Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
101 Ways to Love Each Other | The BridgeMaker
101 Ways to Love Each Other | The BridgeMaker |
| Posted: 25 Feb 2010 03:06 AM PST 
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook. Expressing love to our partners, children, family and friends not only strengthens communication it also improves connection and intimacy. Too often we get distracted by the trivial and forget how important it is to nurture our relationships. Finding simple, but heartfelt ways to love each other is a source of encouragement for the giver and the receiver. By loving consciously, we discover Love is the force that puts the world back together when it feels like it’s coming apart. It provides a sense of contentment and gratitude deep in our hearts and is the voice that tells us, "Everything will be okay." Consider these ways to love each other and help create a world where beauty and grace can fill the hearts of everyone willing to give and then receive Love's gentle power:
Where is #101?The list ended at number 100 because I invite you to share in Comments (below) your ideas. There are countless ways to love each other and I would love for you to add to the list. If you are reading this article as an email subscriber, click here and then scroll down to the Comments area to share your idea. I’m looking forward to reading all of the 101s! What Now? Help Share a Thousand Acts of Faith on Facebook.      |
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Monday, February 22, 2010
Do You Have the Courage to Say Yes to Live Your Passions? | The BridgeMaker
Do You Have the Courage to Say Yes to Live Your Passions? | The BridgeMaker |
| Do You Have the Courage to Say Yes to Live Your Passions? Posted: 22 Feb 2010 03:11 AM PST 
Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Lorraine Cohen. Please visit her at Powerfull Living. In a favorite book, The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose, That got me thinking about what I am really passionate about. When I think about passion, these questions come to mind:
What do I love? Gosh, where do I begin?My personal passions include my cats, my dear friends and colleagues, laughter, nail-biting books that I devour cover to cover, scintillating conversations, flowers, walks in nature, pampering, and great chocolate – things that bring me peace, nourish my mind body and spirit. Treat me to flowers or a day at the spa for mega pampering and I'm a happy woman. When I was in my early 30's my mother died. As a result of her death, I began searching for those deeper answers to understand my life and my purpose for being here. I had always been awake to a certain degree and after my mother's death, my spiritual journey of consciousness accelerated exponentially. The last 20+ years have been quite a ride of having my world turned upside down many times. I've often joked that if I knew then what I know now, I might have hit the ground running in the opposite direction. I'm so glad I didn't know because these last decades have helped me to uncover my passions and my service to my SELF, God, and the world. My greatest passion and total commitment are aligned with my spiritual path and soul calling; who I am here to be and what I am here to do. I realized that my purpose is to raise consciousness on the planet, many people at a time; to help people wake up to remember who they are to live prosperous and meaningful lives in alignment with their soul path. Everything about who I am today is rooted in my passion and commitment to my soul life purpose. As an interfaith Reverend Doctor, life coach, broadcaster, psychotherapist, writer, and inspirational speaker I have countless opportunities to be of service to others either directly or indirectly through my coaching, speaking, and writing. So when I was first approached by my spiritual teacher decades ago and told that my path included public speaking and working with groups and audiences my first thought was, "You are out of your mind. No way! " Why? Because as a child I was very shy and I had a slight stutter. Even though I did some acting and singing in public when I was much younger, performance anxiety was a strong fear and the idea of being vulnerably visible to audiences felt overwhelming, frightening, and unsafe. What if I began to stutter? What if what came out of my mouth was boring, made no sense, and was not worth listening to? I didn't even like the sound of my own voice! What if? The vision for my life clearly involved using my voice to touch people's lives worldwide and I was continually pushed, nudged, and kicked by the Universe to take that step forward to bring my heart and voice to people who wanted and needed what was bursting within me to be shared. So I agreed and began speaking about the things I deeply cared about – transforming fear and releasing illusions, faith, truth, courage, authenticity, life path….. In those moments I am in awe of my SELF and the wisdom of the Universe speaking through me. It is a humbling and joyful experience to consciously partner with Source and witness the miracles unfolding! Several years ago an invitation to host my own radio show dropped in my lap. Who me? Are you kidding? Talk on air every week? Hmmmmm…In prior years I did a lot of public speaking and the idea of radio seemed intriguing. So, I said yes. Gulp. What a surprise to discover a passion and a