SOAPBOX of the week: the melody of mercy

“How often things could be remedied by a word.  How often it is left unspoken.”     – Norman Douglas, novelist

You know the moment it happens.  A breach of trust.  An error of judgment.  Something is broken, stolen, hidden, lost, faked or found out, and without hesitation, defenses are raised along with emotional weaponry.  A story of gossip.  A fumbled  statement.  Something is lied about, omitted, used against, or blurted out, and both peace and promise are shattered.  Be it  trivial or crucial, that “something” doesn’t just become the proverbial thorn in someone’s side…it becomes the veritable wedge that splits a chasm in a relationship indefinitely.   And whether you’re the guilty party or the targeted casualty, not taking action to mend the bridge only allows more opportunities to fall into the abyss below.  What, then, is the true value of conquering for self-elevation or crucifying for wrong-doings, when the bond of brotherhood is broken?  Folks, we are all born with a glorious gift to connect and re-connect with others, and a capacity to create harmony amidst upset.  Choose to turn a negative into a positive, regardless which side of the blame falls on, and get to talking.  After all, to err is human.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.   AUDIOBOOK NOW OUT on iTUNES & Audible.comA portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG. 

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

SOAPBOX of the week: let love live!

“Love wishes to perpetuate itself. Love wishes for immortality.”     – Mortimer Adler, philosopher, educator, and author

Love. Perhaps the best damn four-letter-word that ever was. It is deemed the greatest connector in the world, intrinsically mysterious in its depth, influence and effectiveness. A resource available to every single person who walks the earth, and which shall never run out. An impenetrable shield to conflict; a tireless fire to fatigue; the fulfillment of the law that binds us as human beings. It cannot be destroyed, and sits dormant in every cell of your being until your take your first breath. And one day you finally learn of its name and its powers, and witness its effect on family, friend, stranger and foe alike! Question is, folks, what are you doing to NOW release your love within? Do you insist on its value, but run in fear and deny to participate in it? Or merely sprinkle it out here and there with stingy calculation? Knowing all that it can do to create joy and peace in your own home, let alone across the world… keeping it bottled up indeed sounds like an absurd choice!  Am I right?!  Well, snap out of it and choose to perpetuate it.  Elect to experience the glory of its glow for your own heart and let love live…NOW!

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.   AUDIOBOOK NOW OUT on iTUNES & Audible.comA portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG.

SOAPBOX of the week: your precious, priceless peeps!

“One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people
 who can appreciate you for what you are.”       -Gail Godwin, novelist
 
From your first breath to your last, you’ll cross paths with millions of people, purposefully engage with thousands, and get to know a bit of the good, bad, and ugly of hundreds…who in turn, merely know you by name, renown, or need you fulfilled.  But because of circumstances and timing, from both clever choice and magical chance, a sprinkling of gems finally sifts out of the lot; the proverbial diamonds you’ve hoped for to keep for the long haul.  You know their birthdays and biggest failures, and can agree to disagree on anything…down to the best movie of all time.  But most importantly, they mirror your mindset; for they allow you to open the shuttered windows to your personal history and entrust truths and trials, fears and flaws without regret.  Call them confidantes, motivators, advisors, beer buddies, cheerleaders, lifesavers or just friends;  they enhance your daily mainstreet-wallstreet dual life and enrich innumerable facets you’ve overlooked, ignored or undervalued.  Net-net: they’re “keepers”.  So, while you count on them without second thought, make it priority to thank them with whole heart.  Just as you can count these premium pals on only one hand, trust that they’re doing the same thing…and couldn’t be happier.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.   AUDIOBOOK NOW OUT on iTUNES & Audible.comA portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG. 

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

SOAPBOX of the week: find your voice!

Some things are worth repeeating…especially when you realize time ain’t moving any slower, my friends.

“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 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.   AUDIOBOOK DUE FEB 2010A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG. 

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

SOAPBOX of the week: the sweet truth

“Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate.”     – Jo Brand, comedian

Can I get an Amen?!  This woman just may have summed up the reason why everyone’s ears perk up when the word chocolate is mentioned.  Better still, the motivation why most folks will do, say, try or suffer through just about anything…if there’s chocolate involved!  Because IT’S JUST THAT GOOOOD!  Ah, yes, the magically enticing universal dessert.  Be it unassuming and undecorated or luxuriant and decadently layered, its alluring nature is uncomplicated and comforting, pleasurably sweet and arousing, and effortlessly smooth; and its flavor always seems to enhance and bring out the best in its counterpart.  No matter what shape, size, or color, you don’t have to figure out how to enjoy it, you just take it as it is.  It melts at your touch and in turn makes you week in the knees.  Curiously, it seems to want you as much as you want it!  In a word, the power of this captivating concoction is indescribable.  Mmmmmm.  Makes you wonder how you could ever consider living without it.  Makes you wonder if I was really talking about…LOVE.

Copyright 2000-2010 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

SOAPBOX of the week: less stuffed, more satisfying

“Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product.”     ~ Eleanor Roosevelt, social activist and writer

Pull up an eggnog and hear me out. And so begins the once-a-year mad rush. The hunt for the perfect gift. Fighting crowds for last minute preparations. Those of us not hurrying home for Christmas are cramming in last minute get-aways. ‘Tis the season of joy and merriment, now on sale for $69.99, aisle 5. Alas, the holiday spell rears its alter-ego, Hallmark-ed ugly head. From the sounds of it, you’d think we were readying ourselves for the fight of a lifetime, damned and determined to make this celebration more memorable and more star-studded than the last. But this year’s traditionally frantic, albeit festive holiday season is decorated in a different set of lights.

Unfortunately, some of us find ourselves, yet again, up against bosses and bills, deadlines and waiting lines. Ironically, this time of supposed glee surfaces another year’s memories, sweet and bitter alike. Earning its own chapter in our collective personal history books, sometimes we stand in awe of the tough times and negative events that altered the very backdrop of The Big Picture. Many of us even take to re-evaluating, re-booting, and re-uniting in hopes of making the neighborhood, let alone this world, a better place. But to our dismay, the pressures of our bigger-better-faster high-tech society yank our global gaze back to an unyielding state of chronic stress. Weighed down, perhaps, by the loss of family, friends, jobs, and financial security, our ability to regain a natural balance stands compromised, and we wonder what can transform this into a happy holiday again.

Well, if the glass appears half-empty, I can tell you right now, if you pray each year that good ol’ St. Nick will overstuff your stocking with happiness, you might as well ask for a Lego erector set to go along with it. For, I have a hunch that you’ll need a few colorful tools, and perhaps the magic of Rudolph’s shiner, to bring this intangible notion into sight as a sparkly new toy under the tree. With little reservation, I propose that a wish for a state of equilibrium tops our common holiday lists. So perhaps this is opportunity knocking, egging you to take the reigns and pursue your own path toward surviving and thriving. Admittedly, giving to others is paramount on your mind, but if you’re yearning for a healthier state of mind and for the clouds to clear, you’ve got to give to yourself. And time is of the essence. When you re-learn how to take care of and reward yourself, your valuation of self in relationship with everything and everyone around you will profoundly change, and you’ll find your needy glass filled with the spirits of true joy.

You have the power to dictate your experience during the holidays. You must make it a time of relaxing, reflecting, and rejoicing in how far you’ve come each year in all aspects of your life. If you fail to give to yourself, you’ll rob yourself of the opportunity to attain balance and genuine happiness and embrace the coming of a healthy new year.

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