Forged.

I like to think. Especially at night - I just think about anything I want. And during this thinking time, I process things. I have mind files. This goes there. That goes here. It's like a little filing system for my thoughts. I file them away and drift off to dream.

Our son is at the Marine Corps Boot Camp and the final test/challenge he has to pass through is The Crucible. I've been told that this is very difficult on all levels - mentally, emotionally, physically and beyond. This event spans over 54 hours - they sleep 6 hours, are given 2 MRE's, hike 48 miles with 45 pounds of gear and work through 36 Warrior Stations and 29 Team Building Exercises. Bottom line, it's tough. And it's meant to be. They are forged through the experience and it changes them forever.

Yes, this was the main topic on my mind last night. I said a prayer for our son and his platoon and then I thought about the word - Forged.

Forged:
to form by heating and hammering; beat into shape.

to form or make, especially by concentrated effort:

I like those definitions and as I was thinking last night, I thought - life forges us. Life beats us into shape. And it's especially effective if we are making a concentrated effort to become the best person we can be each day.
I tried to imagine myself with 2 MRE's and a 45 pound pack marching 48 miles and it made me tired ... but really, isn't that what I've been doing all my life? Marching and carrying the load that is mine to carry. It's been a great march and it's been my 'crucible' I have been forged by all of it. And will continue to be forged ...

I pray that our son will press forward with optimism and strength and that he will be a leader and help his platoon accomplish the goal ahead. They can do this!

Cheers to life and the march it is and the forging that takes place each and every day.

Stay optimistic. Stay committed to your goals and dreams. Stay close to our Heavenly Father.

Become the best you possible.Forge on.

Selfies and Self-Talk and Good Energy!

On the Trolley in Boston (just outside Copley Square) ... Me and April.

Have you ever realized how harsh you can be on yourself? We tend to be our ultimate worst critic.

I was recently on a trip in Boston, with a good friend and I took a selfie of us on the trolley.

After glancing at the photo, I instantly thought ... "That's not a very good photo" and before I could articulate my thought out loud she said: "Oh, look how cute we are!"

Her comment caught me off guard. And made me stop and think ... I appreciated her instant, positive response and was able to use it last weekend.

I was in Arizona with some family members and we took a group selfie - someone immediately responded: "That's a horrible picture of me!" I immediately touted back: "Look at us - we are so cute!" It changed the atmosphere immediately.

The things we say really do affect those around us. And the things we say to and about ourselves - to ourselves can be so very negative and damaging.

Today, pay attention to your self-talk and the things you think about yourself. Stop yourself immediately when it turns negative. Feel free to use my friend's line: Look how cute!

Our positive self talk matters and we can become advocates for good energy inside and outside of ourselves!

Go ahead, take that selfie. Post it up.

It's a way of capturing a moment that will never happen again!

And when you find yourself wanting to judge yourself or anyone around you harshly, stop.

And find what's great about you or him or her!

And say it our loud!

Be Mentally Attractive

Here are some mentally attractive suggestions -

Believe in yourself
Be committed to finding a solution
Share positive energy
Emit kindness
Cause good things to happen
Laugh easily
Embrace the incredible power of now
Dwell in possibility
Keep moving forward
Challenge yourself constantly
Find a way
Believe in good things to come
Trust God

Chin up, beautiful ...

Chin up. Love that!
Don't let it get to you. Love that too.

This is not always easy. In fact, it's the most difficult thing to do when you feel rejected, belittled or misunderstood.

I've found that when I put my chin up, it reminds me to look up to God. He knows us. He loves us. He never abandons us. He is always there for us. And, He gives us the strength to go on!

Keep moving forward!
Chin up!

The best view ...

The best view comes after the hardest climb.

Have you ever thought about why that is? ...

I have. The view is better because you worked so hard to get there. You didn't quit. You persevered. You believed. You learned, you became.

Keep going.

It's worth it.

The success formula -

Love this ... just keep doing!

Wednesday Wisdom: Turn your can'ts into cans -

We all have things we believe we can't do. And when we believe we can't, we don't. So this week, turn a can't into a can and see what happens!

You might just see a few dreams getting wings and plans of their own ...

Lessons from running

Endurance -
the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite
fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina

The beginning of a new school season always reminds me of cross country. And when I think of cross country, I think of endurance and the lessons I learned from running so many miles and races.


Some races were good. Some were bad. Some were awesome!


