Sunday, December 23, 2007

What’s Your Song?

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. Did you accomplish all you wished to in 2007? What moments stand out as your best moments ever? Did you learn anything cool from the past year?

This past year was my “” year. This was the year when I was really going to push the envelop, take the risks, and follow through on my intentions. So did I?

Yes, in many ways I went big this year, there is no doubt, HOWEVER, I don’t think I went as big as I could have. There were times when I allowed my to stand in my way. I’ll even admit that there were times when I was a bit lackadaisical, and rather than take action on my intentions, I coasted.

That’s OK! It was a great year nonetheless and I am looking forward to 2008 being an even better year. That is my commitment and rather than choose a theme for the year or come up with a list of resolutions, I am choosing a song.

This year my song is going to be “Fly Like An Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band.

This is going to be my year to soar beyond my own boundaries and limitations. That means when I am up against a challenge and I am feeling fearful, I am going to remind myself that I have more to gain than I do to lose. This is going to the year when more solutions are created by reminding myself to keep it real and keep it in the present moment. Most importantly, this is the year when more value will be given to others and to myself.

So what’s your song for 2008? Will it be a song with some uber-cool lyrics that motivate? Or maybe it’s a song with a kick-ass guitar riff so that whenever you hear it you feel completely empowered.

Whatever your song is, I hope you will join me in making 2008 one of the best years ever. Make this YOUR year to live your passion, to enjoy, and to have a heck of a good time in doing so.

Other Resources To Check Out




Posted by Pam at 3:47:04 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (4)

Sunday, December 16, 2007

How to Throw the Best Damn Pity Party Ever

You’re feeling like crap, truly down in the dumps. No happy music, no positive affirmations, no silly sitcom can shake the crap blues away. So what’s left to do?

THROW YOURSELF THE BEST DAMN PITY PARTY EVER!! Yep, you read right. Uh-huh, get ready to throw that party.

Things you will need:

  • Sad music, the real tear jerking kind.
  • Your favorite comfort food; this is NOT the time to count the calories. OK!?
  • Black streamers and balloons; no party is complete without good decorations to set the mood
  • A box of Kleenex; it’s cool to blubber, but not cool to wipe snot on your sleeve.
  • A pad of paper and pen; for writing down all funky feelings, negative thoughts, letters to people who have wronged you.
  • Party etiquette (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT); 1) There is NO giving up on you no matter how crappy you feel, 2) Feel your crap, sit in it, but no slinging directly it at others (That means no name calling, no pot shots, etc.) and 3) When the party is over, it is over.

No, I truly have not lost my mind by suggesting that you throw a pity party. Folks, I’ll let you in on a little secret, for a majority of my life I have been the Queen of Stuff. Over the last several months I have worked on slowly (but surly) shedding the title, the tiara, and the little silk sash that came with that title. However, in order to do so, I have had to release and let go of the negative feelings, the hurt, and the blame (ALL OF IT!) in order to make room for the good stuff.

So once you have felt the feelings, cried a good cry, written your scathing letters and burned (or shredded) them, and gotten it all out; get up, dust yourself off, and be ready to bring in the good stuff. Regardless of how it might feel at the time, the good stuff is really right around the corner just waiting to be invited in.

So whatcha think? The next time you can’t shake the blues, will you give yourself a good pity party?

Other Articles To Check Out






Special Thanks! I want say a special thank you to my friend for his wonderful and generous feedback and thoughts on how to improve my blogs. THANK YOU, Phil – you are a star.  

Posted by Pam at 4:23:24 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (5)

Friday, November 23, 2007

Time Away, But Not Forever

As many of you know yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving Day (in the States); a day where many of us gather with family and friends and reflect on what we are most thankful for. I too reflected, but not solely on what I was most thankful for.

You see I have hit of a rough patch and in doing so I have realized something rather huge and a bit scary. The realization being that I’ve been hiding my vulnerable side a bit too much; the side that makes me human. I am not without faults. I am not without fears. However, I have been afraid to share those things fully, as I was afraid that people would not see me as a capable coach and friend if I did. Sadly, I have being doing my clients, my friends, and myself a HUGE disservice.

With that said, I am going to take a little break from posting on Make the Most of U. Instead, I am going to be posting a bit more on . I hope you will join me as I share more of me; my vulnerable side and my fears. I hope that in my sharing, you will also feel compelled to do the same.

I wish to thank you all for being here and look forward to connecting with you on and back here on Make the Most of U (in December).

Much love and many blessings for now and until mid-December.

