In your own quiet corner you lay at night. You dream about being in the nationals. You work your butt off and that dream finally becomes real. Then you start thinking is the Olympics possible? 4 Years of hard work and sacrifice and it comes through! Millions grin with joy and you cannot help but beam. Then another 4 years to go higher. Is it possible? Can you do it again? You get to work again but pretty soon you realize the dream is no longer yours. You want to back off but start thinking … what will they say? How will they react? But really you no longer want that dream (for you).
Is it worth it to deny yourself and go after their goal? One can only think of the Olympics and the predicament of the athletes who compete. Usain bolt was one. Armed with the birth name…
The 5 Things I am Thankful for depicted in picture form. First, Answered prayers. Second, my inner passion to help others achieve their goals through coaching. Third, willingness to try new things like I did with a sky dive … see it here
Fourth, My interest in personal growth which I did when I published my first book on leadership and Success and haven’t stop writing. Fifth and final, my two girls and family who makes life meaningful.
Basking in the sun, sand and beach on an island in the sea. Hmm oh what fun it is to be. So sure I’m not alone in dreaming of those great vacation escapes! But while I am dreaming others are planning and experiencing the magic that it brings. From rejuvenation, peace of mind, laughter and squeals with kids, my oldest plans and puts it into action, then sends a link so the dream becomes real. She did it with my most memorable getaway for a weekend in Paris. A place I had dreamed of for years. A workaholic, she knew her mom would continue to procrastinate to find the right time for herself. So off she went and booked it for a birthday getaway. Yep, that dream became real.
The last time our family did this, it was January 2020 just before the pandemic. We set sail on a short weekend trip to the Bahamas for a kiddo’s birthday to swim with the dolphins. It was divine. The more lengthy trip to Greece took a combination of cruise and flights to the Turkish, Istanbul land. A must do at least once in a lifetime.
All Inclusive Resort Getaway
Being of the island of wood and water… yep Jamaica, this is a staple. But as I reflect, the Jewel runs-away with the mouth-dripping cocktail welcome. You are sure to never want to leave the staples of all you can eat island food with munches of worldwide delectable while basking in the sun, sand and sea in between. Not to mention the rooms, jacuzzi, and spa to massage away those tired work stressed muscles
The Slopes Is A Must Do
Breckenridge in Colorado never disappoints. My youngest asked after one Christmas family gathering to go on a road trip. She was too young to know that it takes planning. So I charged her to research where she wanted to go. She did and months later decided on a Colorado gem. This small town rates high during the holidays with its hidden Christmas town after gondola rides atop the mountains to slide down the slopes from skiing, snowboarding, or just angel-playing in the snow. A certain kids dream come through.
Road-Trip
Road-tripping causes you to trip when kids spill juices, food and candy wraps all over. Organized with trash bags does help but tell it to the little ones (ha ha). Our last road-trip took us to the Tennessee experience. We went through great landmarks with stops along the highways to rest, refuel and driver exchange. The tiredness you feel is nothing when compared to the lifetime memories.
Some Place New
So as the pandemic wears on, we dream of someplace new where we can just chill. For me as a writer, it will be a solo retreat to encounter that writing escape.
What About You?
What’s your dream for a place that you must visit at least once in a lifetime? Do share. We would love to hear.
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 And Success. The Link
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.
Ever wondered how even the thought of the beach makes you feel relaxed? I reflect on a holiday when my family and I spent some time in the islands with a getaway at the beach enjoying the beautiful sunrise and sunset while avoiding the thought of the icy snow. It was a relaxing feeling that I wished could be brought to many during the Christmas snowy season.
I pondered more and decided to reflect on the reasons the beach is an answered prayer. Here I share 4 benefits as gleaned from Christina Heiser.
The Blue Color
The color blue is associated with feelings of calm and peace while staring at the ocean puts us into a mild meditative state that enhances creativity. The perfect place for me as I write. The book My Safe Place serves as evidence
This Museum is a must visit when in Florida. Plan your visit to Learn more about this innovative initiative and don’t hesitate to donate unique and historical Caribbean artifacts. The Museum’s hardworking team are happy to shed the light!
The pandemic has turned the world upside down. “We don’t see sick people.” That’s what the receptionist at the doctor’s office said. Haley’s symptoms included running nose and nasal congestion but it was annoying and missing work was even more so. After all, she had bills to pay.
So the office proceeded to setup a virtual appointment for her to see the doctor. Without the necessary tools to do her vital signs at home, ‘seeing’ the doctor only meant them collecting her co-pay and telling her to go to the urgent care. More cost and even more time away from work. Several hours and doctors charges later, she tested negative for the recommended Covid test but was down several hundred dollars and lost worktime. Worse yet, she was told to visit the pharmacy to pick up something for the common cold she knew she had from the beginning. Believe it or not, this situation is repeated multiple times everyday.
Covid. Covid-19. The Pandemic
Sad times indeed. the pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world. There’s no escape. Many wander in despair. Some become house-rats. Businesses slowed. Some even closed. Entertainment suffered. Travel, hotel stays took a nose dive. With no entertainment, economic devise, anger soared. Panicked consumers wander in fear. Deaths are many and goodbyes are few. Too many have lost hope. Let’s just gallivant. Live our best life before we die. So they play. It’s not going to make a difference, they say.
