Passion Power

PassionPower Workshops

2011-05-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

PassionPower Workshops

I find it personally rewarding to share my knowledge of self development and help others create a life with more Joy. Serving others with my passion for personal development is like living on purpose. I feel like I'm being guided to do this work. I have something wonderful to offer people without feeling I need to be perfect. My basic philosophy about life is that we are all here to experience as much Joy as humanly possible and when we're struggling, we'e off our path.

Here's what my work is about:

 I inspire and teach others how to create a life with more Joy.
 I take people on a journey of self-discovery and help them examine area's of their life ie. Habits, Values, Goals, Thoughts.
 I connect people to the power within themselves to make positive changes they're authentically connected to.

In my book "10 Ways to be Deliriously Happy - How to Live an Inspired Life" I share 10 strategies for living a more Joyful life. In all of my writing and journalling over the years there is one guiding principle. Mental clarity is the cornerstone for having a more Joyful life. When you know what you're about, what you value and what you treasure you have guidelines. I'm still floored by how many people I know that don't write down their goals. This work has been a life saver for me and I'm lucky that I've found something I really enjoy. You can too. You probably already know what it is. Have you taken some steps towards your passions or dreams? If not, why not? If not now, when? If you wait until all the lights turn green, you'll never leave your driveway. Begin today.

Many Blessings,

Carrie Wynne

The Shift

2010-12-15T04:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes people behave badly. We all have inconsistencies, don't we? Sometimes I'm as cheerful and uplifting as one can possibly be. Other times I'm a tyrant screaming at my family to stop all their BS and let me live in peace.

We appreciate the people in our lives who accept our bad behaviour, dont we? Our families, spouses and kids who have seen the worst and the best of us.

I know nothing I do or say to my family will change the fact that they love me and accept me no matter what.

My question is: why can't we extend this level of understanding outside our family units.

to Paraphrase a quote by Brendan Frances:

If you have acceptance and understanding in your heart use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke.

Into our extended families, neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and churches. Don't we all have variations in personality and mood?

Our shifts come in many forms to help us. It could be in the form of a subtle sign or a major life change of circumstance. Others time it's a conversation or something we've read.

People eventually recognize that we're all human. We all make mistakes. We all behave badly from time to time.

It's not how they come that's important. It's that we stay open to receive them.
We can all work on extending greater compassion and understanding. I need to learn to be more kind and generous with my judgements.

Today my shift comes as quietly as it leaves. May it always remain a part of me now.

warmth and love,
Carrie

2010-10-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

Healthier Life Happier Me

2010-06-27T03:45:00.000-07:00

STRESS IS A KILLER

Many people are under a great deal of stress. Even for myself this whole month has been a zoo. I feel pulled in a million different directions. I've had minimal time for myself or any of the people I love the most. I've been racing everywhere trying to keep up with my demanding schedule and I feel the burden of my Do To List physically running me down. How long will it last. For many people it's years and years! Not good. It is extemely unhealthy for the body to undergo constant strain. It will eventually lead to burn out, relationship problems or other serious health issues. We don't want that.

Here's what happens when you're under stress.

Signs of Stress
Inability to concentrate
Hard to listen to someone
Mind is racing
Thoughts are scattered
Breathing is quick and Shallow
neck is tight
Body aches
Posture is weak
Feel Anxious
Exhausted and sleepy

Reasons for Burn Out
When you are engaged in activities that aren't in line with those you find fulfilling and meaningful. The work drains your energy.
Allowing others expectations to determine how you spend your time.
Overlooking the importance of rest, restore, relax, and rejuvenate
Feeling overwhelmed and weighed down with burdens.
Failing to take care of yourself.
Adding more responsibility to your plate without elminating something.
Forgetting about your gratitude list.
Overlooking the importance of humour.
Getting stuck in a rut.
Forgetting about your passions.

Ways to Avoid Stress and Burn Out
List your Top 5 Values(What's most important to you about life) Make all your decisions align with that list.
Live your own life- Set boundaries-recognize the expectations of others. Decide for yourself what you'd like to do. It would be nice if everyone approved of everything you did but it's certainly not a requirement.
Slow down-Arrange things so you can have a reasonable amount of quiet everyday.
Find your hobbies and your passions and engage in them on regular basis.

The greater the demands on us the more we need to sustain our inner cool and calm. Find that quiet space today. Be completely honest with yourself about what is going on.You owe it to yourself and the people who love you.

If life has hijacked you it's time to pull in the reigns and get back on track, Today.The future is promised to no one.

love and blessings,
Carrie

"How not to let others boil your emotions."

2010-05-30T03:19:00.001-07:00

Here are some points to remember when you're faced with a new circumstances or less than desirable people or difficult situations you'd typically not choose to have:

Don't react quickly Listen to your intuition-what does your gut tell you to do? How easy it is for us to fall into the trap of reacting every time something happens, either to us, or someone we're close to. We feel we have to step in, fix, give advice or just have a say. My better judgement tells me that if I haven't spent time digesting the information, then it's just a reaction. You aren't really tapped in. When you can breathe deeply and come to a point of stillness and sustain your inner cool and calm you're better equipped. Stress thinks everything is an emergency. The quicker it's resolve the quicker I can move on to the next mess. Give yourself time to digest the information. Don't jump. See if your involvement will actually help or hinder the outcome. Nature never hurrys yet everything is accomplished. Lao Tzu

The goal is to feel good-make sure that every decision you make passes this test. If I do this, will it make me feel good? If I say this, will I feel good? I believe that's the goal - TO FEEL GOOD. That's why we're here! To experience as much goodness and joy as humanly possible. It makes no sense to me to do something when I'm not really up for it. I said to me husband the other day, I rarely do anything I don't want to do. I set up my life like this. He said, aren't you lucky. I feel lucky! That's my philosophy. When we feel good, others will feel good too. We teach others by what we do, far more then what we say.

Turn all of your experiences in to opportunities.-opportunities are presented to us each day through experience. Opportunities to grow and learn. Opportunities to build strength and overcome adversity. Opportunities to practice faith and forgiveness. Opportunities to develop more courage, have more friends and eliminate enemies. When you're willing to see that everything happens to you for a particular reason you can use those experiences as learning opportunities. God specializes in new beginnings. We can choose a powerful interpretations for every one one our experiences.
For example: we can say,
Karen flew off the handle at me: which gives me an opportunity to be more compassionate and understanding of people's moods.
Tim broke up with me today which gives me an opportunity to dig deep within myself and discover my innate well being and develop my muscle of self-love.
I'm feeling really depressed today which gives me the opportunity to learn to be graceful when I'm in a low mood.
I was really mean to my spouse last night which gives me an opportunity to learn to apologize without making excuses for my behaviour.

Give up your need for approval-It would be nice if people approved of everything you did-but it's certainly not a requirement. The less we are focused on what others think, the more we can focus on what we think-which is far more important to our happiness- It's our life and what a relief to understand that no one can tell you how to live it. Life is too short to be living someone else's. Be your own person. Think your own thoughts and live your own life. The most important lesson I've learned in all my years of working and reading and writing self development is this: When you love yourself, Life will love you right back. When you love your self, you will attract loving people and loving circumstances. It works everytime, with every person. The greatest gift you can give to yourself is self-love. We teach others how to treat us. We teach others by what we do far more then what we say.

Remembering that you are the listener and not the noise. What goes on around you cannot hurt you unless you give it a voice. Unless you live in the story by wallowing in it or dramatizing it. I can think of far better things to do with my valuable time and far more productive ways to improve the quality of my experiences.

love and warmth,

Carrie

WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT........

2010-04-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

Here's an exercise that came to me recently. I've been working on a coaching session about belief systems and how to recognize negative beliefs we hold.

We want to keep and reinforce the beliefs that are nourishing and supportive of us and look at the beliefs that might be detrimental and holding you back in some way and reprogram those.

Write out a few simple sentences like I have done below to each one of these:

What I believe about:

Aging – I believe that you are as young as you feel. That people grow old when they can’t laugh at themselves anymore and take life too seriously. You age when you get set in your ways and stop taking risks.

Death-I believe that when we die we go to heaven to live with a loving Father and Jesus who died for us long ago.

Men-I believe every man is happier when he has a woman or someone in his life who appreciates him.

Women-I believe woman are leaders of world and the strongest species. I believe we are as strong as the Himalayas and soft as rose petals. We need to support and encourage each other at every cost rather than compete.

Myself-I believe I am a divine piece of God and blessing to many people; that my personality shines like a star which is God’s glory manifested through me.

Relationships-A good relationship consists of two whole people living their own life and sharing laughter, communication, affection and appreciation on a regular basis.

Commitments-I believe you decide what your values are and what you want in your life and then make all your commitments bend to those values and goals.

Marriage-A great marriage is better than anything else in the world. Marriage between two people is liberating when you allow each other the freedom to be who you are and not insist they be any different to satisfy you.

Family-A source of the greatest Joy and the greatest Pain

Children-the greatest teachers of Patience and Fun

Work-Love what you do and do what you love.

Money-since I was 16 years of age my goal about money is to spend it-save it-and never worry. This is a goal I’m proud to say I’ve achieved.

Prosperity-abundance is everywhere – it is our birthright – to be shared – it flows freely.

Investments-important to know you'll have enough money to enjoy your retirement.

Health-the most important thing in the world. The less stress and the right attitude will add years to your life. Good clean simple living helps too

Once you look at where you're coming from you can often understand why you're struggling or thriving in each area of your life. Good Luck! I hope you find this worthwhile.
Love and blessings to you.
Carrie

If you want change, change first.

2010-04-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

I know many people who are stuck in their stories and they can't get out. It's their inner self talk. I will never find the Love I want, and they stop looking-I can't have a job I love that pays what I need-and stick to a job they hate. I won't be able to lose the weight-and give up trying. I can't stop smoking-and resign themselves to be slaves to nicotine for the rest of their lives.

IF YOU WANT CHANGE, CHANGE FIRST

We are creatures of habit. When we fail to see how our limiting beliefs and inner self talk are running the show we habitually keep on doing the same old same old. we think the same way.

YOUR COMFORT ZONE CAN BECOME YOUR CAGE

I want to encourage everyone reading this to think about one story similar to the examples I've given above. Try and see in your own life see where you are throwing in the towel.

For me it would be exercise. I'm a super busy mom with 3 kids and a husband on shift work and a busy new full time job. I put many hours in doing a million things. I've been saying to myself - I have to give up exercise - there is no time. But inside I know that if I make it a priority (like quitting smoking, finding love, a new job, etc) then I will succeed in doing it.

We have to reframe it like....What if it was possible?

Think of times in your life when you feel empowered-What do you know and feel in those moments that you don't feel when you're afraid? For me I know that anything is possible when I believe in myself. I know that when I give me very best and go the extra mile - it will come back to me. I also know I can have whatever I want and when I see it and feel like I have everything working for me, that the vibration goes out into the world and finds a match.

YOU'LL SEE IT WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT.

