Category Archives: single parent

SOAPBOX of the week: Time is on your side

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“Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.”     – Douglas McArthur, American general 

Crow’s feet.  Laugh lines.  Crinkles.  Frown marks.  Scars of time.  Call them what you will… they’re still wrinkles. And unless you’re willing to sign up for a little, shall we say, “reupholstering” …you’re stuck with ‘em!  Or, perhaps it’s time you entertain a less defeatist and certainly more self-loving perspective:  Consider this view:  You’ve earned ‘em!  They’re the work of Mother Nature and Father Time, etching upon your face and body life’s storyboard of leaps of faith, risk-taking adventures, and determined soul-searching.  And for each experience you’ve embraced and perhaps survived to personal triumph, those markings might just become fabulous daily reminders that you’re really taking life by the horns!  Indeed you’ll still age on the outside, folks, but your inner spirit will remain young and vibrant with each new journey highlight you create.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Results are not everything

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“Give up cleverness for bewilderment.”     – Dr. Wayne Dyer, motivational speaker and author

Funny, how sometimes the moment you achieve a goal you’d set, you immediately forget all the blood, sweat and tears you shed to get there!  You can’t believe you did it!  Were you really that sharp?  Well, there’s a cause and effect for everything.  Simply put, your investment of hard work paid off.  Conversely, there are reasons for when you don’t hit the mark.  But when you again stand in disbelief, this time at the disappointing results …truth is: you still shed blood, sweat and tears to get that far.  Regardless of the outcome, folks, the same go-getter in you still showed up to hustle for a “win”.  So, don’t dissect the details.  Acknowledge both as true steps on the path of life successes…and lose yourself in the fabulous mystery.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Easy does it, leadfoot

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“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”     – Lily Tomlin, comedienne and actress

Hey!  Where the fire, folks?!  Now, I’m not scolding you to come to a screeching halt.  But the old “smell the roses” adage does hold merit.  Our cars, computers and cell phones have not only allowed us to adapt to society’s breakneck speed…they’ve got us thinking we’re still not going fast enough.  New technologies once seen as solutions to easing our schedules and settling our nerves, now call for us to be in two places at the same and have the job done… yesterday!  They incite us to fret that every line item is a matter of life and death.  And chances are 90% of them aren’t!  So, take your foot off the accelerator, breathe, and ask what is priority.  The answers will shrink your to-do-list and the knot in your stomach…better than any fizzy little antacid.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: One is the loneliest number

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“We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone, we find it with another.”  – Thomas Merton, author and social activist

We’ve all heard the adage: no man is an island entirely of himself.  You cannot fully experience yourself, find out who you are, until you experience who you are not.  From that the delicious fruits of life unfold.  What is of importance and priority.  What affects your heart.  Moves you to love or fear.  After all, a reflection of self only echoes back your perception.  But interaction with family and strangers alike chapters a whole new dimension to your reality- as it is….and could magically become.  Never abandon your devotion to soul-searching and peaceful solitude;  instead, though, weave your discoveries with those you cultivate through priceless communication.  Purpose, then, finds you through connection and creates a memoir certain to top the Best Sellers List. 

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Time to speak up

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 “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are you upset with your sweetheart? Unsatisfied with your raise? Bearing physical pain? Worried about something? Suffering from depression or feeling ignored?  Yet you say “I’m fine” and sweep your emotions under the rug.  We’re not dealing with burnt toast, folks!  The experiences and issues that weave the threads of your life together warrant both attention and discussion.  What’s worse…many of you keep silent the good stuff as well.  If you’ve got a brilliant idea; can help out a situation, or love someone with all of your heart…well, SPEAK ON, DEAR FRIEND!  We spend half of our lives biting our tongues when we should speak up and share ourselves!  Chat up your truth –the connection you make will bring solution, satisfaction and peace of mind.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Gandhi’s timeless vision

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“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”   – Gandhi

Pride, wrath, greed, envy, lust, sloth and gluttony.  The infamous Seven Deadly Sins.  Or for some of us, the vices we find guilt or pleasure in daily.  Confess this with your 6.5 billion worldwide neighbors, and there’s your answer to “why we just can’t all get along”!  Thankfully, it’s not your job to change or fix the world.  But, if you think globally and act locally, IT SHOULD BE your priority to work on YOU to replace those not-so-fabulous habits with more promising, positive virtues.  Choose humility over vanity.  Forgiveness over anger.  Charity over avarice.  Admiration over jealousy.  Chastity over lechery.  Diligence over idleness. Self-restraint over excessiveness.  Folks, start with yourself -to experience the domino effect of promising change that knows no borders.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman