No wonder I was very keen in getting my own children involved in an organization such as the scouts.  Where we lived  at the time, however, the Scout organization was unavailable, but the Camp Fire group was.  I began my own troop, just to be sure that my kids would have that experience.

Fast forward to current.  I now have granddaughters.  One day during this past summer, my daughter-in-law and I went to the local county fair with the girls and stumbled upon the booth for the Girl Scouts…I think I was more excited than the little girls, wanting them to have the same golden experience that I did.  Soon afterwards, I learned that a Daisy group had been formed and that the leader is my DIL…I’m thrilled, and have begun saving craft items for the troop.

It stands to reason, therefore, why I am enjoying my woman-to-woman networking group.  It is, in a sense, my business ‘brownie’ group.  I am making friends, hopefully lifelong friends (since I am in contact with the members of my brownie troop from my elementary school days, I know what lifelong friendships mean!).  Our goal is to help each other, much like the scouts.  And I enjoy planning my meetings, my events and providing a warm atmosphere for the women who attend.

But more than anything, I love making the golden relationships that I’ve made thru my networking group.  Women network at an entirely different level than men do; we network  through the heart.  And it’s that heart-to-heart connection that  makes this group endearing.

What happened in your childhood that you can honestly say you still put into action today?

So, 2012 is looking—but more importantly, feeling incredibly good for who I have become. Because, in addition to the two honors that came to me at year end, 2012 started off with a huge shout out from yet another person I hold in high esteem.
https://www.facebook.com/TheSNCCWay?sk=app_222972467721305

How nice to know that others acknowledge the value that has been building up within me. How nice to know that they share it with others.

Have you taken a moment to share your positive thoughts about someone who has made an impact on your Life or Business?

One of my favorite questions to ask a client is ‘what do you like to do?…what defines who you are?” I thought I would take this moment to share my list, so you can get to know me a tad bit better:

I like tending to my dog. Julee was re-homed to us when she was a year old. We are her fifth home and when I heard that she was going into her 5^th home, I took her sight unseen. Yes, I know…it could have been a huge chore. But I was willing to take her even if she was missing her back legs. No dog deserves to be re-homed so many times.  The Peke stopped with me…and what an amazing friend she has been for the past 7 years.  I like bathing her (despite her whimpering throughout the entire process); I like feeding her; I like brushing her and believe it or not, I like picking up after her (shows I’m responsible).

I like taking my Nikon camera for walks with me on the beach.  I cannot get enough of the wonder of the ocean; how the force of the water can change the lay of the sand; how the sun glistens off the waves.  I like taking photos of collections: I have collections of the seasons; of benches from my travels; of colorful artsy personal landmarks.

I like getting creative with marketing.  I like brainstorming and coming up with eye-appealing slogans and unique logos (although I can’t draw a straight line).

I like taking on huge home projects…simple picture framing does nothing for me, but give me a house to remodel in a short period of time and I’m one happy camper.

I like moving, believe it or not.  That’s a huge ordeal for most, but I find it an excellent challenge and I like it.  Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity to pare down unneeded items!

I like watching children try to figure things out for themselves as they learn.  It’s so refreshing to see sweetness grow.

I like vintage cars.  Not the ones that have been altered, but the ones that the owners have taken the time and care to maintain them in their stock,  original status.  But, not the horseless carriage cars; more like 1950-80 and mostly foreign ones (foreign to the US that is).

I like putting a plant in the ground and then later reaping the benefits from it…be it a vegetable or a fruit.  Gardening sings to me as much as the rhythm of the ocean waves.

Those are just some of my likes.  My loves are a whole different list.   Do you have a list of likes? Have you shared your list with others?

A friend of mine is off to downtown today.  She is going to spend it with her sister.  This is bittersweet for me.  Obviously, I’m wishing I was able to spend time with my sister…and I’m thrilled that she’s able to share time with hers.

I took my husband to the airport shuttle this morning.  He’s gone for two weeks (again). I treasure my time alone; my own space.

A friend of mine (who I’ve dealt with online thru an organization for those who have lost their twin siblings) told his friends that he had to make the painful decision to ‘pull the plug’: his wife suffered an aneurism just 8 days ago and went into a permanent coma.

I am incredibly proud of my daughter who has made her own life in a vibrant city….hours away from me.

I learned from social media that my own daughter was in the emergency room a couple of nights ago—seriously? On Facebook?  I guess she’s all grown up now.

There is, without question, ups and downs in our lives; good and bad. I told my friend who had to make that painful decision that I was in awe of him. It’s the truth; I am.  It takes strength and courage to take that action.  His loss is overwhelming, yet it’s so fresh, he hasn’t felt the depth of if yet.  I am still in awe.

