Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!

Breaking The Rules

Alone, I stand on the top level of the Eiffel Tower, gazing through a cyclone fence upon a city I have always dreamed of visiting. The strong breeze caresses my skin and I am grateful to have a small respite from the crowd of people who obviously have shared my dream.

Suddenly, a dark headed boy, about eight years old, appears. As I turn to see who has joined me, I watch the little boy quickly tuck his guilty hand back into his coat pocket. He is attempting to hide a small piece of paper that is begging to be set free. With a big smirk, he looks up at me and silently says, “I wasn't really going to do it.”

Without thinking, I whisper, “i won't tell.”

Upon hearing my words, a twinkle returns to the little boy's eyes. After a second of hesitation, the paper goes sailing from the little boy's hand. We watch the paper sprout invisible wings as it comes to life and dances in the wind. As I watch the paper magically sail away into the unknown, I wish that I could have attached myself to it. The paper looks so free and here I am, stuck behind a fence that keeps me safely confined to a spot I have already grown tired of.

The little boy breaks the spell that the flying paper has cast upon me. For the first time, I hear him speak out loud. “Wow! That went a lot farther than I thought it would!”

As I turn to respond to him, I see him dash away. The little girl in me is puzzled. Why are you leaving so quickly? Do you think I will tell on you? Are you tired of this game? The adult in me returns. I know the little boy is responding to the energetic tug of his nearby parents, calling him back into the safety of their arms.

I turn my eyes back toward the spot where I last saw the flying paper. Sadly, my vision can not recapture it. I know I will never see the flying paper or the little boy again. I stand there feeling empty for just a moment because I didn't get to tell either one of them good-bye.

I take solace in knowing that I was the only lucky person who got to watch that little boy throw a little piece of paper off of the Eiffel Tower. Oh how I loved sharing that experience with him! 

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Text by Beverly Keaton Smith, Copyright 2009

Photos by Greg Smith, Copyright 2009

Today's Unexpected Angel Appearance

 

At this stage in my life, it is risky to go to the grocery store without a shopping list. I tend to forget what I want as soon as I walk into the store. Today, my list was so short that I was certain I could rely on my memory.

As I began scanning my items at the self check-out line, one of the attendants looked at me and said, “You know, those are dangerous. Very addictive!” She had spotted the Brownie Bites I picked up for tomorrow's guests. I agreed with her and we continued to enthusiastically sing praises for the Brownie Bites. Just when our love fest for Brownie Bites seemed to be coming to a close, the young woman said, “They are just like Pringles, you can't eat just one!”

My reply was not what she expected.

“Pringles! Oh my gosh, I forgot to get Pringles. I meant to get Pringles! I can't believe I forgot! I can't believe you just said Pringles! I really need to get some Pringles!” We both laughed and she said, “Go get them. I'll watch your cart.” As I scurried toward the chip aisle, I was in awe over the small miracle that had just occurred. If this woman had not been so joyful and playful with me, I would be making another trip to the grocery store for the sake of adding Pringles to tomorrow's menu.

As I thanked the woman one last time before walking out the door of the grocery store, I was still in awe of the way that that I had been reminded to buy the one item that I had almost forgotten. Such a small thing and yet a powerful reminder that the universe is eager to help us out. The more we believe this, the more evidence we can gather to prove that this is so. (Even with something as trivial as a shopping list!)

Sending gratitude for the joyful angel that appeared along my path today.

Beverly

Bookend Your Day

 

Imagine books on a shelf. Without bookends, they will most likely

• Fall over

• Look messy

• Become unorganized

• Fall to the ground

• Lack support

• Lose their connection with the other books

• Get lost

• Seem neglected

• Look shuffled

I guess from this we can conclude that bookends are important!

So, here is a question for you. How do you bookend your day?

My opening bookend is usually prayer and/or a long walk. My closing bookend is often a moment of gratitude for all that is good in my life. When I'm really on the ball, I write in my gratitude journal to close out my day.

There are many ways that bookends can appear in your daily life. I'd love to know how you bookend your days. What are the routines, rituals, activities or empowering habits that help you open and close your day?  How do these acts make a difference in your life?

Beverly

PS: I took the above photo while walking one morning!

Happy Easter - Happy Beginnings!

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Humpty Dumpty. I pretend that the kings horses and kings men really can put Humpty back together again. I am totally unwilling to accept that Humpty's existence ends after he falls off of that darn wall.

Sometimes life feels like that though. We take a great fall and sink so low that we think we will never shift back into joy.

One of my dad's favorite sayings was, "this will pass" and he often said it to me when I felt that my life had hit bottom permanently. He was right. My woes and troubled times have always passed.

Just as there are seasons in the year, there are seasons in all aspects of our lives. If you are in a tough spot, remember that the darkness will pass and you will see the sun again. 

Happy Easter and blessings to you,

Beverly

  

Journey to South Africa - Kruger Park

     

Sunday - Sunday, March 8 - 15

We arrive at Kruger National Park on Sunday afternoon. As we drive to Camp Satara, we begin looking for animals nonstop until we depart a week later. Kruger Park offers continuous opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat and every game ride gives us an opportunity to see something amazing. At night, millions of stars are visible and the Milky Way and the Southern Cross are easy to spot. There simply is no end to the awe and wonder that comes with observing nature and animals.

 

This is our cottage in Kruger Park in Camp Satara. We also visited Camp Olifants and Camp Letaba. Each area offers scenic views in a peaceful setting along with overnight lodging. All campsites and rest areas located in Kruger Park are surrounded by a gate that protects areas from wild animals. Vehicles can only leave the campgrounds during designated hours.

  

   

Watch the video to get a quick look at the many animals we saw during our time at Kruger Park.   

After an eight hour drive from Kruger Park to the Johannesburg Airport, we board an 18 hour flight that eventually returns us to home sweet home. Weeks later, I occasionally find myself longing to see the brightly lit night skies, animals that roam freely and experience the peace that only only a trip into the heart of nature can provide.

Going to South Africa was a dream come true for me. Just another reminder to hold tight to your dreams. They will come true!

     

Thanks for reading!

With love,

Beverly

Journey to South Africa - Swaziland

   

Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15.

We leave Cape Vidal to begin our journey to Swaziland, a small country in South Africa. Our goal is to arrive at the Malolotja Nature Reserve before dark. When we get to the border, it takes us awhile to get through because a busload of people are in front of us. I have never visited such a small country and I'm a little fearful of the unknown. In the small building that houses the border patrol, I see individual pictures of the King and Queen of Swaziland hanging on the wall. I expect something more elaborate for royalty. The photos are low quality and the plain, wooden frames are unimpressive. The pictures are crooked and this bothers me. I wonder if it would bother the king and queen too?

Since my mind has drifted into the wondering state, I also begin to wonder if we know what we are doing. I silently begin to play the “What If?” game. What if they don't like us? What if they don't let us out of their country once we get in? What if I say the wrong thing? What if that guy with the rifle decides to shoot me? What if the king decides to chop off my head? Okay, the last two are a bit extreme. Maybe lack of sleep had started to take a toll on me. After a man behind a window stamps our passports, we pay the money required to drive through the gate that is being monitored by officials dressed in regular clothes. This feels strange to me. How do you know who is really an official? It seems there are people everywhere! Once we are in Swaziland, I am relieved that crossing the border is non eventful--The negative possibilities I explored in the “What If" game were completely unwarranted. From now on, I'm playing the positive version of "What If?".

The four hour drive to the Malolotja Nature Reserve is stressful. It is hard to see in the dark plus we go in and out of rain and fog. Numerous potholes, occasional roaming livestock and pedestrians make it feel as if we are on an obstacle course. My hopes to see the king and queen's palace are dashed when fog blocks our view of it. When we arrive at our cabin around 9:00 p.m., everyone is tired and hungry. We shake off our disappointment about arriving so late, check in to our cozy cabin, unload the car and go to work in the kitchen—Chicken, corn on the cob and steamed broccoli never tasted better!

 

 

 

   

Even though we only have time for a short morning hike the next day, I am glad we came here. The Malolotja Nature Reserve is one of the most peaceful places I've ever visited and the views are absolutely breathtaking. I hope to return in the future and soak in all that this paradise has to offer.  

On our way out, we make a quick stop at Tintsaba Crafts to look at Sisal baskets--high quality, hand woven baskets of Africa. (Sisal is a plant fiber used for making rope.) It is easy to see the many hours of labor that goes into making each high quality basket. For example, a 30 cm diameter basket takes about 50 hours to weave. (The last photo shows the grade of the basket I purchased is 18. The cost: 640 Emalangeni--the equivalent of $64 American dollars.)

I imagine a circle of women working together to create baskets. What do they talk about? Do they enjoy making the baskets or is it just work? How many baskets do they own? I can't resist purchasing a basket before we get back on the road and head toward Camp Satara in Kruger Park.