What goes around comes around - don't sit and wonder why. Don't cling to a story about why you can't have what you want. Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I'd like to see you living in better conditions.

love and blessings,
Carrie

ACCEPTANCE

2010-03-25T02:29:00.000-07:00

I've noticed my own perceptions are so different from the people around me and I consider this to be a growth opportunity for myself.

I accept people for who they are and as they try to be. Sometimes it can be so frustrating when you are seeing things from a totally different lens. You just want to scream out: Why don't you get this! But you can't because they aren't in the same place as you. They have a different past. They have a different experience then you do.

I'm beginning to understand that when we appreciate that we all see things from a different angle with a particular focus, we're able to honour others' perceptions as much as our own.

I accept that people are jerks sometimes and I'm ok with it. I accept that not everyone is going to see things the way I do and I'm ok with it.

We are all free independant thinkers. It only becomes a problem when you can't accept that.

blessings,
Carrie

Meet the Diwells

2010-01-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

Attitude

2009-12-16T02:53:00.000-08:00

It seems to me that many people are always looking for what's wrong in the world as an excuse to justify their bad mood. They always seem disappointed with the present moment. Someone is always letting them down. Most people do it unconsciously but there are some that I swear do it just to prove to themselves and to others that the world is a horrifying place to live so they can justify their own failure to stay positive and focused.

I refuse to live my life like that mainly because that type of energy makes me feel like "crap". While I'm here I plan to enjoy every moment I can doing what fulfills me and gives me Joy. I love spreading that type of energy around me and perhaps I can be of use to others. If you are on a mission to be as miserable as you can be than you will find what you're looking for.

When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer

This is the basis for Quantum Psychics. If you see the world as a friendly place you will see many examples of this in your day ie. Cashier at the grocery store chatting with you, a receptionist at the Doctor's office giving you a warm smile, someone letting you go first in the traffic or a check out. The opposite is true as well. If you see the world as cold dark and lonely place, you will literally attract that as well. ie. people will walk right by you. If they brush up against you they may not even apologize. You will be treated poorly by someone serving you coffee or lunch and you may get someone honking there horn at you to get moving.
If you believe you will never be as happy as someone else then you won't be. If you believe that everyone else is luckier than you this will be true as well. If you believe you look old, you'll look old. If you believe you're never going to lose weight, you'll never lose weight. If you believe you'll be alone for the rest of your life, you'll be alone for the rest of your life.

You may start off the day with good intentions but find it easy to be thrown off base. If you want to get better there are many ways you can do this.

Your mind is a powerful tool and your devotion to using it properly is a lifelong habit and worthwhile pursuit. Here is what I highly recommend to anyone who wants to develop a better attitude.

GOALS-Where do you want to be at this time next year? What about 10 years from now?
If you don't know that, then you may not like where you end up.

AFFIRMATIONS-Powerful thoughts: As Louise Hay says. What you think today will create your tomorrow. Write out some quotes and some sayings that resonate with you and say them over and over again throughout the day. This will magically make you feel lighter and bring in the sunshine. Here are some examples of some affirmations that I have used in the past to help me:

I'm calm relaxed and excited about my life
Abundance flows into my life everyday in miraculous ways
All changes are comfortable easy and fun

ENGAGE IN YOUR PASSIONS-what do you enjoy doing? Where time flys by. What totally absorbs you in healthy constructive ways? Do more of that!

GRATITUDE-Count your blessings. What are you grateful for? If you can't find anything start with a roof over your head and Oxygen. Keep a running list. My list is up to 500.

JOURNALLING - Start by recording the times in your day that brought you Joy. simple pleasures, record the weather or write out some quotes or words that inspire you. write out some things you like about yourself. anything can go in to a journal. It is a very healthy practice. I've been writing in a journal for over 30 years. It's a lifesaver!!!

If you work on a plan using a few of these strategies and some of your own, I guarantee, within a short period of time, you will start attracting many good things in to your life. Life loves you and supports you. Whatever you want wants you back.

Be devoted to always managing your thoughts and emotions in healthy constructive ways.

Best to you,

Carrie

A List of 10 Things

2009-11-14T03:10:00.000-08:00

Developing mental strategies to create the life circumstances you want is a really great idea and if you have no strategies here is one you can easily begin doing.

I made this up years ago to help me get through a painful divorce. I really wanted things to go smoothy and handle things well and get through it with the least amount of emotional damage and it was important to me that I be strong for my son.

I've been using it ever since. It is a very effective way to review how you want your life to look.

This technique has been more helpful to me than anything else I've ever done to stay focused on what I want. I call it quite simply a list 10 things

I have 10 Ways to be Deliriously Happy. I loved it so much I wrote a book to share with others.

Here are some other lists I've made over the years. when I was working at an office I had 10 ways to stay positive at work. I formulate 10 new goals every New Years Eve. I had 10 Reasons to quit smoking. I have 10 things that I'm most grateful for. I have 10 reasons why I want to work out everyday. I have 10 things I really like about myself, I have 10 affirmations that empower me, I have 10 mentors I turn to for good inspiration and wisdom, etc.

Here are 10 ways to use this mental strategy:

1. Start your day on a positive note:

before I start my day I review my lists. I have a cup of coffee and read them.

2. Memorize it!

Coming up with a number like ten lets me play memory games with myself. 10 is the perfect number - why? Because I can memorize a 10 list. 5 is too easy. I can count on my fingers if I'm walking or driving.

3. Down time!

Effective use of your down time and it's a perfect way to stay on track.

4. Write it down!

If I'm sitting waiting for an appointment and I'm not doing anything but looking at a magazine or staring-I write them in my journal. If I have trouble remembering 1 or 2 points on my list, I can usually figure out and most times, the one I forgot I need to work on, anyway.

5. Keep a journal.

Now you actually have something to write in it. Write out our lists. Make up new lists. Revise your old ones.

6. Keep your list visible!

in or on your desk, in your bathroom, anywhere you'll bump in to it everyday.

7. Record it! record them and listen to it in your car or on your ipod.

8. Code it!

I do this and it's very fun. I code them. For example FF is Financial Freedom, KP is keep positive, MYOB Mind my own business. suddenly your lists look like this.
FF, KP, DG, ST, MYOB, 10K, LG ,FS, SS, PF
the benefit is that it's quicker to right down and you can leave them lying around and noone can read your code.

9. Gets you unstuck - Gets you thinking about what you want, what you like, what your goals are, what's important to you.

10. Revise it. New lists, edit your lists, update old lists, multiple lists, you never run out of things to write down and 10 isn't too difficult or too easy. It's the perfect number!

This is just a simple easy to do, fun activity that anyone can do. You don't have to be passionate about self development to enjoy this exercise. It's a way of opening up your mind and a way to begin to creating the kind of life you desire. It's not complicated.

Here are some examples of lists you can make: I made 10 of them :)

10 things you want in a man (if you're single)

10 things you love about your husband or wife (if you're married)

10 reasons why you want to exercise every day

10 reasons you need to quit smoking

10 Goals

10 things you love about yourself

10 habits that are absolutely working for you

10 healthy food choices

10 affirmations that lift you up

10 enjoyable activities

Have an excellent weekend everyone.

Much love,
Carrie

Life Vision Statement

2009-11-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it. Winston Churchill

There have been times in my life when I felt like I was drifting around aimlessly. Moving from one menial task to the next without any real purpose or meaning behind what I was doing. Have you ever felt that way? Most people I know would say Yes to having felt that way at least on occasion. I must admit shamelessly that my authentic self is energetic and enthusiastic towards life so whenever I have fallen away from my true nature in the past, I work as quickly as possible to find my way back.

One of ways that I use to stay focused and on track is through a Life Vision Statement. A Life Vision Statement is created by you and includes all the personalities traits you want to strengthen, the activities and habits you want to engage in and the life situations you want to create. It doesn't matter how far away you are from achieving your ideal life circumstances, all that matters is that your clear on what you'd like to create. You've stated it. This is your intention. It's absolutely the most important step you can make. Deciding.

It should be short enough that you can memorize it. You should print it out and keep it handy where you can review it everyday. It's like a roadmap-it gives you a sense of direction.

I find it very useful especially when I feel myself slipping back in to wandering generality of useless powerless thoughts. I can read my Life Vision Statement to remind me of what I'm creating and wanting my life to be about. Here is my Life Vision Statement that I recently updated. (that's the beauty-you get to revise it whenever you want )

It goes like this.

I am a positive source of healing energy to those around me. I'm calm, relaxed and excited about my life. I have kind and peaceful thoughts about myself and others. I'm a divine piece of God ready to flourish and become financially free and I'm fully enjoying myself as I trust that process and keep my flow moving in this direction.

Remember to include these 4 things:
1. what personal qualities would you like to develop within yourself
2. what habits do I want to start doing or stop doing to support me
3. what actions would I like to start taking to begin to create my ideal life
4. what new life conditions would I like to achieve

In the pursuit of happiness I've discovered that being happy isn't the destination. Being happy is the mode of travel.

The man who has no inner life is the slave to his surroundings. Henri Frederic Amiel

I hope I've convinced you a little to begin to look at what you want your life to be about and begin to create a statement about it.

I'm certain about this. That everything we focus on grows and expands in our life.

Blessings and love to all of you,

Carrie

Stage 4 by: Loren Robert DiGiorgi

2009-10-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

10 Ways to be Deliriously Happy-How to Live an Inspired Life

2009-10-29T03:21:00.000-07:00

Article

10 Ways to be Deliriously Happy-How to Live an Inspired Life
Author: Carrie L. Wynne

1) Find Joy in ordinary and everyday things- The more you notice the ordinary things that make you feel good, the more you notice the ordinary things that make you feel good. List 20 enjoyable activities. Washing the car, watering flowers, watching a great movie, going for a long walk, read a good book, making a nice family dinner, getting rid of junk, painting a bedroom. Keep a little Joy journal for recording where, when who and what felt good during the day. The magic is in the noticing.

2) Recognize the thoughts that weaken you and thoughts that strengthen you-Make two lists on a piece of paper. One side lists everything in your life that is working. The other side you list everything that isn’t working. After you do this spend some time noticing how you feel when you are looking at each list. What’s your energy like when you are focused on what is working. How do you feel when you are looking at what isn’t working. Then decide what to make your life about.

3) Be grateful for what you have and eager for more.-Make a gratitude list. Write down everything in your life that you are grateful for. Keep it running. It sends out the right kind of energy to attract more things to be grateful for and it’s pretty hard to be grateful and depressed at the same time.

4) Consult your Top 5 values when making important decisions-Write everything that is important to you about life and about living on a piece of paper and then choose your top 5. Arrange your life around those values. If they change over time that is perfectly fine as long as you are the one changing them.

5) Do more of what is working and less of what isn’t- This is stupidly simple about our habits and needs to be understood. Drop the habits that no longer serve you and develop some new habits that give you the right kind of energy and make you feel good.

