Inspire Encourage Support

I love quotes, don't you? Many experts, bloggers, speakers, and writers use them to make a point; I do too. 

When first going public, I offered many statements that my audience resonated with; so much so, they were compelled to tell me. And then I wrote my first book, "fiftysomething: The Unknown, Dreams, and Paths," resulting in more readers writing to tell me how my words resonated with them. 

It started me thinking, "It's great to quote history-makers, authors, and speakers, but why not begin quoting myself?" 

And so I have. 

On my Facebook Fan Page of MyDreamArchitect, I logged all the quotes shared with those who "Liked" me. This page is tied to my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts so even more readers see them. 

Counting up those quotes I have enough for a month's worth of posts. I didn't have to look further than myself! 

What are your gems, your pearls? Where do you find your wisdom? How do you share your insights and with whom?

Tomorrow is Day One of the October 2011 Ultimate Blog Challenge and I'm excited for it to begin. If you have a message or want the world to hear what you have to say on a daily basis, or even if you're working toward a dream, consider joining me in this challenge; the more the merrier, as it is said. 

Until tomorrow,

Dream On!
PeggyLee

"Look within, for that is where all the answers lay to your questions." PeggyLee Hanson

Want To Reprint this article? You may do so as long as you leave it intact and include this author information: 
Peggy Lee Hanson, personal transition guide and mentor, is expert at compassionately helping those suffering loss of any proportion, especially through unemployment. Using proven strategies and support, she teaches how to move quickly and easily through current or impending life-changing moments so that you can have the life you are meant -- and deserve -- to live. 
PeggyLee is a Speaker, Best-selling author on Amazon.com, Certified Dream Coach® & Group Leader®, Trained True Purpose Coach®, and CEO and Founder of MyDreamArchitect.com, a subsidiary of Personal Transition Guidance, LLC. Also, Peggy Lee is co-facilitator and co-owner of the Coaches Circle Mastermind groups and is a regular columnist for the online community of DreamUniversity.com. She is a member of the International Coach Federation and Toastmasters International.
Follow her at PeggyLeeHanson on Twitter and Facebook. You may also subscribe to her blog and newsletter. 

Is there a change of seasons occurring where you live? Do you feel a biting and gnawing "something" that you cannot explain? Perhaps you are adjusting to a new situation or setting?

It is a rare occurrence when change is not happening. Think back to yesterday. What conversations did you have that alerted you to a transition of sorts?

I am reminded of the phone call with my mother. She is eighty-six, always spry and on the go. Mom is still active; however, lately when I talk with her, changes in her thought process is noticed. I also notice when she speaks of the past it falls back to the 1940-1950 era. My siblings and me are entering into a new and challenging time.

Another conversation I had yesterday concerned my future and where I was headed. I feel a gnawing, the pull of something I cannot quite grasp or put a name to yet. But I do know it's an occurrence, a happening that will result in manifesting my dreams. I'm learning to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, as one might say.

How do you handle change? Do you dip a toe in the water first to test its temperature or do you dive right in? Sometimes you may not have a choice.

But what you can do today is begin to prepare for the transitions of life -- those that are subtle and those that are not -- by paying attention to your reactions and feelings when the winds shift or the leaves fall from the trees. Notice if you handle the circumstance with clumsiness, self-importance, and dissent or with grace, humility, and acceptance. If the response to a situation is mostly of the former, what could you do to turn the habit into the latter?

Setting an intention to change the way you handle change is a good place to start.

Dream On!
PeggyLee

Check out this video clip of Jim Carrey at a 2009 conference with Eckhart Tolle talking about intention.

Want To Reprint this article? You may do so as long as you leave it intact and include this author information:
Peggy Lee Hanson, personal transition guide and mentor, is expert at compassionately helping those suffering loss of any proportion, especially through unemployment. Using proven strategies and support, she teaches how to move quickly and easily through current or impending life-changing moments so that you can have the life you are meant -- and deserve -- to live.
PeggyLee is a Speaker, Best-selling author on Amazon.com, Certified Dream Coach® & Group Leader®, Trained True Purpose Coach®, and CEO and Founder of MyDreamArchitect.com, a subsidiary of Personal Transition Guidance, LLC. Also, Peggy Lee is co-facilitator and co-owner of the Coaches Circle Mastermind groups and is a regular columnist for the online community of DreamUniversity.com. She is a member of the International Coach Federation and Toastmasters International.
Follow her at PeggyLeeHanson on Twitter and Facebook. You may also subscribe to her blog and newsletter.

