Sue Edwards

Happy Blogging about Whatever . . .

Great “Quote of the Day”

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts, Oprah

I recently subscribed to daily email updates from the Oprah Magazine website.  So far it hasn’t “wow”ed me as much as I had hoped.  But today’s “O’s Quote of the Day” really spoke to my soul and to some things that are going on in my life right now, so I wanted to share it!

Christopher Reeve said:

“We can either watch life from the sidelines, or actively participate… Either we let self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy prevent us from realizing our potential, or embrace the fact that when we turn our attention away from ourselves, our potential is limitless.”

Without doing too much self-disclosure here, I can say that focusing our attention on ourselves definitely severely limits our potential and our ability to participate passionately in life - ours and others’.

This is one of those quotes that deserves to be written on an index card and reflected on daily!

3 Tips To Help You Start Manifesting Your Dreams & Desires Like a Pro!

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts

Do you remember that first spark of hope you felt when you watched the movie “The Secret”?  I clearly remember the excitement that filled my heart, knowing that – Yes, I can make my dreams come true – FINALLY!

But how many of us soon saw that hope dwindle into frustration?  How many of us (and let’s be honest here) started muttering things like:

• “It seems to work for other people, but I just can’t get it right.”

• “I’m frustrated that sometimes I can get it to work, but sometimes I can’t. What’s the trick?”

• “Why am I having so much trouble?”

• “I think the Universe must just be against me.”

• “I’m trying really, REALLY hard but still nothing is happening!”

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.  About 97% of people couldn’t make the “Law of Attraction” work for them the first time round.  Think about it, just like anything else, you have to practice things many times before you see successful results.  A toddler doesn’t learn to walk without falling over a couple of times, right?

But in practice, implementing the Law of Attraction is easier said than done.  When you’re frustrated, it’s hard to stay positive.  And it’s especially hard to stay positive when the evidence all around you is screaming negativity  - like the unstable economy or high crime rates or world hunger.

But do you know what happens when you fail to stay positive?  That’s right – you start attracting negative things directly in to your own life.

So how can you make the Law of Attraction work for you – without getting frustrated?  How do those who successfully implement the Law of Attraction do it with such confidence and finesse?

Well, here’s three quick tips so you will never again feel frustrated or get tired of begging from the universe, because you’ll know how to start manifesting like a pro.

1) Allow Yourself to Receive

Just like a lost child who approaches a police officer and asks, “Excuse me Sir, can you tell me how to get to the police station? Can you? Can you? Can you? Can you? Can you?”  Well, if the child goes on and on asking and talking, the police officer can’t get a word in to give his answer, right?

Well, it’s the same way with your mind.  If the only thing your mind is doing is transmit, transmit, transmit, the universe — which is trying to respond — can’t give you a single thing because you’re not allowing yourself to receive!

So, have faith in yourself and stop exhausting yourself by running around person to person begging for riches, and then wondering why nobody is dropping a penny in your cup.  (Hint: It’s because you’re running away too fast from them - before they can even reach for their wallets).

Just think about your desires and leave them out there, then go away and trust that your cup will be filled with gold coins (or whatever it is you asked for) when the time is right.

2) Be Patient With Yourself

Receiving takes time.

Sadly, many people give up just a couple of steps before the finish line because they’ve decided that if it’s not working by now, it’s never going to work.  Worse still are those who throw in more and more energy because they think that with more resources, the results will come faster.

You can’t bake cookies in half the time by doubling the temperature. You’ll incinerate those cookies to ashes!

In simple terms, everything in this world has a natural development cycle, and this fact will not change no matter what resources you throw at it.

So relax and be patient.  Remember that you, as part of the universe, are also governed by the laws of the universe, and you cannot change the natural development time.

If you remember this, you are less likely to work yourself up into a state of frustration, or worse, push yourself into a downward spiral of negativity.

3) Support & Educate Yourself

Like the child who is learning how to walk, you need support.  You also need expert guidance on how to do it and the role models to look up to and emulate.

Many people give up because they think that “The Secret” is the “be all and end all” solution.  Well, it’s NOT. “The Secret” is just a small portion.  It has never been and was never intended to be the whole answer.

Drawing the conclusion that the Law of Attraction doesn’t work, when all you ever did to educate yourself was watch “The Secret” 19 times (without looking at changing the habits of other areas of your life) is like coming to the conclusion that exercising is not an effective way to lose weight because all you did was run on the treadmill for 2 hours a day (but continued to stuff yourself with fried foods and cheesecakes).

So seek and be hungry for new knowledge.  Also, make an effort to be among people and communities where you can support each other, learn from each other and share new knowledge that you have found.

While the Law of Attraction is not an overnight delivery service, it will indeed deliver, if you do your part too!

To learn more go to www.The11ForgottenLaws.com.

Holiday Eating Tips (”Tongue-In-Cheek” of course)

Posted by Sue in General, Inspirational thoughts

I received these tips from my good friend (who of course has the perfect body so she can get away with all of this), “T” Neighoff.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!

3. if something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’ re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”

Have a great holiday season !

“Our Deepest Fear…”

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts

I was reminded today of this very powerful quote from Marianne Williamson:

“Our Deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of god.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is within us.  It is not just in some of us:  It is in everyone.

When we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Nelson Mandela

Today, and every day, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

An “Aesop’s Fable” for Business (& Life!)

Posted by Sue in General, Inspirational thoughts

A few years ago, there was story going around about a farmer who won a particular category in the Nebraska State Fair four years in a row, which is apparently unheard of there. The local newspaper sent a reporter to interview the farmer to find out what he did to achieve such a feat.