6) Give up our personal story to allow the person you are becoming to emerge. Everyday be willing to let go; surrender. Be ready to embrace the newness of each day. Allow the person you are suppose to be to come forth and trust that process. Let go of the stories and make room for the person you have always been before the stories even began to emerge.

7) Choose Powerful Interpretations-Choose to see yourself as a creator in this world rather than a victim. A victim hangs on and wallows and things always happen to them. A creator stands in their power. They say, “here is the situation I am in and here’s how I’m going to make my life great.” They choose to see what happens in their life as valuable lessons and opportunities and they always choose empowering responses.

8) Love your dark side-Everyone has a dark side. Something we hide or reject and a part of ourselves we’d rather not be. Whatever we resist, persists. These aspects will keep showing up in our lives as long as we deny them. When we can say, I’m negative or I’m greedy or I’m angry, or I’m needy then suddenly everything shifts. Our brightness becomes brighter because we no longer have to expend our energy concealing our darkness. We are darkness and light. We’re all of it and when we can love our imperfections and wounded egos, That’s wholeness! That’s freedom! That’s what loving your dark side, otherwise known as the shadow, is all about.

9) Invite many still moments in to your life- We connect with our authentic nature when we are able to do this. Create spaces and gaps in your day for silence. This is a time in your day when you aren’t engaging any of your thoughts. You aren’t judging your thoughts or judging yourself for having thoughts. You’re just being with what is.

10) See God everywhere-Realize there is a divine order to things and to trust and know we are part of that system. The same source of energy that runs through me and out to you and is in all things seen and unseen. The way to access it is through willingness to see it. Don’t try to intellectualize God. Seek the truth and wisdom of God and you’ll find it.

Sales Power

2009-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'm thoroughly convinced that whatever energy you put out into the universe comes back to you.It's not a secret that I am a huge fan of the Law of Attraction. It's a way of life for me.

I love sales and connecting with people. The potential opportunities that a salesperson can create for themselves is unheard of in most other non-commissioned based positions. Not only am I an extroverted, outgoing person who enjoys meeting new people, but it is also a personal strength of mine. I am able to promote products and services that I beleive in with energy, excitement and enthusiasm. I have a background in corporate sales which allows me to step into any company whether it be in management, training, coaching, promoting or simply selling and know exactly how to get started.

I love it and because of that, it loves me back. I consider myself to be a guru in this area. Not only because of my past successes, but because it comes very naturally to me. It flows with my personality and my ability to motivate, develop trust and build relationships. I'm able to intuitively determine whether there is potential in an account or not.

My organization and time management skills allow me to be extremely productive and manage my clients well. I am structured and love routine which fosters my ability to produce great results.

I connect effortlessly with people in genuine ways as I uncover the potential opportunities to do business together.

I know that when people say No they really mean maybe or not now or not this month. I know that Yes lives in the land of No and to get the yes's you must sift through the No's. Persistence is the key to any successful Salesperson.

That people are kind and decent and just because they don't have time to meet with you or talk doesn't mean you're out of the loop. It takes time and persistence to cultivate meaningful lasting relationships. Things change and people drop the ball. If you are patient and respectfully pursuing their business, that they will eventually contact you. It has happened to me many many times over. If you don't call you can't build a presence in the account. As Wayne Gretzy you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

You must work with the people, not only the person who can influence the buying decision but the person who MAKES the buying decision. The more people you are talking to in a large account, the better your chances are.

You must know your value. What makes you great and better than the competition and be willing to promote that.

I'm absolutely certain that if I took on a sales role in an organization that the company I represent would flourish and grow beyond my wildest dreams and that I will be reimbursed accordingly.

What is your energy like? Are you as sure of your talents as I am of mine? We all have special gifts and talents to share. What are yours? Be expansive. Don't live in a cage with the door wide open.

Kindest regards,
Carrie

Enlightenment

2009-09-24T02:37:00.000-07:00

Enlightenment means to be immersed in and surrounded by peace. People say in a world gone mad it's pretty hard to remain peaceful. It's a challenge amidst a chaotic world to achieve enlightenment. Turmoil and horror are around every corner. A great positive attitude for many is simply not realistic. Optimism is just wishful thinking.

Yet when we focus our attention on being in this peaceful state we can serve people better. Our energy will help lift them up. We can serve as reminders to them of the magnificence of nature, the comfort of friends and the beauty of love. We can be a source of power to them and set the example that the world is a friendly place and that people are kind and generous and loving.

Mother Teresa said, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" People in parking lots, people in line, people at work, people on the street. Strangers. People need our positive energy.

We don't have to perform grandiose favours for people in order to serve them. Just let your life be an example. Be peaceful yourself. You can't give away something that isn't inside of you. If enlightenment means to be immersed in and surrounded by peace, picture yourself with an opulent beam of white light around you. Nothing but love and kindness gets through. Everything else, falls at your feet.

The rule that covers everything is: How are you with others? Expect that back......Rumi

We must stop the robot mentality of struggle and lack and staying guarded and shut off from people and the rest of the world.

You can do it - don't say you can't. Can't never did anything! If you want to be part of the solution in your own life and those lives around you then keep your energy high. There are many examples of ways you can do this:

Treat others with respect and kindness
If the news is depressing you, stop reading it
Look after yourself by eating healthy delicious meals
Exercise makes you feel and look great
Count your blessings

Be focused on creating a better world for yourself and those around you by becoming a peaceful person. People are counting on you and the world needs you.

The biggest mistake we can make is to do nothing because we can only do a little. Simple random acts of kindness does make a difference Not only in the lives of those we touch but in our own lives.

Practice staying in a peaceful state. Sit quietly, relax. Invite many still moments in to your day. Be present. Write your thoughts out so they aren't swimming around in your head all day. It works.

Whatever it takes to become a peaceful person admist a chaotic world is well worth the effort. Not only will you improve your own life health and relationships but others will look to you as a source of power they can draw on to make their own lives work better as well.

Wishing you a peaceful day,

Carrie

I release myself from the burden of unpure thoughts.

2009-09-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

Last night while driving my daughter to her Choir practice I was feeling so completely content with my life at that moment that I wanted to bottle it up and perserve it for the next time I felt a yearning, burning, restless unyielding desire for bigger, better and more. Sometimes we aren't as content as we should be. I am huge fan of the Law of Attraction and 100% supporter of the Power of our thoughts to create our life. And sometimes I get side swiped by my thoughts and end up somewhere I don't want to be.

One of the Affirmations that I've been using lately is:

I Release Myself from the Burden of Unpure Thoughts.

These words are so powerful and soothing to me. Why? Why do these (9) words feel so good? I'll break it down for you.

1. Ownership - I am taking ownership for my thought. I am the one creating the thoughts.

2. Power - It allows me to stand in my power. I am doing the releasing. It's a decision and a choice that I make. It's my decision and choice to make.

3. Clarity - I see with absolute certainty that there are thoughts that weaken me and that I can choose which ones to engage and which ones to let slip on by.

An affirmation or a mantra like this can help you shift out of a thought train that is going to no mans lands or victimhood where nothing gets accomplished. You will become annoyed or frustrated more easily from these two places than you would if your thoughts were focused on the positive aspects of your life. Be grateful for what you have an eager for more. There is nothing wrong with wanting more. But a scarcity mentality will create lack and shortage.

We don't live in a bubble. People upset and offend us. We have chaos around us. And sometimes the answers to our problems aren't that simple. However we do have the choice to release the pattern of that downward spiral. We do it by recognizing when we have thoughts that make us feel weak and powerless.

When we make decisions to control our dominating thoughts and decide what to focus on and make important we can create a great life. One that is full of hope and promise and prosperity.

As these wise words of Marianne Williamson in her book. A Return to Love: The principles of A Course in Miracles, she says:

The greatest truth about happiness is that, happiness is only ever one thought away at most. One fresh perception, one new belief, one innovative thought, one powerful decision, one moment of surrender, one instant of complete openness, is all it takes to experience a world of difference. Nothing but your thoughts can hurt you. Therefore, whenever you are in fear or pain you are being called to choose again...

when you are being tested in the upcoming days and weeks ahead, remember these 9 words. They will save you.
Best and kindest regards,

Carrie

A happy person is not a person with a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. Hugh Downs.

Lesson on the Beach

2009-08-18T04:31:00.000-07:00

I spent Friday and Saturday on the beach this wknd with my family. The weather was breathtaking. The water was clean and refreshing. Everyone was frolicking having a great time. People had their floaties and their coolers and their boats out. I thought as I do quite often these days - It doesn’t get any better than this.

Than all of a sudden, I spotted it. THE THONG

Now just for the record, I have been known to wear a thong on occasion myself. But not on the beach. On the beach where there’s hundreds of people.

I looked over at my husband, “what do you think of this" I asked. He just smiled sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders. Ugh.

How can she parade in and out of the water like that. She has to know that she’s the only one wearing a thong. This isn’t France of Sweden or wherever they do this. This is Port Franks. We’re Canadians - we don’t do things like this.

And then I say to myself , OK, Carrie, What is really going on here. What is it about this woman and her thong that is bothering you so much?

I thought about it and then I realized what it was. Jealously. I’m jealous because she’s brave enough to wear that thong. She likes her thong and she doesn’t care what people say and she doesn’t care what people think and that bugs me.

It bugs me because I do care what people say about me and I do care what people think of me.

It’s not about the thong at all. Personally, it’s just not in my DNA to wear a thong on the beach. Her thong represents all that I’m afraid to do. I cover up because I’m afraid to stand out.

It reminds me of the book I’ve written. The book is safe at home in the drawer but that’s not why I wrote it. As soon as I bring it out and allow someone to read it I feel vulnerable and naked. Suddenly I’m the one on the beach wearing the Thong.

Here’s what I'm starting to learn. That when we get busy and forget about what other people are doing or seeking approval and just do what we want to do we are free to create a great life. Bill Cosby was one famous person who said. "I don’t know what the key to success is but the key to failure is trying to please everyone".

I’m not talking about wearing a thong on the beach. I'm sure that some of you wouldn’t look that good in a thong.

But let me ask you this? Can you think of something that you want to do but you are afraid of what others will think and say about it? Is it a book , a career change , a part time job, a trip, a new business idea, going back to school or taking belly dancing lessons? Can you think of something that you want to do but you are afraid of what others will think and say about it? Whatever it is don’t wait until you have everyone on board or for universal popularity. Just do it.

This woman didn’t sit at home and think should I wear it or not. I wonder how many people are wearing thongs on the beach today. I wonder if anyone will say anything to me. She didn't wait until she had enough courage to wear it. It was a beautiful day, she just whipped it out put it on and away she went.

I’m thankful to this woman bold and brave enough to wear her thong on the beach.
She taught me a lesson. Don’t cover up just because you are afraid to stand out. We’re all meant to shine. Be Yourself. Do what you want to do and create a great life measured by your own standards.

warm regards,

Carrie

would love some comments...

