My Favorite Getaway Space…

Success Strategies

The sun, sand and sea is my favorite place to be.

I was asked to write about my favorite space to share with a visiting friend. I must confess that my love of nature transcends everything. It provides inspiration and a peace that boosts my writing prowess. That said, as my friend Chrissie comes for a 5-Day-visit, I will steal away to the island that captivates. None other than Captiva Island in Sunny Florida. It is a place I getaway to whenever I need to relax and unwind. When you get to Captiva Island, it feels like you are away from all the worries and cares of the world. Indeed the perfect distraction. The rooms overlook the bay or garden, your choice dependent on your budget.

Once I hosted a group business session at the end of the year to this ideal place. The goal was to reflect about plans…

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YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU REALLY WANT

You Can Do It if you really want…

Success Strategies

I snuck away at the start of this year to a Cool place in DC to finish my Doctoral studies, and am thrilled to say that by mid-year…I did it!! But nothing I did compared with the greatest challenge I embraced when I faced my fears and jumped 12,000 ft. from a small aircraft in a tandem skydive!!! Yikes!! View it here http://youtu.be/KbaFsgRZJC0. It was the most exhilarating experience! Amidst a feeling of fear, and the desire to accomplish a planned feat, I embraced the challenge. It affirmed to me that we can do great things when we put our minds to it. Even when we’re afraid, we can do it with God’s divine help. So, what’s holding you back from achieving your dreams, your goals, and your desires? Make a decision today. Do what’s laid on your heart. Put your plans in place. Don’t worry about the resources because…

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TED Talk 2023 Public Quest: Would You Share Your Private Goals?

The object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result is the defined meaning of GOALS

TED Talk asked individuals in a public forum to share their 2023 goals. Aghast I was when many chimed in sharing their own personal goals. Many chimed in with a few snippets shared here. One person replied … “No goals. No achievement. Just letting life happen”. Hmmm, to not plan is to just go with the flow. That may be good at times but what happens when you periodically assess? What result do you expect to find?

If you’re not measuring, you’re not managing it

Peter Drucker

Another said he was working on achieving his ‘2020’ goals. One may be quick to laugh until we remember what happened tin 2020. Yep! The pandemic. So that person is still focused on working that goal….hence the comment.

You may also like Goals: Killing me softly

Dreams They Shared

Tune in to these examples of 2023 goals and share yours if you dare.

  • To inspire and empower women
  • Mental health
  • To get a group of friends that line up with my values
  • Good health
  • To read more books
  • Buy a car
  • Being more polite
  • To be the best version of myself and be spirit-filled
  • To read the top 50 banned books
  • Content education. Teaching others by learning myself
  • No goals. No achievement. Just making the best of what life has to offer
  • To help others set and achieve their 2023 goals
  • Have a solid uninterrupted 8 hours sleep
  • Save money for my future goal
  • To find peace within myself
  • Graduate from university
  • Inspire and travel
  • To accomplish ‘2020 ‘ goal
  • To top the Board exam
  • Kindness to others and also to self

Remember share yours if you dare!

Cheers!

2022 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It.

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire


GreenLight: When God Says Go

Retirement: The Journey and The Destination is a guide to help readers in their twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties learn and appreciate the key considerations that should direct the process of planning for retirement so their preparation will not be fragmented, lopsided and insufficient.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

Books For The Food Lover

The Sways Of Poetry

Books For The Child Reader

Stori Stori

Celebrate Achiever, Celebrate in 13 Ways

Success Strategies

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The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by. – Alek Wek

I love challenges. I set goals, and do everything to accomplish them. Then when I do, I move on to the next goal. As the head of Head of Human Resources for many years, I relentlessly celebrated the achievement of others on the job, but I never stopped to celebrate my own personal achievements. In recent years I came to value the importance of celebrating life’s triumphs. I guess it comes with maturity. There is something gratifying to it. Besides, it leaves a lasting legacy on those close to me.

Oh how to celebrate? The question was asked and many Bravely Expressed  and jumped in. But I found Sarah Starrs list of ways to celebrate insightful. Here I share my top favs!