Posted by Pam at 7:27:42 PM in Pam's Ponderings (32) | Permalink | Comments (4)

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Making a Difference: A Chat with Random Acts of Kindness Guru: Matthew Costello

For those of you who have been following Make the Most of U for any period of time you’ve probably come to know that I am a big proponent of random acts of kindness and the role they play in lifting a mood, changing someone’s day, and impacting the world at large. Well, I gotta tell ya, never have I met a person who believes in random acts of kindness more than . Matthew has devoted his time and his energy to helping others create better days and to making a difference in this world by demonstrating one small act of kindness. With that, it is an absolute honor to introduce you to the man responsible for  and .

Pam: Matthew, please share a bit about the man behind  and .

Matthew: I am a simple, down to earth person, who wants to help change the world.

Pam: How did come to be?

Matthew: I was watching PBS Special, “The Power of Intention” Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way and he said something that jumped out at me. He was speaking about kindness and quoted a study that he read. I don’t re-call who did the study, however, scientists have found that performing one small act of kindness towards another actually raises the serotonin levels in both the person performing the kind act and the receiver of this act of kindness. Since psychology has always been a “hobby” of mine I starting thinking just how powerful this concept could be. Because I’ve been in the Internet business for over 13 years now, my brain automatically attaches a .com to every idea. I wrote some notes, watched the rest of the show, (one of many times, I might add) and later that day I registered the domain, www.onekindact.com. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but I wanted to get the domain, as I knew something good would come from this. After speaking to a few people about the concept, I put the site together and started to talk about it. What helped with the start was my other site, , which was about a year old when I started and from contacts through , as well as, friends it started to slowly catch on.

To be quite honest, this concept is not unique, there are plenty of great websites devoted to kindness. I just saw this as another avenue to spread the message.

Pam: If you could have three wishes come to fruition for what would those three wishes be?

Matthew: My first wish would be that a company such as , which was founded by Louise Hay and publishes a wide range of books in the Self Improvement and Spiritual categories, would get behind the site as a sponsor. That would truly propel this concept by leaps and bounds.

My second wish would be to get the assistance needed to help grow the site and the movement. As of now, it’s really just me working behind the scenes, but in order for this to grow we need a team of people dedicated to . Everyone from designers for the site, marketing, authors, etc.

My third and most important wish is that more and more people incorporate this concept into their daily lives. Just think of living in a world where everyone looks out for each other, does the small kind acts, such as, saying hello, holding the door for someone, the list goes on and on. What’s great about this concept is that it is so simple and requires such little effort, but when that effort is put to use it has the power to change the world.

Pam: What would you tell naysayers who doubt the power of participating in a kind act and the impact that it has on others and even the world?

Matthew: Simple, you have to do it and truly believe that one small act of kindness has a ripple effect far beyond what we can see.

Pam: What is your most favorite kind act?

Matthew: I don’t really have a favorite, as any act of kindness is great!

Pam: What's on the horizon for ?

Matthew: With the help of others we can make one kind act a part of everyday life! It will happen, I have no doubts, but when, I can’t say for sure. As Dr. Dyer would say, “detach yourself from the outcome and everything will arrive on time.” I think I’ll follow his advice.

Pam: Matthew, thank you so much for your commitment and drive to make this world a better place one kind act at a time. Folks, if you would like to join the team and help further this wonderful movement, please Matthew.

We can all make a HUGE difference one kind act at a time.

Posted by Pam at 2:29:43 PM in Making a Difference (5) | Permalink | Comments (13)

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Steering Clear of the Ba Humbugs

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy, sharing, love, family togetherness, and peace, but for some they are the exact opposite. For some, the holidays are a time of stress, upset, financial drain, and dread.

I am here to tell you that this holiday season does not have to be a breeding ground for turmoil. You too can chase away those holiday ba humbugs with a few of the following ideas:

1) Starting today envision your ideal holiday. Hold on to that vision; protect that vision as if it were a rare gem. Then make a commitment to making that vision a reality.

2) With your vision created, begin setting some strong . For example, “I will not allow others’ bad moods or differences to ruin my day.” Like your vision, commit to upholiding your boundaries.

3) Remember it is your holiday too so you deserve to enjoy it. If you need to delegate responsibilities this year, for example, asking Aunt Bertha to make the turkey and Cousin Rhonda to make the salad, that’s OK. Give yourself the permission you need to ask for help and to delegate.

4) Take time for you. Set up some time to recharge. Take naps, go for walks, take 15 minutes to sit quietly; whatever it takes to restore your energy and ensure that you don’t get run down. If you need to schedule “your time” in your calendar like you would a holiday party, do so. Being tired and grouchy leaves you vulnerable to the ba humbugs.