First the Action then the Courage

2009-08-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

Courage isn't always big brave and bold. Sometimes we have it and sometimes we don't. We feel courageous in some areas and other areas we are total wimps. Here's what I know about Courage. When you do something that you are afraid to do, you develop courage. The more you do what you're afraid to do, the less afraid you become. It spills into other areas as well. Do the thing and you shall have the power. It isn't the other away around. In other words, you don't wait until you have all the courage you need and then do something. That may take forever. You move through the fear by doing it. I recognized this happening for me. I kept saying I'm afraid so I need to work on that. I'd try and face my fears and analyze them and figure out how to make them smaller than they appeared for me but it was only really holding me back.

When you take daily inspired action in spite of feeling afraid you begin to develop the capacity for it. Courage is feeling the fear and moving through it. Susan Jeffers book "feel the free and do it anyway" I'm so grateful that I finally understand this.

Love and blessings to all,
Carrie

Values - Sense of Accomplishment

2009-06-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

I believe that Values are very important and that when you are honouring them in your life everything is good. When you are not honouring them, you will feel out of whack and upset. For example, if one of the most important things to you is being the best parent you can be and you are working out of town 5 days a week you are going to feel frustrated. If one of your values is to be able to speak your mind and you aren't speaking your mind, you will feel imbalanced. One of my values is to experience as much Joy as humanly possible everyday. If I go a couple of days without feeling joy in my life, I start to become anxious.

What matters to you? what are your values?

Our values give shape and definition to our life. They aren't universal answers. They're different for everyone. Here are 5 questions to help you discover yours.

1. what is important to me about life?
2. What is important to me about living?
3. what legacy do I want to leave behind when I go?
4. What do I take for granted?
5. What would seriously alter the quality of my life if it were missing.

Take a few days to write down all your answers to these questions. Write whatever comes to your mind. When you have at least 3-5 answers for each question, Circle the TOP 5.

Write them down and stick them somewhere. They will be a guiding force to help you move forward. They will be the flashlight in the dark forest of night.

warm blessings for a wonderful evening.
Carrie

our dreams mean something... so they tell me.

2009-06-11T02:23:00.000-07:00

One of my longstanding goals is communication excellence. To stand up on matters that are important to me and speak my mind. To be able to say the right thing to the right people at the right time on a more consistent basis.

One of the reasons I joined Toastmasters a couple of years ago was so that I could develop good communication skills.

I have this recurring dream that I'm speechless. It use to happen quite a bit...about once a week. I would wake up all sweaty and then relieved that it was all just another dream. But I was perplexed. Why am I dreaming this repeatedly. I knew it meant something but I never thought much about my dreams before.

here's what would happen in the dream. I'm in a room with a bunch of people I either know or don't know. It could be a meeting, a wedding, at a party or even out at a restaurant. Things are normal and conversation is flowing and then suddenly something happens.... I have the floor. It's my turn to speak. Oh No. I don't know what to say. I've lost my voice. I open my mouth and nothing comes out. I can't formulate any words. Too much time has gone by. This is awkward. All eyes are on me. I have nothing to say.

I wince myself awake and try to figure out what happened and why I was tongue-tied and what the similarities were in these circumstances. Well like most people's reported dreams, they don't make any senss and I still can't really figure it out. In other words up until I lose my voice, everything was flowing and natural.

I still don't know why I had keep having this one dream and/or why it went away suddenly and when it might come back. I suspect that it had something to do with my past and not opening up or communicating my feelings and not feeling safe talking to people. I certainly grew up in an environment that really wasn't that safe to communicate. There was a lot of criticism and saracasm that alienated us. I chose to withdrawl from communicating because I couldn't trust anyone with my feelings. My feelings didn't count.

I had a huge lump in my thyroid removed years ago now. It's a mystery to this day why it was there and how it came to be. I suspect that it was a physical manifestation of the same problem.

My throat chakra, where my thyroid (at least half of it) still is, was the result of my inability to authentically express myself.

Sometimes when you are patient with yourself and take the time, you can figure out almost anything. I have learned that good communication starts with yourself. Being completely honest with yourself about where you're at in your life and be willing to share it openly with others.

I wish you a blessed day,
with love,
Carrie

Watch your language

2009-05-30T03:41:00.001-07:00

Do you ever notice the language that people choose.....I've started to notice my own language. Even though I'm a fun happy person(deal with it), my language isn't always congruent with my feelings inside. maybe I find it easier to start conversations with people when we talk about something that is wrong and not working.

I think the words we choose and the conversations we engage in can really have an impact on us. Our language can either empower or disempower us. I know when I'm talking to a positive person because they don't complain, they don't engage in pity parties and they aren't bored.

If you don't want to be bored, don't be boring (or is it the other way around).

I personally find myself complaining just out of habit because someone is there to listen to me although I know how draining it can be.

Here are 3 tips that you can use to help you get out of the habit of using disempowering language.

Observe others language - don't judge. It is the most unconscious thing we do and mostly just a habit. The more comfortable we are with people, the more we share freely-so just listen as part of the learning process and witness your perceptions.

Observe your own language - If you're like me; a social extroverted type, the words just come out before the brain even starts. Start noticing the topics you pick and the words you choose and begin to see where you start sliding in complaining-draining language.

Stop talking and listen - My husband is a great listener. He picks up more in a conversation because he listens to everyone. He's quiet but when he does share his points, they are always carefully thought out points given at the perfect time after everyone else has had their say. He's a negotiator. He notices body language and emotions and voice pitch and things like that which can determine where the conversation is headed.

He told me the other day to back off on my daugther because he knew she was having a rough day. I didn't notice it. I was too busy arguing with her; but he could tell right away that if I didn't back off-all hell would break loose in the house and when my daughter loses it....it's not pretty. she's not even a teenager yet.

Language, along with your emotions and your dominating thoughts are all linked together and will help to create the world in which we live.

Do you want to be a source for peace and happiness? I sure do.

That's why I am going to watch what I say, listen more and observe the language others choose so that I may learn and become a better, more productive communicator.

have a wonderful day.
Carrie

What are your Passions?

2009-05-20T03:15:00.000-07:00

I visited my sister-in-law the other day and she was showing my daughters and I all her spectacular gardens. She is a very creative and gifted gardener and it was a real pleasure to tour the gardens and listen to her tips and knowledge that she shared with us about all the planting she had done. As we were strolling around I immediately felt wonderful inside knowing that this was her passion. It comes easily and naturally to her. This is her creative outlet. Lots of people paint, some people golf, many read books, Some love to bake. There is an 86 year old woman in our church. She loves to bake and cook. She shares her recipes and her food is delicious. Her energy is outstanding when she is talking about it.

I know there are still so many people out there who have no clue what their passions are.

Here are some of my clues about finding your passion.

Your passion is generally something you are good at. We always enjoy things we do well.

What do you do really well?
What comes naturally to you - where you can't even remember learning it? What do you love to read about and talk about with others where your conversations are infused with enthusiasm? what did you enjoy doing as a child?
What do you do where time just flys by. what do you do that fully engages you?

My Passion is writing. it's something I've been doing since I was 10 years old. I have journals that are 30 years old. I'm fully engaged in it. I am flooded with endorphins swimming through my body. when I write I can't stop even though my time is up and I have other responsibilities. It's like breathing for me.

What is Yours?

Cheers to living a passionate, inspired life.
with much love,

Carrie

Life Lessons

2009-05-14T03:20:00.000-07:00

Usually the lessons we've learned are mistakes we've made over and over again until it finally sinks in one day. That's what happens with me. Once you learn the lesson then you never repeat it again and if you do you are able to recognize it right away. Here are 10 Lessons I want to share with you. Perhaps you can learn from them as well.

Lesson #1The truth will set you free.
Honesty, as scary and uncomfortable as it can be at times is always the best way to go. Even if you think the person can't handle it. Even if you think you are protecting them by not telling them the truth. People want the truth.

Lesson #2Never try and tell someone how they should feel. I believe this is what causes many arguments in relationships. The other day I had a silly argument with my sister who I adore. It escalated because she tried to tell me how I should feel. This has happened to me so many times before and I have done the same thing. I have finally learned the lesson. People will shut you down so quickly if you start trying to control their feelings. Don't do it. it sucks!

Lesson #3You get back exactly What you are putting out there. You want friends, be friendly. You want people to accept you, accept them. You want to be forgiven, forgive. You want to be treated kindly, be kind.

Lesson #4Pull back from people when you feel your energy is being drained. When things begin to go downhill, you can definately feel it inside your body and you have an opportunity to switch it up if you are tuned in. You can always go back to the discussion or the person whenever you feel "full" and replenished.

Lesson #5Drop your story if it doesn't serve you well and create new story that won't reduce you. I have seen so many people struggle with this one issue. It's subtle. Many people don't realize they are living inside of their stories and the worst part about it is that they've shut off their power inside to create a new story.

Lesson #6 Whatever irritates you about someone is just an aspect of yourself you haven't embraced yet. Projection happens when we reject an aspect of ourselves that keeps popping up in someone else. Next time there is someone who totally annoys you see if there is something about their behaviour that you have denied in yourself. Whatever we can't be with, won't let us be.

Lesson #7Learn from your children-they have many things to teach us.
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore new territory.I ran a Youth Leadership Program in the early Spring and I can tell you that kids are so brave compared to most adults. They face new challenges head on and don't worry about failure or rejection or getting it perfect. They don't tell stories to themselves about what will happen. Fear is a dark room where negatives are developed. When you hear a voice inside of you that tells you that you can't do something, then do it and the voice disappears. I have made so many positive changes in my life that I never thought were possible and it does get easier to make them. As quoted eloquently by Eleanor Roosevelt. You must do the thing you think you can't do until you get a record of successful experiences behind you.

Lesson #8 You can't make people want to change but you can definately develop a tolerance for them. You ask yourself something I learned from Wayne Dyer. Am I willing to allow those I care for be what they choose for themselves...without any insistence that they satisfy me? Am I willing? If I am, I am practicing unconditional love. Love that doesn't say, I would like you better if you were more like me. People can change..but only if they want to and it's their own journey. stay out of it. Give people the privilege of their own problems. That is unconditional love.

Lesson #9Your tribe...the people you are related to or close to unconsciously try to keep you the same. If you want to do something out of the ordinary, then do it. Keep it to yourself. Don't look for praise, adoration or approval.

Lesson #10Your body leaves clues-Tune in. I had this mysterious breathing problem a few years ago. shortness of breath, laboured breathing. I couldn't figure out what it was. I went to the Doctor. My vitals signs were fine. She asked if I was under stress. I said are you kidding. I've been off work and laying on the beach at my cottage all summer with the kids. It's September, everyone's back in school. I step back into an old job that I know like the back of my hand. and Life is great! It turns out that my old job still had the same toxic environment for me when I left to be with my kids. The same backstabbing dsyfunctional and unhealthy environment. My body knew this but my mind kept telling me that everything was cool. I had thyroid issues years ago and ended up having some surgery. I have since learned more about my throat Chakra. It's about losing your voice and not being able to communicate. I believe that stress, resentment and anger is what causes heart problems, depression, and cancer etc.

