A Cup of Coffee

Success Strategies

coffeIf we were having coffee right now I’d tell you how much I still love my delicious black tea. It seems I am never able to quiet my desire for that soothing hot taste. The drive and energy it gives reinvigorates my day. Sometimes I sneak away for fear of those questioning eyes saying…”what’s up with her and her constant commute to the coffee machine”? Forget them I say! I work more assiduously when I’m fully dosed up!

If we were having coffee right now, I’d tell you that I’ve started this …well not really started but revamped my blog. That said, WordPress has this amazing Blogging University which is available for those who are interested in pushing their personal writing careers up a notch. So I decided to enroll and have been doing so for the past six months. The thought came to me after I published my book on

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New Year’s Wish…

Wishing you joy that springs from deep within Wishing you brave heart that’s infinite
Wishing you love beyond measure
Wishing you smiles that’s hard to dissolve
Wishing you peace even when things go wrong
Wishing you God’s divine direction in all you do

May God grant your heart’s desire, throughout the new year and beyond.

Cheers!

7 Ways To Make Change Stick…

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.

Oprah Winfrey

Change is hard. Changing a habit especially one that has been a habit for a lifetime is no small feat. Recently, the question was asked “how does one make change stick?” Great question especially with the holidays on the horizon when many are swamped with resolutions. Here are 7 easy to do strategies to help you progress.

  1. Focus on your Why
  2. Set Deadlines and Stick to it
  3. Make Changes manageable
  4. Celebrate Small Wins
  5. Take small steps. Increase as you Progress
  6. Get an Accountability Partner
  7. Track your Progress

What has worked for you? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com

5 Once In A Lifetime Family Vacays To Plan In 2022…

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.

So it was with anticipation that I gasped at Travel & Leisure’s article 7 Family Vacations that everyone should do at least once. I quickly indulged and was happy to note what my family and I (led by my oldest), have done. From the list, here are a few.

Cruise Away

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.

Cheers!

Avoid The Grinch Syndrome This Christmas…

Avoid The Grinch Syndrome

The president for one of the biggest and most successful companies called a zoom meeting and fired 900 staff all at once- just before Christmas. When the media asked why (he was so mean at Christmas) he said they all work 2-hour days and report 8. Hmmm… Yea, the boss may have a case but it’s in the how he did it and when he did it. No matter the logic, he will still be seen as a Grinch.

So who is a Grinch? A person who spoils the fun of others. A spoilsport. A drag. A party pooper. That’s the Miriam Dictionary’s meaning. So here are 7 Suggestions on what you can do to avoid being a Grinch this holiday season

7 Ways To Share Joy This Holiday

  1. Do something kind for someone you don’t know
  2. Watch your favorite holiday movie
  3. Get festive. Decorate your home
  4. Give a Gift to someone in need
  5. Get social. Hang out with friends and family
  6. Give of your time
  7. Volunteer for a good cause

Personally, I love the holidays and wouldn’t mind celebrating all year round. But yes there are always those who are sad and down at this time. Reach out and lend a hand. Give a word of encouragement. Try any of the 7 ways shared and give love this Christmas.

How do you combat the Grinch Sydrome during the holidays? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

The Biggest Enemies of Willpower…

The biggest enemies of willpower: temptation, self-criticism, and stress. These three skills —self-awareness, self-care, and remembering what matter most— are the foundation for self-control.

-Kelly McGonigal

Traveling? Top 11 Things To Do Before You Board That Flight…

We love to travel! The warmth of new places brings smiles and memories that last. But getting to the pleasures of our vacation destination often comes with a nightmare. Travel and Leisure shared their top 25 Things to do before getting on a plane. Here are my top 11 Favs, which by the way makes business travel a breeze.

