SOAPBOX of the week: ego-driven myopia

“I don’t even know what street Canada is on.”     –  Al Capone, actor

Needless to say, I’m not taking a cheap pot-shot at good ole Scarface.  Nope, instead it’s a blatant jab at all of you oblivious, frantically-focused-on-me-and-mine people out there (and yes, we’re all guilty at times!) …whose tunnel-vision scope of the world is often your biggest shortcoming.  Left unaddressed, that microscopic, micro-managed viewpoint can infect all sacred spheres of your life.  The blind-siding result?  A self-defeating stumbling block that leaves quite a mark when you finally stand-up and shake off the fumble.  I know it sounds extreme, but the reality is too true when you “get real” with yourself.  Yeah, you know there’s an election…but do you know the issues?  You know there’s this thing called environmentalism, but do you know your carbon footprint?  You know your zip code but do you even know your neighbors’ names?  You know your kid’s school, but do you know what her favorite subject is?  It’s more than the old adage “what you don’t know might hurt you”  ringing it’s reminder bell.  Thinking the whole world revolves around you, then choosing to ignore it CAN’T NOT catch up with you!  You matter to society, to the environment, to your neighbors, to your family!  SO, choose to rotate your perspective, reel your sense of self-importance back into orbit, and participate in them all.  You’ll experience a whirlwind of understanding that brings balance and appreciation for just how valuable the sum of the parts really is to your life the rest of this thing called earth.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.comA 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: ain’t no mystery to prosperity

    “The man who rolls up his sleeves seldom loses his shirt.”     – Thomas Cowan, mystery man

Hustle, kid!  Don’t stop until you’re finished!  You got time to lean, you got time to clean.  You gotta earn your dinner tonight.  Hard work never hurt anyone!  Yup, and there’s a jillion more … to match the jillion people who regularly need a fire lit under their collective arses to simply do some work!  Whether in recession-rough times or “Reagan Eras”, there will always be a dichotomy of the loyal doers and the lazy divas… ever at odds!   And as damaging as it rings in many a slow-go-ers’ ears, if you find yourself wearing the title right now, perhaps you’re perpetuating your own poverty…one that spreads from your brain to beyond your business card and billfold.  Folks, it’s common sense that surviving and thriving are of your own choice.  Digging in creates passages to powerful people and wells of your own wealth; and the respect you earn rallies a safety net of resources you can never drain.  So, if you find yourself complaining about Wall Street if you’re not even busting a gut on Main Street, you’re closer to clenching your last belongings than you think!  Remember, there’s solution in the solving not the sitting…and you’ve got to believe that deep inside you still is the little engine that could …and it still can! 

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: just get ‘er done!

Some things are worth repeating… especially when you’re saying to YOURSELF!  This ditty is an oldie but goodie, and although there aaallways seems to be work to be done, there’s always a smart way to do it.  And a damn good reason why!

“Discipline is doing what you are supposed to do in the best possible manner the time you are supposed to do it.  And that’s not such a bad thing.”       -Coach Mike Krzyzewski

Structure ain’t a four-letter-word.  Some of us run from it like the plague…we picture a list of authority figures who doled out responsibility, hard work, and timelines …with a side of intimidation.  Believe it or not, their hearts were in the right place…they wanted you to get ahead in life…not just get by. The difference here isn’t just one word …it’s a whole perspective.  Embracing it means rising above mediocrity.  Being disciplined means digging in for the battle ahead, doing more than what’s expected with what you’re given, and focusing your efforts on ringing the bell.  Don’t bet on the “right place, right time” scenario, the Fairy Godmother, or her cousin Lady Luck.  Instead, build a strong hand by relying on yourself and your work will bring great fortune.

Copyright 2000-2010 by Kimberlie Dykeman.        SUBSCRIBE to FREE feed/email  HERE!
Pure Soapbox available nationwide & audiobook available on iTUNES & Audible.comA portion of the proceeds of all book sales is donated to
LIVESTRONG. 

BOOK KIMBERLIE TO MOTIVATE  your company!  info@puresoapbox.com / 310- 500- 9587

SOAPBOX of the week: be a singular sensation, sister!

 “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.”     – Gloria Steinem, feminist icon, journalist, and political activist

This glib statement of women’s lib may indeed pierce the ears of family-focused conservatives and over-excited wedding planners alike.  For this fearless queen of feminism delivers a face-jam of alternative thought.  Ironically, though, for too many sisters this underlying empowerment is still tough to swallow.  Come on, ladies, snap out of it!  It’s time to bash the pipedreamy, you-complete-me-scenario and accept that you alone are complete, whole, perfect…and fabulous!  After all, men are referred to as the opposite sex for a reason  -they can only attract or repel.  Period!  Get right with yourself first, woman!  The right time, right place scenario will then reveal just the right man: attractive, complimentary and complete.  Just like you!

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: the almighty cape of courage

“A wound, a red badge of courage.”      – Stephen Crane, novelist & journalist

A decision was made, a choice acted upon, and the evidence runs red.  Sound familiar?  Perhaps you proudly stood up and spoke your mind or terrifyingly tried to sing in public.  Finally left home for good or left that joyless job with tail between your legs.  Maybe you declared a longing “I love you” or were dealt a devastating goodbye.  No matter your predicament, position or point… you can’t help but be affected by the gaping gash that painfully exposes your heart and ego to everyone.   But may I remind you that even as you invested precious time, energy, and effort, you did not offer up your name, reputation, or spirit in vain.  Bravery gives you the armor to face the battle; but in taking a leap of faith you demonstrate just how much you believe in yourself and your cause.  When all is said and done, a silver lining glistens one simple truth: all wounds eventually heal.  Trust in that and you’ll emerge stronger, both inside and out.  So, break out the band-aids, folks, and live a life worth fighting for!

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: 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