SOAPBOX of the week: families valued

“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.

 

 

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 upshot of upset

“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. 

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 melody of epiphany

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: 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: take your pulse

“To be successful, have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart.”     Thomas Watson, former president, IBM

Art of every medium has shown us, without exception or excuse, the powerful expression of the heart.  Be it poem, painting, screenplay or song, the manifestation of a gloriously uninhibited process reveals a submission of artist to the craft.  For the work to come out, the work must go in, yielding a timeless punchcard of a passionate pursuit of purpose, relentless trial and error, and unwavering integrity.  See, regardless the end product, the beginning to any blossoming business is the same: an unyielding personal devotion to what, how and why you do it!  So whether it’s followers and fans or clients and coworkers you seek, trust that if you build your little empire with your heart at the helm, they will come in droves… inspired by 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: hush up and wise up!

“I was determined to know beans.”     – Henry David Thoreau, author, historian, transcendentalist

Whether it’s beans, Jack, or squat, for that matter… fifty bucks says at least one person has javelined a presumptuous phrase that spotlighted your erroneous exhibit of education.  And regardless if the announcer aimed to shine his self-endowed crown of wisdom or honestly point out that which you do not know for your own good, your preened feathers were ruffled and defenses immediately fired up.  Sound embarrassingly familiar, yes?  Well, next time, before you begin projecting words you’ll soon regret, let alone have no ammo of tangible evidence to debunk the claim, perhaps you pull out a notepad and take some notes, my friend.  There’s a strong chance your perceived “opponent” has a stash of golden nuggets he’s willing, if not earnest, to share, if only you retract your ego and play student for a spell.  This humble listening then reveals a path for your own diligent investigation and excited accumulation of all the right stuff.  And when paired with your own inventory of learned and logged info, the living library you create will pale in comparison to the experiences you had while stacking the shelves…of Jack, squat, or beans. 

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