinking?  Will the turbulence reek tremors in your tightly-wound mind?  Will you sit idle and unfazed?  As your own “shift” sets in, be it anxiety or apathy, you look for comfort in numbers.  But, whether you white-knuckle it or wade through it like a boring movie, the only common denominator in the used-to-be friendly skies is collectively surrendering your “control card” for a fake sense of security.  And that, my friends, puts us ALL on the same planet.  Whether you leave Earth or not, feeling a loss of control or not caring about having it all -is in every moment of this thing called life.  The flight ain’t the deciding factor at hand here; your choosing how to face the journey is.

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.

COMING in late ‘09: SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile & a network TV talk show

SOAPBOX of the week: full-throttle wellness

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“Your body is the only thing you are guaranteed to keep for a lifetime; if you have your health, anything is possible.”     -Dan Millman, author

YOU are the sole driver of that intricate vehicle called your body …whose care instructions are written clearly on the inside:  Fuel with nutritious foods and water; rev it up and run it outside daily, get regular check-ups, and rest when needed. Simple, huh?  Yet too many of you ignore the GLARING RED SERVICE LIGHT and wonder why the other crucial “parts” of your life …like family or career…are sputtering along as well.  Folks, if you want more LIFE out of your life, ante up at least the same amount of preventative maintenance you give your car!  Rewire your mind and body.  Get a tune-up.  Heck, get an overhaul and enjoy an even longer ride in luxury!  After all, there’s no such thing as being too healthy!

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.

COMING in late ‘09: SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile & a network TV talk show

SOAPBOX of the week: tattooed for life

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 “What you memorize, you memorialize.”     – Anonymous   (often credited to ND  Walsch, author)

Whether your first sweetheart’s phone number, your favorite song, or big acceptance speech, you’ve chosen to etch these things into your mind for timely safe-keeping.  Yet years later, buried convolutions release their imprints your call, and elicit surprising delight.  But it’s not the content, nor the fact that you remember it verbatim that elates your spirit.  Instead, your smile, laugh and peaceful pause for reflection evolve from the unfolding of the celebration surrounding such snippets.  When you commit anything to mind, you emphasize its importance to your heart.  Honor the influential people, places, experiences, and messages that graciously fill your moments and pay tribute to yourself by tapping the enlightening power of those memories.

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.

COMING in late ’09: SOAPBOX® video subscriptions for mobile & Kimberlie’s own network talk show