Challenge 36

Whatever holiday you may be celebrating this time of year, take it on fully.  Envelope the spirit of the season and share your presence with those around you.  Your presence is the present.  Show up and have fun!  Happy Holidays!

Challenge 35

Say "Yes!".... I often hear people say they need to learn to say "No!"  but not often the opposite.  This week take time to say, "Yes!"   Why is this a loving thing to do?  Well, try it out and tell me why.  I can't wait to hear all about it!  Have a wonderful and loving week!

Challenge 34

This weeks challenge is to love people enough to let them be as they are without trying to change or fix them.  In times of stress, which happen around the holidays, people often show their egos full blown.  It can be challenging to work around others, their egos and their schedules.  So often we find ourselves stressed or upset with someone else and their list of priorities that may not match our list.  Take a moment and a breathe this week and reflect on your own frustrations.  Do you want someone or something to change?  Love yourself and the other person by taking time to realize that people are where they are at in their life journey and you aren't going to change that or fix it and they don't need your help in creating a new space.  Take time to realize that situations are as they are and that you can't change them either.  Communicate your needs but do everyone a favor and just let people be who they are and where they are in their life.  If someone drives you nuts, let them be.  You can bless them, love them and leave them to their own selves.

Challenge 33

Well, let's just say this will be a BIG challenge for me so I hesitate to even write it down.  Here is goes:  This week, after all the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving weekend and, if you are anything like me, the hustle and bustle of preparing for the next holiday,  take a deep breath and relax.  Just make time to relax and take care of your self (that is two words on purpose).  I know that I am able to connect to my loving self when I take time to meditate in the morning and /or evening.  Even staying up a little late to have a cup of sleepy time tea by the fire can be a big help and go a long way in the end of the year madness.  This week, take time to relax and regenerate by doing something loving and kind for yourself each day. Deep Breathes!

Challenge 32

This past week I attended a seminar on girls brains vs. boys brains.  It was fascinating to realize there are so many differences that are found in our brain chemistry and make up.  One thing that looks different but is strongly needed by both men and women is friendship.  Take time to honor that need this week by making time to hang out in the "man cave" with your buddies or by going to coffee with your girlfriends.  Whatever increases your dopamine and oxytocin levels and drops the cortisol.  Be kind and loving to yourself and your friends by making time to spend together.

Challenge 31

Recently I heard a Buddhist story that goes something like this:  A person picks up a hammer in one hand and a nail in the other.  She then goes to hit the nail on the head but the hammer slips and she hits the other hand instead.  Does the one hand waste time blaming the other or getting upset?  Does the one hand tell the other it is all their fault?  Do the fingers pass the blame?  No, the fingers and hands realize that they are all part of the same thing.  

Keep this in mind this week.  When you see strife or "other" remember to keep love in your heart as the "other" is an extension of you.  Treat "others" with the love you would like them to reflect on you.  

Challenge 30: Inspirational

This week find something that inspires you, something you love.  Share it with the world.

Challenge 29 : Back to School

Starting back to school isn't just hard on our children but it is hard on the teachers.  They are at work several weeks before they are even required to be, in many cases, to get everything organized and in order for the best school year possible.  Take time this week, or the week your child or a teacher you know starts back to school, to show them your appreciation.  Engage your child in appreciation as well.  It could help make a huge difference in how they view school and their teacher.

Where Attention Goes, Energy Flows

"Where attention goes, energy flows."   What are you giving your attention too?  Is it loving and kind?  Take time this week to put your attention and energy in a loving space.

Challenge 27

Yesterday we celebrated our Nation's Independence.  This week take some time to celebrate yours.  Find some time to yourself.  Be still.

Challenge 26

Children really hold the key to living.  They live in the moment and love unconditionally.  They fully breathe in life and experience it.  This week, find your inner child.  Hold it's hand and let it take you out to play!

Challenge 25

"If your bored...you're boring!"  This keeps ringing in my ears lately and beckoning me to wake from the sleep of my sometimes routine life.  It also brings to mind other things like... "If you judge, you are judged!"  I find that when I live in the spaces that are easily offended and righteous or overly concerned with video games or the latest movie, that I am unhappy and unloving.  I would love to claim that I am a supreme being who never lives in these fearful places but I would be lying.  I would be full of pride and boastful and thus lonely and unhappy yet again.  To be loved... is to be loving.  "Be, Do, Have... Be love, Do loving things, Have love".  The most beautiful thing about love and happiness is that it is in full supply and surrounds you at all times.  It is never ending and yours for the taking.  The thing to remember is that living in a space that is less and fearful will never lead to happiness or love.  We are all worthy..."You are worthy because you were born!"  an Oprah quote from this week's last show.
So, my challenge to me and to you this week is to create a Gratitude Journal if you don't already have one.  If you do then write down 10 extra things each day that you are grateful for this week.  Purposefully put yourself in a state of gratitude and love by choosing to see what is already here in this space.  See what is fun and lively, what is happy and what is working.  When you feel the need to judge another, take a breathe and a moment to see what gratitude you can find in that person or space and refocus your attention.  Be, Do, Have...
Be Grateful, Do Grateful and loving things, Have happiness, fun and love.

