Ok, so I am a day late for my Feel Good Friday post. Please forgive me!
I was first introduced to this video on the Virtual Assistant Forums. Every time I watch it, it makes me feel good, so that is why it is the second entry into Feel Good Friday posts. The video depicts Juan Mann, on the streets of Sydney, giving out free hugs. Hugs, in my opinion, reign supreme when it comes to the feel good factor. Now there are Free Hugs Campaigns around the world! To learn more about Juan and the Free Hugs Campaign visit: http://www.freehugscampaign.org/
Something was off this week, I felt like something was missing. Whatever the case, it was just one of those weeks. You know what I am talking about. A week in which you feel like you aren’t getting enough things knocked off of your to-do list. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but my energy was lackluster.
As I sit here on this somewhat gloomy Saturday morning, in my office, it just clicked. Something WAS missing. Because I was so busy, I did not have any extra time to do the one thing I love the most. Podcast Production. Producing podcasts makes me happy, it allows me to be creative in so many different ways. By nature, I am a creative person. I enjoy designing websites, creating videos, creating audio, writing stories and more. So, any time spent on podcast production whether it be updating the look of my website (which I started to do earlier in the week, but then had to put that on hold) or coming up with topics for future episodes, I am at my most happiest. This is not to say that I am not happy when I am doing other things. Many things I do in my life make me happy, especially when it comes to the work I do for my clients.
The point here is, I didn’t find the time to do the one thing that makes me the MOST happiest. We all have to remember to stop and take time to ourselves, to take joy in whatever it is that makes us ultra-happy. I believe by doing so, we will see amazing results in our lives and in our work. Energy levels will rise and stress levels will decrease. Remember to take the time to do what you love. I certainly will do my best to do so! FYI: if you are a subscriber to my blog or following me on Twitter and see I am not active, this can only mean one thing — I am ultra-busy and forgetting to stop and smell the roses — Send me a message and remind me to take my own advice, okay?
“Continue to Follow Your Dreams ~ Do What You Love ~ The Rest Will All Fall into Place” Darlene
I stated in my first podcast that I would incorporate my life story into various episodes and blog posts. In the first episode of Your Blooming, I talked about how my life began.
I would like to take you through my journey which has led me to the path I am currently following today. I recently wrote a guest blog post for Nacie Carson over at The Life Uncommon. I am going to take excerpts from that blog post and elaborate on them here. So, without further delay — here is part one in My Journey.
I was born on an autumn day in 1976. I was premature and because of this I was born with several birth defects. I was only a few hours old when I underwent my very first surgery. For the first six years of my life; the hospital was my home away from home. The doctors and nurses were my friends, the other patients my playmates and my mother was by my side every single step of the way. While other children my age were playing kick ball in the playground, I was participating in wheel chair races up and down the hallway of the 2nd floor pediatric unit. Although my days were spent in the hospital, I was always a happy child and it showed.”
The biggest memory I have of the time spent in the hospital is being with my mother. She was always there, always. I would wake up in the morning and she was there. When the lab technician would come to take my blood each morning, my mother was there to hold my hand. In fact, she taught me how to count at an early age, just as a way to distract me from having my blood drawn. When the techincian was about to plunge the needle into my arm, my mother would take my opposite hand and say “Ok, Darlene…let’s count.” And together, we would count, all the while my blood was being drawn. Eventually, I learned my ABC’s this way too. We would also sing together, tunes like “You Are My Sunshine” and “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck”. She was loving, caring and always there.
It is no wonder then, that I look back on the times in the hospital without any sadness or fear. My very own guardian angel, my mother, was always there to watch over me and protect me.
**My mother shares her side of things in an upcoming podcast episode.**
My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so when I read about The Pink Ribbon Tennis Tournament, I knew I had to share this information with you.
The Pink Ribbon Tennis Tournament was started by Lori Perkins, after her mother, Shirley, faced and fought breast cancer. Because of her mother’s strength and bravery, she was inspired to create The Pink Ribbon Tennis Tournament for Breast Cancer Awareness.
The event took place this past weekend, March 20-21 and was a success! Just seven years old, the participation has grown by leaps and bounds. There were 192 teams involved in this year’s event. The first year there were 32 teams. You can read the full story as featured in the Pensacola News Journal here.
Also, be sure to visit pinkribbontennis.com to see pictures from the event and more!
Nothing is better than sitting in my office on a Friday afternoon with the sun shining in through the windows and the sound of music surrounding me. Listening to music while I work makes me happy and it certainly lifts my spirit. Some songs and artists have the tendency to lift my mood more than others. Jack Johnson is one such artist. So, without first adieu here is my first contribution to my Feel Good Friday Music post — Enjoy!
“Understand Your Purpose in Life
by Feeling Your Heart’s Desires”– Marcia Wieder
I received this quote the other morning and it could not have come at a better time! I recently spoke with Nacie Carson, writer and creator of The Life Uncommon book and blog. Nacie’s philosophy and message is all about following your life’s purpose.
Nacie, a freelance writer, is living the life she has always dreamed about. However, it did not start out that way. In this podcast Nacie shares her story of how she left her job working at a financial software company in order to lead the life she always wanted. Nacie is a well-spoken and inspiring individual. Her words are insightful and her spirit truly uplifting. An added bonus, the quote Nacie shares, courtesy of her mother, is fantastic!
I hope you have just as much fun listening to the podcast as I did producing it.
I came across this video on KarmaTube, a website that posts videos full of inspiration. The man in this video, Matt, traveled to 42 countries in 14 months. Matt is shown doing the Gratitude Dance with people he met all throughout his travels.
Get out of your chair and dance, just dance. I know you want to
Now that Your Blooming has officially launched I am lining up guests for future episodes. So, what is in store?
The second episode of Your Blooming will feature Nacie Carson, author of “The Life Uncommon.” Nacie will share her story about how she left corporate America to fulfill her lifelong dreams. In yet another episode, I will be speaking with Lisa Forbes, the women behind the “International Adoption Guide”, a blog setup to help people traverse through their journey to adopt a child.
Another podcast will feature a mother who cared for her daughter that had several health issues as a child. This women in particular never imagined she would be able to care for a child with health issues, but she embraced the responsibility and raised a daughter that now lives a life full of happiness and gratitude.
All of these stories are on different topics, but each of them resonate loudly the strength, courage and inspiration of these individuals.
If you have an inspiring story you would like to share, please visit the Be A Guest page.
Every morning, I receive a few “Quote of the Day” emails. Some days I read these emails and think to myself, “Oh, well isn’t that nice?”, then I quickly delete it from my inbox and move on. On other days, a quote may resonate with me or simply cause me to smile. When the quote evokes such a response, I like to share it with others. Today was such a day and so, here is the quote:
” I’ve continued to recognize the power individuals have to change virtually anything and everything in their lives in an instant. I’ve learned that the resources we need to turn our dreams into reality are within us, merely waiting for the day when we decide to wake up and claim our birthright.” -Anthony Robbins
Do you have a dream you want to fulfill? Well, what are you waiting for?
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