Posts Tagged ‘inspiration’

Guest Post: My Legacy to my Granddaughter, Hailey

Posted 24 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates, Reed Tidbits

journal One medChildren …they are our future. But what are they learning? Where do they get there Wisdom from? Many, many moons ago children looked to the elders of the family or tribes for wisdom and advice. They revered their elders and honored them. Stories, antidotes and knowledge were passed down from generation to generation via our elders. 

The world we live in now, is a different place. Children are taught by the state, parents are busy, story time doesn’t exist in most houses and children don’t always get to know their grandparents due to people moving for jobs or other reasons. 

There are so many things we want to share with our grandchildren, but how do we do it? How do we share our thoughts, dreams and wisdom with them if we are not with them all the time? We journal! 

I started a journal for Hailey the day she was born. I was blessed enough to watch her take her first breath in this world and got to hold her within the first 15 minutes of her life. I found a great journal, based on the song “I Hope you Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. (It’s a wonderful song, providing some great thoughts and wishes) I went home and shared my joy of her birth with her, in her journal. I write to her, not about her. This is something I will give her when she is older. 

I tell her about things we did together and include pictures. I press flowers that she has given me. I share my thoughts on life and events that are going on in the world at the current time (nothing too heavy or depressing though…this is not a place to purge your pain. I keep personal journals for that, that someday she will also have when I’m gone) . I share quotes and poems. I pass on advice, wisdom and knowledge. This journal is for her story, through my eyes. 

journal Two med

So, start a journal for your grandchildren. Pass on the joy you receive with them being in your life. Hailey is my sunshine. I’m lucky enough to see her everyday so I have a lot to write about. . She was also my inspiration for my business; Hailey’s Dragonfly Garden of Botanicals.    

So, go get a journal or even a notebook and tell your grandchild what fun you had with them when you were both sitting on the kitchen floor and banging on the pots and pans like drums. Tell them how they made you laugh when they splashed in the tub for the first time. It doesn’t matter what you write in, as long as you share from the heart!

Joyful Writing,

Dakota Dawn

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“Self-Nurturing on the Job”; Day 2

Posted 29 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Self Awareness
Office Plant

Office Plant

Our self awareness series, day 2, entry by Sarah Ban Breathnach for September 29th, in her book, Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy quotes:

“Self- Nurturing on the Job”

“When we truly care for ourselves, it becomes possible to care far more profoundly about other people. The more alert and sensitive we are to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can be toward others.                   – Eda LeShan

How many of us want more in life then what we have today? More importantly, how many of us are aware there is more in store for us then what we have today? I’ve had times in my life where I started my day in trying to perform for others, either my boss, the kids, the husband, or my professor. Their standard of me and their wants were my reason to push for more. Not a bad thing, but when you lose sight of yourself while taking care of their desires then there is a problem. 

Taking care of yourself, is the best way you can care for another. How do you suppose you can help others with their needs and desires if you’re in shambles physically, mentally, or emotionally? Taking care of you doesn’t mean only worry about yourself and what you have going on. It means just what I said; take care of yourself so you can be whole.

The little things count, according to Breathnach we can do simple things to take care of ourselves on the job. We can take care of ourselves by taking time out for ourselves, and by making our workspace special. 

Taking time out for you is key! I take time out for myself by taking a longer shower then I normally would. That is the only place I can go without the kids coming to me. When working, I would leave on my lunch hour to window shop, shop, or to sit on a bench to read a book for my “me” time. Even 20 minutes a day, breaking the time into pieces, is good for our souls according to Breathnach.

Equally important, making your space special, in your home office, corporate office, work truck, gym locker, or where ever your work space may be… make your mark in that space. I do this well when I work in the corporate world.

You can mark your space with inspirational quotes, candles, music, and a bible if you use one, flowers, a plant, a picture, art, and list of your goals, or whatever else that makes you happy at that moment. Have a few special items in that location, things that help you get through your day. Special items I kept at my desk were artwork from the kids, pictures of things I wanted, pictures of my family, a book of my favorite quotes, reading material, my bible, and plants. I had a special pen holder, and special little office supplies that I found sometimes on my “secret shopping” lunch hours. In my desk I had a few snacks, my favorite drinks, waters, and noodles or canned good for those days I forgot my lunch.