Enter the vaccine. Hope indeed! Personally I jumped at the opportunity to get the two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Adorned in short sleeves, I rolled up twice and got the shots. I’d take more if needed. Having worked in pharmaceuticals for a decade and more, I know what goes into research and development to help people do more, feel better and live longer. Critics will always exist but it’s well needed to prolong life, or to ease pain and discomfort.
The anti-vaccine are either afraid or make things political warding off and spreading fear. Oh the side effects of the vaccine will make you impotent, they say. Or you don’t know what’s going to happen later in life and the list goes on. But if something provides you with the ability to live a better life, wouldn’t you go after it? Who in their right mind would want to experience discomfort when there’s an alternative? I find it strange as most of us growing up had to be vaccinated against diseases such as MMR, Chicken-Pox and more. Chances are we are not able to enjoy epic travel trips unless we have proof of being vaccinated.
So I encourage those skeptics, to do the right thing. Get vaccinated. The life you save may even be yours. A colleague at the hairdresser was mourning. Her best friend of many years had just passed away due to Covid. She took all the necessary precautions. Stayed home, sanitized, cleaned, and sanitized again and again. Then her beloved young adult son went out, contracted the Covid virus. Unknown to him because he was asymptomatic. He passed it to her. Sadly, within a few days, she died. Another young mom decided to stay home after testing positive because the hospital wouldn’t allow family visits. That night she died. And there are many more sad stories.
There Is A Vaccine
Again there’s no cure. But there’s a vaccine. Yet many refuse to take it. Politics? Ignorance? Rumor-mongering? Fear? Who knows? But it makes sense to take it.
I close with the wise well known quote “Prevention. Is better than cure“. Choose wisdom. Save you. Deal with the consequences (if any) later. There might not be any.
A writer’s dream getaway comes through with Travel & Leisure’s recommendation of The 5 Best All Inclusive Resorts in Florida! And guess what? One of them happens to be in my backyard! Often I have been guilty of traveling far for the all inclusive getaway experience. Travel and Leisure takes me back to my native island of Jamaica where none beats the all inclusive concept in any of the Caribbean islands. There you will find white Sandy beaches. Tons of drinks usher your presence in a welcoming gala on arrival and throughout your hotel stay. Such include the Jewel Resorts, Sandals, Beaches, Half Moon and tons more.
Getaway To Write
I love to getaway to write, to relax amidst the beauty and safety of the beach shores. Now I commit to trying the concept right here in my backyard. Will get back with the results as I go to my safe place to bask in the beauty of Florida’s sand, seas and shores.
3 Writing Resorts
Oh and by the way, 3 of the Resorts named were:
Bungalows Key Largo, Florida Keys
Club Med Sand Piper Bay, Port St. Lucie
Trade Winds Island Resorts, St Pete Beach
Start planning to get your writing on. Need help? Lets connect.
We know what matters to you the most Virgo — your health and wellness. How else could you get everything done, you overachiever, you? So take a moment to give yourself the best spa package and fine dining to match with a desert getaway in the heart of Arizona. This world famous resort has an Aqua circuit like no other, with state-of-the-art amenities to boost your body’s ability to heal and overall well-being. Take advantage of the sound healing classes in the evenings to give you the ultimate night’s sleep, and then wake to practice yoga on the lawn. In between, you’ll have the chance for a massage, a reiki session, and a deliciously rejuvenating smoothie by the pool. With gorgeous weather for most of the year, you get the maximum amount of Vitamin D in this sunlit state, so you’ll be sure to feel the lasting results of good health even after you return home.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough
~Unknown
Travel. See the world. Party. Think about you and making you happy. That’s what they say. But think about that. Do those things bring meaning? Let’s examine this philosophy closely.
Travel. Oh to see new places and bask in the ambiance. A change of pace incites creativity and value for the things that exist. But in your haste to travel, make sure you spend time basking in the culture of another’s land. Understand the host culture. There are always do’s and don’ts. Foreign Language may be a problem. If you’re not prepared, you won’t be able to communicate. For example, once during my business travel, I ordered bacon through room service and got something totally different. Another time during an international conference a colleague wanted to order hot dog during lunch. She indicated to the server “caliente woof, woof”. Bet you didn’t know that means hot dog (well at least by her definition). As hilarious as that was, she received her correct order.
Be Happy
Be Happy. Think Only About You. Well-intentioned but life is more than you. We must collaborate in order to co-habitate. Everything we do affect those close to us–be it family, friend or foe. So think before you act.
Remember, life is about living. But live in such a way that those who interact in your space are positively affected. Definitely something to think about, and remember… only what you do for Christ will last.
The sea. The beach. The waves. It’s my safe place. I never want to leave. I sit coiled at the edge of the lazy beach chair, gazing in melancholy at the morning’s sunrise. All is still as time stops. As the sun began its heated quest, I sat pensively not wanting to leave.
Still fast asleep there’s no one in sight. Just me, as the waves batter the shore. My heart tugs as I long to rid life’s woeful work-related stress. I just want to stay to listen to nature’s quest. In quietness is where the heaven’s awake and gives me the strength to reach forward to start a new day, a new chapter, a time of serenity. I pray that I’ll listen as the spirit quietly leads, guides and directs my path.
In stillness is where I find my strength. Strengthen me lord, strengthen me. Speak and make me listen.
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.
Success Strategies 