There is only one lesson in this writing: be appreciative and enjoy life, no matter what path it leads you on.  Make each day count. Know that there is a Ying for each Yang.  This brings to mind that great quote of William Purkey’s:

Dance like no one is watching

Sing like no one is listening

Love like you’ve never been hurt

Live   like heaven is on earth

Yesterday, I received a call from a childhood friend, one who I was able to reconnect with after decades of not being able to locate her (Thank you Social Media!!).  We hadn’t talked in a few weeks and it was a great chance to catch up on the latest; our travels, the people in our lives and our plans for the new year.

Just before what I thought was the end of our call, my friend said “make a pot of lentil soup and eat it right before the clock strikes midnight on New Years’ eve; it will bring you incredible financial luck in 2012.  And then, Deb, you can buy additional homes in the Wine Country (of California) and in the (San Francisco) Bay area.  You deserve so much, including homes in these places where you’d like to live.”

I was so touched by these words.  And I couldn’t just let them sit and percolate because I know the truth. And I shared this with her:

I know that I have my health; that I have my family and my family of friends.  I know that I wallow with passion in the coaching arena.  And the people I’ve met in my networking world are beyond top-notch.  I have a roof over my head and I can breathe fresh air.  My car isn’t the latest model, but it serves me well.  I have hobbies of photography and I’m able to play with my g-daughters (although I still have a bit of a problem realizing that I’m a g-ma—prefer being a Nonee!).  My husband treats me so good with love and adoration and my four-legged companion is by far a good friend, even though she is a persnickety Pekingese.

I allow myself the room to make errors as long as I learn from them….and I keep my mind open at all times to learn from others.  I have enthusiasm for life, for sharing and for exploring.

I then shared with my long-time childhood friend what another friend just told me earlier that day:  If you have 5 people that you can count on, for no matter what reason, be it family members or friends, you have everything.

I can honestly say, I am one very lucky, very blessed and feeling very complete person.  And I can also say that I will be making a pot of lentil soup to welcome the New Year…because it just sounds good.  Will you be joining me?

That is also true with a relationship I’ve witness recently.  Two people who were respectful of each other, who they were; what they brought to the table,  suddenly and immediately changed their relationship.  All done through the written word.  All done without the clearness of what a conversation could have lent to the situation. A once well-respected relationship drastically changed and vanished into what has now become a way of life, social media.

I subscribe to social media. I believe that we have only touched the surface of what is yet to come.  That said, I also subscribe to the ‘human touch’; to hearing the voice of another and knowing the intention of the author; to making sure that I’m not assuming what the written word is supposed to be.  After all, depending on my mood, if I read a note, my perception will be what flavors that writing.  If I’m in a soft, romantic mood, words can be received as warm.  However, if I’m in a state of anguish (for whatever reason), what I read can come across as a negative.

A very simple example:  My day was quiet—ho-hum.  When I read that coming from a place of warmth, this statement says to me that I appreciated a quiet day.  Yet, if I change my perspective towards a negative read, it says to me that I’m bored.

It saddens me that this relationship I’m referring to has turned. I had only met one of the participants of this duo; I was afraid my view was slanted (although the issue was not at all mine). I made myself the promise of changing that and had the chance to meet and learn about the other person. What a gift I gave myself; I enjoyed hours of conversation and created a warm spot in my life for another person.

Have you ever been a bystander to an issue and needed some clarity, even though you were not personally involved?  How did you handle it (for yourself)?

Has procrastination ever proven itself a worthy tool for you?

That being said, there are many who do work on the same level, do cry for the same reasons, do move forward at the same time.

I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t compare your personal story to that of others; don’t look to someone else’s healing as if the same exact process will be working for you.  Walk in the faith, however, that you will proceed in life and your life is going to be excellent.

Realize that the process has already started since you were able to empower yourself just by reaching out to learn more of who you are, where you can be going.

Each of us need to realize that we are in and of ourselves wonderful individuals with a lot to offer society. We stand for ourselves.  We each are stronger than any loss—no matter if it be someone we love, a house, a job, a relationship. We each bear the strength within to overcome any situation.  It’s up to us to allow that strength to come forward.

Have you tapped into your inner strength to Remove Your Invisible Fence©?

I gasped because, even tho the man himself had been prepared, I wasn’t.  I gasped because, altho it was obvious that his illness had taken over his body, his energy allowed him to be visible, declaring that perhaps he wasn’t near ‘the end’.  I gasped that a man, years younger than I, took his last breath.

My thought now?  Enjoy and wallow in each moment we have….in honor of Steve Jobs–in honor of life–in honor of yourself.