So there you have it, take care of you, set time aside for “me” time, make your mark in your workspace, and have things surround you that make you feel special! Please share any ways that help you take care of yourself through the day by commenting, your tips may help others. Thank you!

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“A Time for Everything”

Posted 28 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Self Awareness

2251675635_e916fe0800Our self awareness series starts today. Day 1, starting with the entry for September 28th, Simple Abundance quotes:

“A Time for Everything”

There is a time for everything. And a season for every activity under heaven. 

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

For starters, yes I’m Christian, and no, you dont have to be Christian to follow this series in self discovery, comfort, and joy. Daily quotes through this series are from Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. Sarah Ban Breathnach uses quotes and scripture from many sources, her book is the inspiration for this series.

With that said, let’s get started.

Keeping it simple, the author speaks of not always being able to do all things when wanted. You can set out to do all that your heart desires, you can truly make it possible, however, it may not happen all at once.

We may have a family, be students, own a business, or may be employees trying to climb the corporate ladder. Whatever your circumstance is, time consumes us and constraints our deepest desires. We should continue to keep our dreams alive even if our dreams may not be an option for TODAY! Our desires may be more suitable for tomorrow, or next season, or next year. Even if it’s not the right time, our deepest desires can be. Keep your dream alive; just know there is a time for all things.

An example, last year I was a full time employee trying to climb the corporate ladder, a full time student in Business Management taking online courses, and trying to brainstorm daily a new business venture I can take on myself, all the while trying to take care of my family. I was trying to take on everything all at once. This isn’t always the best way to do things, I burnt myself out quick!

Being there is a season for every activity, I’m now unemployed, and taking a break from school. More importantly, I’m taking time to slow down for my truest desires, owning my own business, and taking care of my family.

This season is the right time for my desires, next season that can change. Sounds backwards, don’t that? I say that it may change because I’m able to spend more time on my desires today, for my health caused me to be unemployed. Being unemployed gives me more time for my family and for running this website. I know I can make an income by branding our website, however, this is a new website and if finances don’t come in soon, I may have to go back to work if my family needs the added income.

That is what this passage teaches us. You can’t do everything under the sun all at once. However, you can do all things! Keep your dreams alive, set your goals (short term and long term), and remember there is a time for your needs and a time for your dreams!

Are you like me, with superwoman mentality? Can you slow down in some areas, and maybe speed up on others? What are your dreams? Don’t lost sight, chose the right time, keep your dreams, and make them come alive! Please share by commenting.

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Honoring Hemal Radia, “Speaker, Author, Super Coach”

Posted 04 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Taking a Stand
Hemal Radia

Hemal Radia

Honoring those that make a difference in our lives brings reward to the honoree and the ones we honor. No matter what it is that they do, the impact of their act is felt empowering by one or many.

Today, Emma Turner (7thspace via Twitter) recommended Hemal Radia (HemalRadia via Twitter) to be honored on Reed What Matters Website. Before asking why she nominated Hemal, one could see why she would. Hemal’s twitter bio is an understatement of his greatness, “Manifesting and Law of Attraction International Speaker, Author & Super Coach”. Besides his bio, Hemal’s website, Manifesting & Law of Attraction, has guidence and inspiration written all over it. I encourage you to take a gander at his site, you may get stuck there! Good reads, and filled with positiveness.

More importantly he has been nominated by Emma with uplifting words for the soul in regards to his attributes: Emma’s reply to me when asked why she nominates Hemal Radia, “… I see him inspire people daily to fill their lives with self love & appreciation & by example they shine out …and attract wonderful things into their lives. He is loving, caring and his words empower!” Emma later replies to Hemal, “…My words hardly do you justice, all I can do is #appreciate.”

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