Challenge 24

We all have "friends" or aquaintances that we hang around because everyone else does or we tolerate because of the time the friendship has lasted.  We have many reasons for knowing or being around people that we don't particularly care for or enjoy.  This week, think about those people and why they may rub you the wrong way.  Are you similar to them in any way?  Do they rub you the wrong way because you are too alike?  If not, is there a reason they have the attitude or abrasive/submissive behavior that exists?  Can you see where they are coming from and why they are the way they tend to be?  Can you find empathy and understanding for them?  Is it possible it isn't their behavior or attitude that is the problem but yours?  Could your perception of the friendship be the trouble with it?
Take time to explore this and find some common ground.  Love is abundant and never ending so make sure you are sharing the love with this friend by reaching out to them and taking time to actually be a friend.

Challenge 23

This week, write down all the things you love about a significant other in your life.  Then make a goal around that relationship. Write the goal down and list at least three practical and do-able things you can do to create that goal happening.

For example...
Create a Happy Healthy Marriage:
1. Date night once a week (even if it is on the back porch with a baby monitor)
2. Spend 30 intentional minutes a day connecting.
3. Say 3 things each day that are loving and caring.

These may sound small but focusing on a relationship that is important to you with intentional and concious effort can be a big help in creating the love and life you desire.

Challenge 22

In honor of Mother's Day this past week, spend the rest of the week honoring the women in your life by doing something for them, calling them, or sending them a note each day.  Let them know that you care and you love them.  If one of the women who has deeply effected your life has past, make something to honor them in remembrance.

Challenge 21

It has been a bit since I published my last challenge.  I have been struggling to come up with some new ideas of ways to spread the love.  If you have some ideas, please feel free to share.

With Easter around the corner and Passover this week, I think it is a good time to work on peace through tolerance and understanding.  This week take some time to explore a culture you haven't explored before.  Find something about a different religion or people that you can respect and love.  Spread the love and the peace.

Challenge 20

This week's challenge is to celebrate being you!  Treat yourself to something wonderful and hold love in your heart.  Share love by being love!

Challenge 19

This week, take a minute everyday to think about the people of Japan and send them intentional love.  This may seem pointless to some, but I assure you that your energy and love does affect the world and help.  Worse case scenario, you thought about loving someone else for a couple of minutes... best case scenario, it matters!  Donating to help out would be great too.... Text the word Red Cross to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross... You can also log onto Living Social and donate $5.00 which they will match today.  
Live in Love!

Challenge 18

This weeks challenge is to focus on the saying, "Love thy neighbor."  What does that mean to you?  Is there anyone you have an issue with that you have been avoiding?  Is there anything in your life that needs mending?  Look around this week and think about loving your neighbor as yourself.  Find a way to take action to mend the fences (maybe literally) and bring love into the equation of your life plus someone else's.

Challenge 17

It's a special day to celebrate love, Valentine's Day! Today, reach beyond the usual!  Hand deliver the cards you made last week to your friends and family today!  Reach beyond your usual scope and pass out some extra store bought Valentine's to people you see or interact with in your day that you don't always acknowledge!  Go to you favorite coffee shop and take them a card.  Buzz by the doctors office or leave a Valentine for the Mail Delivery Person!  Have fun with it and spread the love! Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Challenge 16

This week is time to start preparing to celebrate Valentine's Day. Grab a pack of kids Valentine cards (for you to give out) or make some by hand. Prepare as many as you can for next week's challenge of delivering all of the Valentine's you make this week. Have fun crafting and/or writing sweet nothings!

Challenge 15

Last week, I ran into Lowe's to get some leaf bags when I was approached by an 85 year old man in a plaid shirt and a rail road cap. He asked me if he could give my son a toy truck he had made. I was skeptical at first and nervous to follow a stranger to his car to give a treat to my kids, even if he was 85 and friendly. He was parked close to the door of the store and it was mid-afternoon with lots of people near by so I walked to his car. He opened the trunk and pulled out a hand made red wooden dump truck that he gave to the boys. He told me that he makes 10 at a time and keeps them in his car to give out to kids he sees. I couldn't believe it. What a wonderful gift. It happened to be my youngest son's birthday as well.

So, in honor of this kind and wonderful gentleman and his red dump truck, I invite you to make something or find something you would like to give away (5 things at least). Keep it with you or in your car or on your desk this week and hand them out with thoughts of love.

Challenge 14

Last week, the love challenge took some time off. This week, we are back on track and ready to spread the love.

Write 5 notes of something that is inspiring to you. For example, "Be the change you want to see in the world... Gandhi" and then drop them in random places that you are visiting each day this week.

Now go!

Challenge 13

Happy New Year! This is a wonderful week to spread the love by first taking care of yourself. Love yourself by organizing your environment. Set the timer and spend 15 min. each day cleaning up and cleaning out.