talent for being a dynamic interviewer as well as being a great guest on other people's shows and special events. I have come to know and appreciate that my voice is a great instrument to inspire and motivate others to embrace their brilliance and greatness. I LOVE to talk and inspire people. Speaking publicly has become a passion within my greater passion to my life journey and service to the world. Hosting programs is part of the Divine plan for my life because of all the people I have been privileged to meet and share with people all over the world. Neale Donald Walsch, James Twyman, Anakha Coman, Dr. Bernie Siegel, and Marci Shimoff, Eric Pearl, Gay Hendricks, and so many more have said YES to be guests on my show. And I have come to love not only hosting shows, I have become passionate about speaking on teleseminars, tele-summits, and special events virtually and in-person. Knowing that something I might say might be life-changing for another brings me joy! The thank you emails people send me after interviews and presentations often take my breath away. I sometimes have to stop and breathe in the words people share so I don't deflect them from coming into my heart. To be a great giver, you must also be a great receiver. Living your passions open your heart to amazing opportunities to give and receive love. As I continue to bring my voice out in a multitude of ways in my business and personal life, including broadcasting, the questions I ask when making decisions include:
When I am following my intuition and guidance, my soul smiles and I have those wonderful moments of feeling happy for no reason. When you say YES to the Universe and your soul path doors and windows fly open even when it appears you are hitting a brick wall or something seems impossible. The key is to stay the course in faith, trust, and courage no matter what. Too often people use fears, beliefs, reasons and excuses to censor their deepest desires and end up feeling empty and unhappy despite successes. Trying to resist the force of true passion is like trying to hold back a tidal wave. And the more consciously awakened you become, the more difficult it becomes to ignore the whispers of your soul. Living your passions and destiny is a journey of faith, trust, and courage. Although there are bumps along the journey, the rewards of aliveness, vibrancy, joy, love, and prosperity are worth every step to becoming a co-conspirator with God to expand Creation. So, dear reader, my question to you is, "Are you living your passions? Are you saying YES to what is bursting to be expressed within you or are you saying no? This year is ripe for miracles. Do you have the courage to say YES? What Now? Help Share a Thousand Acts of Faith on Facebook.    |
authors Janet and Christ Attwood make a distinction between passions and goals. They say, "A passion is how you choose to live your life. A goal is something you aim to achieve. When your passions are clear you can create goals that are aligned with your passions and begin to create the life you choose to live."| You are subscribed to email updates from The BridgeMaker To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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Saturday, February 20, 2010
Help Share a Thousand Acts of Faith | The BridgeMaker
Help Share a Thousand Acts of Faith | The BridgeMaker |
| Help Share a Thousand Acts of Faith Posted: 20 Feb 2010 05:27 AM PST 
Sharing our faith during difficult times helps create a better world for ourselves and for others. Sometimes the setbacks and obstacles we encounter seem unbeatable, but our faith tells us to hold on and never give up. The Help Share a Thousand Acts of Faith project on Facebook is about sharing the power of faith and its inspirational and life-changing effect. This project is a way is a way to bring like-minded people together who want to share how acts of faith can make a difference. Here's how you can be a part of this project:
Each act of faith represents a gift that is form the heart. Thank you for sharing your heart, and your faith. By doing so, you will continue to make a difference in the lives of others. - Alex Looking to make some improvements? Alex Blackwell, founding editor of The BridgeMaker, is an effective writer, encourager and blog strategist. Hire Alex today.    |
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
How to Find More than Dinner in the Frozen Food Aisle | The BridgeMaker
How to Find More than Dinner in the Frozen Food Aisle | The BridgeMaker |
| How to Find More than Dinner in the Frozen Food Aisle Posted: 18 Feb 2010 03:10 AM PST 
