Tag: inspiration
2023 Holiday Gift Guide For Book Lovers …
Give the gift of insight, inspiration, and growth this holiday season! Delve into the world of leadership, self-discovery, inspiration and professional development with these curated books. Perfect for friends, family, or colleagues seeking to elevate their leadership skills and embark on a transformative journey. Click the Gift Guide, choose a book that sparks growth and ignites the potential within your loved ones this festive season!
Each Book link takes you directly to Amazon where you can buy, beautifully gift wrap and place under your well-lit sparkling Christmas tree. Voila! They’re thrilled!
Hope this guide has inspired your gift giving. E-books are perfect for last minute book shoppers. Grab copies for the perfect New Year’s gift. Oh, don’t forget to get a copy of my just released book RedLight: When God Says No which completes the GreenLight trilogy.
Can’t decide which to get? Let’s Connect!
I Chose Me Yet I Felt Guilty …

I chose me. Yet I felt guilty.
I chose me and I felt guilty. Hmm, has that ever happened to you? I chose the best option for me given the situation, yet I felt so guilty. I’m a giver. Everybody knows that. I give of my time and energy to others, most often sacrificially. I had two obligations simultaneously while making funeral plans for a close relative. Balancing all three events was hard. Funeral arrangements take you on an emotional roller coaster. Just imagine the ride.
After much thought and careful consideration, I chose the conference that would contribute to my own personal growth and development. It solidified by decision to try new things. Yet I felt guilty about the one I omitted which would have benefited others and not me.
Has that ever happened to you? The art of self-care is important. It forges balance and one that’s definitely needed especially during busy times. Here are 9 ways to help you take care of you combined with these those listed:
- Stand up for yourself
- Don’t respond to a call/email (that will stress you) until you’re ready
- Put yourself first (not selfishly)
- Miss a social event
- Be less perfect
- Say no
- End a toxic relationship
- Take breaks (it works wonders)
- Set boundaries
- Ask for your needs to be met (within reason)
Hope this list created by @insightful and shared by Viola Davis will help you maintain the care you need to give to yourself and boost your momentum.
Cheers!
Footprints By The Waves

Your footprints are a reflection of the journey you’ve taken.
Lazily I walked the length of the beach then did a 180 degree turn to saunter back. That’s when I noticed a trail of my own footprints. It reminded me of the path I had taken to relax, unwind and bask in some well-needed solo selfcare.
After a day filled with the excitement of a crazed movie, followed by sweet, chilli peppered spice delicious meal, the plan was to close my day lying on the beach at sunset wave watching. But the weather had a different vibe In mind.
It was September and I should have known. It’s stormy season. Funny enough it didn’t spoil things for me. Watching the waves as they splashed against the sand is totally my thing. I watched in the distance as beach goers sauntered away as the clouds darkened and and light rain began.
My footprints disappeared as the waves seem to say don’t mess up our sand. No signs of nature’s little birds that always keep my company. I think they’re smarter than me. As the clouds formed, and the thunder beckoned in the distant, they flew away preparing for the evening’s wave.
But I’ll stay as the sun prepared to set early against the clouds. Perfect time for the evenings prayer for little 11-year old Senae. May the lord provide answers to her medical team and provide that breakthrough to find whatever ails her tiny frame.
We welcome you holy spirit as the waves wash away the plights of the sick and provide the healing as only God can.
The Writing Process…
No one is going to come rescue you—you only have yourself. The good news, it turns out, is that you are all you need.
Arnold Schwarzenegger

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER tale of reading his audiobook. Intrigued by his story. Here I share in his own words
I could tell you I am fantastic at everything, but I’d be lying.
I just finished recording my audiobook, Be Useful. It comes out October 10. I could tell you how amazing it was to sit down and record my own words, but the truth is, I was absolutely dreading it.
Here’s my secret: I’m a terrible reader. They didn’t talk about learning disabilities in Austria in the 1950s, so most of the time, when I was asked to read out loud in class, it was just a disaster, and I got smacked with a ruler. But now I know that I’m dyslexic.
When I prepare for a movie, I read the script over and over for months until I’ve memorized every line. I need time and reps to get my mind around the words.
They told me authors ready their books in 2 or 3 days at the studio. I asked for the recording equipment at home and told them I’d do 20-30 pages a day. That way I could log in with the director and producer twice a day for shorter sessions and I could practice non-stop in between.
In this process, I used my own lessons.
- I let myself dread it and complain for a minute, but then I forced myself to get moving, because denial wasn’t going to get it recorded.
- I did so many reps I couldn’t count. I broke it up into small pieces, knowing that small wins build up into big victories, or in this case, a whole book.
- I had the help of a fantastic team. My own team, but also the producers and directors Nithya, Danny, and Kris, and Eric who set up the equipment. All of us need help; none of us are self made.
Four Stages Of Elimination In Life…

