Tag Archives: old adages

SOAPBOX of the week:intoxication of a pastime

Posted on by
1

“Passion is all about allowing yourself to get lost in something.”     – Gail Sheehy, writer and lecturer

Picture an artist covered in paint, a cook in sauces and spices, a mechanic in grease.  Picture a writer surrounded by stacks of books, an athlete by gear and sneakers, a musician by sheet music and instruments, a pilot by model airplanes.  At times, each has become so involved in their craft, hobby or dream that they’ve forgotten time of day, list of tasks, even title on their business card.  Whether it’s their chosen vocation or weekly vacation from the daily grind, these folks aren’t merely “distracted” or dabbling …they’re captivated, in love and lost in something indescribable.  So what about you?  What makes your heart sing?  Brings divine peace and joy?  Commitment to something OTHER THAN your j-o-b, family or obligations is not only allowed…the passion it ignites fires up all other areas of your life.  And if society tells you to ease up, clean up or clear out your fabulously consuming “messes”…tell ‘em to go get lost!

Copyright 2000-2009 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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!

SOAPBOX of the week: pitch in to get paid back

Posted on by
Reply

“Service is the rent you pay for room on this earth.”     – Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman, educator & author

Fifty bucks says, many of you would have laughed this one off when you were the omniscient age of 18, and assumed it was one of your parent’s devious mantras.  That self-centered mentality was merely part of the growing-up curve (the “me era”) we all traipsed through, and (hopefully) eventually evolved out of!  One magical day the lightbulb finally flickered an a-ha moment, and you realized there’s no such thing as a free ride.  And, you know what?  It really does feel better to give than receive!  Your attitude of entitlement dissipated with enlightenment that giving of your time, energy, efforts, love and attention is not just part and parcel to the passage into “adulthood”; it’s the daily token you must purchase for the real 3-D ride!  Serving others is an ironic, bottomless investment whose returns will never cease to amaze you.  So while you pitch a tent on this grand planet, know that if you keep up with the daily rent, you yourself will always live like royalty.

Copyright 2000-2009 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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!

SOAPBOX of the week: elbow-greased responsibility

Posted on by
1

Folks, this is a snapshot of life’s self-inflicted aggravations…step back and look at the Bigger Picture and see how daily avoidance in responsibility breeds issues larger than society can handle.  Just think about it…

“Our greatest weariness comes from work not done.”     – Eric Hoffer, social writer and philosopher

Indeed a body in motion stays in motion, as the physics gurus have proven.  Oh, but the opposite is undeniably true, too: the lazier you are…the lazier you become.  Now, don’t waste any energy arguing with me, people; we wouldn’t want you to overexert yourself!  Besides, you know it’s true!  When the laundry piles up, the files bury your desk, and the clock nags that you’re perpetually late, I suggest you reconsider that it might not be someone else’s fault.  Perhaps in satiating your unhealthy reality TV, water cooler gossip, and nicotine fixes, you’ve sacrificed time, energy, money, reputation and relationships.  We all get 24 hours each day to get stuff done.  Instigate your own perpetual motion, folks, and your life-enhancing achievements will soon wipe out your excuse-filled exhaustion.  Choose movement over creeping moss and enjoy the enlightening sensations of a refreshed, relieved state of mind.

Copyright 2000-2009 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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!

SOAPBOX of the week: lose the crown, folks!

Posted on by
1

“Extremes meet, and there is no better example
than the haughtiness of humility.”    – Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and poet

Aaah, the precariously transient state between humility and pride.  None of us are excluded from being that unconditionally-loved child who’s still starving for attention…even moreso as fully-grown adults!  And rest never finds us on life’s perpetual teeter-totter of meekness vs. expectation.  The moment we even think in one direction, the balance shifts.  When we sport our sacrifices like invisible royal robes, we’re surprised with the ensuing gratitude and accolades.  Yet, blessings are tainted when we join in the applause, trumpeting our importance for more reward and approval.  In essence, our once grateful spirits are trampled by our ugly egos, to again reveal crowns of self-serving exaltation.  So, what’s the harmonizing solution?  Simple.  Separate the gifts from the real earnings from your efforts.  Bow to the unquestionable fact that you’ll never be humble enough.  Then, witness the marvels when being thankful becomes your sole modus operandi. 

Copyright 2000-2009 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

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!

SOAPBOX of the week: ode to Halloween

Posted on by
Reply

Folks, this was one of the very first SOAPBOX® vignettes launched on the site… but it bears repeating!  As kiddos, we’re constantly told to “GROW UP!”… but as adults we truly need to LIGHTEN UP and recognize what fun can still look like!  The upcoming holiday of dressing up for no damn reason and wrestling over “the better candy bar” is your perfect launching pad for the rest of the year.

“Fun has a sacred dimension.” – Adriana Diaz, life coach

As kids we set up camp in that realm, only coming out when paged or prompted by someone in charge. We experienced “fun” in just about everything -down to a Cracker Jack prize!- and saturated our present tense with laughter and a contagious carefree attitude. So, how now do you define “fun”? Where do you go to find it? Stumped? Well, perhaps you’re light on amusement TODAY because you’re caught up in creating TOMORROW. The “land of fun” is found in an entirely different sphere of your perception …but it’s always there, twinkling in the background. So choose to dip into its unending supply of amusement, uninhibited laughter, and memories of wonderfully pointless activities -and that special sparkle you bring back to the “real world” will confetti your perspective with the delightful new energy of a kid.

Copyright 2000-2009 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. 

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!   SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile (Click for sneak peek!)

SOAPBOX of the week: read between the lines

Posted on by
Reply

“The advertisement is the most truthful part of the newspaper.”     – Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President

You  heard me correctly.  Businesses openly tell us:  Yup, we plunked down a bunch of cash for a flashy ad to sell you something.  Yes, there might be some strings attached…but at least we’ve included it in the fine print.  See, not too complicated, because we know WHO’S talking, WHAT’S on the table, and WHAT decisions we can make.  Now, the news of the paper isn’t nearly as simple nor straightforward, and the behind-the-scenes is something the public is rarely revealed.  Competition yields sensationalism and selectivity, pitting ratings over research while the politics of placement breeds angles and agendas and skews headlines. Readers are left oftentimes confused about WHO’S talking, WHAT’S on the table, and WHAT choices we might need to make.  Funny how centuries-old sarcasm still holds truth today: news is a business, and they’re called “stories” for a reason.  So check your filtering system, listen to your gut, and don’t believe everything you read.

Copyright 2000-2009 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. 

COMING SOON!  Pure Soapbox  audiobook!   SOAPBOX® video subscriptions  for mobile (Click for sneak peek!)