People are Important to Me

Family and friends; they are important to us, but are they good for us? Are they good for our health and well being? As you think about this question consider how each person makes you feel. You will find that some people leave you feeling invigorated, light and happy. Other people you may walk away from feeling tired, worn out as if you need a nap.

Many years ago I read a book called “The Celestine Prophecy.” A part in the book that stood out for me was the description of the energy flow around 2 people as they had a conversation. The author writes that a healthy conversation creates an energy flow back and forth, in and out, gently surrounding each person like a soft summer breeze. At the end of the conversation both individuals feel good, renewed, content or happy.  In another type of conversation one person has the energy flow like described above and the other person acts like a vacuum and sucks the energy away as soon as it is created. The flow of energy around each person and back and forth is interrupted and this consequently leaves one person feeling great and the other drained and exhausted by the visit. This second version reminds me of the giver and taker. One person gives because they are good hearted and love how it makes them feel. The other person just takes, takes what ever they can get, cares only about themselves and see the world only through their eyes.

Kindness for You and for Me.

I always think about the ripple effect in our world. Every action has a reaction and every reaction is determined by how we feel at the moment and how our past has defined us. If the reaction is good or bad we tend to show it to others. It is difficult not to.
Many of us are in such a rush that we forget to be kind to our fellow human. We need to remember that they are just like us and need the same amount of love and kindness in their lives as we do. The wonderful thing about an act of kindness is that it feels just as good to the giver as it does the receiver!

Have you ever smiled at someone and watched their expression? Some people don’t know how to handle it and some smile back in a silent gesture of thanks. In either case the smile resinates  and lingers with them as their day passes. When I lived in northern California I used to frequently pay the bridge toll for the car behind me. I loved the thought of the next person being told that the car ahead took care of their payment. I imagined that person getting to their destination, sharing the story and having a wonderful day.

Keep your eyes open to what is going on around you and you will find an opportunity to brighten someone’s day. If you need ideas you can start with the simple gestures on this card and add to it as you go along. Have fun!

Inspirational Cards for Teenagers

I am very happy to share this testimonial with you.

Hello Barbara,

I met you at the Holiday Crafts Fair at El Toro High School in November.  You were kind enough to give me the Daily Whisper Cards for Teenagers when I told you that I was a therapist working with a group of young women in troubled relationships.

I wanted to give you an update on how I have used the cards.  At the end of every group meeting, I have each person select a card from the deck.  Then each person reads their card and talks about what it means to them.  We have found, not surprisingly, that the perfect card finds its way into the hands of the person who needs it the most.  They write down the message and refer to it during the week.  They are also asked to journal about it before our next meeting.

During one of our meetings, time ran away from us.  I made the quick decision not to hand out the cards that week so we could end the meeting on time.  As I wrapped up the meeting, they all looked at me and said, “where are the cards?”  “We can’t end a meeting without the cards!”.  Needless to say, we stayed a while longer so that everyone could have their message for the week.  And we don’t leave a meeting now without an opportunity to “pick a card”.

Thank you so much for the cards and for the blessing they have been to the young women in my group.

Regards,

Terri Loquercio

If you would like to contact me about buying these cards please leave a comment below. Wholesale orders are welcome.

Creating a Life of Substance and Purpose

Most of us have baggage from our past. Maybe we had parents who didn’t keep our best interest in mind, siblings who treated us poorly or friends that were mean to us. Maybe we weren’t good in school or we were misunderstood.  Maybe our childhood was great but as an adult we did something that took us down the wrong path.

That was yesterday and today is a new day. Starting now, you are the creator of your own life and you can make any changes you wish. You are not defined by your past and if someone tells you that you are, let that person go because they are not looking after your best interest. It is time to take charge and become the person you want to be.

How to Balance Career and Family

What is your definition of success?  I once heard a person respond, “Nose prints on the window.” He felt he was successful when he came home from work and saw his 3 year olds nose pressed against the entry window in anticipation of his arrival.

Balancing career and family is tough but it has to be done.  The trouble is many of us don’t see how important family is until we mess up our relationships and it is too late to fix the wreckage. I have seen this happen many times before and the results are very sad for everyone.

The good news is we all have opportunities to make amends, to change our ways and to try again. Here are some things you can do to connect (or reconnect) with those you love:

I Love My Body!

About 6 years ago I complained to a customer that my birthday was approaching. She shared with me that her girlfriend would have been my age but she had recently died of breast cancer. From that day forward I look at my birthdays differently.  (I never imagined when I woke up that morning that I would receive one of the most important lessons of my life from a customer who wanted a closet organizer!)

How do we grow old with grace and ease?  Here are some ways. (Maybe you can think of more to add to the list.)

* Focus only on the good in your life.

* Notice that your family and friends are aging with you.

* Look back at your life’s memories and be thankful for the lessons you learned.

* Keep the kid inisde you young. Find reasons to laugh and have fun.

Forgive Yourself and Enjoy Life

I remember the day I learned how to stop looking backwards. My friend / business partner and I were at one of our monthly networking events for women in business. I’m standing by my friend and I was shocked when she said something to a fellow business woman that wasn’t in her best interest . I was shocked for two reasons. One was that she seldom says anything wrong. This woman chooses her words carefully and is the perfect host and role model. Secondly I was shocked because it wasn’t me that had said it! (Sometimes I don’t filter my words well and stuff comes out of my mouth that even shocks me!!) So here I am witnessing my compassionate friend have an off- moment and I watch her recover. She shrugged it off and went along with the business at hand, seemingly unaffected by her actions.

The following day I asked my friend, “How did you make that error and then carry on as if nothing happened?” My friend replied, “We always make mistakes because we are human. I made a mental note of what I said, deciphered why I did it, told myself not to do that again and that it was wrong, and let it go.”