 

 

  

Sitting in the van once again, I watch scenery zip by and think about Kruger Park. I've heard so much about it. Can it really be as wonderful and thrilling as people say it is? I can't wait to find out!

Beverly

Photos by Greg Smith

Journey to South Africa - Cape Vidal

 

Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14

After being in a moving vehicle for about ten hours, it is absolutely thrilling to see the sign welcoming us to Cape Vidal. We still have a couple of hours of daylight and I can't wait to cast my eyes upon this ocean side. We check into our cabin that has this view....

unload our bags, put on swimsuits and go directly to the short, dirt path which leads us from luscious green grass and trees to an abundance of brown sand that reaches out into the Indian Ocean. At first, I hesitate to go in the water because the waves are fiercely super-sized. Apparently, a storm left behind high winds and feisty water.

Once I take the plunge, the waves toss me around as if I am a rag doll. If I try to control the effect of the waves on my body, sand shoots into my swimsuit as my body twists and turns without mercy. It is such a contrast to sitting in the back seat of a van! I am tempted to run back to the safety of the shore, yet the thrill of being in the water is stronger than my fear of drowning. I quickly learn to close my eyes and bow into the turbulence of the crashing waves. This act of surrender allows me to gracefully float forward. I am very aware that the saying “go with the flow” is being reinforced by Mother Nature with each mighty wave she sends my way.

Every one else chooses to go back to the cabin to escape the rough water and high winds. I stay on the beach and soak in all of the energy I can from this incredible place. The remote setting makes it easy for me to feel as if I am one with water, sand, trees, sky, air and God. I am definitely having a “heaven on earth” experience.

 

The next morning, Greg and I get up early so we can watch the sunrise over the ocean, one of my most very favorite things to do in the world! The violent waters of yesterday have now turned ultra calm and inviting.Our check-out time of 10:00 a.m. comes around way too soon! After my early morning solitary walk along the shore, I hang out in the ocean until I shower and climb in the van once more.

 

After we explore more areas along the coastline, we are off to Swaziland, a small country I have never heard of before. The good times just keep on rolling!

Thanks for reading!

Beverly

Journey to South Africa - Back to Nature

Friday, March 13 Hluhluwe Game Reserve

It's 4:30 in the morning and we are on our way to Hluhluwe(pronounced Shuh-Lu-We) Game Reserve, a park that is well known for white rhinos. Since it is my first time to visit a game reserve, I eagerly await our arrival. In case you don't know, a game reserve is an area of land set aside for the maintenance and well-being of wildlife. As a visitor to the park, you can ride on the designated roads and look for animals or enjoy the scenery as long as you stay in your vehicle (aka: cage!) at all times. Animals have the right of way. There are camp sites or rest stops sprinkled throughout the area so if you want to get out of your vehicle, you go to a designated spot that is either fenced and/or monitored by guards with guns. (Kruger Park, one of the most famous game reserves in South Africa, is where we spend our last week in South Africa.)

We when pass through the gate at Hluhluwe, it isn't until I see my first free elephant up close and personal that I understand the thrill of seeing animals in their natural habitat. Not only do I see his magnificence, I feel it in every inch of my body. As I look at the elephant, I do not feel sorry for him like I would if I were observing him in a zoo. He is the boss in this setting and we have the utmost respect for him. We know that he can charge the car and crush it as easily as we crush an empty soda can if he decides he doesn't want us in his territory.

Mendy explains that the animals do not know that humans are in the cars that are moving about their territory. They can not see inside a vehicle so we simply look like a big steel object. They don't see our peering eyes and cameras unless someone breaks the rules and gets out of their vehicle. The elephant is the main threat to a vehicle. It is very important to give him space and to get away quickly if he starts to flap his ears aggressively or stomp a foot into charging position. These body movements give fair warning that he is agitated. (There were only two times when I felt we might be on the receiving end of an elephant's anger and both times, Mendy handled the situation beautifully.)

As we go on our game ride, every second is exciting because I never know what I might see next. There are all kinds of birds and animals that are new to me. Here are some the animals we see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow I will post beautiful photos from our time at Cape Vidal.

Thanks so much for reading!

Beverly

PS: Photos taken by Greg Smith.

Journey to South Africa - City Life

Wednesday & Thursday, March 11 - 12

Driving toward Pietermaritzburg, we see a sign by a construction site on the highway that makes us laugh. It simply states, “Please Don't Kill Us!” We have to admire the direct request. No beating around the bush here!

We are in Pietermaritzburg because Mendy is working with colleagues at The University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Since her work is demanding her attention, we are on our own today. Our hour long drive to Durban to visit the Victoria Street Market gives Greg his first opportunity to drive in South Africa. He does a great job and gets us there safely.

I find it difficult to write about Durban and I only have two photos from our time there. (had to take one of a store that sells Mississippi seafood!) Durban is like other big cities around the world--Busy people bustling from here to there, bumper to bumper traffic, tall buildings, hotels, taxis, shopping, businesses and a continuous low level buzz that accompanies frenetic energy. Just goes to show the vast variety of settings that South Africa has to offer!

We find a parking space on the 14^th floor in the garage parking lot at The Royal Hotel and begin our short walk to the indoor market. Vendors are monitoring their individual booths and attempting to entice us to purchase their goods. Most of the items for sale reflect African culture and I am fascinated to see everything they have to offer. We walk around the whole area before making a few purchases. Next we return to the The Royal Hotel to enjoy a nice lunch. After lunch, we have to deal with an unexpected problem—The kind of problem that makes a trip a little more memorable! 

Our rented vehicle is leaking diesel fuel. That's right. We left a trail of diesel fuel on the parking lot floor of the hotel all the way up to the 14^th floor. As we leave Durban, we take a detour and go to Avis car rental so we can get a new vehicle. This takes up most of our afternoon and with the vehicle upgrade that we receive for free, I think this little ordeal is actually a blessing in disguise.

The next day, we have the honor of attending a presentation that Mendy is giving at the university entitled “From Genes to Eco-Systems: Ecological Implications of Social Change.” As I watch my sister-in-law give her informational presentation to a full lecture hall, I am so proud of her for all she has achieved and accomplished as a professor, scholar, researcher and scientist. She is a phenomenal woman and a prime example of someone who continuously Embraces Her Gifts and Soars!

Friday will leave at dark:thirty and start a long drive to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve where will be keeping our eyes peeled for wild animals. After that side trip, we are spending the night at Cape Vidol. I am eager to return to the tranquility that nature offers and I can not wait to watch the sunrise over the Indian Ocean! Please come back and see the photos tomorrow! Beautiful!

(PS: Since I don't have photos of the city, I'm posting a few Zebra photos that Greg took at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve.)

 

Thanks for reading!

Beverly
 

Journey to South Africa - The Joy of Hiking

 

Tuesday, March 10^th,

The morning greets us with clearing skies so we store our luggage in the van before going on a six hour hike. The trail starts out easy before slowly becoming steep and rocky. Even though I am careful, I slip, slide and fall a few times. The higher we climb, the more I feel my heart pumping—alive and happy. Eventually, we reach a river full of flowing, clear water. We go across it by stepping on large, slippery stones. This slows everyone down, except for Mendy. Nothing slows her down! The trail continues to get steeper and rockier until we finally reach a peak that allows us to see our reward—magnificent, majestic views from every angle.

The fresh, clean air invites me to stand tall and breathe deeply. My lungs expand with renewed vitality and my heart is full of gratitude for everything that has brought me to this moment. We are removed from civilization and the silence that abounds is cushioned by the abundant sounds of nature. Snacks refuel us and we continue to admire the beautiful views before starting our journey back down the mountainside. Hiking down the peak, we see more stunning views as clouds begin to part and reveal taller peaks that had been shielded from our eyes. We take another break at the river, cross it once more and head back toward the van.

For six wonderful hours, I have been held by the arms of a mountain and I am reluctant to leave. However, more adventures are waiting so we say good-bye to the  Drakensberg Mountain area and settle into the van for another long drive.

As we drive away, we see African women carrying bundles of firewood on the top of their heads. They have walked for miles to gather the wood and will carry it back to their homes with nothing but their heads to assist them. Imagine the strength of these women and all that they are willing to do to provide for their families. I long to sit down with one of them and simply listen to what she has to say. I want to hear about her life. What brings her joy? What makes her heart ache? For now, I admire these women from afar and even though I do not envy their lifestyle, they have my utmost respect and admiration.

Once again, we pass groups of children walking along the road who hold out their hands and scream for money as we drive by. I look at their houses—mostly small huts with thatched roofs. I wonder what it would be like for a family to live in such a small dwelling. Please, God, help me to practice daily gratitude for all of my many blessings!