5) Create a budget and stick with that budget. Remember, it’s not the size or the cost of the gift that counts, it’s the thought.

6) Don’t get trapped in others’ holiday dramas and garbage. Remember, you have the power to choose what you wish to be involved in and what you don’t.

What strategies have you used in the past to avoid the holiday ba humbugs? Feel free to share your strategies and ideas. Together we can compile a great list of ways to chase away the ba humbugs and make this the best holiday season ever.

Posted by Pam at 2:41:31 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Making a Difference: A Chat with T-Shirt Maven; Andreea Ayers

A few months ago I was contacted by a very sweet woman who has committed her time to making a difference; a difference that you can wear. When you have a chance, hop on over to .

Pam: Please tell us a bit about the woman behind . What makes Andreea tick?

Andreea: After living in NYC for the last 20 years, my husband and I moved to Boulder, CO so we could slow down and breathe. I’ve always considered myself an entrepreneur, so starting  was inevitable.
was an idea that came to me unexpectedly. When I was pregnant with my son earlier this year I encountered a lot of negative reactions from friends and family who didn’t understand why my husband and I wanted to have a home birth. I felt like I was constantly having to defend myself and I was mentally exhausted each time I would have a conversation about giving birth at home. I took a few prenatal yoga classes and I felt different when I practiced yoga. I felt empowered and positive. Then I imagined the words “be courageous” on a t-shirt. Just thinking about those two words made me feel strong. I came home from yoga class that day and I told my husband “I am going to do this. And he said “Go for it.”

What makes me tick? My wonderful family, good conversation, uplifting people, home cooked food, taking walks in the brisk Colorado air, seeing people thrive and become who they are, visiting new places, mindful living, reading magazines, doing yoga, curling up on the couch with my husband and son, seeing inspiration in unexpected places, Sunday mornings…

Pam: How has  made a difference for you?

Andreea:  has changed my life. It’s allowed me to express my creative side and to do what I love. It lets me combine my love for eco-friendly products with my experience in marketing and my passion for positive thinking. It’s a constant source of inspiration and empowerment for me. Because I am so closely involved with the daily operations of the company, I often get to personally talk to my customers and learn from them.

It constantly reminds me that we ultimately all want the same thing: to be happy. That’s why ‘choose happiness’ has been our best selling tee since the beginning. People crave happiness and I’m happy to provide a product that reminds them that happiness is a choice we all make (even though it might not always be the easiest or most obvious choice).

Pam: Since launching , what has been one of your most inspiring moments?

Andreea: One of my most inspiring moments was sharing our tees with participants at the Yoga Journal conference in Estes Park, CO in September 2007 (we had a booth there and sold our tees). It was the first time we had face to face interaction with our customers and it was amazing to see how excited they were about the tees. Someone would walk by and take a look at the shirts and I could see the moment when the tees were speaking to him/her. I felt like they could relate to a phrase on the tees. Whether it was someone who was shy looking at the “be courageous” tee, or someone afraid of something looking at the “be fearless” tees, I know they felt touched and affected just by glancing at the shirts.

The conference lasted a whole week and it was very inspiring to see people the second day wearing my tees and the third day there were even more people wearing them. The last day one woman brought a few friends over and she said to them “these are the shirts that I was telling you about!” They spent half an hour at our booth trying on tees and buying them for themselves and their families.

Another inspiring moment was when I first saw someone on the street wearing my tees. She was riding her bike and was wearing the “be courageous” shirt and I was in absolute shock! I didn’t know how to react. I wanted to run over to her and introduce myself and thank her for buying the shirt. But I just stood there and watched with a big smile on my face. I will never forget that moment. It felt so fulfilling, rewarding and inspiring at the same time.

Pam: What is the impact you are hoping to have on your consumers?

Andreea: I am hoping that my tees will impact the person wearing them and also the many people he/she comes in contact with. Words are so powerful, as are thoughts, and a slight shift in your thoughts can make a difference in your day.

Our tees really make you think. What does “live mindfully’ or “today matters” mean to you? It’s probably different than what it means to your friend, sister or co-worker. My goal is to get people to at least stop for a moment and think “hmmm…” I want people to have conversations (with each other or even within themselves) about what the words on our tees mean to them.

Pam: The messages on your t-shirts are so uplifting; what would you tell someone who is not wholly convinced that positive thinking really makes a difference?