I have used those race lessons several times since those 'running days' and would like to share a few:


First, if you want to be good at something, you have to put in the practice - the miles, the effort and the will to win. Several years ago, my sister and I decided to run a cross country alumni race together. She was young and in shape and I was older and not in shape. What was I thinking? 3.1 miles up and down a course filled with hills and lots of spectators. Let's just say my sister left me in the dust and I finished but that was the hardest race I've ever run! Lesson learned: Practice and prepare!

Second, believe you can. Most often, we don't start something new or take risks because we doubt ourselves and our abilities. We convince ourselves that we can't and make excuses to support those beliefs. Next time you find yourself in the 'doubt zone', say this out loud: I think I CAN! And then do something to prove you can. Take that first step and build momentum with your belief. Before you know it, you'll be running at the top and looking back thinking: WOW! So glad I chose to believe. Lesson learned:  Believe and run forward!
Third, when you have a bad race, remind yourself that you can always do better next time. Life is full of challenges. If everyday was full of rainbows and sunshine, we would never learn to fully appreciate them. We need the 'rain' and 'stormy' times to help us appreciate the sunshine. Lesson learned: Be patient and kind with yourself on the tough, bad 'race' days. And then try harder next time.
Finally, Endure to the end. No matter what is going on in your life it pays to endure to the end. I'm not talking about staying or enduring an abusive relationship - or in something that is bringing you down in an emotional, negative way. I'm talking about never giving up. Never give up on your dreams, on your beliefs, or your will to succeed. Anything that is worth having, takes work, effort and endurance. We all have days when we want to throw in the towel, or quit the 'race'. Don't. The best feeling is crossing the finish line and saying to yourself: "I gave it my all!" or "I did my very best." Lesson learned: Run your race. Don't give up and keep moving forward!


PS: I'm cheering for you to run your race and succeed!
You CAN do this ...


Wendy

Believe ...

“Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will.”

- Unknown

YOU are right ...

Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right.
~ Henry Ford

Commentary: This quote is so simple, so true and so to the point. What we choose to focus on (via our thoughts) will ultimately come true in our lives.

This year, fill your mind with positive thoughts and use them to move forward towards your goals. When you find yourself in that 'low point' of disbelief and negative thoughts - say out loud: I think I can. I think I can. I think I can!

Use your self created positive energy to climb a little higher, reach a little farther and to act with love a little longer... Your thoughts give you the power to move in new directions or to continue on a path you want or don't want. Get clear with your vision for this new year and then make your dreams real - one thought and act at a time.

Hold your light high ...

“Much like the lighthouse, we can be the ones standing on the jagged ledge bouncing light and love across the sea of life.”
~ Wendy Christensen It’s the Little Moments that Matter

Book Expo & Publicity tips for Authors

Publicity TIP
Authors Take NOTE ...

I had the privilege of meeting Rick Frishman while attending the Publisher’s Marketing Association (PMA) University courses in Washington D.C. during BookExpo in 2006. If you are an author I highly recommend you sign up for his newsletter. Below is a powerful reminder about believing …

******"A Rick Tip"******

This week- it will actually be a "Harvey Tip". This is from my friend Harvey Mackay. We at PTA have handled Harvey for years and consider him to be a mentor. Below are 3 Tips from Harvey. You can sign up for his newsletter at http://www.harveymackay.com

Tip number 1:
Believe in yourself - even when no one else does.
Life is not a parabolic curve. It doesn't go straight up. There are a lot of lumps and bumps. A lot of throttling up ... and throttling down. I've never met a successful person who hasn't had to overcome either a little or a lot of adversity.

Anytime I feel like quitting I just look at a framed poster I have hanging in my office
of one of our people:

He failed in business in '31.
He ran as a state legislator and lost in '32.
He tried business again in '33 and failed again.
His sweetheart died in '35.
He had a nervous breakdown in '36.
He ran for state elector in '40 after he regained his health.
He was defeated for Congress in '43, defeated again for Congress in '48, defeated when he ran for the Senate in '55 and defeated for vice presidency of the United States in '56.

He ran for Senate again in '58 and lost.
This man never quit. He kept trying till the last. In 1860, this man Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States.

So it seems like if we want to triple our success ratio ... we might have to triple our failure rate.

Reprinted from "Rick Frishman's Author 101 Newsletter" Subscribe at http://www.author101.com and receive Rick's "Million Dollar Rolodex"