Our next stop is in Pietermaritzburg where we will remain for three nights. Along the way, we stop at the Liberty Midlands Mall which is surrounded by a gate. We must get a ticket from an attendant before entering the parking lot and when we leave, we must give our ticket back to the attendant to get out of the parking lot. This system has been put in place to control car theft. The mall is surprisingly large and modern. For better or worse, we have returned to civilization. After we leave the mall, we go to a Bed and Breakfast and like most of the houses and businesses in this area, it is surrounded by a gate. I notice that I feel a tinge of sadness for those who feel that crime is the best option they have.

After a long day, we treat ourselves to dinner at a restaurant. Mendy tips the parking lot attendant who will be watching our vehicle. While I know that we are in a crime ridden area, I do not feel afraid. I believe that we are protected. We return to the Bed and Breakfast, sit in the parlor and chat until late in the evening.

Tomorrow we will visit Durban and go to the Victoria Street Market. Our hostess at the Bed and Breakfast tells us that Durban is the San Francisco of South Africa. I wonder if I will agree with her?

 

 
Bonus! Can you find the frog in this photo? Hint: There is a natural green stripe down his back!

Stay tuned for more!

Beverly

Journey To South Africa - Drakensberg Mountains

 

Monday, March 9^th, 2009

We arrive at Injisuthi Camp after being on the road most of the day. The time has passed quickly because everything I see is new and captivating. Rural areas showcase green pastures, small homes, livestock and children of all ages who are dressed in blue and white school uniforms. The children are walking along both sides of the main road and look as if they have just gotten out of school. They hold out their hands and scream for money as we drive by. This is disturbing because some of the kids are very young and many of them do not hesitate to approach our moving vehicle.

At one point, a group of older children form a line across the path of our oncoming vehicle and place a broken, glass bottle in the middle of the road. Obviously, they really want us to stop! Mendy, our fearless driver, keeps driving forward and the children scatter at the last minute as she dodges the bottle.

Women also are walking along the side of the road. With less enthusiasm, they hold out their hands and ask for money too. I am intrigued by the African women who balance items on top of their heads as they walk along this road. I am in awe of their keen ability to do this. (We had the opportunity to ask a young African woman why men do not carry items on top of their heads. She laughed and said that men have no sense of balance.) I hope this ability is something that the African women take pride in. I think it is a very remarkable skill and I envy their great posture!

As we move away from the rural towns, we enter the Drakensberg Mountains area. After reaching our destination, we check into our cabin, sit on the front porch and hope that the afternoon rain will stop so we can go hiking. Eventually, the rain tapers off and we start walking on a path that will lead us to Bushman paintings. That's when I see a baboon! I wonder if I should be afraid. Mendy tells us that he won't approach us so we stop and watch him for awhile. Next, we see other adult baboons with their babies. I am thrilled to see these animals in their natural habitat! Next, we come upon some eland, the world's largest antelope. 

As we continue our hike, we hear thunder rumbling in the background and clouds are moving in. I am feeling unsettled about this. The path we are walking on is steep and fresh rainwater will make it very slippery. Lightning begins to strike and as it gets closer, we play it safe and turn around. It is disappointing to fall short of our goal, yet I marvel at the perfect timing of our decision. Just as we get back to our cabin, the rain begins to fall and continues for most of the night.

We eat our pasta dinner that Mendy prepares for us and afterwards pull out a deck of cards and play Hearts until the electricity shuts off at 10:00 p.m. We attempt to keep playing by wearing headlamps but it's still too dark to see. We call it a night and hope for better weather tomorrow as we plan to hit a new trail at 7:00 a.m. 

As I snuggle into my bed, I can't help but reflect on how protected I felt that day. We turned around at exactly the right time during our hike. In my opinion, that was NOT a coincidence!

To be continued...

Journey To South Africa

  

Saturday, March 7, 2009; Noon

The most unsettling thing for me about going to South Africa is getting there. I do not look forward to sitting in a plane for 18 hours. Actually, I am quite nervous about it. The idea of being tucked into a tiny airplane seat for that long makes me squirm. Thankfully, colleagues coach me around this before my trip by reminding me to set good intentions and expect the best. It works! By the time I board the plane, most of my fears have subsided.

The plane ride is surprisingly pleasant. I sit with my husband and sister-in-law. Excitement fuels our energy as we devise our plan to escape jet lag. We entertain ourselves by watching movies, talking, eating, sleeping and watching more movies. The small movie screens that are implanted into the back of each seat provides us with an adequate menu of viewing choices: popular movies, tv shows, documentaries, music and kids' shows start playing right before our eyes after we make a few simple taps on the screen. When we land in Johannesburg around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 8^th, it does not seem as if we have been on the plane for almost an entire day and night. Surprisingly, I don't need to immediately find a bed and crash. That is a good thing because once we check into our hotel, we park our bags in our rooms, do a sharp u-turn and head out to find a good restaurant.

The restaurant we decide upon is nice and affordable. We are seated at a table that is partially outdoors and the fresh air feels good after being cooped up in a plane for so long. The pop music of the 80's playing in the background catches my attention because it is not the kind of music I expect to hear in South Africa. I order Scottish Salmon, rice and veggies. It's perfectly cooked and tastes wonderful after eating three airplane meals. We linger around the table with a glass of wine before heading back to the hotel around 10:00 p.m. We make plans to meet for breakfast in our hotel lobby at 7:30 a.m. and agree that bags will be ready to load into our rented vehicle so we can move on to our next destination bright and early the next day. I am secretly wishing we did not have to leave so early and at the same time, I am eager to see where the next day will take us.

In only 24 hours after landing in Johannesburg, I have started to adjust to a time difference of seven hours, driving on the left side of the road, being in a vehicle that has the driver's side on the right side of the vehicle, calling traffic lights “robots” and calculating the exchange value of the rand versus the dollar. I am relieved that most people we encounter speak English with only a moderate accent. My culture shock is minimal at this point and it is hard for me to believe that I am really in South Africa. The climate and customs are familiar and I feel as if I am not so far away from home.

Tomorrow we begin our drive to the Drakensberg Mountains where a cabin is waiting for us at Camp Injusuthi. I must admit, I am already excited about leaving the city of Johannesburg and seeing some of the beautiful countryside of South Africa that I've heard about. The dream I've been holding close to my heart of visiting South Africa has finally come true.

More tomorrow!

Beverly

Riding On The Freeway of Love

If someone gave me an old hubcap and asked me to turn it into a piece of art, I would not begin to know where to start.

Obviously, this is not the case for my dear friend, Stacy Wills, owner of A Magic Mom and Her Mandalas.

Stacy transformed this old hubcap into a beautiful piece of art. As a participant in the LandFill Art Project, Stacy donated her time and talent to the cause. (Gotta love the motto of the Lanfill Art Project: Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle.) I invite you to visit the LandFill Art Project website  to view more transformed hubcaps. The creativity that people have put into this project rocks!.

Stacy says, "The hubcap's name is Aretha" - after Aretha Franklin since her song, "Freeway of Love" was my inspiration." Obviously, Stacy loves creating mandalas and the her passion shines through her personal contribution to the Land Fill Art Project.

So, what are you passionate about? How does your passion shine through you?

Blessings!

Beverly

PS: Photo of Aretha by Chloe Wills.

Hug Your Loved Ones While You Can!!

 

Last night was NOT my best night. Kitty Jingo was nowhere to be found and the temperature outside was dropping rapidly. Normally, she will not stay outside when it is cold so I knew that something was not right.

My husband, Greg, goes outside to look for her armed with the cat food container. He walks around the yard while continuously shaking the nuggets loudly. Since Jingo LOVES to eat, the sound of her food usually pulls her toward the front door immediately. When Greg walks back inside without Jingo, my heart sinks. Everything is pointing toward a reality I do not want to face. I stay up until midnight, waiting and hoping that she will come home. Finally, I go to bed with both ears open.

I awake at 2:30 a.m. and pop out of bed. My thoughts start racing. "Jingo is missing!! I've got to find her." I open every door and use my loudest voice to call her. Nothing.

I notice that Banjo, my other kitty, is not sleeping on the bed like she normally does so I start searching for her. When I see Banjo crouched in front of Greg's closet door, I feel hope creep into my heart. I know that Banjo is telling me, "Jingo is in there! Open the door and let her out!"

I slowly open the closet door and my long lost Jingo saunters out. She gives me a look that says, "I missed dinner. Feed me now!" I pick up Jingo and give her the biggest bear hug ever! I am so grateful to have the chance to scoop her up into my arms and hug her, hug her, hug her!

(Greg and I had both looked inside this closet for Jingo and saw no sign of her. Had no idea that she was inside the house the whole time!)

Twenty Four hours later....

Jingo peacefully sleeps on her favorite chair and my heart swells as I notice that tonight is one of my best nights ever!

THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Blessing to you and your fur-babies too!

Beverly

Photo of Jingo taken earlier this week. She was hiding!

Living in the Positive Possibility Zone

I'm sitting in a chair that faces a large, colorful poster that shows various pictures of the thyroid gland. I listen to the doctor in the examining room quiz my mom about her symptoms as they discuss changing the dosage of her thyroid medicine. The doctor wears a crisp white coat decorated with his name on the front pocket. It screams, "I am an expert on thyroids!" 