The reporter asked, “What’s your secret? Do you have any special corn seed?”
The farmer replied, “Absolutely, I develop my very own corn seed.”
The reporter said, “Okay, so that’s your secret - you developed your very own corn seed.”
And the farmer said, “No, not particularly.”
The reporter exclaimed, “I don’t understand. What’s your secret, then?”
The farmer said, “Well, I’ll tell you. I develop my own seed, and then I give it to my neighbors.”
The reporter said, “Huh? You develop your own seed and then give it to your neighbors? Why would you do that?” The reporter was incredulous - why would anyone in his right mind develop his own award-winning seed and then just give it away??
The farmer said, “You don’t understand how corn is pollinated. It’s pollinated from neighboring fields, and if you have fields around you that don’t have top-quality corn, then your own fields are not going to grow top-quality corn. But if my neighbors’ fields have strong corn, then I’ll have awesome corn! That’s how I won the Nebraska State Fair four times in a row.”

(Adapted from “Success From Home” magazine, Vol.4, Issue 10, Oct 2008, p109, Plus Publishing)

Immersed Motivation and a BIG Vision

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts, Uncategorized

The following comes from a newsletter I receive from a leader in my company, United First Financial, Mike Collier (that’s his picture next to the article).  Thanks Mike - well said!

Immersed Motivation!

It all starts with a big vision. What? You want to start with a small vision?  Come on, It doesn’t take more effort (or burn more calories) to create a big vision.  A big vision is what it takes to keep you in the game and to motivate others around you!  So, what does “Immersed Motivation” have to do with betting on yourself?  It’s simple.  When you know with every fiber of your being that you can achieve the vision you’ve set before yourself …your destiny is assured! When you know without a doubt no matter what life throws your way - good or bad - you will ultimately achieve all that you desire …your destiny is assured. For these reasons I’ll bet on you!

Okay! I hear some of you saying, “Come on Mike how can someone assure their destiny?  Don’t you know that nothing in life is guaranteed?” You are wrong my friend.  There is one absolute guarantee in life and that is   …If you do nothing your destiny is (without a doubt) assured!

I know it sounds cliché but we all need to be reminded that this is not a dress rehearsal for another life.  This is the only one we get.  However, there are those among us that live our lives as if - Hey!  I’m not worried!  If I don’t get this one right I’ll get a second chance!  Huh?

The point is, whatever it is you want to accomplish get started right now!  You just can’t afford to wait!  Have you ever considered the price you pay for waiting?  Well consider this; time is one thing you can never get back.  Once it’s gone it’s gone!  So …Maybe you’ve always wanted to write a book.  Perhaps your dream is travel the world.  Maybe you’ve always wanted to turn an idea into a tangible product or business.  What ever it is do it now!  Come on!  You know you can do it!  I know you can do it!  I’ve seen what happens to those who get the vision, believe the vision and immerse themselves in the vision!  The vision turns into reality!  The vision turns into accomplishment!

Resolve right now to turn those dreams - you’ve had sitting on a shelf collecting dust - into reality!  By doing so you will discover something profound …nothing is impossible!

That’s why I will always say when you believe you can do it I’ll bet on you. When you know with every fiber of your being that you will achieve your dreams and goals I’ll bet on you! …and I only bet on a sure thing! How about you?  Are you ready to bet on yourself?

Today is going to be a great day!

Success!  You Deserve it!

I Believe

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts

I received these words of wisdom in an email from my sister.  Thanks Alex!

I Believe:

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.  And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I believe - That we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life

I believe - That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave friends and loved ones with loving words.  It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with ow many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I believe - That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others.  Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret.  It could change your life forever.

I believe - That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

What great philosophy!!!

An easy exercise to improve the world and our relationship to it

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts

I’ve exerpted this from a blog by Steve Pavlina:

“In Chapter 4 of my book, there’s an exercise called Oneness World. Let me share this exercise with you here because I think it will help you understand what the mindset of oneness can help us collectively create for the larger body of humanity:

Oneness World

Set aside ten minutes to sit quietly, relax, and just imagine what it would be like to live in a world where everyone lives in alignment with oneness. Picture a world where all people feel joyful and connected with everyone else. Imagine a place where cooperation replaces competition. What would it be like to walk down the street past throngs of strangers and feel as if they’re all close family members? How would people behave in a world where “we” thinking replaces “me” thinking, where profiting at someone else’s expense never happens, and where everyone assumes personal responsibility for the well-being of everyone else?

In this world of oneness, you can always expect fair treatment, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference. If you need help with anything, you can approach anyone at any time, and you’ll be treated like family. The very notion of individual advancement at the expense of others is completely alien. This world’s mantra is, “We’re all in this together.”

This new world has no weapons, no prisons, and no national borders. There’s no violence or war. People still have differences of opinion, but they settle them by cooperating to discover the truth while treating every individual with compassion and fairness.

Allow your mind and emotions to roam freely through Oneness World. Think about what it would be like to actually live there. Pay attention to how it makes you feel.

Although this is a fantasy world exercise, it will deepen your understanding of oneness. Even in the real world, you’ll experience some of these benefits as you begin to align yourself with oneness. When you interact with others from a place of cooperation, fairness, and compassion, you’ll tend to receive similar treatment in return. When you treat everyone as a friend or family member, you’ll often find them responding in kind. Over time, you’ll attract others who resonate with oneness, which will enable you to create a microcosm of the larger ideal within your own life.

from Personal Development for Smart People, Chapter 4″

Click here to read his entire entry (which is extremely enlightening!).