We all have lessons in our life to learn. They will keep showing up until we finally learn them. Look forward to your life lessons. It's the path to freedom, wholeness and clarity.

Many blessings to you,
Carrie

Joy Journey

2009-05-09T03:44:00.000-07:00

My purpose is to inspire and encourage people to live happier lives by connecting to the power within themselves to create more joy, abundance and love.

I have transformed the dsyfunction of my past. Do you see struggle? I do-everywhere! If people could stand in their power and realize they have the ability to change their circumstances this world would literally be transformed. To recognize that what is holding us back is just a limiting belief we've bought in to. It's all about the 90/10 rule. Happiness is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.

I really needed a kick in the butt myself. I struggled for many years. I still have days, although very rare where I feel overwhelmed. I knew my life wasn't suppose to be struggle struggle. What I didn't realize for many years was that I had the power to create a different reality. My ego and feelings of inadequacy kept me paralyzed from doing anything I wanted to do. I had a "monkey mind" swinging from branch to branch reacting to everything going on around me.

I went on a journey that has brought me to a place of love and joy and inner peace. I now have tools to deal with life on life's terms. I want to share the knowledge I have from this experience with you.

Claim your right to be a happy person.

Set the intention. An intention is something you plan to create.

My intention is to enjoy an incredible life measured by my own chosen standards. What is yours?

Fall in love with who you are.

Become the kind of person you want to be around. If you're single and looking for a partner, become that woman/man that the type of person you are looking for would be attracted to. Self love is so important. Without it you're never going to create the type of life you deserve or desire.

Control your dominating thoughts.

Always reach for a better thought. Thoughts that serve you. Thoughts that keep you focused. Thoughts that fuel you to go for the things you want. Thoughts that are positive and constructive and powerful. I'm sure you can think of 10. Write them down and put them some where you can read them as many times as you can throughout the day.

Weeks ago I did an experiment. I wore an elastic band on my wrist. I wanted to see how often I had a limiting belief or negative thought. I would snap it each time I did to help me shift out of it. I didn't realize how often I still had those creepy little thoughts. Many people asked about my wristband.When I explained it to them, they were very interested and thought it was a great idea.

I think many people realize their thoughts are negative but they really don't recognize how harmful it can be. Our thoughts create our actions and our feelings and our beliefs. In other words, they run the show! If you don't like what's going on in your life right now or certain aspects of your life, look no further than your thoughts. If you don't have control over your dominating thoughts then who does?? The media, your family, your friends, your coworkers, your spouse.

Be a creator. If it isn't affirmations or wrist bands that will work for you practice something else until you find something that will.

Make positive changes you're authentically connected to

In my workshops I like to cover:
Habits-what habits are you engaged in that suck the life out of you and what do you do on a regular basis that breathes life in to you?
Passions-What do you do where time flys by without even noticing. What do you love to do. What idea whispers to you at night even though you try and push it away.
Values-What's important to you about life? What do you treasure?
Goals-What are you doing, where are you going and what is happening in your life in 1 year, 5 years and 10 years from now.

Begin just by writing some of these things down. The picture becomes clearer when you invest the time.

I hope all of you have a wonderful happy healthy thriving beautiful and peaceful day because that is point.

with warmth and love,
Carrie

Passion Power: Don't sweat the Sales Stuff.

2009-05-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Passion Power: Don't sweat the Sales Stuff.

Don't sweat the Sales Stuff.

2009-05-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

Selling is really quite simple and not nearly as scary as some people think.
You get a list together of why your service or product is of value to your prospect and be willing to promote it.

What’s in it for them? How are you going to make their life wonderful?

Many people think about telemarketing and all those annoying calls you get at home when they think about selling products or services. It can be lawn maintenance, newspapers or carpet cleaning or just about anything else that you might find annoying to talk about after a full day of work. Usually the calls happen on your way out the door or when your in middle of something like making or eating dinner. Someone could be visiting or you could be relaxing for 5 minutes.

I had a telemarketer call me the other day to sell me some magazines from McLeans. He was offering such and such and this and that and blah blah blah and I finally I had to interrupt him, "I’m sorry I’m not interested."

what he said next surprised me. "You Don't Read" he said. Rule #1 Don’t insult the prospect!

What about Car Salesmen........that’s Exhausting. You ask a simple question "How much does this car cost?" then you wait and answer 25 questions before they give you a price. They will probably want to sit in the back seat while you test drive it to analyze the conversation you have with your spouse. Then they take off to go and see a manager to discuss your offer without you....Then they make you a deal but it’s only valid for 10 minutes or 24 hours. I could go on and on about all the tactics used but basically, I'm offended by the games and I think most customers are. These types of strategies give the profession of selling a bad name.

You need to have a straight forward and honest approach. People will respect you. Leave the games at home to play with your children.

In corporate sales there are 3 things I like to teach people....

Establish the key players

Find out who makes the decisions. When you are prospecting start at the top and work your way down. You won't step on any toes that way. People will tend to listen better when you are able to name drop and say that "Victor Barnes suggested I speak with you." It's important to introduce yourself to a high level person so there won't be any surprises later on, when the company starts doing business with you. They will remember your phone call to them. Is it a VP, an owner a CEO or high level manager. Have them release the names to you.

Which department takes care of the buying your products. There are often many players involved-could be 3-5 people deep depending on how large the company is and what you're selling. It is very important to find out who the key decision maker is? You can waste a lot of time prospecting the wrong person.

Determine the potential

YOU will get completely frustrated and agonize over why people aren’t buying when in fact----they don’t buy anything ever..you can’t sell ice to Eskimos, although I've been told that I can.

You absolutely must determine the potential of the account at the beginning. In IT for example, we measured the potential by how many pc’s they had? This gave you a good indication of their budget.

I'm not a big fan of coming right out and asking them what their budget is. If they don't know you've made them sound foolish and not important enough to have that information and it could be confidential in which case you have offended them by asking.

There are many other creative ways of finding out how much they spend on your product. Use their past history for example. Do they buy name brands. How old is their product now? Who are they buying from? How committed are they to using your product or service?

In corporate sales this can be tricky. If you're doing your job properly and actually putting yourself out there and making the calls you will always here “The budgets are cut”, “We aren’t buying too much these days, things are pretty quiet."

If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I wouldn’t have to work.

They won’t share too much information with you in the beginning until some trust is established because they don’t even know who you are. That’s your job to figure it out. I like open ended questions that are conversational. For example......"What are you doing with your pinters?" "Did you decide on whether you were going to uprade this year?" "Do you generally purchase from one supplier or do you have a few you like to use?"

Building the relationship

I had a guy working for me once who was so pushy. He would keep people on the phone and practically beg them. As my Dad would say "That guy couldn’t sell steak to hungry millionaires” That kind of energy is creepy. Put more eloquently by Steve Chandler "Neediness is icky"

You want to be naturally confident and that comes from knowing what you offer has value. You pull it off something like this. Here's what we offer. This is what we do really well and this is what is excellent about our products. Here is the value for you. This is how much it costs. And I’m completely unattached to you saying yes or no. There are 4 billion people on this earth, someone will say YESSSSSSSS

To build a client relationship you have to establish a presence in the account. Be persistent and cultivate it. It’s like planting seeds. You water them, fertilize the soil, and nurture those seeds so that the plant becomes healthy and strong.

Same with an account. You’re making follow up calls, staying in touch, offering your services, thanking them for the opportunity, sending some information or free stuff. I sent golf balls to once to someone while relentlessly pursuing him. I called to follow up those golf balls. It was the VP of Finance at CTV. He thanked me and graciously offered me a name of someone to call at CTV and it turned out to be my largest AND most fruitful account, all because of 3 golf balls.

What can I tell you about Sales. Things change. Be persistent. Stay on them. They may not need you today. But NO means maybe...NO means not right now, not this month.

I heard NO from my very best clients while I was still prospecting them. If you can promote your products and services with confidence that what you are offering is of value to them, THEN when the players change or their current level of service goes down or someone drops the ball you’re the first person they will call. Because you have persistently and politely pursued their business.

Prospecting isn’t nearly as frightening as you would think. So get out there and remember 3 principles. Know your value, Have a positive attitude and be persistent.

Happy selling,

Carrie Wynne

Belonging

2009-04-30T03:18:00.000-07:00

I belong to many things. I'm a belonger. I think because I love socializing so much. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. I only belong to things I love though. If the word "obligation" creeps in too often, then the dread starts and that becomes very Unfun for me.

My personal philosophy about life is that we are all meant to experience as much joy as humanly possible and help others do the same. If I'm dragging my butt somewhere I don't want to go every week out of guilt, that would do me in quickly. so I never do that to myself.

I have observed recently something else that can take the fun out of belonging to an organization. Whether it's work, a club or another association there seems to be a challenge for many people to just simply get along together. People get in to these silly little conflicts that create hard feelings. Then they want to share them with you. This almost forces you to choose sides. Gossip may seem lighthearted especially when presented that way. Like "it doesn't really bother me BUT" or "it's none of my business, BUT". We all justify light gossip from time to time but it really does permeate a stench of mistrust "what are they saying about me" or "what did she mean by that", or I wonder if what I said was taken out of context, Maybe I should explain further."

People can't tolerate differences. Their frame of mind is non acceptance. In other words, I would like you better if you were more like me.

I wonder if people stopped and thought about what a boring world it would be if we all thought alike and had the same perceptions.

This is all EGO stuff-an all to familiar experience for me. I worked in a dsyfunctional environment for 15 years. I know all about the EGO and how it can erode and destroy even the most thriving organization.

The ego is never at peace. The ego is there to protect and defend not to disarm and accept. The ego teaches us to watch our backs and look out for number 1 and don't let them get you, etc..

The opposite of EGO of course is Love. Love "what is". Detach from the good opinion of others. Become a giver of peace. Acceptance is a verb. It's a gift that you give to someone.

I remind myself often when I'm quick to judge someone else that my goal is love and peace in every situation. That I have my own brain, my own thoughts and my own choices to make on what I believe and what I reject. I don't need to verbalize it or display it at any time. Some things are better left unsaid.

Ask your heart today, do I have pure positive feelings for everyone, including myself?

If the answer is Yes, you are going to have a miraculous day.

Love Carrie

Your Passion is your Purpose

2009-04-23T05:33:00.001-07:00

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray."
~Rumi

What do you Love to do?
Do you have any clue what your calling might be ? Your calling are things that you are drawn to. Things you are interested in no matter how impractical or impossible it seems to "make a living at it". In the same way as you choose your work, your calling chooses you, and for many people it is difficult to remember a time when they did not want to do something related to their calling, even if they never have.

I use to hate this question: “ What would you do if money was no object? “ I would think money is an object and I need some, so what does this question have to do with anything?

But I can honestly and wholeheartedly tell you that this question can lead you to the money. When you answer this question you begin to discover your passion. When you are engaged in something you love, you can do it longer, for hours and hours on end. You will likely be more persistent and stay the course. You will be on purpose and when you are on purpose, things just fall into place.