Suddenly, this doctor turns to me and says, "How old are you?" I wonder why I am now on the hot seat as I tell him I am 46 years old. His next statement shifts me into an invisible, defeated pose. "There's a 50/50 chance that you will also have problems with your thyroid!" I feel my energy drop until it hits the ground. Without missing a beat, my mom winks at me and says, "and there's a 50/50 chance that you will not have any thyroid problems at all!" My energy instantly rebounds.

Can you guess which possibility I'm stepping into? Yep, I'm hanging out in the Positive Possibility Zone. Thanks Mom! You held the door to a positive possibility wide open for me that day,

What reminds to you choose positive possibilities?  

Blessings!

Beverly

Growing Green

 

My sister-in-law is the greenest person I know. Quite frankly, Mendy is so green that her passion for green ways can sometimes be annoying. When I look beyond the part of me that gets annoyed, I see how grateful I am to her for teaching me how to easily make minor changes in my lifestyle that serve the well-being of our planet.

Thanks to Mendy’s commitment and consistent modeling, I’ve leaned a few easy ways to be green. Even though my green actions are simple and minor, it’s a start. The way I see it, starting is better than doing nothing. Besides, I've got four nephews to think about. I want all of them to have the natural resources that I have enjoyed while living on this earth. (Pictured above is Mendy's son, my youngest nephew, Parker Smith.)

Here's a few of my Green ways.

1.I drive a Toyota Prius. This hybrid car puts less pollution in the air and uses less fuel. This was my first conscious effort to make a big choice that promotes the well-being of the earth. My husband and I have shared this car for two years now and it feels good to know that in a small way, we’ve cut down on the amount of pollution we are putting into the air while saving gasoline too.

2. I turn off the water when I’m not using it. Duh! I know this sounds like a no brainer but when I really started paying attention, I realized I was using a lot of water needlessly. Washing dishes and brushing my teeth are two daily places to be mindful of water usage. Also, I’ve shortened the amount of time I stay in the shower.

3. I use a hand towel in the kitchen. I admit, I love paper towels! They are clean, convenient and at my fingertips when I’m in the kitchen. However, it was very wasteful to use a paper towel every time I wanted to dry my hands! I bought a small towel rack and put it on the cabinet door under the sink. Now my hand towel is hanging in a convenient spot and I use it daily.

4. I politely decline bags for my purchases. If the item is small, I drop it in my oversized purse or just carry it around without a bag. If I am going to the grocery store, I bring my own canvas bags. (Yes, Mendy bought these for us!) I have to tell you, using canvas bags is so much better than using those small plastic bags from the store. The canvas bags hold more and they fit in the shopping cart so nicely. Also, I have fewer bags to manage and there is not a big pile of plastic bags to deal with once the I’ve unloaded the groceries. Plus, I never have to worry about a canvas bag breaking. (Thank you Mendy!)

5. I recycle. I have a plastic garbage can in my pantry which I use for the garbage that is recyclable. Every Wednesday I fill up my recycle bin and take it to the street where it is picked up by the city I live in. For this, I am grateful!

6. I recycle the plastic bags that do make it into my house. I take them to our local co-op or I use them for kitty litter disposal. When the plastic bags find a way into my house, I like knowing that they will get a second life instead of immediately going to a landfill where they would pollute our planet.

7. I am buying less bottled water. We are running the tap water through a water distiller. This cuts down on the amount of plastic we send to the landfills.

8. I do my best to be positive. Negative thoughts contribute to the pollution of the earth. I realize that my thoughts have an impact on me, my surroundings and beyond. The more I can generate positive and kind thoughts inside my head, the more they will sprinkle well-being into the environment.

When I was a student at Millsaps College, my sociology teacher, Alan Scarboro, was fond of saying, "if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." I heard that statement from him many times and I believe it’s true. I notice that I feel so good about the tiny steps I’m taking to be green because it shifts me into feeling as if I am part of the solution. I step away from being fearful about the future of our planet and into a place of believing that all of us can change our ways and adjust to the needs of our planet.

I’d love to know if you have made changes in your lifestyle that cater to the well-being of our environment. Please share your suggestions for going green by leaving a comment. I know I’ve only just begun and I’d love to learn more from you!

Blessings!

Beverly

Mendy and Parker

Christmas 2008

Word Up (2009)

 

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not really sure what "word up" means. I do know that it is the title to a fun song made popular by Cameo. I like to listen to it because it makes me want to dance and sing. Yes, I'm know I'm dating myself here because it is an old song. Even so, for some strange reason, this song is playing in my mind right now.

Perhaps I'm thinking about words in general since this is the time of year when I create a theme for the new year. LOVE was my theme for 2008 and it was amazing to see all the different ways that love kept showing up in surprising ways. I began to realize just how significant the whole idea of words and themes can be. (Basically, creating a theme is another way to say "setting an intention.")

So, here I sit with a blank slate in front of me. I've tried on several words to see which one feels right for this year. That's the thing about choosing a theme. Much like shopping for a new a pair of shoes, you can try it on to see how it fits. If you don't like it, you can toss it away and keep searching for that perfect fit.

The word I'm currently leaning toward is BLOOM. There are several things I want to BLOOM into this year. I want to bloom as a creative person, writer, leader, business woman, friend and colleague. I am determined to shine brightly this year. Mmmmm, perhaps I might change my theme to shine? or maybe sparkle?

No, I'm sticking with bloom. There's an energy around the word bloom that feels good to me. I like the connection to the earth and the sense of groundedness that surrounds the word bloom. The only thing I don't like about BLOOM is that is singular so I'm going to change my theme to BLOOMS. That way I can incorporate abundance and unlimited possibilities into my new year's theme.

There are a few more words that will accompany the word BLOOMS as my theme for 2009 evolves. I'm going to take the other words on a test drive before I write about them. 

Have you thought about a theme for 2009? What word or words fit the person you want to be in 2009? or as Cameo would sing, "Come on baby tell me what’s the word."

Happy Intention Setting! (For more on creating yearly themes, see Setting Your Theme for 2007.)

Blessings!

Beverly

Releasing the 'Old and Unwanted'

Once upon a time, my husband and I purchased an Elliptical machine to help us get in shape. We proudly set it up in our sunroom and vowed to use it regularly. Sadly, it just did not happen. My husband and I both lost the vigor that led us to shell out quite a bit of money for something that seemed like a great idea at the time.

Every time I caught a glimpse of the lonely Elliptical machine, I felt a tinge of guilt shoot through my heart. What a waste. I comforted myself by thinking, "I'll start using it....later." Of course, later never came and the constant reminder of failure continued to stare me in the face day after day.

Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore so about a month ago, Greg and I carted the Elliptical machine out to the carport before listing it on Craigslist.com. Yesterday when I watched the starry eyed, young couple drive away with the Elliptical in the back of their truck, I felt a surge of relief rush into my mind, body and spirit. 

Out, Out, Out with the Old and Unwanted!

It feels so good to release things, thoughts, people or places that no longer serve the person you want to be. One of the great things about January is that it is full of energy that screams "I'm making a fresh start!" Sometimes in order to make that fresh start, it is necessary to let go of something that is simply not working for you anymore. The feeling of liberation that comes from doing this is absolutely thrilling!

What might you let go of? What's hindering you? How do you release it and make more room in your life for what you truly want this year?

Happy 2009! May it be your best year ever!

Blessings,

Beverly

Connecting, Creating and Celebrating

Whew! What a week! Traveled to Atlanta to visit with friends/colleagues and walked away with a brand new vision board for the upcoming year. Very exciting! Speaking of vision boards, I finally got to check out The Vision Board book by Joyce Schwarz. Very pleased to see that a photo of my Soar Vision Board was included in the book! Yea!

Received a call from a friend who told me she had finally walked away from a job that was no longer satisfying. Boy, was she happy! Amazing how energizing a LEAP can be. Also, received an unexpected gift from a colleague/client that made my heart smile big time! I added it to my vision board. Can you guess what it is?

Did some great work with clients who continue to inspire me with their courage and determination to live authentically. I adore supporting those who are blooming so brightly. It is an incredible honor.

The energy of visioning is so strong for me right now that I am in the process of designing a series of vision board classes. Not only will we be making vision boards, we will take the process a step further by participating in activities and discussions that will keep your connection to your vision board alive and strong. More to come on this soon.

As we approach the holidays, it’s tempting to put dreams on hold while we shop, eat and play. I normally cut back on classes and the coaching that I offer in November and December because there is low interest and I like giving myself a break too. However, I was speaking with the winner of the I Am Soaring! contest, Tunja Smith and she told me she wanted to schedule her last three coaching sessions in December. Why? She wants to end the year with a BANG! I love Tunja’s perspective on squeezing all she can out of these last two months of 2009. What a great way to set a firm and solid foundation for 2009!

