Standing Up 11 Times When You Fall 10

New Beginnings

2009-03-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm adjusted to the time change, I am ready for Spring!

We've heard that Spring is a time for new beginnings. It is a time for renewal.

Just as in nature, it is our time to 'bloom' physically and mentally through activity...and funny how a little sunshine makes this so easy!

Some of the Spring activities I'm planning are visiting the MetroPark Systems in my community, lunch dates with friends at any cafe we can find with patio seating and planting live greenery for the first time in my life--with the hope that my little green friends will survive my gardening skills or lack thereof!

Stuck

2009-02-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

To put it bluntly...feeling stuck sucks!

As another year in my life passed this week, I sat with a friend at my birthday breakfast of pancakes, cold coffee and hash browns. Not having much of an appetite, I began to think, "Where did the time go?" Wasn't I just flipping out over pimples and prom a little while ago?" Well maybe not a little while ago, but I'm just saying...

Anyway, after a little meditation and reflection, I recognize the difference between feeling stuck and actually being stuck. I concluded that I was not stuck, I just felt that way. I guess it's normal as you reflect on what hasn't been checked off of the THINGS I WANT TO DO list.

I have so much to be grateful for--my health, good friends, family and a nice home--I'm sure you know the foreclosure rate in these days!

Taking a few quite moments to think about the next steps to feeling 'unstuck' is all I needed to realize that there are opportunities-a-plenty for those who want to grab it!

Cheers!

Keep Hope Alive!

2009-01-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

Despite our flakey economy where local and national news media organizations are cutting costs by eliminating jobs, I decided to jump into a somewhat ambitious news project to assist me in my budding journalism career. However, my experience shooting my first 'news package' with a crew in Tampa is part humorous, part humbling...nothing they taught us about in school!

Almost Famous: My Crash Course as a Television News Reporter

“I have one great passion that...that lives deep within my loins, like
a...like a flaming golden hawk: To one daybecome a network anchor” – Ron Burgundy, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

Anxiously, I swiveled my chair around toward the mirror and gasped, “Whoa, is that me?” I leaned closer to take a look at the glamorous face staring back at me--my movie starlet look compliments of a well-known Canadian make-up artist. It was so worth sitting still with limited blinking for the 20 minutes it took to apply my 2-inch false lashes individually.

With glossed lips, shiny hair and curled lashes, I looked every bit the part of a broadcast journalist as I jumped out of the chair and smoothed the skirt of my Ann Taylor suit. But was I ready to take my cues and look lively during my ‘look lives’?

As a journalism graduate, former campus Op-Ed writer and now online video host, I couldn’t pass up the chance to spend a day in the media big leagues reporting real news stories with the assistance of a well-known Florida news personality and camera crew.

“3, 2, 1…go, go, go before the bus goes by!” I was coached by the camera operator his hands flailing. After quickly swallowing the lump in my throat, I tossed my intro line to the camera, not squinting even with the flood of blinding light that lit our report location shining in my face. Screeching to a stop next to our set up, the air brakes of the bus drowns out my voice along with the hoots and whistles from a group of inebriated men leaving a nearby sports bar at the busy downtown intersection.

“Look, Hon, let’s take it again but you gotta keep it moving no matter what’s going on around us,” I was again advised, “but you look great on camera,” the camera man continued. This feedback sparked a little energy into my presentation.

The next take wasn’t much better. “Just start walking toward the camera and start your first line,” I was instructed. As soon as I opened my mouth, a sudden gust of wind flung a stand of my hair into my mouth along with some unidentifiable bug. The south seemed to have an endless variety of winged-insects I’d never seen before and I wasn’t really enjoying this discovery. However, not wanting to further irritate the already weary crew by screwing up take number, I don’t know, two-gillion and three, I ignored my gag reflection after swallowing the bug and smiled on cue.

For the next ten hours we continued traveling to various locations, setting up and recording news. Along the way, camera lights blew out, the battery died in our SUV and my coiffed hair began to go limp under the weight of the moist southern air.