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Going Solo. Here’s The Thing About Contactlessness

Contactless – Not involving contact. Not requiring touching or interaction between people

Hungry? Order a meal. It’s not a problem, Uber delivers. Need a last minute birthday gift? An outfit to go on the town with your boo? These sure ain’t no problem these days. Amazon delivers, and if you have prime.., that’s even better. You get it in a day!

Smartphone, e-maps, e-mail on the go. Hit the pause button during a movie are things that our little ones can’t fathom living without.

Don’t call me. Text. WhatsApp. Not to mention the gazillion channels on our big screen TVs, yet we still can’t find the right one to watch. Netflix anyone?

Religious? Going to church? Overrated. That’s a thing of the past. Thanks to the pandemic, We meet online. Those old folk shut-ins ain’t got nothing on us.

These days it seems if you drink you can still drive. All you need to do is program your smart car to take you home – driverless… or so you think. I fathom you’re on your own if the cops catch you. And we could go on and on.

Our High Tech World

What has our society come to? Even the Bible has been translated into so many versions that I can hardly recognize John 3:16 anymore. Some versions have totally missed the meaning. But then again who reads the Bible anymore? After all, we are able to listen to all those famous preachers on demand. Who needs to read when we can listen to what they want to share with us. Let them preachers read it and tell us.

Sigh…

We have it all wrong. Our lives need the stillness and quietness that only comes from reading the word and listen to the still small voice. Only then we will be able to hear what’s said to those hurting and in pain. Only then will we be able to perceive what and how the good lord wants us to lead others to him for the peace that only he provides. Only then will we be able to comfort those who mourn. Only then will we be able to rejoice with those who shout with joy unspeakable when their blessings come through.

Going Solo

Our contactless society invites opportunities for :

  • Solo Sadness
  • Solo Mourning
  • Solo Fears

Going solo means no one has to know. But as often said, what’s done in quiet comes to light when those who are sad find themselves overwhelmed. The effects are the sad fruit of suicidal thoughts which become evident. And… before we jump to say that couldn’t happen to me… reflect on the signs of the rich and famous. Those who suffer in silence unable to face it anymore. Travel enthusiast Anthony Bourdain; Comedian Robin Williams; Miss USA Cheslie Kryst are just a few. We join with their loved ones as they still mourn.

Tis sad indeed. Our contactless society feeds aloneness, even in a crowd.

Let’s together do what we can in our small corner to connect with those behind closed doors. And if they won’t answer… that’s when you counter with direct help. Mental illness is a big thing that we can no longer sweep under the carpet and play hush-hush. Contact those trained to help.

Things To Do

Things we can do are:

  • Shut up and listen.
  • Pay attention. There is always a sign(s)
  • Check in on friends who go quiet or missing
  • Invade their privacy … but do it wisely, quietly and with caution
  • Be real. A genuine spirit can be felt just like the hypocritical ones
  • Don’t be afraid to ask “Are you okay?” It sounds simple but it’s the thing to do
  • Pray. It works. Ask for wisdom, guidance and that spirit of discernment

Here’s hoping this reflection motivates and inspires you to reach out to a friend or loved one today.

How are you coping in our contactless world? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

2022 Travel Dreams? 7 Best In The World Road-Trips…

Workaholic. Yep, that’s me. It’s strange that I am dreaming of a getaway so early in the New Year. But guess what? It’s actually carried forward from prior years. Been dreaming of my favorite getaway space but haven’t had a chance to take it. So here I go dreaming as I was asked to share a road trip that I would like to take.

