My 11-year old nephew takes forever to make a decision. Really. Family dinners out are always an interesting event; usually resulting in the waitress coming back 3-4 times to see if we are ready to order. We usually aren’t. My nephew is always full of questions like, “Will I like it?” “What happens if I don’t like it?” “What does it taste like?” and “What are you getting?” (asked to everyone sitting at the table).

During a recent family visit, I wondered to myself why it was so hard for my nephew to decide on anything. I think, like most of us, he is simply worried that he may make the wrong decision. For him – an 11 year old child – having to sit through a meal that he ends up hating, well it’s a big deal (ahh to be a kid again).  Well I think he holds the same fear and trepidation we all have when it comes to making a decision. When we are faced with decisions like whether or not we should: accept a new job, start a family, move to a new city, buy a new home — these are all big deals and ones that can make even the easiest of decision-makers shake in their boots.

I have a secret to share with you about decisions. There is no such thing as a bad decision. Okay, okay – some decisions can be classified as bad (as you will see in a minute), but bet your bottom dollar that good or bad — you will come out of the experience with knowledge and understanding – much more than you had before. And, I’ve got proof!

1. At 8 years old I thought it would be a neat idea to jump over my brother while he was break-dancing. Got that? JUMP OVER MY BROTHER WHILE HE WAS BREAK DANCING. The result: I busted my chin. What I learned: Never ever jump over my brother (or anybody for that matter) while they are break-dancing on the ground. In fact, I don’t jump over anything that moves on the ground. I learned my lesson and I have scar that reminds me of it, every single day.

2. At 16 years old I cut my own hair. I was home alone, bored and their were scissors. Result: I was a teenager who cut their own hair. What do you think the result was? Yeah, it wasn’t good. Luckily my mother was a hair stylist and attempted to fix my very short and very crooked hair-cut.  It took months to grow back and was still very short in my Senior Year High School photo. What I learned: I learned a couple from this one. The first, never cut my own hair. The second, hair grows back – so having someone cut it short (for something like Locks of Love) every now and again is  a-okay.

My above examples aren’t life altering ones — but they do show that from them I learned something. When it comes to making a decision that is going to change the way you work, live or play – the only bad decision is to not make one at all. Decide, live and learn from it.

Your Blooming has always been a project near and dear to my heart. It is a project that I started simply because I truly felt like this is what I am supposed to be doing. Sharing my story and the stories of others all as a way to inspire others to live their dreams – follow their heart – no matter what.

Your Blooming is a site that is engulfed in my life’s motto – live your dreams. On the eve of the re-launch of the website and the podcast; I am full of many emotions. Happy, sad, nervous and absolutely inspired.   Happy because I am back, sad because I was gone, nervous because I don’t know what the future holds and inspired because if the past is any indication of what the future does indeed hold, it is going to be an absolutely amazing ride. With that being said, I do not know where this amazing ride will take me,  the people I will meet along the way or the obstacles I may face.  But, I do know this.. it sure is good to be back!

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. ~Paul Valery

I am wide awake and ready to roll. Are you? Woot, woot!

Woohoo! Feel Good Fridays are back and along with that, so am I!

Have a wonderfully inspiring weekend!

The Quilts of Love are quilts created in memory of those that passed away and whose organs were donated for transplantation. Each panel is in memory of someone’s loved one — a brother, a sister, father or mother. I had the opportunity to see some of the quilt panels two years ago. It was an extremely moving experience and one I will never forget. The Quilts of Love will be on exhibit again this year. Read below for more information:

A Legacy of Love and Life: NJ Sharing Network Quilts Exhibition
Hosted by Jersey Shore University Medical Center

NJ Sharing Network is partnering with Jersey Shore University Medical Center for National Donate Life Month to showcase our “Quilts of Love.” These beautiful quilts were made with love by the families of the true heroes of transplantation, our organ and tissue donors. The quilts put a human face on the subject of donation and have a powerful impact on those who see them.

A selection of quilts will be on display from April 14th through April 30th in the main Atrium at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

On Wednesday April 14th 2010, at 11:30am we will have a presentation in the Atrium of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center to officially open the Quilt Exhibit. We would love for you to attend and pay tribute to all those who have given the gift of life.

Directions can be obtained at Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s website at: www.jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com

Nothing is more inspiring than love…

I have been away from the Your Blooming blog and podcast for two months.  You see, for reasons I do not wish to share, I began to question whether or not what I was doing here at Your Blooming really meant anything. Was it all worth it, I wondered? Was I truly bringing smiles, joy, inspiration and motivation to my readers? I didn’t know. After some soul searching, I realized, I was in need of some inspiration of my own!