Andreea: I say that they should at least try to think positively and see what happens. It can’t hurt to try, right? When you’re in a bad mood, just take a moment to smile. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, just try it. A big wide smile across your whole face! You will see how it will change your mood instantly. It’s my belief that thinking positively only attracts more positive things, people and situations to your life. I say “just try it and see what happens. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

Pam:What's on the horizon for

Andreea:We just added men’s, plus size and long sleeve tees this week and I’m in the planning stages for the baby and toddler tees. They will be available in late winter/early spring 2008. One of our manufacturers also just announced that they are going ‘carbon neutral’, so I’m in the process of switching all our production over to them.

I’m also gearing up for the Sundance Film Festival –  has been invited to insert our tees in the celebrity gift bags, so I’m super excited. We can’t pass up an opportunity like this. And I’m doing a lot more press outreach and trying to partner with like-minded organizations. I love to donate our tees to worthy causes, so I’m always on the lookout for the next event.

And hopefully one day in the horizon there will be a  boutique/physical store. It will have our complete tee line, as well as inspirational/motivational products from other designers.

Pam: Andreea, thank you so much for sharing with us and for making such a difference with your creative endeavor. All the very best to you!

Posted by Pam at 7:05:04 PM in Making a Difference (5) | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, October 27, 2007

The Power of Choice

Free will.
Alternatives.
Opportunity.
Options.
Judgment.
Distinctions.

It does not matter the label we give it, the bottom line is we ALL have choices. We make distinctions between one thing or another. We engage our free will in situations when we feel the need. We seek out alternatives or look for opportunities. We weigh our options. We even act on judgment. Why?

Because we have the power of choice.

We can choose to be bold.
We can choose to take chances.
We can choose to shy away from certain opportunities.
We can choose to see the positives in any situation.
We can choose to be angry or hurt.
We can choose to make a difference.
We can choose to be a martyr or feel sorry for ourselves.
We can even choose to grow and become empowered.
We can choose…

So here is the challenge; when faced with any situation (sticky, tough, wonderful, scary, amazing) ask yourself, “What do I choose?” and see what comes up. The more you exercise your power of choice, the stronger it will get. The power to choose is yours!

Posted by Pam at 11:11:23 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Making a Difference: A Chat with VA Extraordinaire; Michelle Jamison

As a coach I have many wonderful opportunities to meet some incredible people. A few years ago I was fortunate to meet (at a conference) a dynamic woman; Michelle Jamison. Today it is my privilege to be able to call her a great friend and wonderful colleague. Knowing Michelle, I can honestly say that she is a woman with heart, drive, and commitment to her work, friends, and family so it is truly an honor to be able to share her interview with you.

Pam: Michelle, please share with us a bit about you; the woman behind the successful virtual assistance(VA) practice , marketing book for VAs, amongst many other wonderful accomplishments.

Michelle: She's a wife and mother. A late night, curl up on the couch with a good movie and extra butter popcorn kind of girl. A lover of gadgets and gizmos and the person who will always hit the button that says "do not touch"...just to see what it does! She just can't help herself.

She's a writer, teacher, coach and advocate for the fantastic profession of Virtual Assistance. Her greatest assets are the wonderful, amazing clients she has the privilege of working with.

She is currently living the life she has always dreamed of and wants to support others in doing the same.

Pam: As a successful VA and business owner, how has virtual assisting made a difference in your life?

Michelle: Wow, great question! I've found early on that being a VA wasn't something I did, but it's who I am. It is and will always be what makes me, me! Beside the obvious perks of the profession, working from home, flexible hours, virtual assisting has made a much more profound difference in my life.

As a VA and business owner, I've had tremendous growth personally and professionally. I can't even begin to tell you the growth that I have experienced since I started my business.

I trust more, I listen more, and I know its okay to ask questions, something I struggled with throughout my life. I understand what it means to be a leader and how to provide unconditional support to others.

I've made some wonderful connections and friends, individuals I probably would not have had the opportunity to meet, if I wasn't a VA.

Pam: How has it made a difference in others' lives?

Michelle: The first thing that comes immediately to my mind is that my clients know they are not alone. They have a partner they can bounce ideas with, share their goals with and someone who has a sincere and genuine interest in their business.

When we are talking about virtual assistance we are not just talking about administrative duties, we're talking about a connection, a partnership between two people. Being a VA for me is all about relationship building.

My clients know that I have their best interest at heart, and they can share any thoughts, ideas, challenges with me and I will do all I can to support them in making those ideas reality and overcoming those challenges.

It may be as simple as creating and finalizing that ebook or something more difficult as coming up with a solid marketing strategy to increase business. I may be making a small difference or a large difference, but in some capacity I feel I'm making a difference. This is why I love what I do.