Five cups of coffee and seven outfit changes in the back of a car later, did I still have that glamorous feeling I had earlier? Well, not so much. This was really hard work and all I could think of was taking off my control top pantyhose! I developed a new appreciation for the hundreds of field reporters around the globe who dig down to get news, write copy and present it in a compelling way to all of television-dom.

At 2:00 a.m. when the crew finally dropped me off in front of the cheap motel I was staying at off the highway, I practically sprinted to my room to jump into bed—well, on top of the bed with strategically placed bath towels—I was a little afraid to slip under the blankets of this place.

The next day I was relieved to board my plane to get back home.

Although I plan to still pursue my journalist endeavors, I came to a few conclusions regarding my news reporting experience. The first is the news never takes a day off. Secondly, it definitely takes more that white teeth and good hair to be a success in the news business. Now back to you!

To see clips of my ‘official’ unofficial news segment, go to the link @ http://tinyurl.com/5qlfau

A NEW DAY

2009-01-20T09:32:00.000-08:00

Today's thought: What can each of us do to better our selves and community in this era of a new America?

~In the midst of challenge, with hope and virtue...let us venture on!

Early Spring Cleaning

2009-01-16T09:31:00.001-08:00

I seem to function better in an organized setting--in the house, the car or at my desk. It makes it so much easier to not only find things, it also helps me to make the most of my brain power. Instead of trying to remember where I left a business file, I can spend time thinking of how to make the business grow! I just read from an article which said cleaning is like:

...cleaning the debris from your (subconscious) mind...opening it to a new flow of increased energy and ideas...

I can use all the energy and ideas I can get! Why not start your 'spring cleaning' in January?

Let's Go

2009-01-14T05:35:00.000-08:00

Are you still on track for the new YOU in this fine 2009? I am, come on...are you coming or what?!

Check out this great site at http://www.selfgrowth.com/

When what we are is what we want to be--that's happiness.

Reminder

2009-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Inspiration comes from everywhere. But one place we often don't look for it is within ourselves.

I certainly didn't think I'd get that reminder from a DVD! However, as I watched, completely engrossed in the movie, The Great Debaters, I was reminded of a lesson of where inspiration can be found.

The story is drawn from the experiences of an elite team of black college students set in the segregated 1930's. The brave young people engage in debates of words and feeling in unprecedented challenges against white colleges. With the history making win against Harvard University, the students tap into their own strengths born out of both fear and hope in the challenging times in which they lived.

Great story. Great reminder.

Have a wonderful start to your week!

“Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you are right.” Henry Ford

Right Here, Right Now

2009-01-09T08:48:00.001-08:00

I keep hearing talk about living in the now. I went to bed thinking about it. I woke up thinking about it. Isn't it ironic? By spending that time thinking about living in the moment, I was missing out on living in the moment?

Enjoy today! Right here, right now!

Living It

2009-01-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

I attended an interesting class last night at my neighborhood Unity Spiritual Center. The topic of Spiritual truths is not necessarily new, but the discussion was presented in a new way that renewed my excitement toward the subject matter. I learned and will continue to learn over the next 7 weeks, transformational tools to support living a more successful and fulfilling life. Umm, who doesn't want to do that?!

As a side note, I never thought I'd be pulled toward watching the media phenomenon called Oprah, however, yesterday, she had a wonderful panel of spiritual teachers including Michael Beckwith. Log on to her webinar next week to learn more about her discussion on Living Your Best Life.

Another exciting side note: I just landed a audition for a national commercial! Life is good all the time!

Throw It Away!

2009-01-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning remembering that I dreamt of old hurts from my past.

I've discussed the topic with friends from time to time when these nasty little thoughts pop up. We always come to the logical conclusion of how it doesn't serve any of us to re-live old 'junk' leftover from the past.

As a kid, I never liked leftovers. Often Mom would try to sneak a leftover piece of chicken or meatloaf into my lunch. When I'd open my lunch bag and see an old piece of chicken instead of a fresh PB&J sandwich and cookies, it was a huge disappointment.

I admit even now as an adult, I still don't like leftovers. We've all gone to a restaurant to enjoy a great meal, took a doggie bag home and it sat in the fridge for a week or more! It never tastes as good as it did when it was fresh and after time passes it's no good anyway.