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook. Most Saturday afternoon's Mary Beth and I have a date at the grocery store. We seldom make a shopping list, but sometimes we do remember to bring coupons. There is an established routine to this task: I drop her off at the front door; park the car; grab the reusable bags; and then meet her inside where we head to the back of the store. My wife and I start our shopping in the frozen food aisle as we work our way to the front. We huddle by the frozen tilapia and cocktail shrimp to do our menu planning for the week. Schedules are strongly considered as each night is called out to be certain we know what the upcoming week looks like and to plan accordingly. The moments we spend in the frozen food aisle are more than just figuring out the week’s dinner menu; they are about considering what we need and then making a plan to get it. Mary Beth and I have come to realize the Tuesday night meatloafs and the Saturday afternoons trying to remember if there’s enough toilet paper to last the week have become some of the most special moments in our life. We have also come to realize some moments are fleeting in their specialness. With dinner menus and a shopping list in mind, we set out, together, to get what we need for another week. Aisle 10My wife and I tackle the detergent and paper goods aisle. There was once a time when laundry detergent and bleach went into the shopping cart without hesitation. Now with just two of our four children at home, the days of doing three to four loads of laundry are over. Our life has changed and it is about to change again. Andrew, our younger son, graduates high school in a few months and soon after it will be time to leave for college. We are down to only weeks with him. Even though Andrew will come home for holidays and summer breaks, it will not be the same. If you are parent then you understand what I mean. His energy, optimization and passion for what he loves will be missed. It's hard to believe the moments we have cherished most are almost over. The days of sitting at baseball fields, enjoying his radiant smile and always getting a kiss goodnight (even now) are about to end in the way we have always experienced them. Andrew doesn't have to do anything else for his mother and me to realize his greatest gift is his heartfelt tenderness. We have been fortunate to have lived these seemingly ordinary moments with him because we have always known that each one has actually been extraordinary. We push past the Tide and Clorox. We have enough for this week. Maybe next time we'll need to replenish our supply. Aisle 7Our daughter doesn't eat lunch until 12:30. With breakfast at 7:30, this is a long gap for an 11-year-old. But Emily's fifth grade teacher does allow mid-morning snacks. Mary Beth and I stand in the snack food aisle contemplating what our daughter would like along with which snack is the least junky-ish. Her usual request is Goldfish and cherry Nutri-Gain bars. Even though our youngest child is changing by the day, her snack preferences are not. Sometime before the holidays, the nightly routine of tucking her into bed ended. The pull-away period is beginning as our daughter seeks her independence. Now, looking for a way to stay connected, she and I head to the gym on the weekends. Emily keeps a certain distance while we are there, but I do notice she has me in her eye line at all times. The once dependable moments we know today disappear in the blink of an eye. When they do, it's good to know that with a little planning, newer and just as sweet moments can take their place. Last Saturday, Mary Beth chose cheddar cheese crackers for Emily's snack. Change is good sometimes. Aisle 3Coffee is a weekly purchase. My wife and I don't need to ask the other if we need it; we just know to buy fresh ground Starbucks. We enjoy coffee together on our Saturday and Sunday mornings when the world seems to slow down to catch its breath, so we can, too. Last March the promise of these special weekend moments seemed to be slipping away. Mary Beth was diagnosed with a Chari Malformation which is a rare birth defect that results in brain tissue (the cerebellum tonsils — two pegs of tissue which hang off the cerebellum at the base of the brain) extending into the spinal canal. The result of the brain malformation creates a syringomyelia which is a cyst-like object within the spinal cord. Mary Beth had to undergo an eight-hour operation to lift the cerebellum tonsils out of her spinal canal. By doing so, the cyst would eventually dissipate. The weeks leading up to her brain surgery were full of concern and fear. The life and the moments we shared were not guaranteed to last. If the surgeon was unsuccessful, Mary Beth was looking at rapidly degenerating health including loss of muscle control and perhaps paralysis. That was then; this is now. With my wife beside me, we stop in front of the coffee selections. I glance at the labels to be certain I select decaf. As we turn and walk to the next aisle, I often feel Mary Beth's hand resting gently on my back for a brief, but exquisite moment. Heading to the checkout laneWe breeze through the produce area and pick almost-ripened bananas, red delicious apples, and plenty of green vegetables. Before heading to the checkout lane, we pause to take one more inventory of what we need for the week ahead. Mary Beth quizzes me to convince herself that everything was considered. Now confident that nothing was forgotten or left behind, we head to the check-out lanes. The challenge, of course, is to find one where the line is not too long. We survey the lanes and with careful deliberation attempt to choose one that promises to be the fastest moving. We park the cart at the end of the automatic belt and hand the reusable shopping bags to the clerk. The groceries are carefully placed on the belt in logical groupings. The meat is together, followed by a cluster of diary items, etc. With the cart emptied, a divider bar is placed at the end of the belt to protect our choices from being co-mingled with those from another shopper. The scanned items are placed in the bags which are stacked into the shopping cart. Mary Beth swipes the