Conde Naste shared the best Road Trips in the world. Amidst the pandemic and all, I shook my head against international travel. Too many requirements. Then on a whim, I mused… hey why not? As the saying goes:

If you can dream it, you can do it

Walt Disney

7 Dream Road Trips

So I let my mind wonder to the list which includes several but my top faves are:

  1. Highway 101 Oregon
  2. Namibia’s Desert
  3. Hana Highway Hawaii
  4. Norway
  5. Ireland
  6. Iceland
  7. Tuscany Italy

Tuscany, Italy

Why not Tuscany? This is my favorite place that I dream of. Renowned travel expert Samantha Brown challenged us to plan a trip that we are excited about. So as I perused the list, I selected my dream place-Tuscany, Italy. Ireland comes closely second, but Tuscany is my preferred place. I decided to pull the full details below for ease of access for both myself or any who wish to get the information. If Italy isn’t for you, then other destinations can be gleaned from them here

Tuscany’s bucolic, vineyard-dotted landscape makes for the quintessential Italian road trip. Start in Florence and cruise south on the SS22 for 30 minutes until you reach the heart of the Chianti wine region. Take your time winding through Strada and Greve towards Siena, stopping at cantine along the way (we recommend these ones). Depending on how much time you have, spend the night in Panzano before circling back up to Florence the next day, or head further south to Montalcino, Montepulciano, and the spectacular Val d’Orcia—arguably the most beautiful stretch of countryside in Tuscany.

Where to stop: Ruffino’s sprawling Poggio Casciano estate for truffle hunting and tastingAntinori nel Chianti Classico for its Instagram-worthy glass-and-steel winery and equally show-stopping wine; Tenuta Il Greppo, where the first Brunello di Montalcino was bottled in 1888.

Where to eat: Officina della Bistecca in Panzano-in-Chianti for the best steak in all of Tuscany; Re di Macchia in Montalcino for its classic, hearty Tuscan cuisine like white bean soup and wild boar pasta.

Where to stay: In castles, always. We like the intimate, art-filled Castello di Ama in Gaiole in Chianti and the lavish, hilltop Castello Banfi il Borgo in Montalcino, which has an infinity pool overlooking the vineyards.

Your Turn

What’s your dream travel designation or road trip for this year? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Italy Photo by Stan Swinnen on Pexels.com

Your Reader’s Gift …

Do you know why some people succeed while others don’t? It’s simple. They never give up.


People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar

Motivation is important to success. Give a push start or a power boost to a struggling entrepreneur today. 101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs will ignite their new year with the desire to keep going when they feel like giving up.

Successful people press on when the going gets tough and they become discouraged. J. K. Rowling

The Meaningful Job Decision

Did I make the right choice when I was headhunted? Selena revealed that her 9-to-5 job was an exciting rollercoaster journey. Four years earlier, she was headhunted by a giant company to manage its flagship location. They had called her many times, but she avoided interview invites because of her job’s loyalty. She was not sure how to tell them that she had landed a new opportunity. As time progressed, she went away to a distant country then returned to her home country, hoping that the headhunter would have forgotten, but they had not. On arrival back home, she was invited to an interview. This time she went. Not surprisingly, she was offered the job at twice the salary.

Help someone you know move on from a difficult, stressful job. It might just be that they have been doing the job for 5, 10, 15 years and just want a change. With the book Ditch it, Switch it, you’re sure to give them the ignition to make the decision as they step into the new year.

Quiet Peace In The Midst of Life’s Storm

At three in the morning I received the most devastating news. My daughter’s Godmother had lost her 15-year-old granddaughter. She had died of a massive Asthma attack. I screamed—quietly. I asked the Lord why, why, why? I did not understand. As I sought answers, her aunt encouraged that she did not understand either, but she was safe in the Lord’s loving arms.

Months later as the still grieving mom received a copy of the book My Safe Place, she sat feeling comforted. It brought a sense of peace that quieted her heart. Consider those who mourn this holiday season. Give the gift of prayer and daily inspiration to those who are hurting from sickness, mental incarceration, and loss. GreenLight and My Safe place provides that comfort. Gift it now.

Poetry

A poet’s work … to name the unnamable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it from going to sleep

Salman Rushdie

Poems revive the soul and encourage the heart. Charmaine speaks these in her book I write. You Recite.

Purpose And Meaning

Nothing brings me more joy than a life dedicated to the personal growth and development of others. Life is about helping others along life’s way. Choose your book today and make a difference in the lives of your friends, family or foe.

