SOAPBOX of the week: ode to happiness

“Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.”     – Anonymous

Relax and open your mind to embrace and absorb this overtly fundamental, yet life-saving concept of candor. Grab hold of its depth and pour a pitcher of happiness in acceptance of your current reality. Then wade into the flood of prompting prose and choose tidal change over drowning correction.

Create bolder. Rescue braver. Shine brighter.
Explore broader. Relax calmer. Fight cleaner.
Speak clearer. Follow closer. Lounge cooler.

Breathe deeper. Save earlier. Travel farther.
Run faster. Dream fiercer. Commit firmer.
Pray forever. Trust freer. Retreat fresher.

Laugh fuller. Befriend gentler. Celebrate grander.
Think greener. Cook healthier. Practice harder.
Fly higher. Treat kinder. Donate larger.

Stay up later. Eat leaner. Pack lighter.
Sleep longer. Hang looser. Sing louder.
Write neater. Play nicer. Walk prouder.

Forgive quicker. Preach quieter. Share richer.
Drive safer. Dress sharper. Plan simpler.
Chew slower. Owe smaller. Discipline softer.

Reply sooner. Aim straighter. Sweat stricter.
Kiss sweeter. Serve swifter. Stand taller.
Hug tighter. Lavish thicker. Build tougher.

Perform truer. Touch warmer. Smile wider.
Dance wilder. Spend wiser. Act younger.
Work smarter. Feel stronger. Look better. Live longer.

Copyright 2000-2009 by Kimberlie Dykeman.  This vignette is an excerpt from “Pure Soapbox… a cleansing jolt of perspective, motivation, and humor” .   Pure Soapbox available nationwide online and where books are sold.
A portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG.

COMING in late ‘09: Network TV talk show  and SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile (Click for sneak peek!)

 

SOAPBOX of the week: the arithmetic of friendship

“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: LIFE takes LOVE

“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.