Pam: As the article written about you in York Region mentions, you were a single mom trying to make ends meet when you became a VA; what advice would you give others who are in the same or similar position as you once were?

Michelle: Those times for me were very difficult and the one thing I learned from that whole experience is we can all achieve greatness, that is our own individual meaning of greatness.

Greatness for me is not about being in a better place financially but about doing what I love, for people who I admire and believing in who I am.

Believing in who I am and what I do has been key to my success.

I know it's easier to say than do at times, I'm first to admit this, but it was what supported me through those tough times and gave me the strength to build my business. I believed and still do believe wholeheartedly in the value that I bring my clients.

Pam: What's on the horizon for you and for MJVA & Associates?

Michelle: MJVA & Associates is looking at an exciting 2008. We have some big marketing initiatives and are expanding our services and providing further value to our clients.

Ultimately our goals are still as they always were, educating the public on the benefits of hiring a VA, building solid working relationships with clients, and providing them with the tools, resources and support they need to grow a successful business.

As for me personally, I'll be doing a little more writing, a little more teaching and planning to take a little more time for me. :)

Pam: Michelle, thank you for your time and for sharing with us.

Posted by Pam at 2:39:31 PM in Making a Difference (5) | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, October 13, 2007

It Doesn’t Take Tights and a Cape to Be a Hero

When I was a little girl I thought that a hero was someone who saved the world; that fictional character that came to life on TV every Saturday morning. As I have grown older and matured some, I have come to realize that a true hero is not someone who comes out of a phone booth in a cool costume. Nor is it someone that can “leap tall buildings in a single bound”, has super cool powers, or carries a car to safety.

A true hero is;

The mom and/or dad that creates a loving home, runs the errands, goes to every one of their child’s sporting events or musical concerts, and keeps everything in balance.

The friend who offers a shoulder to lean on during difficult moments.

The person who puts aside their own agenda to support another in creating greatness.

The man or woman who can see the positives in the most trying of people or circumstances.

The individual who shares love unconditionally.

The person who is not afraid to take a risk, even if that risk is a bit scary.

The person who gives, just for the sake of giving without any expectation of receiving.

The individual who is not afraid to discover their own areas of improvement and is dedicated to becoming the best they can be.

The person who is willing to take a stand for what is right.

The man or woman who has heart.

Here is the challenge; when you are feeling at your lowest or feeling that something is impossible (or even when you are having the very best day) take a look in the mirror, my friends, and you too will see a hero. Then take a moment to acknowledge your awesome hero qualities, the big ones and the small ones. I can promise you this; there is not one person on this planet that doesn’t deserve hero status.

To all the heroes in the world; thank you for making a difference.

Posted by Pam at 8:39:18 PM in Pam's Ponderings (32) | Permalink | Comments (2)

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Making a Difference: A Chat with the Make It Great Guy

I am truly excited to share with you a new category on Make the Most of U called “Making a Difference”; a series of interviews with amazing people who are making a difference in the lives of others. It is a true honor and pleasure to be kicking off this series with an interview with blogging buddy and all around nice guy, Phil Gerbyshak also known as the Make It Great Guy. Phil is dedicated to making each and every day great through his actions and words and if you have not had chance to check out his blog, please pop on over.

Pam: Phil, please tell us a bit about Phil Gerbyshak. Who is the guy behind the great blog and book?

Phil: Sure, start with the hardest question first :)

He lives with his wife, his library, and his laptop in a Milwaukee suburb and loves to work with people who want to improve their lives. Phil does public speaking and writes inspirational and customer service articles at Make it Great. He enjoys helping managers be more effective and is the co-editor of Slacker Manager

I am as a child of God, saved by grace, on this planet to change the world, one word, one person, at a time.

Pam: What inspired you to create "Make It Great"?

Phil: I read a few books every year, usually 30 or so. And few have actionable stuff that really hit me in the heart and offer me the tips I need to change my actions. And many people in this world are apathetic at best. That's why they say "have a nice day." So I thought, why not flip things on it's ear, put together the best tips that have helped me, and share them with folks. That's why it's "Make It Great!" instead of "Have a nice day" or "Life is fine."

Pam: What are some ways you personally "make it great" each day?

Phil: I write every day, and most days you can find that writing at my blog. That helps me focus on what's going on in my world and how I'm seeing things. When I look back at what I wrote at the end of the week, I'm often surprised to see where I was when I wrote those.

I also have a big attitude of gratitude. My life is truly blessed, and I focus on those things that are abundant instead of those things that are scarce, and I say thanks for them.