How are you planning to end this year during the next two months? Going out with a bang, whimper, sigh, shout or something else?

Happy Visioning!

Beverly

PS: Wanted to send out a big, special hug to Karin at Creative Chaos. Karin had surgery for breast cancer this week. If you read Karin's blog, you know this lady is talented, funny and full of life. Lots of prayers for healing being sent to you Karin!

A True Halloween Story About Compassion

It's Halloween night and I am trick-or-treating with my friend Becky. Around 9:00 p.m. my plastic jack-o-lantern begins to overflow with candy. Feeling satisfied with our efforts, Becky and I start walking toward our homes. That's when Alex suddenly appears.

 

Alex casually starts talking to us and then, without warning, he grabs the black strap on my plastic jack-o-lantern and tries to steal my candy. I tighten my grip and enter into a serious tug of war position with Alex. I will not lose my candy!

 

The strap breaks and some of the candy spills onto the street. Alex watches the candy fall but I never take my eyes off of Alex. While he is momentarily distracted, I clinch my fingers onto the plastic edge of the jack-o-lantern and continue to pull the candy toward me. Alex quickly follows suit. The plastic cuts into my fingers but I do not care. I know I am going to win. I will not have it any other way.

 

We continue our tug of war with the jack-o-lantern. I stare into Alex's eyes. My thoughts swirl with determination to defeat him. Maybe he can read my mind because suddenly he lets go of the jack-o-lantern. I stumble a bit before I regain my balance. Alex picks up some of the candy from the street and runs away. I assume my troubles are over so I proudly boast about my victory to Becky.

 

As Becky and I continue our walk home, we are engrossed in conversation so I never see it coming. I sure do feel it though.

 

Something strikes me on my back, close to the back of my heart, and knocks my breath out of me. As I turn around to see what struck me, I see Alex running into the darkness once again. As I watch Alex get smaller and smaller, I can't move. That's when it happens. 

  
I feel every bit of Alex's anger, frustration, loneliness and pain. It is so strong that I can hardly breathe. I watch Alex until he disappears into the darkness once again but this time, a part of him stays with me. The part that told me, "I'm hurting."

 

As I feel the pain that Alex is carrying inside of his heart, I become filled with compassion for him. I am determined that I will not add to his pain. I will not talk about this evening. I will not brag about winning. I will not participate in anything that harms Alex, who is frequently the victim of school bullies and ridicule from classmates.

 

The next morning, I get on the school bus that takes me to my 5th grade class across town. I see Alex sitting in a seat, alone. I smile at him before I sit down with some friends. He seems surprised but he smiles back. This exchange between us lifts me up and even though I don't realize it, seeds of love and compassion have been strongly planted into my heart through my encounter with Alex.

 

Alex died before the age of twenty. Where ever you are Alex, I thank you for being one of my best teachers. I hope you are munching on a bunch of sweet candy that has washed all of your pain away. RIP.

 

Beverly Keaton Smith

all rights reserved; 2008

Winner of the I AM SOARING Contest

Meet Tunja Smith -- The grand prize winner of the "I Am Soaring!" contest. Tunja's name was randomly selected from the entries I received. (For details about the contest, click the above link.)

It was so inspiring and heartwarming to read all of the essays and notes that were submitted. Thanks to all who took the time to enter this contest. More contests will be announced in the future so if you did not win this time, your name will be included in future drawings.

Tunja's essay sparkles so much. I hope her words will inspire you as much as they inspire me!  ~ Beverly
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“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost

I am proud of myself for choosing the road less traveled!

Few people follow their dreams. But I have learned that if you always follow the crowd, you will never find your own way. 2008 will be written in my autobiography as the year I made a decision to turn my dreams into a reality. In April 2007, I wrote a vision for my life that would allow me to live my life with passion and always, in all ways on purpose. I sensed life calling me to use my gifts, talents and abilities in a greater capacity. However, the life I desired would come with a huge price. This would mean giving up all that I have known to experience a life better than I could have ever even imagined.

In April 2008, I stepped gracefully into this new season by letting go of my job as a classroom teacher – which is the only profession I have known for the past 12 years. At this point, it was like a paradigm shift. Everything that was attached to me that could possibly serve as hindrances began to exit my life, while new and exciting opportunities began to enter and welcome the new me.

Today, I am working as a math consultant with a private consulting firm. I have also accepted a faculty position with a local college as a student teacher supervisor which will start this fall. Now, I work less days a week which has given me the opportunity to make time for those who matter most – quality time with myself, my husband and my two beautiful daughters. I have really learned to seize the opportunity to grow and learn. I am committed to being the very best ME I can be. This means authentically and confidently showing up as the leading lady in my own life. It takes strength to change. It takes courage to stand up and be who you were created to be. But I am in love with life’s possibilities. My passion to change is greater than the fear that tries to hold me back.

My life truly resembles that of the transformation the caterpillar experiences in order to become a butterfly. The process is difficult, but it is necessary for change to take place. A life of ease leaves us the same for years. But challenges force us to grow and improve. I thank God for “the road less traveled.” It truly has “made all the difference.”

~Tunja Smith, Jackson, Mississippi

Making Big Decisions

 

Upon returning home one day, we pulled into our long driveway, as we always do when we’ve been out and about. From out of nowhere, a squirrel darted into our path. Greg slammed on the brakes and we waited for the squirrel to get out of our way. The squirrel seemed to be in quite a dilemma. He turned to the right, to the left, to the right, to the left and then toward our car. The poor thing didn’t know what to do after unexpectedly seeing a big blue car rolling toward him. Finally, he darted off to the right and went on his merry way.

Greg and I laughed about the squirrel’s inability to make a quick decision. We easily identified with feeling immobilized by an abundance of possibilities. Who hasn’t stood at the fork in the road at some point along the way and wondered "What's next?" While we can follow the lead of Robert Frost and automatically take the road less traveled, sometimes it is necessary to deeply ponder big decisions 

Recently, I encountered a couple of forks in the road along my path. As I hung out in contemplation for awhile, I thought about the process of making big decisions. How do you know if you are making the right choice? What supports you in making the right decision? I turned to a few wise women with these questions and here is what they had to say.

Before I make big decisions in my life, I weigh the pros and cons. It's easier for me to make a decision if that only affects me. However, in most cases, there are other people in my life that must be considered. So my choices have been made with them in mind. Many would call that settling. I don't. It truly makes me happy if other people around me are happy. ~Jan

After I carefully consider my options, if I am not wholeheartedly committed to making a decision, and can delay taking action, I take the time to reach the confidence level necessary before I act. However, if I must act hurriedly, I cling to the decision that wraps itself most tightly around my gut and leap!!! ~Debi

I wait at least 24 hours before deciding anything. For big things I have several processes. I consult friends and people I know less well, or sometimes, complete strangers. Sometimes I'll just pick an odd number, like 11, and ask that many people. Then I'll examine the majority vote and see how my gut feels about that. ~J.

I took this as one of my other processes. The omen. I believe if we really choose to heighten our senses about something, we are given signs. Then there's always the putting the options in a hat and pulling one.  I do this a lot. It's telling in that I read my initial reaction when the "answer" is first revealed. If I'm doing the big internal YAY...then that has to be the right thing. If I begin negotiating with myself for "best 2 out of 3" then maybe I don't really want what I initially pulled after all. ~J.

Also, I will write out the issue in brief and then I'll mail it to myself. This makes certain I don't act too quickly about the issue, and again, my reaction in the opening of that envelope after a couple of days tells me a LOT. I'll either feel like "Yeah...this belongs to me" or "What the HECK were you thinking?" ~J.

I try to wrangle my way through as much of the thought process as possible before I discuss it with significant others. If the decision is something which will not impact anyone else in my family, I weigh my choices and go with my gut instinct. Some things I discuss with my siblings or mom. Other topics I may explore with one of two very close friends, both of whom are bright, realistic and rational, and do not jump into things lightly. This balances my occasionally impulsive side. ~Andi

I pray about these decisions....and I REALLY try to hear what God is trying to tell me about the big decisions. Of course, He works in His own time, and sometimes that doesn't help us much, or at least in that moment. But when one thinks about it, maybe us not getting an answer right away is an answer in a sense. ~Cher

I pay attention to what I am feeling in my body as I think or talk about a big decision. If my stomach starts hurting or if I begin to feel too overwhelmed, I've got a good clue about the direction that is best for me. There have been times when I really wanted to go in one direction but my body made it very clear that it was not my path. ~Beverly

One of the common themes I hear in the above responses is to follow your gut! Take the time to carefully weigh the pros and cons and pay attention to the signals your inner guidance is sending you. Above all else, the heart does not lie.

How do you make big decisions? 

Blessings!

Beverly

PS: Doesn't this bench at Hammonasset Beach in Madison, Connecticut look like a great place to sit and reflect upon a big decision? Photo taken by Beverly Keaton Smith, September 2008.