People don't place a high enough value on how much they are nurtured by doing whatever it is that totally absorbs them. Jean Shinoda Bolen

What are your personality traits.
Are you sensible, calm, compassionate, level headed, imaginative, resourceful. Write down all the personality traits that fit your description of the way you see yourself. Write as many as you can. Now pick the top 3. The might not seem like they relate, that’s fine. These are clues to help you find your passion. To live your life on purpose where would these personality traits best fit? Who would be fabulous at their job if they had these traits?

For example enthusiastic is one of my personality traits. enthusiasm would be fabulous in a Salesperson, a Manager, an Event Planner, a Speaker, a Journalist, a Radio show Host, etc.

Identify your gifts
Things that come naturally to you with little effort. What are you good at. What skills and abilities do you have that are so much a part of you, that you can't remember learning them and can’t imagine not having them. My niece is incredible at art. My sister is a great cook. My brother in law is amazing at electronics. My nephew is gifted at playing great music. My friend Trish is warm and compassionate with the elderly. My girlfriend Shari is amazing with colour.

We are all gifted in some way. Are you a good cook. Do you make up good stories, can you fix a car, are you a good listener, can you garden, are you good at photography? Can you decorate. Good at gymnastics. (remember we almost always enjoy things we’re good at.)

My natural ability is to connect well with others. It all comes very naturally to me and I’m good at it. This led me into sales where I spent 15 successful years as a Corporate Sales Representative and Sales Manager in the IT industry. With little effort I was easily able to build rapport, develop client relationships, and establish trust. I intuitively knew how to do this because it is one of my gifts.

You are gifted at something in the same way too? something that comes naturally to you. Take some time to identify those gifts. These are clues as well.

My all time favourite quote is by Howard Thurman. A Theologian, Author and Philosopher back in the Martin Luther King Jr. days. He says:

“Don’t ask what this world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that because what this world needs is people who have come alive.”

Don’t miss out on some of the joy, energy, and fulfillment that comes with living your life on purpose. Your passion is your purpose.

Have a truly wonderful day,
Love Carrie

Energy Vampires

2009-04-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

Do you have people in your life that suck the life out of you? I had a conversation on the phone the other day. Up until that point my day was productive. I was rocking and rolling..up early, worked all morning and just finished a Pilates workout, sun was shining. Felt great. Had a list of things I wanted to accomplish and was looking forward to my evening. All good. And then Wham....!!! Like someone took a baseball bat to my head....I was stuck on the phone with someone who was in a bad mood. The thought crossed my mind that I should be a friend and just listen to her vent. I certainly have those days too. Before the call was over her voice seemed brighter and we were actually laughing a bit.

I hung up. I wasn't focused on all those good feelings I had before the call. My mood had changed. I was thinking about Junk. Crap I was ignoring before I received the call. Why doesn't my husband ever want to do anything. Why is my son so disrespectful. Why are my kids bothering me. Why is the house such a mess..... I was rattled. That negativity got under my skin and I have been especially sensitive these days to this type of energy.

We don't toss people out of our lives who have problems. Nor should we judge those who choose to stay on the negative side of life or remain victims.

I came up with this question:

How do we support people in our life who are like this or, who are generally not like this and are just having a bad day, and still keep our minds quiet and centered on beautiful feelings.

I've come up with 3 ideas I've used in the past that have worked for me.

1. Practice empathic listening. You are doing your best to understand where THEY are coming from and how THEY feel. You don't have to agree. You are just staying on their side.

2. Tune into your body. keep it loose and relaxed. If you feel your good energy draining from your body, do some deep breathing. See yourself on the beach or watching a waterfall or something visually pleasing.

3. Don't take it personally. It's not about you. Give people the privilege of their own problems. Don't adopt their problems. You probably have enough of your own.

Share your good feelings with others and help heal the planet and the lives around you. Be an instrument of peace.

Stand in your power. That is where all your good work will be done.

Love to all,
Carrie

When you hear a voice inside of you that tells you that you can't do something then do it and the voice will disappear.

2009-04-15T03:01:00.000-07:00

If there is one life lesson that I have learned it is this one. A version of this quote is from the old painter, Vincent van Gogh. You know.....the one who cut off his ear and went insane. His work is brilliant and these wise words resonated with me.

Last summer I painted nearly every room in my house. Big deal you might say, I've done every room in my house too. But for years I had convinced myself that I couldn't paint. I had a bad experience painting a hallway once and had convinced myself for years that I couldn't paint. The burgundy paint was everywhere. On my clothes, on my nose, on the floor, on the ceiling, in the room next to it. Man if I can't paint this little space, there is no hope for me.

Well I got tired of that story and listening to that little voice inside of my head while looking at these rooms in my house that desperately needed a freshen up. so I decided to start with my daughters bedroom. " I CAN do this. I'll start here, take my time and if I make mistakes, she won't care " when it was done, I got such a huge sense of accomplishment and it wasn't because of the nice fresh green paint that went beautifully with her sheets. It was because that voice disappeared and I no longer had to listen to it. I could do it. Of course it snowballed into a full out obsession and I began my painting frenzy which last nearly 2 months. But that's just me. what a ball.

Reminds me of a quote... You must do the thing you think you cannot do until you get a record of successful experiences behind you...Eleanor Roosevelt.

Since then every little thing I do out of the 'ordinary' is because of the step I took. The step out of my story that I couldn't paint...The step out of my comfort zone that said "some people can paint and some people can't" The step out of the thought that was holding me back while looking at these unpainted rooms.

"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." -William James

I have felt so empowered by that one little step I took that everything I do now, I'm reminded of this quote. I chuckled when I remembered the correct version of the Vincent van Gogh quote.

"When you hear a little voice inside your head that tells you you can't paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced."

Blessings and love to you,

Carrie

Decide who you are going to be and enJOY the process of becoming that person one day at a time.

2009-04-12T05:50:00.001-07:00

Deciding who you are going to be isn't as easy as it sounds however I suggest we simplify it. Here's what you do.

forget about what others in your life want for you.
forget about your past mistakes and should of, would of, could of's. Move on.
start today to begin to create your life, the way you want your life to be, one day at a time. “Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

These don't have to be grandiose ideas however they can be. It could be simply to experience more peace in your life. Maybe you want to lose 30 pounds or find an amazing person that you click with AKA...Soulmate. Maybe you want to get a new job or go back to school or change a behaviour pattern or overcome an addiction. Never be afraid of anything that appears bigger then you or your ability to handle it.

Everything begins with a single step. Take the next step, the next step, the next step. There is no room for cynicism in personal development. You are either going to do your best to make positive changes and create a life that is amazing and fulfilling or you aren't. Here is who I've decided to become.

someone who experiences as much Joy as humanly possible every single day.
someone who lives an inspired life.
someone who expands in abundance, success and love everyday and inspires those around me to do the same.
someone who pulls back when I feel my energy being drained.

this quote reminds me that I'm in the process of becoming that person.

The Road to perfection is always under construction...

Don't wait for a tragedy or health issue or some other catastrophy to begin to live your life to the fullest. Do it now. Measure your life by the moments that you savour and do your very best to create more moments to savour.

Much love and blessings on this Easter morning.
Carrie

Addictions

2009-04-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

I'm going to tell you what I know about Addiction. But first a story. Last night I went out to a restaurant after a meeting with some friends. Again, there was enough junk food on the table to sink a ship. I gobbled up my mushroom caps, took a potato skin from Stephen and tried one of Shelley's cheese sticks. I was full and they were good. (Half price too) At the time it never dawn on me that I shouldn't be eating this late at night, the mushrooms I ordered were deep fried in grease that could clog my arteries and kill me one day, or how crappy I was going to feel this morning when I woke up. Nope! Never crossed my mind. It's only today that I'm self loathing about it. "Why am I eating so much?" "I'm going to be a beach ball if I don't stop." "I must set up some new rules for myself about food and I'm definately doing Pilates today"

What I know about addiction is that it progresses. It steps up a notch and jumps into the drivers seat and starts running your life. You don't really notice it too much until that happens. You think it's just a habit. A few drinks here and there and then a few more; then everyday and then you can't stop. Addiction is when you have lost the ability to choose. When one is too many and 5 million isn't enough. Addiction has many flavours. Smoking, drugs, pills, food, drinking, shopping, gambling, sex, etc.

There are millions of addicts that haven't figured it out yet. Denial (Don't even notice I am lying) I have a huge family history of addicts. I am an addict. It's a personality trait. I'm obsessive and can't stop doing things just because they are bad for me. It's a social issue as well-your kids are watching everything you do and will do it too. You are also predisposed if genetics are involved. It doesn't mean the child raised by an alcoholic parent is going to be an alcoholic. It just means there is a greater chance of it.

I quit smoking, drinking and doing drugs years ago. Why? Well definately for health reasons and because I am raising 3 kids and wanted to set a good example for them. But mostly it was because of my own sense of well being. I didn't like the way it started to run my life. I wanted to become better at dealing with life's curveballs rather than running away from them all the time. When difficult feelings and strong emotions were involved I didn't want to stifle them. I wanted to be able to process them without numbing myself. To basically deal with life head on. I didn't know if I could do it, but I knew I wanted to try.

If you feel there is something going on in your life that has suddenly started taking over. Consider asking yourself these questions:

1. What is this going to look like 10 years from now?
2. What steps could I take today to begin to elminate this from my life?
3. Who can I reach out to for help?

Back to the food.

1. In 10 years if I keep eating like this, I'm going to have serious health issues and I won't be able to play tennis or wear my bikini and I will hate the way I look.

2. Set up Boundaries: I'm not going to eat past 7:00pm. I'm going to buy healthy snacks to munch on and I'm not going out to Bernie's on Tuesday's after meetings anymore.

3. My sister. My husband.

Admitting we have addiction issues is a strong and powerful action. It's a catalyst for living a rich full and delicious life.

“Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once when I was young and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I do understand it. I will tell you what it is: Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn’t it is of no use.”
--Carlos Castaneda

With warmth and love,
Carrie

How to transform the dysfunction of your past and thrive in the future

2009-04-05T03:19:00.001-07:00

I think we all have a story. A drama or some dysfunction from our past that we'd like to move away from. For me, I've had dysfunction everywhere in my past. My childhood, a workplace, friendships, a marriage. I wanted to move on and work through it all so that I could come out on the other side of it rather than live in it and stay stuck in patterns and behaviours that weren't supporting me to become my highest expression. So I did and I continue to do so.
Here are 3 ideas that I have used passionately to create a happy and joyful life and move away from my stories of my dysfunctional past.

1. Conscious Living
2. Deliberate Intention
3. Silent Retreat

1. Conscious Living: This basically means that you know what's important to you. You have a list of values. This list may change frequently at different stages or they may never change. What's important is that they are your values. Not your family's or your neighbours or your bosses.

You are conscious of your daily habits. You know what depletes your energy and sucks you dry and you also know what nurtures you and fills you up. You tweek your life by giving up the habits that no longer serve your best interests and develop some new habits that breath life into you.