The last tip I'll share is I always watch what I put in my head. I don't listen to much talk radio, watch much TV, or read traditional newspapers. I fill my head with good stuff, because it's not what goes in your mouth that's going to kill you, it's what you put in your head that will.

Pam: Here is a hypothetical situation and a question for you, Phil. Someone comes up to you after a speaking engagement and says, "Phil, my life is not so great. I've had it pretty tough the last 5 years and I have no idea how to make it great. Where do I start and what can I do?" What three pearls of wisdom would you give them to make it great?

Phil: That's a great question Pam. Here are 3 quick tips that you can do to change your mind and make it great!

First, take 1 notebook and write down all the things that you're grateful for. These could be relationships, these could be things, they could be your health, or simply the fact you're alive today. After you're done with the list, say thanks for them. For instance, you might say "I'm thankful to be alive." Every time you feel yourself slipping into despair, look at this list, and repeat the list.

Next, begin at the end and work towards today. Think about your desired outcome. Then take 1 step right now that can move you towards that goal, or 1 step you can do to stop moving you away from this outcome. Every day, review this desired outcome, and take another step.

The last tip I'll share is surround yourself with people who can help you. Identify 3 people in your life that can help you with this outcome. Share what's going on with you, and ask them for help in making it great by sharing resources or simply by periodically asking you how you're doing. Do what you commit to these folks in a cheerful way and ask for help when you need it.

Pam: What's on the horizon for the Make It Great Guy?

Phil: I'm working on a book called The Million Dollar Pizza about the high cost of bad customer service. I'm currently using it as my keynote speech in my presentations, and I'll be launching a blog to support it as well at The Million Dollar Pizza

I'm also putting up a new site with audio, video and more at http://philgerbyshak.com by the end of 2007.

New in the last few months are my contributions at Slacker Manager

Pam: Phil, thank you for sharing a “Make it Great” moment with the readers of Make the Most of U and thank you for making a difference.

Posted by Pam at 3:14:51 PM in Making a Difference (5) | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Funk or No Funk

Let’s face it, we all have bad days. We all have days when “the funk” is staring us straight in the eye. I don’t know about you, but when I am feeling “the funk”, my energy drops, my mood gets cloudy, and I lack motivation and clarity. To be honest, I have had a few of those “funk” days recently; days where it felt all too tempting to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head.

Sound familiar?

My most recent “funk, funk, funky days” got me thinking, if we all have choices (which we do), how can we choose to chase the funk away? Here are a few things I came up with:

1) Be in an attitude of gratitude. Start listing things you are most grateful for. And if that does not chase the funk away, how about
2) Be generous. Give of yourself in an authentic fashion. OR
3) Play some “funky” (not depressing) music and dance your booty off or sing your lungs out. If that does not grab ya, try
4) Exercising. Get that blood and endorphins flowing. And if you are still feeling “the funk”
5) Phone a friend and share. Get that funk out of your system.

Enquiring minds wanna know, how do you get rid of “the funk?” What’s something you have tried or would be willing to try to lift your mood and spirits?

Posted by Pam at 2:55:53 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (6)

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Kicking the Past in the Behind

I raise my hand and admit, I Pam Thomas was a blamer and past dweller. Yep, that’s right; I used to blame everything that went wrong in my life on things that happened in my past. If I was having a crappy day it had to be because Auntie So-and-So looked at me sideways when I was five. If I wanted to do something, but was scared to try, it surely had to be because my best friend called me “fat” when I was 13.

Then it happened.

I was sat on the floor of my apartment with my fiancé (now ex-husband) bitching and moaning about something not going right. As I recall it, I was actually placing blame on my parents for something they said or did when I was a teenager. Then all of the sudden my fiancé looked at me and asked, “Pam, are you an adult?” “Yes,” I said. To which he replied, “Then when are you going to start taking responsibility for your own actions?”

Wow! That was just the 2x4 I needed to dislodge my head from my posterior, to knock me sideways, and force me into the land of the present. You mean I have a choice? You mean I don’t have to stay stuck in the past?

Fast forward to today. I am here to tell you that it is quite a relief to release the past. (Besides it really sucks carrying around tons of past wounds, etc…. not to mention rather heavy.) It is empowering to know that I have choices. I can choose to respond to certain situations any way I wish. It’s my choice and no body else’s.

Let me ask you; is there something from your past that is holding you back? Is there something from your past that is causing you great pain?

If the answer is “yes”, then let me ask you this, how is holding on to whatever is holding you back (or hurting you) supporting you in the here and the now?