Blog Love

What a great surprise! Amanda presented me with this award! I have to say, I'm really honored. I'd like to keep this happy feeling flowing forward so I'm listing seven of the many blogs that I love. Feel free to keep passing this around. There are so many wonderful blogs out there and this is a great way for more of them to be recognized and shared with others.

Just Jootie

Joyful Leadership

Dream of Living

Groggy Froggy

The Ultimate Yes

Cafe Entrepreneur

Thru My Lens Lightly

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog;

2. Link the person you received your award from;

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs;

4. Put links of those blogs on yours; and

5. Leave a message on the blogs that you’ve nominated.

"I'm Made Of Money!"

Our wonderful yard guy, Chris, cuts our grass every two weeks. He leaves a bill when he feels like it. I don’t know if this is the best way to do business, but Chris knows that I’ll pay him whenever he gets around to leaving me a bill.

Today, as he was finishing up with our yard, I walked outside and asked him, "Are you going to leave me a bill today?" He replied, "Well, no, I wasn’t planning on it but I can." Being in no hurry to receive the bill, I said, "Whatever works for you, works for me!" Next he yelled out something that surprised me. "I’ll leave you a bill next time. You know, I don’t need money! I’m made of money!"

Actually, this was news to me. I’m pretty sure that Chris is not a billionaire and my guess is that he does indeed need money. I knew he was being playful and yet I wondered if he realized that he was also being powerful in that moment. I couldn’t help but notice the way he smiled as he proclaimed his wealth. He looked bigger and lighter too. It must have been freeing and fun to say "I'm made of money!" and act as if it that was his reality.

I loved hearing Chris shout out such an empowering perspective on money. Personally, I'd veer away from saying, "I don't need money." as that statement does not carry much magnetic energy. However saying or thinking, "I'm made of money." feels pretty darn good! Chris inadvertently reminded me how powerful it can be to try on an empowering belief about money. 

What's your perspective about money? Do you have magnetic energy sprinkled into your perspective about money?

For more on perspectives about money, read Let's Talk About Money.

Blessings and Abundance to all!

Beverly

photo of Buddy in the money by Beverly Keaton Smith 9-5-2008

Fish Musings

Our small, outdoor fish pond has been a source of: joy, frustration, fear, sadness, anger, excitement, entertainment, and tranquility. We inherited six gold fish when we moved into our house only to discover that after a few years of bonding with them, a big, black snake decided to have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Little did we know at the time that all was not lost. Miracously, a few fish eggs somehow managed to produce three, tiny orphans. One of those offspring disappeared but the remaining two fish clung to each other, grew up and became parents themselves this summer.

First I see one baby fish, then another and as they keep appearing, it becomes impossible to get an exact head count on this lively bunch. As I watch the new babies swim around, I imagine that the two big fish must have been awfully lonely to produce such a clan. Problem solved! Now, they have their own fish community.

Most of the fish have learned to associate me with food, so when I walk toward the pond, they swim in my direction and prepare their mouths for delicious, golden flakes of fish food. I toss the food into the pond and watch the fish gobble up the food with gusto and passion.

My eyes are drawn to those three baby fish who hang back though. For some reason, they do not join the other fish. They hover in a corner and miss out on the abundance of food that is floating in the water. They are smaller than the other fish and I assume they are not growing as rapidly because they are not taking advantage of the food that is being offered to them.

It confuses me. Why? Why don’t all of the fish take advantage of the abundance of food? What holds a few of them back? Is it fear? Are they unaware of the grand opportunity that is so close to them? Are they too proud to accept help? Perhaps they do not feel worthy of receiving. Maybe they are afraid to obligate themselves.

I guess those little survivors don’t realize they are cheating themselves out of an opportunity to grow to their full potential. While they are surely surviving, I have to wonder if they are thriving.

Lucky for them, I sprinkle a little food on their side of the pond too. It will be a happy day when I actually see them swim up and chomp, chomp, chomp!

Happy Sacred Sunday everyone!

Beverly

Win 6 Life Coaching Sessions

This is a contest where everyone is a winner!

That's right! You are a winner. I already know this about you. The question is, do you know this about yourself?
 
If you participate in this contest, you are guaranteed to smile and feel great about yourself. Here is all that is required to play.
 
I want to know how you are embracing your gifts and soaring.
 
Your entry will begin with...
 
I am so proud of myself for...........

The grand prize for this contest is...

Six full length , powerful sessions of life coaching valued over $550.

Now, here's the fun part! Your entry (essay, poem, list, written words) will be returned to you when you least expect it. Out of the blue, you will open your mailbox and discover positive, encouraging words written about you, by you. 

Ready to play? Details below.

Good Luck to all!
 

Blessings!
Beverly

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Enter the Embrace Your Gifts and Soar “I Am Soaring!” contest. 

In 500 words or less, please describe how you are soaring in life. Attach your name, address and e-mail address to your entry. Also, please state how you learned about this contest. All of your information is kept strictly confidential and will not be sold or revealed to any other organizations or people. This includes your essays, poems, lists, etc.
 
Begin your poem, list or essay with

I am so proud of myself for...........

Here are some questions to reflect on as another starting place for your entry.

• What are you doing in your life that makes you feel good about yourself?
• How are you proud of yourself for the ways that you show up in life?
• What values do you honor that reflect the most wonderful things about you?
• What challenges have you overcome?
• What accomplishments have you achieved?
• What is beautiful about you, inside and out?

Mail “I am Soaring!” entries to:
Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!
The I’m Soaring Contest
P. O. Box 1341
Jackson, MS 39215

Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your entry. Your entry will be returned to you as a way to remind you of all of the great stuff about you! Won’t that be a nice surprise?

The winner of this contest will receive a total of six, forty-five minute coaching sessions, valued at over $550. All entries will be placed in a basket and one entry will be randomly selected at noon CST on Monday, September 15th.

HOW TO ENTER

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete the official entry form available at www.embraceyourgifts.com.  To be eligible, entries must be completed and received by September 13, 2008. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. All entries shall become the property of Beverly Keaton Smith who is not responsible for lost, misdirected or delayed entries. Entries received by telephone, fax or e-mail will not be accepted. Entries must be mailed to Embrace Your Gifts and Soar! I am Soaring Contest, P. O. Box 1341, Jackson, MS 39215. All entries must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope from the participant.

CONTEST RULES:

The contest is open to all women, age 21 or older.
 
The prize is not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded.

Decisions of the contest judges are final - no substitutions will be available.

One entry per person, deadline to enter: September 13, 2008. Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope must be included with entry in order to qualify for drawing. Attach your name, address and e-mail address to your entry. Specify if you would like to added to our e-mail list and please tell us how you learned about this contest. All of your information is kept strictly confidential and will not be sold or revealed to any other organizations or people. This includes your written entries. 

By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation, of her name for promotion and/or advertising purposes. 

In accepting the prize, the winner acknowledges that Beverly Keaton Smith may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize.

The person whose name is drawn as being the winner of the specific prize will be required to explain why she wants to work with a life coach before the prize is awarded to her. Life coaching sessions will be provided over the telephone.  Winner calls the coach at a prescheduled time that is determined by the coach and winner.  Winner is responsible for all charges related to her telephone service.
        
Beverly Keaton Smith, CPCC
Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!
I am Soaring Contest
P. O. Box 1341
Jackson, Mississippi 39215

Making it a Rainbow Day

 This small hand painted tile hangs in a spot where I see it all of the time. I like the idea of painting my own rainbows. This means I don't have to wait for fate to majestically place one within my view...and of course, I love that too!

Here are 10 ways that I paint rainbows for myself.

• Go to Youtube and watch my sister, Becky Phillips sing from her heart.
• Connect with animals. plants, nature and people.
• Create win-wins.
• Take naps
• Pray
• Write
• Dance
• Count my blessings and practice gratitude.
• Travel
• Dream Big

How do you paint rainbows for yourself?

Blessings to you,

Beverly

Heat, Heat...Go Away! Little Jingo Wants to Play.

  

The sound of an opening door tells my cat, Jingo, that she has an opportunity to escape from the oppressive heat that July brings to the deep south. As she begins her short trek toward the house, her slow pace makes me wonder if an invisible ball and chain is attached to her leg. After making it halfway to the door, she unexpectedly plops down on the concrete driveway. I encourage my two year old kitty by saying. "Come on Jingo, you can do it. Just a few more steps and you will be indoors where it is cool."

Jingo looks defeated and determined as she gets up and aims her slow moving feet toward the door again. Immediately after entering the house, gravity yanks her hot body onto the cool floor. Jingo stares out into space as if she has just been through the most harrowing experience of her life. A few minutes pass before Jingo snaps out of her trance, gets up from the floor, eats dinner, drinks water and curls up on her favorite chair for a nurturing nap.