The last two viewings of the award-winning move, “Field of Dreams” resulted in different messages for me.

The first of these was during a four-day workshop. After watching the movie we were to journal, paint, or select another way of conveying our thoughts and feelings we had while watching the movie. I chose to write in “My Map to Manifestation” book, a hard-covered tome with blank pages meant only for my musings and revelations. This particular entry concerned my dad who died from complications due to Alzheimer’s when I was only 25 years old; Dad was a young 62.

The movie made me miss him all the more. Many emotions surrounded the scenes with Ray and his father playing catch in which raised a couple questions. Would Dad think my path as folly? Would he believe in me?

“Go the distance.” “Be the kid.” were the responses heard.

But what I also heard was this: “As crazy as it sounds, go for the dream. If you believe in it, others will too. Share the passion. Be the passion. Get past the pain. Stop being perfect. Begin the laughter. See the possibilities. Forget the money – be prudent, yes, but forget about it – the money will follow; it has followed! Trust what has been. It will keep happening. Believe it. Feel it.

“Hear the voices. Listen and heed them. They call you to greatness. Don’t be afraid. Trust. This is what you will tell the others to do. “

I ask more questions. “How can I lighten my load? What is it exactly that I am carrying? Just how heavy is my heart?”

And then I heard, “Forgive. Accept. Go the distance.”

Great Thought Leaders say when you begin to feel a resistance, move toward it; therein lays meaningful and vast teachings and knowledge.

Recent conversations with close friends brought awareness to something I’ve been avoiding for several months. That something is a step in which my life, if taken, will forever change; but isn’t that the case with any action taken – our life will change?

As I now turn the page in “My Map to Manifestation” journal these words jump out at me: “Surrender, PeggyLee” as written in the sky by the Wicked Witch of the West to Dorothy while she was in the Land of Oz.

Also on the page was a crude drawing of the Yellow Brick Road that resembles the snake I called forth as my wisdom symbol. “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and “There’s no place like home” are written on either side of the snaky-looking road.

Surrendering to the resistance of the aforementioned step I took action, but not in the way I had originally envisioned; however, the desired result is the same.

I will be standing in front of a crowd on January 16, 2012 offering inspiration, encouragement, and support to my audience of newly or soon-to-be unemployed corporate workers. They will hear assurances from me that “it’s a wonderful life” in the thereafter of this separation.

Although the first object of my resistance had been securing a venue for an informational presentation on the subject, I realized the brick wall was broken through; the step that created the resistance was breached by committing to a date and time witnessed by my peers.

Indeed, this step will change my life, but the action will enhance, improve, and support the lives of my audience. Thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands or more will come to know and understand that they are not alone in their thoughts and feelings while on this transitional journey. They will leave with new tools in their back pocket to draw on. They will also be lighter and happier realizing the rest of their lives are ahead of them, bringing many opportunities along the path.

Once again I hear “Go the distance,” but it’s coupled with “face your resistance.”

Somewhere through this storm and over the rainbow, blue birds sing, skies are blue, and you will find that pot of gold at the end.  Imagine a land most beautiful that holds your personal field of dreams.

Go the distance by facing your resistance.

Dream On!
PeggyLee

Want To Reprint this article? You may do so as long as you leave it intact and include this author information:
Peggy Lee Hanson, personal transition guide and mentor, is expert at compassionately helping those suffering loss of any proportion, especially through unemployment. Using proven strategies and support, she teaches how to move quickly and easily through current or impending life-changing moments so that you can have the life you are meant -- and deserve -- to live.
PeggyLee is a Speaker, Best-selling author on Amazon.com, Certified Dream Coach® & Group Leader®, Trained True Purpose Coach®, and CEO and Founder of MyDreamArchitect.com, a subsidiary of Personal Transition Guidance, LLC. Also, Peggy Lee is co-facilitator and co-owner of the Coaches Circle Mastermind groups and is a regular columnist for the online community of DreamUniversity.com. She is a member of the International Coach Federation and Toastmasters International.
Follow her at PeggyLeeHanson on Twitter and Facebook. You may also subscribe to her blog and newsletter.

