2017 - Time for Revival

The New Year, 2017, has begun with a bang.  One of the things this year offers is the chance for revival. 

It is time to revive passions, interests and dreams.  It is time to reinvigorate creative desires and abilities.  It is time to restore a passion for living, whether I am choosing to live day to day, week to week or month to month. It is time to resurrect saved manuals, books and articles full of guidance and advice.  It is time to re-establish daily rituals/routines so life can move along smoother.  It is time to put back into place boundaries in relationships, work, time management and expectations, of self and others.  It is time to energize promises I want to keep. 

Among the things to restore is this space.  I began sharing after I had seen others I respected and admired reaching out via the internet to share their lives.    Just when I could (or should) have been sharing more about the challenges of parenting following the addition of two children to our home, priorities got jumbled due to the increased demands of working with social workers and agencies, supporting the parents, the legalities and process of adoption, working to support a larger family and caring for two very active demanding toddlers and a teenager faced with all the decisions, challenges and growth of attending high school.    What spare time I did find I used to post a few thoughts on another blog, “Bridge of Skills” or promote my book by the same name. 

The beginning of a new year fell right behind moving from one home and city to another.  Among the comments I have heard from people in our former area and people I am meeting in our new living area is that they wish they knew me better, and as they learn more about me, the question of whether I have ever considered sharing my experiences and inspiration with others.  The answer is yes, I have, and it is time to do it again.   

So, for those who have known me before, and allowed me to share with you in the past, I ask you to forgive my absence and hope you will again look forward to reading the thoughts of someone who is just like you.  For those who are new, I hope you will feel love, encouragement and value as we journey through life together.   

START- A little differently

I recently had someone recommend a book to me that had to do with becoming an entrepreneur or having faith in yourself to follow your dream.   The book was called "The Power of Starting Something Stupid"  by Richie Norton.    Part of what caught my attention in hearing more about this book, was his use of the word START.  In his book he shares the idea that part of the process it to Serve, Thank, Ask, Receive and Trust. 
I was impressed with the ideas as working together, but didn't write them down at the time.  When I finally did take the time I found I had rearranged the 5 words in a slightly different order.  My first thought when I realized I had done this was to think I had a bad memory, but as I thought more about why I had written it differently.  On reflection I found that right now I do often go through these steps in something I may involve myself in.  I also found instances where in giving advice I have encouraged someone to follow this pattern.  So here is some of my thoughts on the anagram START.
Share-  Share your ideas, Share your thoughts, Share your talents,  Share of yourself through service, Share your wealth or good fortune, Share the experience, Share your feelings, Share the challenges
Trust-   Trust yourself,  Trust Others, Trust that things will work out, Trust that guidance and inspiration will come at the right time,  Trust in a spiritual source, Trust your feelings, Trust your intuition
Ask- Ask your spiritual source, Ask those you trust, Ask yourself what else you could do,  Ask to forgive (yourself or others), Ask for patience or strength,  Ask to learn, Ask to grow, Ask for help
Receive-  Receive graciously, Receive from others, Receive without expectation, Receive the unexpected, Receive what you asked for, Receive and notice,  Receive and then pass it on
Thank-  Thank a giver, Thank the universe,  Thank yourself for trying once more, Be thankful for lessons learned,  Express Thanks everyday,  Look for something to be thankful for,  Thank someone unexpectedly,  Be thankful for life itself,  Be thankful for the little things and stop looking for the big event, 
This list is far from complete.  I am sure you can add to it from your own experiences. You may even decide this list is still not right.  You may find it even changes.    I know I  have. , Yesterday as I was thinking about someone I cared about my START  list was Serve, Trust, Act, Receive, Thank.    Another day in thinking about setting goals my START list became Set Goal, Time Limit, Act, Review, Think Again.   
As I have said before, there are usually not any right or wrong answers or ideas.  What is yours is unique.  So come up with your own START point(s) and take a step toward a great you.