Pre-Travel Stress Reducers

  1. Get the airlines credit card which offers perks like priority access and other rewards
  2. Download your airlines app. No check-in and free onboard entertainment
  3. Signup for TSA Pre-Check. Forego It’s a smart strategy for a smoother walk through and some airlines refund you the application fee
  4. Check your bags size and dimensions. Airlines are reducing the space. Rid yourself of the headache and follow the rules before you leave home
  5. Compile your gadgets. Being organized makes your life easier
  6. Lounge around the departure lounges instead of sitting at the gate. Life’s simple
  7. Wear comfortable clothing. But I dare say remember airline rules. For example Sometimes short shorts makes the morning news when tempers flare
  8. Disinfect. Need I say more?
  9. Reserve airport parking before you leave. Works like magic and you will walk away looking at cars circling the garage or squeals at missed flights
  10. Grab and Go is a great idea for starving passengers. Get the app and order ahead
  11. That wretched life-saving Mask. Don’t forget it.

BONUS

Read. Bring a book

So these are my top favs. What’s yours? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

The Sea. The Beach. The Waves. Quiet Reflections…

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.

Blessing overflow.

9 Things To Do By Yourself…

Success Strategies

Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get, you’ve got to make yourself.” – Alice Walker

Reflection, Rest, Relaxation & Renewal

Self-care is important, and so is doing it alone ..yikes! But time alone is important. It Evokes reflection, rest, relaxation and renewal.

Here I share my own favorite list of 9 Things to do by yourself.

Self-Care

  1. Give yourself a mini retreat weekend–eat healthy food, go for a massage, spoil yourself, and really relax!
  2. Meditate. Sit. Be still and devote time to listen to your spiritual thoughts. Breathe.
  3. Have dinner on your own in a nice restaurant… take time to really enjoy the food
  4. Go somewhere in the city where you have never been
  5. Study. Sign up for an online course in any topic you have an interest in and learn something new
  6. Sip a cup of tea and look out…

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5K Run. 4 Tips To Prepare…

Finish it, then take two Advil”. Words of encouragement from the point-marker.

At Five o’clock each morning, I’m up and running. Yep, that was me during my high school days. I was on the track team. Funny thing is I never did it as a requirement. Just thought I’d go with my dad (a professional boxing champ) and worked out while he worked out. 100-meter sprint, 400 or 800 meter distance running was nothing. The preparation worked. I captured many awards which I sadly I did not keep to show my kids. Why? Because the value was not in the awards received, but in the talent I used it to benefit my school’s track and field events. The value was in supporting my teams at school, business house athletic championships and in the community.

The Prep: How to Prepare For The 5K

Here are Tony’s tips for how to prepare in 4 Weeks

  1. Week 1: Brisk walk for 5 minutes. Jog slowly for 1 minute, and then walk for 1 1/2 minutes.
  2. Week 2: Brisk walk for 5 minutes. Jog slowly for 1 1/2 minutes, and then walk for 2 minutes.
  3. Week 3: Brisk walk for 5 minutes.
  4. Week 4: Brisk walk for 5 minutes.

In addition, Judith front-line head Nurse and 5K Expert shared her top 3 Points:

1. One thing that I tell people to do is download the App “Couch To 5K”. That App trains you to run. 2. Make sure you eat an excellent breakfast for energy (oatmeal with blueberries; a big bagel with some protein – peanut butter is great if you like it. You need the carbs for energy). 3. Hydrate well during training and also the day before the run (I alternate with water and Gatorade for the runs). Happy running!

How I Prepared

How did I prepare? Nothing. Nada. Actually, I decided I would go to support the worthy cause, take a picture and move on, back to the safety and warmth of my car, then return home. My mistake? I walked with the crowd of runners to the starting point. Then I decided to walk on just a little further…and a little further. As I progressed along the journey, the crowd seemed to have disappeared and my car was nowhere in sight. Father help! But then with no option to get back to my car on that very cold and windy morning, my high school coaching motivation chipped in. I walked slower and hydrated. Though the journey seemed never-ending, I got to the finish line …police escort and all.

Walk. Pray. Strategize

Yep! That’s what I did. I walked. Prayed and Strategized my year’s goals. This feat reminded me of my resilience. It started with my desire to support a worthy cause and ended with my learning to always be prepared (my girl scout motto). Although the journey seemed never-ending, the cheers and smiles of point-markers made it so much easier.

That said, be encouraged. Find your own point-markers to achieve your life’s goals–be it work, education, family or other. Keep advancing to your own finish line. Success awaits.

Cheers!

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