Tag Archives: Austin

SOAPBOX of the week: the enlightenment of failure

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“Failure: A man who has blundered but who is not able to cash in on the experience.”     – Elbert Hubbard, writer and publisher

Celebrating success is an important practice.  It reinforces self-image and provides an ignition sequence for more victories.  But it’s equally necessary to recognize failures…because the lessons learned are launch pads for even more satisfying achievements.  That said, take a closer look at your last flop:  Did you have a clear vision of what you wanted?  A plan?  Did you ask for help to stay on track?  Did you expect a miracle in record time…and then become deflated at your lack of skills and resources.  Or procrastinate and overanalyze yourself into quitting?  If your answers define a full-fledged failure…GREAT!  Knowing why and how you bombed is the secret to tilting the cause and effect scale in your favor…to profit from another success.

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.

SOAPBOX of the week:real honest-to-goodness performance

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“The whole motivation for any performer is “Look at me, Ma!”     – Lenny Bruce, comedien and satirist

All the world’s a stage, and front-n-center is your biggest fan – Mom.  Right?  Well, more times than not, it’s actually YOU who is the devoted admirer, seeking endorsement, whatever it takes!  It’s one of the simple truths that threads through to connect us all… athletes, musicians, artists, students, business folks, you name it.   But setting aside Mom’s pat on the head and proud smile, wouldn’t you also want her approval of how you earned your success?  If you’re eager to boast the achievements…are you equally willing to reveal the journey?  ‘Cause, if you weren’t authentic in your communicating, fair in your negotiating, or ethical in your fulfillment…regardless of what you tell her, you both fail.  After all, Moms always find out the real truth in our stories…and we have to live with it ‘til she does. SO be motivated to perform like a champ, but also be driven to take the honorable route.  Both of you will have a heckofalot more to smile about in the end.

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.

SOAPBOX of the week: relentless pursuit of purpose

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   “It is really important for each one of us to validate our existence.  You have to become aware that there is something beyond the meat-and-potatoes reality.”     – Carlos Santana, musician

Why are you here?  What are you doing while you are here?  How about: where are you even looking for such enlightenment?  Be honest.  Do you seek confirmation from the umpteen activities, things and possessions you’re buried in?  Or stake all truth in kudos from friends or mere coworkers?  Sounds crazy, huh?  So don’t.  Instead, look within, to discover within, and let the nourishment of answers out.   What are your beliefs?  When do you feel happiest?  What do you want to accomplish?  Yup, this is the tough stuff.  But once grounded in who you are, the search for why you’re here ain’t so difficult.  Find your purpose and reel it in with fervor.  Then take your seat at a royal table set for one and enjoy the faire.

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.

SOAPBOX of the week: the arithmetic of friendship

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“It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend of his faults…To speak painful truth through loving words… that is friendship.”     – Henry Ward Beecher, clergyman
   
If there were a system for categorizing friends, you could say they add, subtract, multiply or divide your life somehow.  With a little analysis, you can easily file them as such.  Mind you, doing so is neither to praise nor condemn any as “good” or “evil”.  Instead it prompts you to evaluate each person’s impact and influence in your daily life. Who multiplies your joy?  Adds to your problems?  Divides your burdens?  Subtracts from your own identity?  Those who do not increase the positives within and around you will inevitably decrease the value of your experiences with negative drain.  So, do the math.  You’ve chosen your pals…now decide what you want to absorb and be surrounded by.  Speak up about what lifts you up and drags you down and create a formula for the strong friendship you both deserve.

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.

SOAPBOX of the week: rejecting rejection

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  “Never take “no” from someone who can’t say yes.”     – Anonymous

So…you wonder, “What’s his deal?!”  The guy who stamps an echoing NO on everything.  Who agrees to disagree.  Nothing can break this guy down.  Not even a good bottle of scotch.  That said, no brilliant gameplan or persuasive speech you deliver will make him flinch.  NO is his way of life.  But it’s not about him.  It’s about you.  And it’s up to you to decipher whether he revels in it, or is simply petrified to look beyond it.   But have faith that YES is buried in there somewhere.  So, whether you choose to stand firm and crusade for your cause …or plot a path over, under, around or straight through this barricade of No’s …you’ve got to adapt to get what you need.  Dig in …or dig around…but definitely dig up a YES!

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.

SOAPBOX of the week: LIFE takes LOVE

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“If you just blow a little love into it, it’ll fly right up into the stratosphere.”     – Steven Tyler, musical artist and performer

So, you’ve mixed up a recipe …but it tastes like something’s missing.  So you fuss ‘til you ruin it, lure someone else to fix, pitch it and try something else entirely, or just give up.  Overkill it or abandon it, right?  Now, what if I told you that recipe ain’t just for Mom’s meatloaf…but for all of your life’s nourishing concoctions and confections, like your friendships, family, business, health, home…heck even your wardrobe!  And what if I told you that the special ingredient missing in your flailing formula might just be, simply, LOVE.  Your enthusiasm to create, cultivate, and confetti is truly irreplaceable.  And adding a tablespoon or truckload might just breathe life into an unfulfilling relationship, boring event, unappealing exercise routine or unstimulating job.    Point is, folks, whether it’s marriage or Mom’s prized meatloaf, remember why you put on the chef’s hat in the first place and pour your heart into the mix.   

 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.