Over To You

Which book has made an impact on your life? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers

Ring In The Cheer With These Holiday Games…

Success Strategies

To laugh and play is to Love during the Holidays

Want to spice up your holiday with friends, family or foe (yikes)? Here are two Holiday Games to help squeeze the giggles. Simple prizes make the laughs sweet. Can’t be together? Try it virtually. Be creative, change ideas to match your mood and enjoy!

What’s your favorite holiday game? Do share. We would love to hear.

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Pre-Planning Your Mistakes? 13 Ways To Get Out Of Your Head…

13 Ways To Get Out Of Your Head

You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. ~Wayne Gretzky

I heard a TV host who was showing a young lady how to use a piece of equipment which she was actively trying to learn. She went into a what if scenario to which he retorted with the question… “are you pre-planning your mistakes?” She laughed.

It reminded me of how we often act. We think of everything that could go wrong instead of thinking of the things that could go right. What if I go after the entrepreneurship venture and fail? What if I apply to the job and they turn me down? What if I invest in the relationship and it doesn’t work out? What if scenarios play over and over in our head. It gets us nowhere. Get out of your head and take the bull by the horn (so to speak). Here’s a brief list of things you can do to get out of your head.

13 Things To Do To Get Out Of Your Head

  1. Breathe
  2. Pray. Meditate
  3. Exercise. Go for a walk/run
  4. Recite a Mantra. Motivational Quotes and Positive Affirmations work
  5. Recognize the signs of the negative and create an action plan to beat it
  6. Write it down. Get the negative thoughts out of of your head
  7. Focus on your end-goal
  8. Watch an inspiring movie. Laugh. Comedy puts you on your lighter side.
  9. Make a list of inspiring movies, songs, or anything that will help you beat the downward mood trend
  10. Talk it out. Have a trusted friend that you can share your thoughts and insecurities with.
  11. Have an accountability partner who will check in with you continuously about your goal
  12. Let go of negative people, environment or things. Anything that holds you back.
  13. Keep learning. Learn something new. It builds your confidence.

These are just a few of the things you can do when you start to question yourself. Remember life comes with its ups and downs. So it is important to take the time to grow in spite of the things that may try to pull you down. Keep yourself motivated to achieve.

How about you? What do you do to keep yourself motivated when the negative thoughts threaten? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Follow me on Instagram for daily motivation

7 Movies To Enjoy This Easter…

I love movies! Movies tell stories or teach us something. Most people watch movies for entertainment or to have fun. Movies make us laugh, cry, feel inspired or simply getaway from the here and now (Wikipedia). One of my favorite is Under The Tuscan Sun. That’s because I am a writer and it inspires my own personal growth to do something different. To explore, dream but most important to do something to make a difference. Here are 7 Easter Movies for your binging pleasure.

You may also like 9 Movies That Inspire Self-Discovery…

Movies That Move You

  1. The Passion Of Christ
  2. I Can Only Imagine
  3. Risen
  4. The Greatest Story Ever Told
  5. The Dog Who Saved Easter
  6. Steel Magnolias
  7. Ben-Hur

Relax and indulge your movie pleasures with family and friends this Easter. Your favorite not on the list? Do share, we would love to hear!

Prefer to retreat to your favorite space and read? Here’s my newest book just released “My Safe Place”. Grab your copy and experience peace.

Cheers!

Why Do You Do What You Do? Here’s How To Find Out…

What’s that one word that encourages you to do everything you do?

Evan Carmichael

Here are Questions Carmichael proposed to get you started to find your own One Word that will help define everything you do in life.

5 Core Questions To Ask Yourself

  1. What makes you happy?
  2. What connects your happiness?
  3. What trait do you hate?
  4. What’s your constant?
  5. Is this really who you are?

Limiting Beliefs

  1. It’s too Hard
  2. What do you think?
  3. Someone else is doing it
  4. It’s too Simple

Take a moment and find your one word. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Already know what drives you, do share, we would love to hear!

Cheers!

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