Journalling is a brilliant idea to have more clarity in your life. Write down your feelings and enjoyable activities; your passions, interests, anger, pain. You are expressing yourself on the pages of your journal and by doing so are gaining clarity, wisdom and truth. Never again will you have to say I don't know what I want or how I feel which is just a cop out anyway. Even if you never express them to anyone else.... conscious living means you know exactly who you are, how you feel and what you want. Invest the time to uncover your own truths.

2. Deliberate Intention: I believe we are creators of our life. We have to be. Because if we aren't that would mean that we are victims of our circumstances and there is no power in being a victim. A victim is a place I call no mans land. Nothing good will ever come out of wallowing in something or hanging on to a hurt or a story from your past. Blaming and criticizing is a victim's excuse for not having a great life. Deliberate intention means you are setting goals for yourself. Daily, monthly or yearly goals. write them out. Affirmations Declaring positively that something is true. I love Deepak Chopra quote here "Within every desire is the mechanics of its fullfillment" I am a huge fan of the Law of Attraction which works like this ...You will get whatever you give your energy attention and focus to. Your life will become that which you think about and believe to be true. Write out those goals and affirmations them and keep it handy.

Creating thoughts that are constructive, powerful and positive isn't just a nicer more effective way to be. You are deliberately creating the thoughts that are congruent with exactly what you want your life to look like. Keep your thoughts pure, pleasing, kind and supportive.

3. Silent Retreat: Many people lead hustle bustle lives. Our heads are going a mile a minute. I see it and so do you. In the car, at the grocery store, the doctors office, the mall, at the coffee shop. Even in our own life we have a cazillion things we have to do. We have parenting or family responsibilities, job and money concerns, health issues, relationship challenges and other concerns. Our minds are on overdrive. Many eat, drink, smoke, take pills or just hit a wall and collapse. The noisiness of our external world stops us from ever connecting with our authentic selves.

Taking the time for relaxation, meditation or just quiet reflection is the most important activity of the day. It sounds so simple and yet many find it very difficult and won't even try it. Sit alone for 10 minutes without engaging any of your thoughts-just notice them and let them pass. Focus on your breathing. Connect with your sense of well being. Find that place inside of you. The place that has all your answers.

Opening up my mind to a life that is rich and full and delicious is following these 3 guidelines everyday.

1. Conscious living-knowing who I am, what I want and where I'm going. What my values are and what habits I'm engaged in that either support me or deplete me.

2. Deliberate intention-I have goals and affirmations that support the kind of life and the person I intend to be. My thoughts, attitude and my actions are in line with where I am going and what I am creating.

3. Silent retreat-I take the time every single day to quiet my mind and just be with ""what is"". I come out with beautiful feelings and I'm more centered and calm.

What I have learned about transforming the dysfunction of your past is that when you are willing to let go of something and stop clinging to it, it just falls away.

with Peace and Love,
Carrie

Follow Your Bliss

2009-04-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Finding what you love to do is a clue to your path. Are you on the right one?

Has anyone ever heard this advice before? Do what you love, and the money will follow? My interpretation is that it means when you are engaged in something you find fulfilling, meaningful or interesting, you will spend many hours doing it without feeling tired. You can immerse yourself in what you love for hours and hours and work longer, stay engaged and persist until you succeed. The money has to follow.

When you accept that doing what you love IS the way to the money, you can begin to make lists and start coming up with ideas on how you can do what you love and make money.

Be ready and willing to be humbled. Be prepared to make mistakes and lose track along the way. This is part of the process of moving out of your comfort zone. Think of it as an opportunity to learn rather than another failed resolution.

One of my favourite quotes of all time is by Howard Thurman, a Theologian and Author back in the Martin Luther King Jr days......"Don't ask what this world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go and do that. Because what this world needs is people who have come alive"

Many people are stuck in jobs they hate, working with people they aren't particularly fond of and doing work they don't enjoy, reporting to people they don't respect. Boy, are they fun to be around when they finish work for the day.

The world needs YOU! Not your stories or your excuses. Begin now! Today to create an amazing life and a life that you are trully and authentically connected to.

"Getting what you go after is success, but liking while you're getting it is happiness" Bertha Damon, Author

Much love and blessings,
Carrie

Practice the art of extreme self care.

2009-03-31T02:42:00.000-07:00

The Best kind of day is when you wake up and know who you are, what you want and where you're going. You step in to that vision everyday knowing the end result. If you don't have any goals, I suggest you spend some time writing some out.

"If you don't know where you are going, you're already there"

Sometimes my thoughts jump all over the place. I'm not focused and my day doesn't go very well. Sound familiar? Maybe something happened I'm obsessing about or I slept in and fell off my routine or one of the kids are sick. We all have days when we get thrown off our path. I seem to have conversations I don't want to have with people I don't want to have them with. I seem to do things I don't want to do. I'm reluctant. Lots of maybe's but no definite Yes's.

We have to be really nurturing and kind to ourselves on these days. I have a list of enjoyable activities. Things I love to do. When I'm having a rough day, I engaged in these activities. I take a day or an afternoon off. I have a nap or grab a great book. I jump in my hot tub or go for a nice long walk. I go shopping and buy myself something special. I'll wash my car in the driveway or hang my bedding out on the clothesline. I'll flip through a recipe book and try making a new dish. Anything that is going to make me feel better, not worse. Enjoyable activities are the cornerstone of self-development. Be sure that you have your list ready. You never know when you are going to have another bad day.

Words to live by: This too shall pass.

Tip #10 See God Everywhere

2009-03-29T11:48:00.001-07:00

I go to church, I am a Christian. I teach Sunday school. My kids are in Sunday school and in the church choir and we have good friends there. I believe in Jesus and we celebrate Christmas and Easter as holy days....

However, I do not believe that Jesus is the only way to God. I know people who do not belong to any organized religion whatsoever, who feel more connected to God than many people do.

Who was it that said “kindness is my religion” ?
Or as Abraham Lincoln quoted ”When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad I feel bad. That is my religion"

Walt Whitman puts it eloquently

I say to mankind
Be not curious about God,
For I, who am curious about each
am not curious about God.
I hear and behold God in every object,
Yet understand God not in the least.

Many people look outside of themselves for God. Where is he.. I don’t see him. When I was a young girl I remember looking up in to vastness of the sky and thinking to myself, there is no way any God made any of this. But now I see very differently. Now I look inside of myself when I search for God and I know that I am piece of God. I know that when I walk in the woods or on the beach or I’m talking with someone or just by myself ....that God is everywhere and everything.

Elizabeth Gilbert in her book titled EAT PRAY LOVE writes about someone she met who described a life with God to her. It’s like the wheel of a bicycle. The center of the wheel is God. Each spoke (which is us) is connected to God. When you stay close to the center you don’t get whirled around as much by what life brings you as much as you would if you were near the edge where you get all frayed and blown around.

Tip #10– on how to be Deliriously Happy is realize that there is a divine order to things - and a trusting and knowing that you are part of that system.

Wonderful blessings and love for a miraculous week.
warmly,
Carrie

Tip #9 Invite many still moments into your life

2009-03-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

Creating a daily habit of quiet space isn't just a good idea. It's the mother of all good ideas.

Are you one of these people that always has the radio on when you're driving? Do you have the TV going in the background even if you're not watching it?

We're so busy escaping from these peaceful opportunities that we miss the advantage of being alone and connecting to our core. What does that really do for us? Well for one thing it's very calming. It's like floating on your back down a river. Sounds peaceful doesn't it? Another reason it's a great idea is because our intuition; our sense of well being, our answers reside inside of us. Not in the noisy world around us.

Life is pretty hustle bustle for most people. We're working, running errands, doing chores and taking care of responsibilities. We listen, read and talk and there really isn't much time left for ourselves. But there are still many missed opportunities we can grab to quiet our minds and if you look, you will find them in your own life. I must admit that it's not often I don't have something in my hand to read when I decide to sit down and chill for a moment. I'm catching myself these days. When I'm going to bed at night, I'm not picking up one of my books like I use to. I'm reflecting on my day, reviewing my goals and laying quietly and peacefully observing my thoughts.

Learning to relax takes time and practice. I'm suggesting a daily habit of it. You begin to build up the capacity for it. Watch your breathing is a simple relaxation technique you can use throughout the day. When you do this you are taking a mini vacation from your thoughts.

Create spaces and gaps in your day for quiet reflection and observation. You are just being with what is. Your thoughts still come and go. Let them. Noise pollution like radio and TV distracts you from any possibility you have of hearing that still small voice within.

Stop, take a minute, and listen to the silence within you today.

As poet, Rumi said,
The breeze at dawn has secrets to reveal. Don't go back to sleep.

Peacefully yours,
Carrie

Tip #8 Love your dark side

2009-03-24T02:49:00.001-07:00

We want to hide parts of ourselves away in the dark. We don't want anyone to see that we are wounded, afraid or flawed in some way. When we deny and reject these aspects of ourselves they keep showing up in our life. Whatever we resist persists. It's easy to love all the bright and good qualities about ourselves.

The self loathing comes when we hide away a part of ourselves. We don't own and embrace and love the totality of our nature. Everyone has a dark side and light side. Your shadow is the person you'd rather not be.

How do you know what your shadow is? Carl Jung says

Whatever irritates you about others, is just an aspect of yourself that you haven't yet embraced.

Is there a quality in others that you despise? Do you dislike controlling people. What personality trait really gets you going? Is it inconsiderate or selfish people? Maybe it's lazy peope or suspicious people. These are all clues.

Whatever you can't be with, won't let you be. Here is an example in my own life. Negativity drives me insane. I use to hit the pavement every time someone carrys on and on about their woes. My mom, husband and even my sisters. I can't stand it half the time and other time, I just avoid them altogether. What I have come to realize through my own shadow work, is that I am negative person. yes I am positive but I'm also negative. Once I was willing to accept that part of myself, I no longer needed to plug in to other's negativity. I've been able to shine some light and love on that part of me and it doesn't have the same power over me anymore. When we can own it and truly embrace the wholeness of ourselves that is freedom. That is what happiness is all about. We are light and dark. We're all of it. Love and accept your dark side.

with warmth and love,
Carrie

Tip #7 Choose Powerful Interpretations

2009-03-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

"I am determined to be happy and cheerful for whatever situation I find myself in for I have learned that the greater part of happiness or misery lies in our dispositions and NOT on our circumstances." Eleanor Roosevelt

I always try and live by this quote. I find that it can be very powerful for me when I am stuck in my story. We all have lots of drama going on in our lives. Some worse than others. I find for me it gets quiet for awhile and then another bomb goes off.

Families can be really bad for that. It helps me to remember that I can react everytime something happens or I can stop and just observe. I'm learning to let go of my needing anything to any different then it is. To let go of my needing anyone to be any different then the way they are is simply just practice and catching yourself doing it. I find it liberating not to react to things going on around me. I don't isolate and I don't cop an attitude. I just observe and stay in the present moment.

