Ideas

We all have many ideas each day.  Some have the potential for incredible impact.  Some we need to note that we've considered and consciously opted not to pursue. Other ideas provide for incremental improvement to our lives and to the lives of others.  Those ideas that we don't voice, act upon, share or record for future action that have potential for positive change are costly, missed opportunities.

Ideas are one of our continuously renewable sources for personal, community, national and global economic growth.

By productively thinking and acting we do our part to help our (everything's connected) circle thrive.

Consulting

It's always rewarding when we are able to provide valued advice that those seeking our opinions actually implement or adopt.  I've finally acknowledged that, though unpaid, I am a consultant to some accomplished friends. When I next update my resume, I may add this role.  Each time I have the privilege to consult, I also gain positive feedback from the person or group I'm advising.

Crazy, Best...

It's clear why Jeff Bridges won the Oscar for Crazy Heart.  Regardless of our intentions, our best self sometimes only reveals itself in between crises. Only God and we know how committed we are to doing what is expected and required.

Five Friends - Ura, Ima, Shesa, Hesa, Wera

We're all connected - you (Ura -You are a ...), me (Ima - I am a ...), her (Shesa - She is a ...), him (Hesa - He is a ...) and us (Wera - We are...).

Ideally, we all want to use our connectedness to make a positive difference for our families, friends and selves.  Five friends have enormous capabilty to leverage our relationships and resources to make informed decisions quickly.

Right Turns

One rule we can highlight for our maturing children (and ourselves and our parents) is to make right turns.

• Every parent wants our child(ren) to make the right choices and choose friends with high standards.  Each right action has the potential for enormous positive impact and can be categorized as a right turn. 
• Learning to drive safely as a teenager and preserving the option to drive safely as we age also involves making right turns whenever possible.   

Reading Upside Down

Reading upside down challenges us to do something in an unnatural way.  I'm reading a book that posts answers to questions upside down.  As easy as it would be to turn the book around, I've chosen to challenge myself to read the answers as presented.  Afterall, we're constantly reminded that we need to exercise our brains. We can all read upside down, it just takes a little longer.  This reminds us to cover information on our desks that we don't want the party sitting across from us to access.

What Happy Working Mothers Know

In What Happy Working Mothers Know by Cathy L. Greenberg and Barrett S. Avigdor, the authors show that happiness makes a positive difference in the lives of mothers, children, the workplace and in careers. Choosing a positive approach to life and embracing all that's possible is the starting point.  True happiness is not about instant gratification.  It is a state of being focused on an abundance versus scarcity mentality.

Though we all do things out of love for our children and our desire to help them succeed, the statistics reveal that the best thing we can do for them is to find our own happiness and peace and share that sense of calm and joy with them. 

According to Barbara L. Frederickson's research, when we experience three positive emotions for every one negative emotion, we become more creative and a better version of ourselves.

Knowing when and how to say no without feeling guilty increases life satisfaction and, therefore, happiness.

The happiest people are those who feel integrated - their work and personal lives are separate but connected by a common thread of values and priorities.  Happiness is within the grasp of each of us if we learn to love ourselves, appreciate the beauty of life around us, and use our strengths to make our mark on the world.

The elements of a happy working mother are:

H - Healthy physically and emotionally
A - Adaptive to changes in circumstances
P - Proud of her family just as they are
P - Proud of her work
Y - Young at heart