Tag Archives: life lessons

SOAPBOX of the week: plug into your own power

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“There is a power under your control that is greater than poverty, greater than the lack of education, greater than all your fears and superstitions combined.  It is the power to take possession of your own mind and direct it to whatever ends you may desire.”     – Andrew Carnegie, businessman

Ok, show me your grocery list of excuses for not being as successful as you want to be.  Never enough time.  Not the right time.  Never enough money.  Don’t have the know-how.   Don’t know the right people.  It’s your boss’ fault.  Your parents’ fault.  What if you screw up?  Ugh!  Truth be told: you’re stuck in the comfortable groove of being uncomfortable…and your fearful thoughts and actions justify a perpetual life of lack.  But it’s never too late to revise!  And to do so, you must choose success.  Rise up out of that rut with a specific vision of all that success embodies. Channel your ideas and actions into a positive new groove.  The power you then radiate will attract abundance and joy…that’s all yours for the taking.

Copyright 2008 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: freedom in forgiveness

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“To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by a bee.”    – Anon.

So the story goes: somebody did you wrong and you’re ticked and keeping score.  To err may be human, you think, but this one’s inexcusable.  Revenge is in order…or at least the silent treatment!  And in one fell swoop, spite invades your body and distracts your mind with anger, resentment and ego and an unyielding agenda for self-preservation.  Your choice to neither forgive nor forget fills your spirit with funk and erases years from your very lifeline.  When you aim to crucify another for wrongdoing, ironically, the bigger wrong is done by you.  Folks, drop the grudge and wipe the scoreboard, ‘cause it’s only time until the show is on the other foot.  Lessons learned in absolution now will save both face and friendship.

Copyright 2008 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 beauty of painted bewilderment

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“The world doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do.”      – Pablo Picasso

Left brain vs. right.  The creatives vs. the techies.  Realists vs. dreamers.  Subjectivity allows for ambiguity and confuses both sides when it comes to art.  And isn’t it funny how we magnify our opinions of painting and performance –spouting judgment, dismissing importance and demanding explanation.  As if we expect mathematical equation to give us a “why”.  Yet, without rhyme or reason we accept reality TV, love at first sight, dogs wearing clothing, people driving the speed limit, and Hostess Twinkies as “normal” and without question.  Point being, art reflects life, folks.  So embrace the confusion…each of us helps create it!

Copyright 2008 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: treasured ties of fellowship

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“A friend is somebody you want to be around
when you feel like being by yourself.”     – Barbara Burrow, author

We all have those days.  You don’t want to cry, but a shoulder wouldn’t hurt.  You can figure it out on your own, but could use some advice and are open to hearing the truth.  You don’t feel like talking, but wouldn’t mind listening.  You’re fine being by alone, but don’t want to get lonely.  And there THEY are.  They’re not family.  Not sweethearts.  But when you’re apart, life just ain’t nearly as fabulous!  And that defines true friendship.  Whatever you call them…if you’ve found your anamchara, soul friend, or BFF.  Love them.  Cherish them.  Nurture them.  For the love and loyalty you devote to your friends creates a lifeline to getting the most out of your life and really experiencing all it has to offer… especially when you feel not leaving the house!

Copyright 2008 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 sounding grace of almighty truth

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    “Truth is not a soundbite.  You have to stick around for the whole conversation.”     – Mary Anne Williamson, Author

Truth is innately simple. Almost naively so.  It presents itself without airs, fanfare, or candy-coated shell.  It is what it is and yearns to be hung out there as bare as possible.  When it becomes the center of attention in this divine, pure state, lives are changed immensely and tremendous things happen.  But when manipulated by the hands of society, the reduced, remixed version never reveals the whole story.  Beware but be open to researching the context and the real face-value of the words truth has been buried in…or omitted from entirely.  Stop, look and listen and the truth will come in loud and clear.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman 

Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.  Fabulous news updates at Pure Soapbox Newsroom.   A portion of the proceeds from all book sales is donated to LIVESTRONG.

SOAPBOX of the week: The future of our past-tense

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“History gets thicker as it approaches recent times.”     – A. J. P. Taylor, historian and journalist

Alas, history invariably repeats itself, proving the scholars and cynics right, time and time again.  Pun intended.  It’s as if the mirroring years were plucked from the past and layered right over the present; a heavy cloak, bringing with it economic struggles, familial strife, environmental trauma, global conflict, and basic issues of human evolution.  Indeed, it doesn’t take a genius to acknowledge the pattern.  But…purposefully paying mind to this replication might just prompt you to see its place in your own independent life.  Meaning, your own history repeating itself.  Meaning, witnessing the funk you’ve caused, experienced, or dodged…show up again!  Are there some lessons you would-could-should learned by now?  Conversely, have you forgotten all the glorious things that also happened along the way…and how you woulda-coulda-should helped them reproduce?  Perhaps, those fearsome forecasters wouldn’t lay on the guilt that we’re unavoidably doomed for burnt toast if we just worked smarter at getting the recipe right the first time around.

Copyright 2008 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.