It gives me a warm and wonderful feeling when I know that I am best serving others and myself when I'm living in the present moment and happy with what is. Choosing powerful interpretations reminds me that I get to choose a powerful meaning of what is going on around me. I get to choose how I look at these circumstances and how I respond to them. A powerful interpretation is when we can say. This is all happening for a reason. This person is in my life to teach me a valuable lesson that I haven't quite learned yet. When we focus on constructive, meaningful and positive interpretations, we get constructive meaningful and positive results.

All the best to you.

Love Carrie

Tip #6 Give up your personal story to allow the personal you are becoming to emerge.

2009-03-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Many people are bound by their stories. when I say stories, I mean the reason for our circumstances. Our current situations. Our past. This is the reason I'm where I am today. We hang on to these stories because we wouldn't know who we were otherwise. This is counterproductive. I think in order to be deliriously happy we have to be willing to give up our stories. Be willing to die daily as the saying goes. We give up these stories because they keep us stuck. We can stay in less than desirable circumstance for years if we don't recognize when we are in our stories. It's our excuse for why our life isn't the way we want it to be. You might be the person who lost your job or whose husband took off on you or the soul caregiver of a loved one in your family. Reality for some, you might say. But what if we were willing to say. Okay here is the situation I'm in. This has happened and here is what I'm going to do to make my life great. Circumstances don't really determine our happiness. Remember the task is to move through your wounds, not to live in them. We can't create a new reality for ourselves when we are living inside of our stories. Many people have endured horrific circumstances who feel happy and contented with their life, just as there are nurtured and well cared for people who are miserable and bitter. It's our stories that keep us stuck. Be willing to drop your story and allow the greater authentic part of you to emerge.

If we did all we were capable of, we would astound ourselves. Thomas Edison

You may just become the person you are suppose to be.
Blessings and love,
Carrie

Tip #5 Do more of what's working and less of what isn't.

2009-03-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

People make this far too complicated and it's really stupidly simple. What fills you up? Do more. What sucks the life out of you? Do less. I quit smoking and drinking 5 years ago. Why? Because it no longer served my highest good. I felt physically ill from smoking and whenever I drank I'd have a huge headache and be dehydrated the next day. I would self loath for days afterwards about all the idiotic conversations I had. This wasn't good for me. This wasn't good for anybody. I also quit watching TV and the news because I find it's draining.

The other night we were in a hotel to catch an early morning flight and my sister-in-law wanted to watch American Idol. I felt awful for those youngs guys and girls up there singing their hearts out only to have Simon Coward trash them afterwards. "You have a terrible voice." "That was the worse song I've ever heard". "You don't belong on this stage" Blah blah. Watching public humiliation and careless rejection of someone's dream being shattered is not what I call entertainment or uplifting.

The bad news about the economy and the violence that's going on in the world is so depressing that I don't watch it. It's not that I'm okay that it's happening. I just don't subject myself to it. My feeling bad or sad isn't good for anybody and I choose......... to keep my energy high by engaging in activities I enjoy doing and staying away from energy vampires. What sucks the life out of me, may be the thing you enjoy doing. For example. I love shopping at the mall and I'm on a high when I get home because of the few gems I was able to find. My sister, on the other hand, is exhausted and her energy takes a nose dive whenever she steps foot in the mall. Some people love TV because it's there time to just relax. TV for me, is noise pollution. Other people drink to relax. It makes me feel sluggish. I ask you to take a look at your daily life.

I love playing tennis and reading inspirational material. I love writing. I start my day reading my affirmations and reviewing my goals, my gratitude lists, my prayers and mediations. I'm rocking for the rest of the day when I do this each morning.

There's a million things we can do. What habits do you do each day that nurture you? Do you exercise? eat properly? walk, go out with friends once a week, take a course, go on a bike ride. Then ask yourself the next question. What habits do you engage in that drain your energy? Do you read a newspaper every morning. Do you feel rushed every day? Do you have a negative conversation with your coworker every morning? Do you eat before going to bed and then feel like a balloon when you wake up in the morning?

When it comes to our energy, there is really only 4 important questions to ask yourself?

what is working
what is not working
what can I start doing
what do I need to stop doing

My best energy wishes to you,

Carrie

Tip # 4 Consult your Top 5 values when making important decisions

2009-03-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

Stephen Covey puts it eloquently: Once you decide what you are about, what you value, what you treasure, you've automatically got guidelines. You've developed the criteria for making all the decisions in your life. Write the program.

So you begin by making a list of these values. What's important to you about life? What's important to you about living? What legacy do you want to leave behind? What are some of things that you take for granted, that if you didn't have them, your life would fall apart? If you were going to die tomorrow, what have you experienced or accomplished that has meant the most to you?

I realize that these aren't exactly deliriously happy questions to ask yourself. However, the answers will show you what your values are. After you have at least 10 answers, circle your top 5 and write them down. Put them somewhere so that you refer to them often and whenever you need to make a decision. Your values will change over time and that's perfectly fine, because you are the one who is changing them. Here are my top 5 values.

Having a great marriage
Experiencing as much joy as humanly possible everyday
A sense of accomplishment
Time to enjoy my children
Setting a good example

When we are struggling, it usually means that we are not aligned with our core values. We have strayed off our path and away from what is important to us.

Spend some time this week writing out the answers to the following questions and then circle your Top 5.

what's important to me about living?
what's important to me about life?
what would seriously alter the quality of my life if it were missing?
what legacy do I want to leave behind when I go?
If I were going to die tomorrow, what have I accomplished or experienced that has meant the most to me?

All the best to you

with Love,

Carrie

I am determined to see. To change my present state for a better one, and one I really want..... A Course in Miracles.

Tip #3 Be grateful for what you have and eager for more.

2009-03-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

If you want to be deliriously happy, one of things that helps tremendously is to make a daily practice of listing all the things that you're grateful for. I probably have at least 500 things that I am grateful for but I usually write about 10 every day. Sometimes it's the top 10. Other times they're different. It doesn't matter. As long as you are in a state of gratitude. It could be writing a gratitude list, journalling the happiest moment of your day or remembering someone special. You will feel much better after doing this and even though you could be having a bad day, this will be an automatic pick me up and a reminder that you still have so many things in your life to be grateful for. The other part of being and feeling grateful is expecting and knowing that more is on the way. You don't have to just be satisfied with what you have and not have a desire for more. Be eager for more. Expect more. Know in your heart that more is coming and keep those gratitude thoughts circulating around you by setting a routine in your day of acknowledging your blessings. I guarantee it will make a huge difference.

Blessing and love,

Carrie

When I am tired and cannot sleep I count my blessings instead of sheep....Bing Crosby

Tip #2 Recognize the thoughts that weaken you and thoughts that strengthen you.

2009-03-06T05:58:00.001-08:00

If you made 2 lists on a sheet of paper. On the one side you listed everything in your life that was working. For example:
you have regular exercise program, a vehicle that runs well, you love your dog, your children are healthy. On the second list was everything in your life that wasn't going as well as you like. Your job sucks, you are obligated to do things you don't enjoy, you hate your hair cut, you need a holiday. Once you have created these two lists, spend some time looking at them separately. Notice the difference between your feelings and energy when you are focusing on what is working in your life. You may feel calm, happier, peaceful or energized or something entirely different. Now go over to the side where you've listed all the things in your life that you aren't completely satisfied with and aren't working. What does your energy feel like now. Are you weak? Do you feel discouraged? Perhaps a little sad or envious of others.

The point in doing this of course is to notice that our thoughts create our feelings. They can comfort like a pillow or cut like a knife. The best news is that we can choose which thoughts we are going to focus on to help us create and have a great life and which thoughts we are going to put into the recycle bin. When we are focused on positive feelings, positive thoughts and positive outcomes, we are going to get more of the same. The exact same thing is true for negative thinking. Negative thinking gives us a hopeless feeling about our abilities to cope. Positive thinking inspires positive action.

Our thoughts keep coming and going all day long whether we are consciously aware of them or not. We do have the power however, to engage the ones we like.

Happy thoughts,
with love,
Carrie

Tip #1 Find joy in ordinary and every day things!

2009-03-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Like this picture for example reminds me of this silly stage my teenage son, Alex went through taking pictures of the food he prepared before he ate it like it was some masterpiece or work of art. this picture puts a smile on my face.

We are missing the little things. Yes, we would all enjoy a holiday or a new vehicle or month off work. We love skiing and hiking and biking and swimming and tennis. But what about tonight or right now. What puts a smile on your face? It's the simple little things that we miss. If you got news that your life was about to end, you would appreciate each day and start noticing normal and everyday things to relish and enjoy. why wait for that to happen. I use to rush from one activity to another, back and forth to work, run errand after errand and never once stop to even consider whether I was enjoying myself. I still run errands and rush around only now I stop to notice and appreciate that I am able to do all these things.

The more I notice the ordinary and every day things that give me joy the more I notice the ordinary things that give me Joy. It's really magical how that happens. Suddenly watching birds became an enjoyable activity for me. Garbage day is one of my favourite days of the week. I love getting rid of Junk. As an exercise for myself, I wrote down 20 enjoyable activities. I invite you to do the same. These are completely ordinary things that I enjoy doing.

washing my car in the driveway.
hanging my clothes out on the line.
a nice hot bath.
a long power walk in nature.
watching my kids walk home from school.
trying a new recipe
watching my kids play sports
helping my kids with their homework
the first swig of coffee in the morning
listening watching and smelling rain
reading great books
singing
writing
watching the birds and squirrels in our backyard
deep breathing
snuggling with my husband
getting rid of junk
rearranging furniture
walking on the beach
baking

Notice the ordinary and everyday things in your life that you enjoy. and Enjoy!

With love and blessings,

Carrie

10 ways to be deliriously happy

2009-03-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. It is with pleasure I present these ideas to you. I will elaborate on each one of them in future posts.

10 ways to be deliriously happy

1) Find Joy in ordinary and everyday things

2) Recognize the thoughts that weaken you and thoughts that strengthen you.

3) Be grateful for what you have and eager for more.

4) Consult your Top 5 values when making important decisions.

5) Do more of what is working and less of what isn’t.

6) Give up your personal story to allow the person you are becoming to emerge.

7) Choose Powerful Interpretations.

8) Love your dark side.

9) Invite many still moments in to your life.

10)See God everywhere.

Do what you love and be who you are.... Blessings and with love,

Carrie

2009-03-01T04:05:00.000-08:00

Our experiences always affirm to us exactly what we believe. I believe I'll be a huge success. that I'll have a great job and reach all my financial goals. I will publish my book and do internet marketing to make it to the top. I will be involved in personal development where time flys and I fly whenever I'm immersed in it and Peter and I will love our life together in Port Franks. and so it is.

2009-02-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Some days you just look better than others

First time Blogger

2009-02-28T05:43:00.000-08:00

The point to all of our lives is to experience as much Joy as humanly possible and help others do the same. When we are struggling we are off our path.