And, guess what? I have found it, today on poz-art.com. I learned of some awesome news. You see, Poz-art, the people behind the book “I Love the World Because…” recently designed coloring pages to send off to “AFiveoh4Uplifting”, a charity that sends packages to children in the hospital and shelters, simply meant to brighten their days.

Judith and Julia Da Rocha (poz-art.com) and the woman behind AFiveoh4Uplifting, Tabitha are amazing individuals. I am not just saying this as an outsider observation. Both Judith and Tabitha have been guests on Your Blooming.  The fact that Judith and Tabitha formed a kinship in order to brighten the days of those in need, well, that gives me hope, that yes, Your Blooming is important, it has a purpose. If by some chance Your Blooming brought these two people together, well, that in and of itself is inspiring.

Thank you ladies for reminding me there are honest to goodness people out there doing good for others and not expecting anything in return. Inspiration to grow on, indeed.

Check out Poz-art.com for some amazing art, books and more: http://www.poz-art.com

Check out AFiveoh4Uplifting to learn more about Tabitha’s amazing charity: http://www.afiveoh4uplifting.org/

After writing this post about Snowflakes, I got to thinking about more complex and thought-provoking things. Like, the fact that no two individuals are exactly alike. We each have our own strengths and our own weaknesses. Acknowledge these differences. It is okay to reflect on what makes you different, whether it be good or bad. While it is fine to reflect and change things about yourself, remember, it is also not a good thing to ever judge a person based on their differences. You have no idea what is going on in another’s person’s life, the battles he or she may be facing (or not).  You may be smiling and happy and the person next to you may have their face all scrunched up in a frown. Instead of thinking…”What a grump!” take a step back and realize he or she may just be having a bad day, maybe they just lost their job or worse yet, a close relative or friend.

It seems that sometimes we bring others down to our level, thinking they are exactly like we are..with the same thoughts and feelings. When in actuality, no two individuals are exactly alike. Respect others and they too, will do the same.

I wanted to share with you some images I found to be inspiring, they are of snowflakes. Yes, I said snowflakes.  In fact, let me share with you a quick story.

I spent my 32nd birthday doing one of the things I enjoy the most… Shopping!  After buying a new pair of jeans and smelling different lotions and body sprays at Bath and Body Works, I headed over to my most favorite store in the whole wide world, Barnes and Noble. Ever since I was a child, I loved books. They fascinate and inspire me. They bring a calmness over me, unlike anything else. I heart books. I really really do. Now, when I enter a bookstore, I just walk up and down the aisles, pretty much aimlessly, until something catches my eye. This day was like any other. As I was walking down one of the aisles a purple book with a snowflake on the front of it caught my eye. So, I stopped dead in my tracks and started flipping through the pages.

I was instantly amazed. The book titled “Snowflakes” by Kenneth Libbrecht was full of breathtaking images of snowflakes. The colors and complexities of these white pieces of ice were astounding! It turns out the author of the book is a physicist who captured the crystals seconds after they fell to the ground using microscopic photography.  Another thing that inspired me about the book so much, were the quotes interspersed throughout the book.  I am a sucker for a good quote — take this one for example on page 162 of the book:

“New beauty meets us at every step in all our wanderings.” – John Muir

To make a long story short, I bought the book. How could I not? When I came home, I told my husband about it with excitement in my voice and showed it to him. It did not speak to him like it spoke to me. However, that is okay. What inspires one, may not inspire others.  To this day, the book still inspires me. In fact, as I type this post, I am flipping through the pages and am again, astounded by the beauty of it all. Nature is amazing.

Live Science.com has an image gallery of Libbrecht’s snowflakes. Here is just a taste of what inspired me so:

http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/igviewer.php?gid=35

Also check out Kenneth Libbrecht’s website: http://www.snowcrystals.com

You may have seen this on the internet, links tweeted on Twitter…but it is definitely worth watching more than once. Believe it or not, this video choked me up! Here is a Feel Good Friday video just for you:

I am always on the lookout for inspiring stories to highlight either in a Your Blooming podcast or on my blog. I recently came across a website movement called: Spirit Jump.  Spirit Jump started in November 2008 by two women that battled cancer themselves. The first is Meaghan, who was diagnosed with end stage cancer in 2007 and after many treatments, is now cancer free.  Stacy, the other woman behind the program,  is currently fighting the battle against Stage IV Melanoma.

Spirit Jump directly connects a gift giver (or Spirit Jumper) with a person battling cancer, with the hopes of lifting the spirit of the gift receiver. The gift can be a hand-made craft, or simply a card. The choice is totally up to the giver. The entire point is to simply bring a smile to somebody’s day, that surely needs it.  Now, I ask you, how inspiring is that?

Learn more about Spirit Jump by visiting Spirit Jump’s website.