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.
John Lennon
Alvin Foo in a LinkedIn post shared his view of the different stages of life. Here is his thought-provoking view. Is it a reality check or a paralysis digger? Hmm, read and decide.
Four Stages of Elimination in Life
At 60, the workplace eliminates you. No matter how successful or powerful you were during your career, you’ll return to being an ordinary person. So, don’t cling to the mindset and sense of superiority from your past job, let go of your ego, or you might lose your sense of ease!
At 70, society gradually eliminates you. The friends and colleagues you used to meet and socialize with become fewer, and hardly anyone recognizes you at your former workplace. Don’t say, “I used to be…” or “I was once…” because the younger generation won’t know you, and you mustn’t feel uncomfortable about it!
At 80, family slowly eliminates you. Even if you have many children and grandchildren, most of the time you’ll be living with your spouse or by yourself. When your children visit occasionally, it’s an expression of affection, so don’t blame them for coming less often, as they’re busy with their own lives!
At 90, the Earth wants to eliminate you. Some of the people you knew have already departed forever. At this point, don’t be sad or mournful, because this is the way of life, and everyone will eventually follow this path!
Therefore, while our bodies are still capable, live life to the fullest! Eat what you want, drink what you desire, play and do the things you love.
Remember, the only thing that won’t eliminate you is the your current families and friends. So, meet more, communicate more, say a hello, maintain your presence, be happy, and have no regrets!
Do you agree with his view of life? Did it put you in a state of melancholy, reflection or glee? Do share, we would love to hear.
Cheers!
Take Time To Do Nothing…
Relax, recharge, and reflect. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.
Izey Victoria Odiase

Take time to do nothing.
Sometimes you need to just relax and do nothing. Then you will be more productive.
Cheers!
Words To Use Instead Of “Very” …
Life changes very quickly in a very positive way if you let it
Lindsey Vonn
The word “Very” is often overused, articulated Tina O’Rourke in a public writers forum. Personally. as an author you may feel the same way. Here’s s list of replacement words you can adapt instead.

Cheers!
What’s Stopping You?

What’s stopping you?
That was the question asked. It’s fitting for those who are stuck. Those who have dreams, goals, and aspirations yet like a Nested Sludge, do nothing to progress towards achieving them.
Why do we hesitate? Why don’t we step out and do what needs to be done? What holds us back?
Here I share some of the responses from individuals to the question posed.
- Fear …period
- Confidence
- Not believing in myself
- Laziness
- Fear of Failure
- Fear of the What if’s
- Judgment of others
- Not knowing where to start and not having the means
- Lack of money
- Fear of failure and having possible regrets
- Selecting career
- People
- Being disappointed
- Possible rejection
- Procrastination
- Platform
- Capital
- Double faced people
- Lack of confidence and confused
- Discipline
- Pain and fear
- Losing people who I love
- Interacting with people
- Daily conflicts with people but they are not stopping me just standing…
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7 Things To Do When Stuck…

You know those things you have always wanted to do, you should go do them.
What is it that thing you have always wanted to do? Change job? Start a family? Enroll on that degree? Learn a new skill? Take that vacation?
Life gets hard at times. Chances are with everything happening around us at work, home, school, it can knock us off our feet. The result often is being stuck. Not moving. As in a state of shock, standing still. Below are 7 Things you can do when you are stuck.
- Do something! Step out! Complete that application! Try something new!
- Plan an escape rather than daydream about different scenarios. Go on a trip to relax and reboot your thoughts.
- Switch up your daily activities.
- Don’t envy and compare yourself to others.
- Do one positive thing for yourself today.
- If you want to change your life, Pray. Change your…
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The ‘Very’Alternative For Those Who Write …

Style means the right word. The rest matters little.”
—Jules Renard
Remarkable resource shared in an Authors’ forum. Great ‘very‘ alternative for those who write.
My Favorite Getaway Space…

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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