Category Archives: retiree

SOAPBOX of the week: memorial for motivation

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

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

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“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. 

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: rest, my friends

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“Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.”     – Ashleigh Brilliant, author and cartoonist

…And so, as it is the end of the year, folks, I am taking some rest from pursuing this weekly creative writing episode…and letting it, instead, have forty winks.  Not to worry, next Monday will knock on my door and hand me yet another ditty to share.  Sooo, ’til then, cheers to this time of rest for all of you.  Let it swaddle you in ease and comfort, for the hustle and bustle of the birth of 2010 is just around the corner!             – kd

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman.  This article contains a copyrighted excerpt from Kimberlie Dykeman’s book PURE SOAPBOX …a cleansing jolt of perspective, motivation, and humor.Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.   AUDIO BOOK COMING JANUARY 2010!  A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.   SUBSCRIBE HERE!


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

 

SOAPBOX of the week:intoxication of a pastime

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“Passion is all about allowing yourself to get lost in something.”     – Gail Sheehy, writer and lecturer

Picture an artist covered in paint, a cook in sauces and spices, a mechanic in grease.  Picture a writer surrounded by stacks of books, an athlete by gear and sneakers, a musician by sheet music and instruments, a pilot by model airplanes.  At times, each has become so involved in their craft, hobby or dream that they’ve forgotten time of day, list of tasks, even title on their business card.  Whether it’s their chosen vocation or weekly vacation from the daily grind, these folks aren’t merely “distracted” or dabbling …they’re captivated, in love and lost in something indescribable.  So what about you?  What makes your heart sing?  Brings divine peace and joy?  Commitment to something OTHER THAN your j-o-b, family or obligations is not only allowed…the passion it ignites fires up all other areas of your life.  And if society tells you to ease up, clean up or clear out your fabulously consuming “messes”…tell ‘em to go get lost!

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

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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!

SOAPBOX of the week: pitch in to get paid back

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“Service is the rent you pay for room on this earth.”     – Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman, educator & author

Fifty bucks says, many of you would have laughed this one off when you were the omniscient age of 18, and assumed it was one of your parent’s devious mantras.  That self-centered mentality was merely part of the growing-up curve (the “me era”) we all traipsed through, and (hopefully) eventually evolved out of!  One magical day the lightbulb finally flickered an a-ha moment, and you realized there’s no such thing as a free ride.  And, you know what?  It really does feel better to give than receive!  Your attitude of entitlement dissipated with enlightenment that giving of your time, energy, efforts, love and attention is not just part and parcel to the passage into “adulthood”; it’s the daily token you must purchase for the real 3-D ride!  Serving others is an ironic, bottomless investment whose returns will never cease to amaze you.  So while you pitch a tent on this grand planet, know that if you keep up with the daily rent, you yourself will always live like royalty.

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

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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!

SOAPBOX of the week: be a little curious, folks!

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“The more unintelligent a man is, the less mysterious existence seems to him.”     – Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher

It absolutely baffles me when a one-word answer is supposed to suffice an intricate, open-ended question.  Infuriates me when my further soul-searching queries elicit merely an “I don’t know” or “I don’t care.”  Do we live on the same planet, folks??  ‘Cause here’s the newsflash: Outer space is still uncharted, cancer still uncured, man’s evolution still controversial, prayer miraculously healing, jazz still indefinable, and love indescribably infinite.  And yet countless people numbingly walk the earth, unabashedly unfazed with this journey through time and space we call “life”.  The dimensions of their reality equals a monotonous grey amidst an endless Crayola-ed potential.  But with all this stated in truth, may we not mock the colorblind, though we might pity them.  Instead may we each task ourselves to seed their curiosity to explore; cultivate their excitement to experience more; nurture their hearts and souls with drive to find their own purpose.  For as their minds grow, so does your own mysteriously, glorious existence.

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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!   SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile (Click for sneak peek!)