The next day, Jingo stays indoors even though I give her the opportunity to go outside and play. Apparently air conditioning is more appealing than watching birds, chasing frogs and hunting for bugs during the hot, steamy days of summer in Mississippi. My other cat, Banjo, figured this out weeks ago.

Hope you're staying cool, wherever you are!

Blessings!

Beverly

PS: photo of Banjo and Jingo playing outside in September 2007. 

You Never Know What You Are Going To Encounter...

 

I love how my teal blue, linen skirt flares out around the hem. I’m inclined to purposely sway my hips when I walk or at the very least, twirl until I lose my balance. My summer sandals with the floral design whispers "I am woman" to anyone who notices them. As I dash out the door to run a few errands, I delight in feeling girly and carefree.

I shift my green Miata into gear and settle in for a thirty minute drive. Within two minutes, I catch a glimpse of a white, majestic horse with grand wings trotting away from his castle. I am sure that this beauty is preparing to take flight so I make a left turn into the long gravel road that leads to the castle. I want to notify the king at once. My tiny two-seater forces me to drive slowly so the gravel will not attack the car. It seems to take forever to reach the entrance of the castle. When I do, I am disappointed. The castle is merely a modest home with a screened in front porch. There is a wrecked car parked under the carport and an open building that resembles a small barn. Next to the barn, there is a grassless, fenced empty pen.

What if I get shot for trespassing? Someone with a driveway this long has to be keen on privacy. I discourage these thoughts by focusing on the horse. I’m afraid he is getting too close to Interstate 20. What if he forgets how to use his wings and runs smack-dab into a car? I open the porch door and ease up to the main door of the house. I knock and ring the bell at the same time to convey my sense of urgency even though I already know that no one is home. The house feels too quiet and of course, the horse has wisely planned his escape.

The horse almost makes it to the Interstate before I find him. After getting a better look at him, I realize he looks old, tired, hot, underfed and neglected. His coat is a dull, dingy, shade of dirty snow with extra black markings speckled along his tummy. The majestic wings have vanished. Maybe he has a good reason for running away. I admire his attempt to go for it, yet I know that I cannot bear to see him get hurt because of reluctance on my part to sidestep a few errands.

Miracously, the horse turns around and heads toward his house. I’m thankful to see him move away from Interstate 20 even though I doubt he is going to simply trot home and go back to bed. I reach for my cell phone and call my husband. "Greg, give me the number for the local police! There’s a loose horse on the road and I’m going to save it." You would think this kind of news would invoke a substantial response, but my husband just says, "Where’s the phone book?"

As I call the police, a couple drives up and joins my horse rescue mission. The guy in the driver’s seat shouts from his car window to mine, "Call 911!" I want to say, "Don’t tell me what to do!" but I politely respond, "I’m calling the police now!" I continue to follow the horse while the other couple follows me. I stop my car, get out and briefly talk to the concerned couple about the horse. I’m glad to have their company and feel more hopeful that this horse ordeal will soon have a happy ending. As I return to my car, I say, "You never know what you are going to encounter in a day, do you?" Everyone laughs and nods because none of us expected to be on horse duty this afternoon.

With my car’s help, I herd the horse toward the side of the road. When I get a little too close for comfort, the horse shoots me a look that says, "Give me a break, would ya? I was just trying to have some fun!" After this, he picks up speed and gallops into my neighborhood and disappears. When the police arrive, I tell them all I know about the horse and wave good-bye. Relieved, I take a deep breath and focus on my list of errands again. 

I doubt that horse is going to be happy about being captured. My guess is that he will pursue freedom again. If he does, I hope he will sprout magnificent wings and safely travel to a magical wonderland with green pastures, cool breezes and waterfalls of love before happily returning home.

by Beverly Keaton Smith

Copyright 2008; Beverly Keaton Smith

Embracing Gifts and Soaring!

I am filled with gratitude for women who Embrace their Gifts and Soar! Here are just a few who come to mind.

Want to see more beautiful soy mandala candles like the one pictured above? Visit the Luminous Soul website to see their full selection. While you are there, meet wildly talented Stacy Wills of A Magic Mom and Her Mandalas. I've purchased some of these mandala candles and I can tell you first hand, they are high quality candles that bring a good dose of positive energy into any room. They make great gifts too!

Looking for inspiration to create your own mandalas? Visit Cheryl Finley at Art in Every Day and ask her about joining the Mandala Oasis on line group. It's one of the best free resources around for gaining tips, inspiration and support on creating mandalas.

Christina Frei makes being a dork about the coolest thing ever! Visit her dork friendly website at Dork Central. Find out what kind of dork you are (I'm a coconut dork!) and learn about other great, fun, entertaining things about dorkiness. Geared toward kids and a great play land for adults too!

If you are looking for support, wisdom, guidance, understanding or resources about perimenopause, pull up a chair and visit with Jennifer Boire at MsMenopause. Her blog is packed with wonderful insights, resources and wisdom regarding this transitional time in a woman's life. I often read Jenn's latest post and feel more at peace about some of the changes I am experiencing in my body during this phase in my life. Highly recommended!

Judy Berry is a whole lot more than Just Jootie. Judy has a gift for weaving stories, wisdom and inspiration all into one lovely package. She can take something that seems like an ordinary, every day occurrence and fill it with sparkle and meaning. Her endless creativity always finds a way to warm my heart.

If you've missed out on ZenaMoon candles, now's the time to explore the ever growing selection of candles that encourage and empower by offering a wide variety of quotes and inspirational phrases that support you on a path that is in alignment with your soul. Carla Blazek's blog, Zena Musings is a winner too and she is the originator of the the popular Sacred Sunday blogging community. Yea Carla!

Karin over at CreativeChaos is not only a master of making the most beautiful crafts ever, she is also a gifted writer who naturally threads humor into her creative writing. She's pretty darn good with a camera too. This lady has it going on!

There are so many more women I could add to this list. If you'd like to share how you are Embracing Your Gifts and Soaring, drop a note in the comment field. I'd love to hear from you.

Blessings!

Beverly

A Butterfly or a Bra (or a ........)

The sand hugs my toes as I walk along the shore of the beach. I notice a young boy playing in the surf. He is full of aliveness and spunk, unlike the grandfatherly man who is with him. The boy gives his head a sharp turn to shake stringy, wet hair from his eyes as he holds a small open shell up in the air so his grandfather can see it. "When shells are open like this, they look like a butterfly or a bra."

The boy's conclusion seems to fall upon deaf ears so he adds more enthusiasm into his voice as he repeats himself. "WHEN SHELLS ARE OPEN LIKE THIS, THEY LOOK LIKE A BUTTERFLY OR A BRA!" His words are still ignored so he turns toward the ocean, tosses the shell into the water and looks at the horizon as if it is speaking to him.

I resist my temptation to run up to the boy and scream out,"What else does your imagination call forth? You've thought of two great possibilities! Now, what else does an open shell look like?"  But, the moment is lost and the window of opportunity closes as I decide to quietly continue my solitary walk along the shore.

As the boy and his grandfather disappear from my view, I enter a contemplative mood around the subject of imagination and options. It is empowering to search for several possibilities in any given situation. Limited thinking and smaller outcomes are often generated from the "either/or" and the "this or that" approach. Who wants that? There's always at least three or more options in any situation. The best way to make a well-informed choice or to get the most desirable result is to explore as many possibilities as possible. Instead of getting stuck in "black or white" thinking, search for other colors too.

So, what do you see in the photo above....besides a butterfly or a bra? (there are no wrong answers!)

 Blessings!

Beverly

Remembering Dad

Dear Dad, Today and everyday, I think of you. Thank you for all you taught me, all you left me and all the love you felt for me. My deepest wish is that you can still feel the love and gratitude that I have for you. I miss you but I know that you are still with me in spirit.  ~Bev

 

This photo was taken early in the morning on June 11th, which would have been my father's 70th birthday. I was vacationing at Fort Walton Beach, Florida with my family and when I stepped outside to welcome the day, I discovered this gift. I am absolutely certain that Dad sent it to me!

Happy Sacred Sunday and Love to all!

Beverly

Bucket Listing

As I settle in for an eight hour flight across the North Atlantic Ocean. I look at my seat-mate who is a member of a women's tour group that I'm traveling with. I ask her if she is excited about the days ahead and she enthusiastically says, "Oh yes, going to Switzerland is the last thing on my Bucket List. I'm very excited!"

While her words impress me, the fire in her eyes pulls me in and makes me curious to know about all that she has already checked off of her Bucket List. I do not ask because I don't want to pry. Still, I'm amazed that she has been so timely and efficient at creating and completing a Bucket List. When I suggested that it is time to make a new Bucket List, she agreed. I could tell by her big smile that she had already been thinking the same thing. 

In case you don't already know this, a Bucket List is a list of things you want to do or see before you "kick the bucket". The term was made popular in the movie, The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. It's a very touching and inspiring movie that will be released on DVD on June 10th.