If you’re ready to let go and put the past behind you here are few things to try:

  • Write a “let it rip” letter to anyone who has hurt you. Get it all out. Then rip the letter to shreds or burn it.
  • Look for any good things that you can take away from a past experience. Anything beneficial that could be used to support you.
  • Talk with someone you trust and brainstorm ways in which you can get clear of the past.
  • Be aware. When you feel yourself tapping into past hurt or blaming past experiences, stop and remember, you have choices.
Here’s to kicking the past in the behind. Here’s to your forward movement and the awesome choices YOU get to make.

 

Posted by Pam at 3:00:24 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (6)

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Go Big or Go Home Questions: Justifying, Clarifying, and Explaining

I received this lovely nugget courtesy of . Like most great pieces of information it stopped me in my tracks and made me think or rather question. How often have I justified, clarified, or explained myself? “Plenty o’ times” was my answer.

Then it dawned on me, if I am truly being my authentic self and if all my actions are coming from that place of authenticity (or heart), there is no need to clarify. There is no need to explain. There is no need to justify. It is when I come from that place that I am most confident.

Here is the Go Big or Go Home question (rather questions); when was the last time you felt the need to justify, clarify, or explain yourself away? Who where you being at the time?

Happy pondering and awareness creating!

Posted by Pam at 10:08:25 PM in Go Big Or Go Home Questions (11) | Permalink | Comments (5)

Friday, August 31, 2007

From Paper to Reality

As you probably guessed I didn’t go fishing last week; no bait, no lures, and no cute fishing hat. However, I did do something really exciting-- I put the finishing touches on a major intention, taking it from an idea on paper and turning it into something real.

To explain; about eight months ago I had an amazing conversation with my sister about how we;

  • Get stuck in the rut of the day-to-day.
  • Settle in a job that we don’t like all that much just to make ends meet.
  • Forget who we are at our core.
  • Live by others expectations.
  • Lose sight of what we are really passionate about and what our purpose is.

Needless to say, this conversation inspired me to take action. I wanted to do something that would support others in achieving a life filled with passion, purpose, energy, fun, direction, motivation, and abundance of all kinds. I wanted to do my part to end the pain that I heard in my sister’s voice and the voices of others. Pain caused by the notion that success and doing what one loves most is for people like Oprah, The Donald, and Bill Gates, but not for you and me.

With that said, I am excited to share that I have launched a series of e-workbooks called Will the Real YOU Please Step Forward. This series is not another series of self improvement ebooks with cookie cutter solutions. It is a series filled with fun exercises, personal stories, and thought-provoking questions to support even the busiest person in taking action and creating the life they desire. So when you have some time, please pop over to the book site and take a peek. Also, please feel free to download the free e-workbook that is available.

(My heartfelt thanks goes out to my sister for the wonderful inspiration, support, and encouragement. Love you, Kiddo!)

It is true, if you have an intention that you truly believe in, and you are willing to take action, you can take that intention from thought to reality. What intention are you willing to take from paper to reality? What do you need to make it happen?

Posted by Pam at 6:15:04 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (2)

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Gone Fishing

OK, so I am not going fishing, but I am doing something really exciting. Tune in next weekend to find out. :) In the meantime, have an awesome week!

Posted by Pam at 2:01:06 PM in Pam's Ponderings (32) | Permalink | Comments (2)

Friday, August 17, 2007

Random Thoughts and a Day to Celebrate

As I was deleting the massive amounts of spam that comes into my inboxes daily, I had a thought… spam and fear have a few things in common.

They can both be annoying.
They can waste time.
They can stand in the way of getting to the good stuff.
They can serve as a motivator to spur change.

So what if you were to think of fear as a piece of spam? Rather than read it, (falling prey to the falsehood of the message) why not filter it with a truthful message? For example, (in line with last week’s post) “I am not enough” could be filtered with the message “I am more than enough”. Give it a whirl and let me know how it works for you.

On a personal note

Thirteen years ago today a special person entered my life. It was thirteen years ago today that a wonderful bundle of joy was placed in my arms for the very first time. That day was most certainly one of the proudest, most blessed days of my life.

I can honestly say that I consider myself one the luckiest mothers on the face of the planet. I am so grateful to have a son who is bright, compassionate, intuitive, insightful, fun, loving, kind-hearted, talented and just a true gift of a human being. I have learned so much from him.

I have learned…

…that love runs deeper than one can possibly begin to imagine.
…that children are our truest mirrors so it is important to always be the best person possible.
…that hugs are the most wonderful cure-alls.
…to explore life with the eyes of a child.
and so much more.