debit card to complete the transaction. It is with grateful hearts we appreciate the blessings of this food. I push the cart from the store and to the parking space where I left the car an hour earlier. Once home, the bags are carried into the house and the refrigerator and cabinets are replenished again. There’s a sense of comfort in this routine. The routine suggests there will be a Tuesday night meatloaf waiting for us as we return home to share our days; there will be a snack in Emily's book bag next to the homework we helped her finish the night before. And along with this routine, there's a bittersweet concern we may run out of laundry detergent after all. Unlike searching for the fastest moving checkout lane, it's now time to slow down and enjoy the present moment and the moments to come. However, there's no question my family will continue to face concerns far more serious than laundry detergent because life has a way of catching us by surprise from time-to-time. When the unexpected does occur and change happens, there’s a confidence we will get through it because my family has a plan. The ingredients of the plan are simple ones: love, support, faithfulness and being fully present for one another in all of our moments together – no matter what. Next Saturday Mary Beth and I will return to the grocery store. Once there, we will find more than dinner in the frozen food aisle; we will find everything we need for another week. Looking to make some improvements? Alex Blackwell, founding editor of The BridgeMaker, is an effective writer, encourager and blog strategist. Hire Alex today.    |
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Monday, February 15, 2010
Words, Writing and Blogging | The BridgeMaker
Words, Writing and Blogging | The BridgeMaker |
| Posted: 15 Feb 2010 03:08 AM PST 
Article written by BridgeMaker contributor Ali Hale. Please visit her at Aliventures.com. I've always loved words. English was one of my favourite subjects in school, and I was a bookworm of a kid, having my nose firmly stuck in a book until the age of twelve or thirteen, when I first got online and discovered a whole world of electronic words. (Our modem was too slow to handle graphics – seems like the dark ages now!) From my early teens, I wanted to be a writer. I started on a novel as a rather unhappy fourteen year old, scribbling in a notebook during lunchtimes in the school library. Thankfully, my dalliance with awful teenage poetry was brief. It's with slight surprise that I wake up each morning now, realising that I actually achieved that teenage dream. I make my living from words, sitting down at a blank screen and creating something entirely out of twenty-six different letters and a handful of punctuation marks. On some level, it seems miraculous, like spinning straw into gold. Fiction and Non-FictionI love fiction and non-fiction writing in equal measure. I explained in a recent blog post on Aliventures that this causes some tension: is the non-fiction my "real" work because it pays, or is the fiction more "real" because it's purer, nobler, and much harder? The truth is, they're both equally real, and equally important to me. I've gone through periods where I only wrote fiction and academic essays. I've gone through times of blogging and freelance writing and nothing else. But I'm happiest when I can dream up worlds and characters to play with in my fiction, and when I can work through my own thoughts on paper – and provide something helpful or valuable to others – in my non-fiction writing. Is it a Passion?In my corner of the blogging world, there's always talk about "passion." Finding your passion; following your passion; making a living from your passion. I'm always uncomfortable with the word "passion." Perhaps it's because I'm British and it's a little bit squeamishly lovely-romantic. Perhaps it's because I'm a Christian and "Passion" has a religious connotation for me. I certainly don't feel that I have one all-consuming "passion.” Yes, I'm wrapped up in my novel at the moment, keen to finish Draft 2 so that I can send it to my tutor before heading off to South-by-South-West. But I'm also about to launch an ebook, and I'm writing regular blog pieces – for my own blog, and for others. I enjoy all this different writing – I couldn't pick just one thing to focus on, because I'd get bored and ultimately, creatively burnt-out. So I'm not sure that words are really my "passion.” I'm not sure that I have a passion. I have dreams (New York Bestseller list ones…) and I enjoy the process of writing, but there's something more basic than that. For me, writing is like exercising or eating well: it's essential for living a healthy life. Why I Must WriteI don't see writing as a "should,” a guilt-tripping kind of way. I see writing as something which I must do, because it's integral to who I am. The mere process of taking thoughts, ordering them into words and putting those words onto a page helps me to feel balanced and grounded. When I worked in an office job, my happiest times were when I wrote presentations and user guides (to rather dull software). The subject matter was uninteresting, but the act of composing clear sentences and instructions was a creative one. I can't imagine a better way to earn a living than by writing. I know that many people struggle to write and find it a chore, something to endlessly put off – but I love it, and I wouldn't be without it. Words aren't my passion. Words are my soul's way of breathing. The words I read connect me with people long-dead; the words I write may one day connect me with people not yet born. Writing is a way for me to take a little piece of my soul and put it into the world – and in doing so, I always receive something back. Looking to make some improvements? Alex Blackwell is an effective writer, encourager and blog strategist. Hire Alex today.    |