My ten day trip to Switzerland was rich with new sights and experiences. The photo above was taken as I took a solitary walk down the sidewalk by River Ruess in Lucerne, Switzerland. The sun was beginning to set and it seemed to cast a large spotlight on the far away snow covered peaks as a storm slowly made its way into the city.

I've been thinking about my own Bucket List. What next? What do I really want to do or see before I die?

Isn't it great to know that you can complete everything on your list and then have enough time left to make a new list?!

What would you put on your Bucket List?

Something to think and dream about, eh?

Blessings!

Beverly

Nurturing Sleep

How perfect it is that human beings require sleep!

Here's when I think sleep is the best thing ever. It's when I have been sleep deprived and am functioning on nothing but fumes. Finally, the opportunity to bury myself under an inviting blanket envelopes me and I instantly fall into the deep sleep that I yearn for. This sleep is so powerful that I'm certain it transports me directly to heaven. 

This is how I spent my sacred Sunday afternoon after rising at 3:00 a.m. to catch an early morning flight that transported me from Connecticut to Mississippi. Oh, how I loved diving into slumber land this afternoon!

How do you feel about sleep? When is your favorite time to grab some zzzzzz's?

Happy Sacred Sunday to you!

Beverly

PS:

The above photo was taken from a restaurant called Elizabeth's Cafe in Madison, Connecticut. When I looked out the window from my seat inside the restaurant, all I could see was a photo so I took out my camera and captured the moment. The tree was just beyond it's flowering peak and the pink petals were falling like snow. What a magical moment!

Sisters

Do you recognize this man? I'll always see him as Willie Wonka even though he's better known as Gene Wilder. One thing that has always struck me about this icon is his amazing blue eyes so it was a real treat to see those blue eyes in peson!

Gene's latest book is The Woman Who Wouldn't and even though I've not read the book yet, I've got a signed copy in my possession now.

I'm away from home spending time with family while waiting for my new nephew to be born. My sister-in-law, Mendy, will be giving birth any day now. Doesn't she look great?! 

If you have any suggestions for encouraging a baby to be born, I'd love to hear them. I really want to see this little guy before I go home! We've been taking daily long walks/hikes, sipping Raspberry tea and enjoying a few spicy meals.

Speaking of births and sisters, a big Happy Birthday goes out to my sister, Becky today! 

There is much to celebrate today and everyday. Today, I am celebrating and giving thanks for my sisters.

What will you celebrate?

Blessings!

Beverly

Connect, Dance, Love and Write!

This mug has been in my house for two years and I've never taken a sip out of it until this past weekend. I couldn't find my standard travel mug so I tossed this one into the small bag I packed for my trip to Atlanta, Georgia where I attended a workshop on combining physical movement with writing called "Write of Passage" presented by Lori Saltzman. (If you ever have the opportunity to work with Lori, go for it. She is a masterful leader and this particular workshop is powerful and fun!)

I bought this mug when I was in Taos, New Mexico attending the Writer's Spa led by Jennifer Louden and Suzanne-Falter Barnes. I have enjoyed admiring the mug but never felt inclined to actually use it. Now that I've christened this mug, I am eager to hold it in my hands and enjoy many more sips of hot tea while being reminded to "Connect, Dance, Love and Write" since it now holds sacred energy from the powerful workshop that I attended. Isn't it interesting how there is a time and place for everything to unfold in divine perfect order?

What infuses your special, sacred objects with meaning?

Blessings!

Beverly

Sacred Kitchen

If the kitchen is truly the heart of the house, my house was slowing moving toward a heart attack.

Okay, sounds dramatic, I know, but I really hated my kitchen until last week. It felt small and cluttered and it needed a good spring cleaning. My answer? Avoidance! Since my husband does most of our cooking, I had a good excuse to stay away from the kitchen.

While visiting friend and colleague, Susan Freeman, in Boulder, Colorado, I walked into her immaculate, inviting kitchen and got a good dose of inspiration to give my kitchen a mini make-over. Thank you Susan!

My husband and I cleaned out the kitchen cabinets and let go of many items we did not use. This created a lot more space in the cabinets so nothing is stored on the counter tops anymore. Now, our kitchen feels bigger and healthier! Next, we cleaned out the pantry and tossed out food that was expired or unwanted. Then, I pulled out the rubber gloves and cleaned under the sink, in the cabinets, the pantry and the appliances. 

To top all of this off, on sacred Sunday we went to Linen's N Things and purchased a new set of pots and pans along with a few other odds and ends. I've also decided to wash more of the dishes instead of relying solely on the dishwasher so I picked up a dish rack too.

Since I plan to learn to cook, I knew the first step was to make the kitchen as inviting and functional as possible. Yes, really! I am going to learn to cook. As someone who grew up haunted by eating disorders and body image problems, I spent many years seeing food as an enemy instead of my friend. However, there was something about visiting Susan that made me want to step into a new perspective with food preparation, the kitchen and making healthier choices. While the eating disorders of long ago have been healed, I guess a little residual dysfunction was still hanging on and separated me from the joy of cooking.

Here's to happy kitchens, delicious healthy meals and strong beating hearts that pump aliveness into bodies and homes!

If you'd like to recommend good cookbooks or share healthy, easy recipes with me, I'd be grateful! You can post them in the comments so others can enjoy them too or send them to Bev @  EmbraceYourGifts.com

Blessings!

Beverly

No Show, Rocky Flow, No Woe

The final performance of "Tuesdays with Morrie" was presented at New Stage Theatre yesterday and I really wanted to see it. Greg was not available to go with me and I didn't know of anyone who would be free at the last minute, so I decided to enjoy the performance alone and call it an artist's date.

I learned about the concept of an artist's date years ago after reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. The idea is to have a date with yourself once a week in order to feed your connection to your creativity.

I have noticed that since I've been working on a few creative projects, I have felt the need for a creative connection to something outside of my own stuff. Perhaps the concept of an artist's date not only feeds creativity but brings inspiration and a break to those who are already in a creative mode.

After driving into a very full parking lot, I got a little intimidated. I am a little rusty at going to these kinds of events alone. Now that I've been married for almost seven years, I usually have a companion. Nonetheless, I got out of my car and walked into the theatre. Apparently many others had the same idea because several other hopeful people were waiting to get tickets. I decided to wait it out and assume that I would get to see the show. When they told those of us who didn't make it into the coveted seating area that the show was sold out, I was so disappointed that I almost cried. I walked back to my car feeling as if I'd lost my best friend.

Coach Beverly came out to give me a little pep talk. "Everything is how it is meant to be. Everything happens for a reason. What did you learn from this? How do you turn lemons into lemonade?" Before I knew it, my car was heading toward a women's clothing store and I found some great, fun tops that suit me perfectly. I topped off the afternoon by going shoe shopping and even though I didn't find any that I liked, it sure was fun trying on shoes and being selective about all of my purchases.

Big lesson here? Go with the flow. When the music changes, find a new way to dance. Everything does happen for a reason and everything is how it is meant to be. I really believe that.

I'm still feeling inspired to schedule weekly artist's dates with myself. Now that we have entered the the glorious season of spring, the juices are really flowing. I want to do everything I can to support the ever expanding right side of my brain. If you have any fun, suggestions for a solitary artist's date, I'd love to hear about them. Just leave a comment and share if and how you nurture your creativity.

Happy belated Sacred Sunday!

Beverly

PS: Photo of Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii taken by Greg Smith in April 2007.

Happy Easter!

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Humpty Dumpty. I pretend that the kings horses and kings men really can put Humpty back together again. I am totally unwilling to accept that Humpty's existence ends after he falls off of that darn wall.

Sometimes life feels like that though. We take a great fall and sink so low that we think we will never shift back into joy.

One of my dad's favorite sayings was, "this will pass" and he often said it to me when I felt that my life had hit bottom permanently. He was right. My woes and troubled times have always passed.

Just as there are seasons in the year, there are seasons in all aspects of our lives. If you are in a tough spot, remember that the darkness will pass and you will see the sun again. 

Happy Easter and blessings to you,

Beverly

PS: here is the cartoon that Storyteller mentioned in her comment. I posted it, removed it and now am reposting it. Thanks Storyteller, this made me laugh too when I first saw it!

Sisterly Love

This photo of two redheaded sisters was taken about 38 years ago. The camera did a great job of capturing our youth, giggles and joy.

Lately, I've been feeling old....er. I seem to age over night. I'm bouncing along, living my life, and then one morning I look in the mirror and see someone I do not recognize. Then, I realize that an older version of me has arrived.

Nothing is going to stop the aging process and I'm not sure I'd want to stop it if I could. All the phases of life are precious.  Even so, I know the present is really where it's happening now. No need to spend too much time and energy worrying about getting and looking old, (aka future.) No  matter what I look like on the outside, I know that the little girl in the photo will always exist in my heart!

Happy Sacred Sunday everyone!

Blessings,

Beverly

PS: Thanks for sending this photo Mom!