Thank you, my amazing son for all that you have given this world and for all that you have given me just with your presence – thank you for being you!!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie! I love you oodles and oodles!

Posted by Pam at 5:49:35 PM in Pam's Ponderings (32) | Permalink | Comments (4)

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Are You Living A Lie?

WARNING: Semi-rant to follow. Proceed at your own risk.

Just recently I was listening to a recorded version of keynote speech “The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life” . This inspiring speech was not about how to create more money, but rather how to form a better relationship with money and life in general.

The main message was loud and clear; as a society and as individuals we live from a place of scarcity and lack. Why? Because we have been sold a bold-faced lie along the way!

As Lynne was telling the audience how we live with the lie that there is never enough it dawned on me just how easy it is to get trapped in that  lie. We do it everyday in what may seem the most innocuous of ways. Consider some of the “not enough” messages we generate on a daily basis, most often subconsciously ;

Not enough sleep
Not enough money
Not enough smarts
Not enough clothes
Not enough skills
Not enough time
Not thin enough
Not handsome enough
Not pretty enough
Not courageous enough
Not witty enough

Not enough, not enough, not enough.

What’s it going to take for every single one of us to stop buying into the lie that there is not enough? That we as a collective whole and as individuals are not enough?

We are enough! You are enough!

Think about it, together as a nation we have banded together many times to raise awareness around important issues. As a matter of fact, we do it daily in the blogosphere. Frankly, I fail to believe that there is not one person out there who has never accomplished something really wonderful.

So you see we are enough and there is plenty of “enough” to go around.

Are you game and ready to stop living the lie of scarcity?

If so, here’s the challenge, for the next 21 days (since it ), I encourage you to stop feeding the lie by watching your own thoughts and feelings. When the “not enough” messages appear come up with a way to reframe them, to swap them out for a more empowering message. Then at the end of the 21 days, please come back here and let us know what happened.

Together we can stop the lie from spreading. Who's with me?

Posted by Pam at 4:34:04 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (16)

Saturday, August 04, 2007

What's In A Word: The Word is *Open*

This category is dedicated to inspiring words and any actions that can be taken to incorporate the chosen word into your day-to-day. My hope is that you have some fun with these words and maybe learn something new about you.
To be “open” is to…

Be present and aware
Be flexible
Go with the flow
Consider all options and potentials
Be in a positive frame of mind

How will you remain open? What one thing will you stake claim to today to demonstrate your own openness?

When we are open and receptive, good stuff begins to present itself and the receiving can begin.

Posted by Pam at 7:43:15 PM in What's In A Word (4) | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Going 8 for 8

Just recently I stumbled upon the neatest little presentation called . I am purposely not going to share what it’s about so please pop on over and take a look. However I will share the great messages I took away…

1) Know who you are – the good stuff often comes from the “who” of who you are.
2) Realize that you matter – don’t ever put your own well-being or feelings on the backburner otherwise you will get squished repeatedly.
3) You can do anything – the only thing that ever really stands in your way of achieving the things you want is your own self.
4) Stretch outside your box – when you stretch, you not only grow, but you open yourself up to bigger potentials.
5) Lighten up & live – fretting the small stuff clouds your view of all the good stuff that’s just waiting for you.
6) Remove the clutter – in order to create space for the cool stuff to make its way to you, you have to remove the clutter first.
7) Set and take action – an intention without action is just a wish that never sees the light of day.
8) Get it done – if you want something, go and get it. You anything you desire with commitment and action.

Now it’s your turn, what’s your take away?

Posted by Pam at 4:20:03 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (2)

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Do You Believe In Magic?

I recently visited this  (Thank you, ) and came across this thought-provoking question, “Where does real magic exist?”

First, what is real magic? That got me scratching my head a bit.

I suppose some may think of magic as evil and coming from evil sources. And there may be some that think of it as flowers popping from sleeves, rabbits appearing from hats, which can only be found at children’s birthday parties. Some may think that magic does not exist at all. While there may be some (like me) who believe that magic is our ability to create marvels and that it comes from within.

Whatever you believe about magic, I respect your beliefs and am not trying to change them. I do have one request, however, and that is to consider the following:

If magic is the ability to create great marvels then we all have the potential to create magic in all that we do (personally and professionally); to make things work while leaving people in awe, wondering how.

Think about it.

We create magic when we make another person smile.
We create magic when see the good in an otherwise bad situation.
We create magic when we accomplish a desired intention.

With that, let me throw out a question, what magic will you create for yourself today?

Posted by Pam at 4:39:31 PM in Creating Change (86) | Permalink | Comments (0)