Tag Archives: life lessons

SOAPBOX® mini-motivation: settling is for shmoes

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“We must make the choices that enable us to fulfill the deepest capacities of our real selves.”     ~  Thomas Merton, writer, social activist & mystic

From breakfast cereal to best friend, shoes to school, part-time job to partner for life… there’s not a second that goes by that we don’t make a decision or have a circumstance knocking at our doors, begging for one.  When the challenges and curveballs come, though, life  tests our courage and willingness to adapt, change and choose a direction.  It’s then that the dilemma of Rice Krispies over Cheerios doesn’t deserve a second thought, for I’ll bet the farm that never was one’s destiny teetering on the battle of snap, crackle and pop versus that stupid little honey bee.  And yet, we think we don’t really have to settle for what’s put in front of us, because we have the power to create the selections from which to choose.  Right?  I mean, we bought the groceries.  Well, why the hell do so many of us forget that power when considering the real meat-and-potato issues and opportunities in life.  Why do we SETTLE?  

Settling.  Ugh.  Geez…even the word sounds… deflated.  We turn our noses up when we hear someone else commit the crime yet we are not innocent of doing the very same.  Allowing ourselves to live in the median, in the grey, in an unexplored space of the status quo.  So why do we do it?  Why do we settle?

Perhaps lack of knowledge, fear of failure, worry over repercussions, comfort with the predictable, judgment from others… the list is tiring and truthfully loooong.  But perhaps it’s also because we have lost loving  touch with our guts…our instincts…our heart…and our spirit that still knows how to take us to the moon and back if we only choose to leap towards our true selves.  Our story is written by our journey, folks, and the journey is written by our hearts.  When we dive into the deep end of decisions and face them head-on with all our might, focus and faith, we’ll surface to breathe in relief, real joy, redemption, resolution, and a gloriously REAL reality.     ~ KD

Copyright by Kimberlie Dykeman.

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SOAPBOX® mini-motivation: thanks takes to flight

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“To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do.”     ~ Victor Hugo, poet, novelist & activist
 
Indeed, I am a Christian who cherishes Christmas and Easter for their innate awesome events and subsequent movements throughout the world.  But there is nothing quite like Thanksgiving.  Tis the most meaning-full holiday of the year, I believe…a truly holy day…  that crosses all boundaries and binds all faiths and followings.  It is a simple opportunity to gather without agenda, without guilt, without gaudiness and overpriced ticket items, without marketing schemes or madness. 
 
Pure in nature and message: GIVE THANKS for all you have in your life and FOR YOUR LIFE!  And share that with one another.  That’s it, folks.  A day that beckons you to drop your minutia-filled week and come together to connect and share and show love.  Not as difficult as some of us seem to make it.  And even if miles separate your loved ones, you’d be amazed how far your thoughts and prayers of peace and positivity can travel.  So this year, friends, with full heart I wish you all a simple, pure, love-filled and blessed Thanksgiving.  Further, I pray that you continue to give and show thanks every day thereafter.  It’s not that difficult.        ~  KD
 
 

Copyright 2011 by Kimberlie Dykeman.

Shop SOAPBOX® products & SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed HERE! “Pure Soapbox” book, KINDLE and audiobook are available nationwide . A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

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SOAPBOX of the week: the melody of epiphany

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“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: the science of love

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“Love withers with predictability; its very essence is surprise and amazement.”     – Leo F. Buscaglia, psychologist, author

Lasting love ain’t interested in scientific systems, processes of play-by-play, nor sequences of schemed strategies.   She ain’t up for pressuring data for deduction and calculation.  And above all, l’amour ain’t suited for spreadsheets, where formidable, formulaic boxes limit her possibilities or forecast lofty expectations.  Nope, she’s a bit more of a rebel with a gypsy chaser, enthusiastically driven to create adventure for all involved.  An insatiable curiosity propels her into life’s nooks and crannies to reveal golden gems that leave her incredulous… yet thirsty for more!  Indeed, her daily inspiration is effervescently uplifted by the ebb and flow of spontaneity.   Let her reign freely and she will grow to overcome the troubles of time, perhaps even its reality of mortality.  When you and she meet again, remember to let her lead and simply enjoy the unmappable journey.

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: exchanging hope

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“Have a penny, leave a penny.  Need a penny, take a penny.”     –  7-11 penny dish

A nudging notion saturated with the simplest of wisdoms, right up there with the Golden Rule, that whole lemon-lemonade adage, and probably a slew of Newton’s discoveries.  Ironically, Lincoln’s loose change symbolizes all the basic needs to survive life –even in this 21st century.  But most of us limit the concept of “needs” to the Salvation Army scope of money, food, shelter, clothing, pots and pans, books…whatever.  Well, wouldn’t life be a string of struggles without other things like family, friendship, transportation, education, activity, or music?  And it’d be downright unbearable without conversation, love, laughter, prayer, fellowship, celebration, and charity.  Tell me I am not off base, folks!   For every single one of us, life is a roller coaster of times of having and needing all of these glorious symbols of sustenance.  But moreso, each day presents an opportunity of choice to ask for the sake of our own survival or to offer for the sake of another’s.  See, the world is full of abundance and so are you!   And I ain’t just talkin’ currency, folks.   When you have it… give it.  When you need it… take it.  Yup, it’s that simple.

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: life’s luscious roulette

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“Life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re gonna get.”     –  Forrest Gump, shrimp boating captain

Hollywood may have etched these lines of script in their Canon, but I think many of you need it tattooed in your mind’s mainframe.  So, mull with me and let the sweetness of its monumental meaning melt in your mouth.  Life is  like a box of chocolates –each day offers up a square to devour whose core confection may impact us for a flash or forever.  Indeed, some are truffles of petty delays or divorces; pralines of pitfalls or pink slips; and caramels of hangnails or heart attacks.  Oh, but do not forget that time’s beautiful gift box also offers up manna in the making …of breakthroughs, best friends, birthdays, big raises, new babies and blessings beyond words.   Deemed “good” or “bad”, they all offer the sustenance to challenge, change, and ultimately define us.  Point being, even the crappy ones ain’t so terrible.  And when given a choice between a chocolate of mysterious midsection or none at all… fifty bucks says you’ll take the treat, and probably find the surprise inside  worthwhile for the future of your family, faith, career, relationships and place in this timeline we call life.   And that, my friends, is the meat of the sweet.  

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