I am a member of the Dream University® Community and this week there is plenty of buzzing surrounding the Inspiring Speaker event. Have you ever attended a live event to learn how to speak in front of an audience? How many of you attended a virtual event on the subject – teleseminars notwithstanding?

I attended this event last October and was blown away by the presenters; the love and respect held not only for their fellow presenters, but for their audience as well.

Indeed, "the Land of Opportunity is an attitude."   

Imagine, if you will, that every "hiccup" experienced in life is viewed as opportunity. Think about your own hiccups. How did you approach them? What were the steps taken to get rid of them? If the hiccups returned, were you able to suppress them faster with what you learned the last time? 

Opportunity, the chance for growth clamps down on us every day; and when it does choices are made. We are either open to it and listen to what the opportunity may offer, or we shut the idea down completely and not take the time to fully understand what could be possible.   

I had a big hiccup when forced into early retirement from the corporate world nearly 18 months ago. I seized the opportunity to explore how I wanted the rest of my life to look like and took the action steps to make it happen.

Inspiring Speakers are Inspiring Dreamers; they give opportunity to their audience through their personal message. It is up to you, as a listener in deciding the attitude in which you will hear that message.   Hiccup or Opportunity?

How can you be an Inspired Listener?   

Be open to new ideas.
Be eager to learn.
Have a desire to grow.
Be flexible and open to change.   

Have a great day and Dream On!

PeggyLee

“The Land of Opportunity is an attitude. It is an openness to new ideas, a willingness to listen, an eagerness to learn, a desire to grow, and the flexibility to change.” ~BJ Gallagher 

Had to take a little down time yesterday.

I felt guilty. the more I felt that, the more overwhelm set in.

I wanted to write, but nothing would come. I turned on the TV and watch a terrible movie, yet sticking with it until the end. Light bulb moment: Just because you like many of the players doesn't mean the content is good.

Finally giving in to the overwhelm, it occurred that a little self-love was in order; and that included a self-talk, too.

You see I took first place in the Humorous Speech Contest at our local Toastmasters club. I knew my speech went well, but I had many doubts before giving it; and I still had doubts well into the evening.

The self-talk resulted in the reminder to celebrate all accomplishments, no matter the size or how I feel about them; I had not done that. So I shouted, "I won!" The shift began. I wrote "over-achiever" in my notebook, naming the day's malady; the shift continued.

What I did next was the most important step of all. I forgave myself for how I was feeling, what I set out to do and didn't, and for the unfair thoughts.

On my Facebook Fan Page of My Dream Architect I wrote, "Which would you rather have? 1) a coach who is tough, honest, and sincere; or 2) a coach who always agreed with you? My last newsletter was a bit on the tough side."

Another choice could be added to the mix: A coach who is tough, honest, sincere, and won't let you get away with anything they won't let themselves get away with. Now, doesn't that sound like a person who you would like to have as a mentor?

Have a wonderful day and remember to Dream On!
PeggyLee

"We don't write to be understood; we write to understand." ~attributed to C.S. Lewis, Cecil Day, John Dufresne

Had to take a little down time yesterday.

I felt guilty.  The more I felt that, the more overwhelm set in.

I wanted to write, but nothing would come. I turned on the TV and watched a terrible movie, yet sticking with it until the end. Light bulb moment: Just because you like many of the players doesn't mean the content is good.

Finally giving in to the overwhelm, it occurred that a little self-love was in order that included a self-talk, too.

You see I took first place in the Humorous Speech Contest at our local Toastmasters club. I knew my speech went well, but I had many doubts before giving it; and I still had doubts well into the evening after the contest was over.

The self-talk resulted in the reminder to celebrate all accomplishments, no matter the size or how I feel about them; I had not done that. So I shouted, "I won!" The shift began. I wrote "over-achiever" in my notebook, naming the day's malady; the shift continued.

What I did next was the most important step of all. I forgave myself for how I was feeling, what I set out to do and didn't, and for the unfair thoughts.

On my Facebook Fan Page of My Dream Architect I wrote, "Which would you rather have? 1) a coach who is tough, honest, and sincere; or 2) a coach who always agreed with you? My last newsletter was a bit on the tough side."

Another choice could be added to the mix: A coach who won't let you get away with anything they won't let themselves get away with.

Who you would like to have as a mentor?

Have a wonderful day and remember to Dream On!
PeggyLee

"We don't write to be understood; we write to understand." ~attributed to C.S. Lewis, Cecil Day, John Dufresne

Imagine that!