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing | The BridgeMaker
The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing | The BridgeMaker |
| The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:49 PM PST 
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook. Editor's note:The following is a review of Ali Hale’s new eBook, The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing. Effective writing is a skill that can be learned. Sometimes knowing a few secrets can make the process of becoming a better writer that much easier; and faster. Ali Hale's The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing provides these secrets with plenty of practical advice along the way. Who is Ali Hale anyway?Ali is a monthly contributor for this blog. She is also a staff writer for several other major blogs (Dumb Little Man, The Change Blog and Diet Blog) and she writes for her own blog, AliVentures. Over the past two years, Ali has written over 600 blog posts. Her straight-forward, but always warm style grabs the readers' attention from her gripping headlines and keeps them interested all the way to her powerful conclusions. Ali has both the experience and talent to be a definitive resource in field of writing. How will this eBook help me?The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing, provides value-rich information on how to write quality blog posts while reminding the reader there is an art to writing, too. The 82-page, 15-chapter eBook sells for $29.00. These 15 chapters will teach you the following strategies and writing techniques:
In addition, Ali is providing a bonus pack of blog templates with every eBook purchase. These templates serve as a useful guideline for structuring your blog posts. She has made these templates so convenient that all you need to do is copy and paste them into your text editor and then begin typing. Blog templates include:
So, what's the real low-down on this eBook?I think Ali is a fantastic writer. Not only is her writing effective, but so is her ability to teach. Each chapter is packed with relevant examples and links to other blogs. These links provide a real-world context to a particular strategy. The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing also covers other aspects of a blog’s content – not just posts. The eBook addresses how to write an effective About page; crafting compelling call-to-actions, and the proper use of quotations, plus more. Many readers of this blog are either bloggers themselves or folks considering starting a blog. No matter which side of the line you are on, Ali Hale's new eBook will give you valuable insights into how to make your writing more effective. After all, content is the currency of the blog world. By focusing on your content, the better chance you have of getting your blog to shine over the other million or so blogs out there. The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing will give you the edge, the skill and the confidence to go from a mediocre writer and to an effective writer. How do I buy it?Click here to purchase your copy of The Bloggers Guide to Effective Writing for $29 and receive Templates for Your Post for free. What Now? Become a fan on Facebook | Connect with Alex now at LivePerson.com | Visit The BridgeMaker    |
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Thursday, February 11, 2010
9 Romantic Posts You May Have Missed | The BridgeMaker
9 Romantic Posts You May Have Missed | The BridgeMaker |
| 9 Romantic Posts You May Have Missed Posted: 11 Feb 2010 03:09 AM PST 
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook. Mary Beth and I have made an unusual pact this Valentine's Day – no gifts. We are not even exchanging cards. Instead, we celebrated last week when we attended a concert in downtown Kansas City and then stayed in a historic, and romantic, hotel after the show. To be honest, we're not big Valentine's Day fans anyway. After almost 25 years of marriage, our love is still strong and growing, so Mary Beth and I really don't need the once-a-year prompt to keep it that way. We try to demonstrate our love everyday of the year. Over the past several years I have written about our love and how we share it on a consistent basis. If you are a new reader you may have missed these romantic posts. If you have read these before, I hope you enjoy them again and find a new connection to each one.
No matter how you and your partner celebrate Valentine's Day, my hope is your life will be blessed with love. Love is a gift that, when shared, becomes larger than the relationship. It serves as the foundation for our lives. When our days grow long and our bodies weary, where there is love to hold us up, then anything is possible. Here's to a lifetime full of love – and romance. What Now? Become a fan on Facebook | Connect with Alex now at LivePerson.com | Visit The BridgeMaker    |
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