I've decided today that I will make a conscious effort to refuse leftovers to ruin my day. On my menu today is fresh and pippin' hot positivity!

Simple

2009-01-06T06:17:00.000-08:00

One very simple thing I'm learning to do is BREATHE.

It's not just for the Yoga-type folks, it can benefit anyone.

I've been experimenting with it to compare how I feel before and after breathing.

Specifically after hearing bad news the other day (a friend was down-sized from her job, another lost her battle with bad health). It did work to lessen the stress, cleared my mind to help me meditate and pray on what was happening.

Dr. Weil has some simple ways to incorporate breathing exercises into your day--they are easy so they won't freak out your co-workers if done at the office @ http://tinyurl.com/4r49bz He even says that the energy you feel could help you NOT reach for that cup of coffee...well, I"m not there yet!

Let me know if it works for you. NAMASTE

Gratitude, Smatitude

2009-01-05T06:23:00.000-08:00

The other day, I listened to a wonderful experience about 'Gratitude' at Unity Spiritual Center.

The speaker, like me, initially was skeptical about this idea of keeping an 'attitude of gratitude' to gain a stronger spiritual connection. Sure, you've probably watched the Wayne Dyer PBS specials where he talks of gratitude--having it opens our lives to greater love, peace and prosperity--you know those programs?

Well, although the speaker's experience included this idea, his story was humorous, touching and most of all compelling.

The speaker admitted that early on while first learning of this 'attitude of gratitude' stuff, Rev. Dr. Stan Smith sounded more like the sales guy who sold him the Ab Roller (he said pointing to his not so flat abdomen).

But not being one to give up, the speaker said he continued to make an effort to recognize all that he was grateful for like health, family,Target and Starbucks--all the important stuff.

Soon thereafter, he began to worry and stress less about unimportant things. And amazingly, not only did he feel content spiritually, but big opportunities opened up for his business including a $400,000 and million dollar sale both in 2008--pretty good in a year of national economic melt down.

He attributed this to letting go of a mindset of lack and pessimism. And we all do it. But why not experiment with a new way of thinking? Start by turning off the television and recognizing the small things we are happy with in our lives--even if you can't think of what is 'happy' at this point in life, maybe start by accepting what is and go from there.

A Fork In The Road

2009-01-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

As we get ready to embrace a fine 2009, I found it interesting that today's Yahoo Horoscope said:

Staying on the same path is a mistake, so you are wise and brave to take a more unfamiliar path. You only have things to gain from taking this journey. So get ready to embark upon one of the most rewarding phases of your life!

With all that has been going on in my life the past couple of years this screams true! But am I ready to do it? I think so! Is anyone else feeling anxious about the year ahead?

Anyway, I plan on doing a lot more reading (and finally finishing the proposal for my book).

If you're looking for a good book--here's one I started reading in the bookstore by Russell Simmons (DEF JAM Records CEO and Kimora Lee's ex-husband) called:
Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success
Can't wait to start reading it. Umm, what else are you going to do this week in Cleveland--tomorrow's high: 29 degrees!

2009-01-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

Yeah, you've heard it 20 times since Thursday, but for the 21st time--Happy New Year!

And yes, it will be a very peaceful, productive and prosperous 2009. With all that is happening in our world, we must not only hope this, but BELIEVE this to be true.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Honestly, just a few short years ago, I knew nothing of 'blogging'. I didn't even own a home computer!

But after reading so much about it (and after proudly learning that 'Twittering' was not a lewd act and was something I could actually participate in online) I knew I was now ready to create my own blog.

I'm not blogging as a lonely 17 year old girl, who actually is a 20-something year old woman. I'm not posting videos as a busty brunette singing love songs about our president elect--I'm just Kish ( http://www.kishia.net ) and I like to share ideas and experiences about getting real about life.

We can chose to live fully in a spiritual, responsible and exciting way. Okay, I know you've probably read THE SECRET--me too--even own the DVD. But I'm talking more than what can be thought of as convoluted ideology--I'm talking practical ways to really create the life you want even if you've fallen 10 times, get your butt up 11! Are you with me? Send me a note!