Imagine that you work at a job you love and your coworkers are the best, most creatively wonderful people you've had the privilege of knowing.

Imagine that!

Imagine that you own a business you dreamed of since college or high school.

Imagine that!

Imagine that you are able to travel the world over on a moment's whim.

Imagine that!

Imagine that you have more than enough money to pay bills and do what it is that you love and want to do.

Imagine that!

Imagine that you have a healthy body.

Imagine that!

Imagine that [you fill in the blank]!

Imagine that!

Now, replace "Imagine that you" with "I" and re-read those sentences above. Did you feel a shift inside, perhaps a never-before-felt-confidence ping? What else did you feel?

"If you can imagine it, "it" can happen." I've heard those words many times over (or similar) from several Thought Leaders. I now use them in my own teachings. This practice draws in the Laws of Abundance, Prosperity, and Attraction. I know this to be true because I've said all the above and all have come to fruition.

What can you imagine?

Imagine that!

Have a great day and Dream On!
PeggyLee

“Now is all we have. Everything that has ever happened to you, and anything that is ever going to happen to you, is just a thought.” ~Wayne Dyer

Hi everyone. The following is a Guest Post I did for my friend, Lisa Graf, who journals her life as "a stay-at-home mom of four wonderful munchkins." You can find what she said about my post here.

Thank you Lisa for the wonderful opportunity and honor to grace your "home." ~PeggyLee

What can I tell you about motherhood or parenthood you don't already know?

Thinking back to the first time I became a parent, I remember looking at my newborn daughter and saying to myself, "Wow! At Christmas she'll be six months old; I wonder what that will be like?"

Now I look at my daughter and say to myself, "Wow! Where did 30 years go?"

For me, those years have gone into a vacuum where I barely remember most of her and her younger brothers' childhood.

Nearly two weeks ago we gathered for the youngest brother's wedding. What a wonderfully blessed time that was for us all. There were reminiscent stories told of nearly every stage of life thus far, and photos to go with other tales. During the Mother-Son dance I looked up into my baby boy's eyes and tears began to quietly stream down my cheeks. Aaron looked at me with tears in his own eyes and said, "Don't." I replied, "Too late," which broke the ice.

If I did anything right as a mother or parent it was to let my children know how much they were loved during their birth, the terrible three's, and the ever-tough teenage years. It is equally important to keep loving them as adults when their problems grow as they have.

A few days before the wedding, I posted the following on Facebook; I do not know who the author is but the words emulate what being a parent is all about.

"My promise to my children - I am your parent first, your friend second. I will stalk you, flip out on you, lecture you, drive you insane, be your worst nightmare & hunt you down like a bloodhound when needed because I LOVE YOU! When you understand why I do that, I will know you are a responsible adult. You will NEVER find someone who loves, cares, prays and worries about you more than I do!"

Enuf said ;-)

Dream On!
PeggyLee

"Turn around, turn around; Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door." ~ Kenny Loggins, "Turn Around" lyrics

Ten years ago on that fateful Tuesday morning, I sat at my desk, listening to the classical music CD while working on instructional materials for my corporate job when I received an email from a coworker telling of a music radio station known for their absurdity that an airplane crashed into one of the Twin Towers in New York. I turned on the radio in shock and disbelief. As the reports came in, I notified my manager. She balked at them, tossing them aside, saying, "Consider the source," and returned to her work.

Within minutes another coworker turned on his TV set at his workstation and we watched while the second plane crashed into the other Twin Tower.

You know the rest of the story. But what you may not have thought about is while thousands of dreams died that day, many more were conceived.

For me personally, although not knowing when, I felt my dream career with the airline was now coming to an end. For the first time, I came to realize that I was not in control of my own life, so I took over the controls. A few years later new dreams were born. I wrote out a list of what I wanted and what I did not. I'm happy to report there is one more item on that list and one more year to accomplish it. Who knew that the power lay within me to change my life and to make my dreams come true?

Today, my life-long dream of being a published writer has come true ten times over and multiplying each and every day.

What will you do to make your dreams come true? Will it take a major incident to move you toward them? What is one step, no matter the size, that will start you on your path?

Don't wait. Take that step today. Your life will never be the same.

Have a great day and Dream On!
PeggyLee


“The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy.” ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy