Your homework today is to enjoy the fun of this day!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Happy Halloween!
Monthly Archives: October 2014
Golden Wisdom: Guilt = Off Track
A few weeks ago when I was visiting my parents, we were talking in general about guilt and what it means.
My parents said something that made me stop and think. They said, “If you’re feeling guilty then you are off track.”
My parents said that there is righteous guilt, which indicates that you’ve done something wrong and caused some type of harm. When this happens, apologize and make amends as best as you can, then let it go and move on.
They said that clinging to guilt, going over and over situations or events that make you feel guilty, punishing yourself through guilt, and the like, do not help you. Guilt does not energize you to help you move forward, it does not soothe your feelings, it does not help you do better. All guilt does is torment you and keep you stuck.
The lesson I learned from them that day is the way to get back on track is by letting go of guilt and move on.
Your homework today is to come up with ways you can let go of guilt. There are many tips and techniques that you can find online. Also, remember that you can get help from qualified professionals.
The bottom-line, though, is making the choice to let go and move on and being determined to stick to that decision. Keep turning your mind away from thoughts that cause you to feel guilty. Stick to it and eventually you’ll overcome your guilt.
You can do it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Pep Rally! Yes You Can!
Most people know what their dreams are and they even know what they need to do (in broad strokes, at least) in order to achieve those dreams. People need the reassurance that they aren’t dumb for wanting their dreams, that they are on the right track, that they do have what it takes, that they should go for it no matter what anyone else thinks, says, or does.
With this in mind, here’s your pep rally!
You can do it, I know you can!
You’re awesome; I believe in you!
You have what it takes—you’re smart enough, you’re strong enough, you’re creative enough, and you have staying power!
You are a victor, an overcomer, and you are a champion!
You’re on track; you’re in the right place at the right time doing the right things in the right way!
You’re unique imagination along with your special gifts and talents are ready and waiting for you to tap into!
You CAN believe in yourself; you CAN trust yourself; you CAN do it!
Your homework today is to say these statements over and over to yourself, changing the “you” statements to “I” statements. Stand straight and tall in front of your mirror and shout these to yourself as you smile and blow kisses to yourself. You may feel a little silly being so enthusiastic and you may feel guilty saying these things to yourself. The uncomfortable feelings are well worth it because in return you’ll find your confidence and enthusiasm increasing. And that will help you achieve your dreams and live the life you long for.
Go for it!
You can do it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Golden Wisdom: Curiosity
Thank you for your patience with not receiving the Daily Pep Talks posts for the past week. As you can imagine, Dad’s passing has been a difficult time for me and my family. I very much appreciate your understanding.
I’ve enjoyed hearing the lovely things people have said about Dad as they express their condolences. I was surprised that just about everyone remarked about one characteristic, in particular, of Dad’s and that attribute was his intellectual curiosity. People told me that not only would he ask them about themselves but then he would read up on what the person talked about so that he could speak more in depth with them the next time they met.
This got me to thinking….
Of course we want to learn all we can so that our journey to our dreams is as quick and easy as possible. But more than that, the point is to live as deep, wide, and rich of a life as possible. This can be done only by fully engaging in Life. The best way to do this is through curiosity—following that which interests you, even if it’s only a passing fancy.
Your homework today is to pay attention to all that captures your attention, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Little bits and small interests can either add up to something significant or they serve to enhance other aspects of your life. Everything, big and small as well as that of lasting interest and those that streak across your life for a moment, come together to make an absorbing and fulfilling life.
Unleash your curiosity!
You can do it, I’m sure of it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Golden Wisdom: Slow Down!
To honor the memory of Dad, I want to share a few things that he was always telling us.
“Slow Down!” ~Dad 1927 – 2014
Today’s a great day for pausing and noticing the world around you. In fact, that’s your homework for today!
Enjoy these images:
People we love
Beauty of Nature
Gifts of the season
Good thoughts
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Eleanor Roosevelt
Before I start today’s post I want to let you know that I may not be posting every day. My father passed away late last night. I’ll resume the daily schedule as soon as I am able. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Your homework today is to find a quiet space and sit with this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt for several minutes. When you feel ready, turn your thoughts to the quest you’re on to achieve your dreams. What parts of the quest or what task are you avoiding or procrastinating over because you’re afraid of what other people will think?
Here’s a news flash: the majority of people aren’t really thinking about you—aren’t really paying attention. While they may give you a passing thought or two, they aren’t spending hours and hours dissecting everything you’re doing or not doing. They have too much on their own plates that they’re worrying about and dealing with.
Additional news flash: those very few who may be trash-talking you, they will say bad things about you and make fun of you if you are taking action and they’ll say bad things about you and ridicule you if you aren’t taking action—if you’re stuck.
So, as Eleanor Roosevelt suggests in her quote, you may as well get busy and take the next step.
You can do it, I know you can!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Tips from TV: Channel Your Inner Survivorman
When in survival mode, and as soon as possible, Les Stroud, host of the Survivorman TV series, takes stock of the assets he has, things that can help him survive.
He has three zones he reviews: the first is what he has on him or close at hand. This includes clothing, food he has in his daypack or backpack, and the tools or other items he has in his pockets. Also he reviews the skills, abilities, and knowledge he has.
The second zone is the area immediately around him such as the environment and what’s in it. Is he in a forest or the desert? Are there trees for shelter, bushes and smaller plants that may produce edible berries or leaves? Is there a source of fresh water nearby? Does he have some type of vehicle, such as a snowmobile, dirt bike, or car that has pieces he can repurpose for his survival and rescue?
The third zone is the greater area in which he finds himself and what he knows about it. For instance, in one episode he was stranded on a snowy mountain road in Sweden. He knew that the common practice was to have sheds and small cottages in the woods that are specifically for stranded hunters and lost travelers. Usually these structures are equipped with basic supplies: wood for the woodstove or fireplace, some non-perishable food, a few cooking utensils, and a cot with blankets or a sleeping bag.
After taking stock of the three zones, and before he takes any action, he thinks about the ways he can use items in the three zones to survive and how he can use them to make it easier for rescuers to find him. He comes up with a plan and then begins.
Your homework today is to channel your inner Les Stroud. Take stock of where you are in your quest to achieve your dreams: where you’ve come from, where you are now, and where you’re going. Think of these in relation to the three zones: what you have on you or close at hand, what is in your immediate environment, and what you know about your world.
Are there tools and resources that you’ve forgotten about such as skills and knowledge you acquired as a kid? How can you re-purpose them, use them in different ways that can help you move forward?
What do you know about the larger world and Life in general? How can you use this to help you? What opportunities do you see that are perfectly suited to your skills, knowledge, and talents?
Come up with a plan and then take action!
And, as you’re doing your review, remember to note the progress you’re making. No matter how small or humble all forward movement counts. It adds up and, over time, will take you to your dreams!
Yay you! I knew you could do it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Wisdom from the Farm: Sweetness
This week as part of the shares from the CSA farm, we received a selection of winter squash and sweet potatoes. For several weeks now in the weekly newsletter, the farmer has been giving us updates on the harvesting and the seasoning process of these vegetables. They were collected from the fields about a month ago and have been curing in a greenhouse, which brings out the sweetness in them.
That got me to thinking….
Just like winter squash and sweet potatoes, dreams have their season and may need curing and sweetening, too.
Sometimes, they’re like summer squash where you can harvest them one moment and be eating them the next. The vegetables are ripe, juicy, and at the peak of their flavor and goodness—perfect for enjoying right away.
Other dreams are like winter squash and sweet potatoes—they need time for curing and sweetening. This means that it’s okay to put a dream aside and allow the right timing and situations—and your knowledge and experience!—to align. It may take a few weeks, but it also may take years—decades, even. And that’s okay.
So, don’t be afraid to put a dream to the side and allow the sweetening process to take over. You’ll know when your dream’s season arrives because the people, resources, and situations you need will fall into place perfectly.
Your homework today is to evaluate your dreams: are there some that need time to cure and sweeten?
Perhaps it’s because events, situations, technology, etc., hasn’t caught up to your idea yet so you’re at a point where you have to put your dream to the side for a time.
Perhaps it’s because you need more knowledge, understanding, and training—you may need to go back to school or enroll in an apprenticeship program.
Perhaps you need to cure and sweeten in the form of more experience and maturity. You may need to work on some of your flaws and shortcomings so that you have the strength and the wherewithal to handle your dream and all that comes with it.
Your dreams are working out perfectly, no matter how long it takes or what may be required during the seasoning process.
Whatever it is, let the sweetening begin!
You can do it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Pep Rally! You’re Right!
Many people think that if they were only in some other place, or had some other job, they would be happy. Well, that is doubtful. So get as much happiness out of what you are doing as you can and don’t put off until some future date.
~Dale Carnegie
Stop thinking other people are getting ahead while you’re standing still—or worse, slipping behind. You are moving at the perfect pace for you and your journey.
Stop comparing your gifts, talents, abilities to others’. That’s like having a handful of M&M candies and comparing them with your TV—it’s nonsense! Your path and destiny is different than anyone else’s, even though you may not see it. You have just the right talents, gifts, and abilities that will help YOU achieve YOUR dreams.
Stop wishing “if only”: if only you were born into a different family, a different body, different circumstances with different opportunities; if only you were a different person with a different life. You’re in the right place at the right time doing the right thing in the right way.
Your homework today is to focus on your life, your opportunities, and where you’re going. You’re on the right track; all is well.
Take the next step!
You can do it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Guilt: Get Rid of It!
The vast majority of guilt does you no good at all. It doesn’t help you feel optimistic and positive about Life, it doesn’t help you feel good about yourself, and it doesn’t help you move forward.
All this kind of guilt does is keep you chained to the past and beating yourself up over all the things you “woulda, shoulda, and coulda”.
There’s a good kind of guilt—the pricking of your conscience—that tells you that you may have hurt someone and now you need to do the right thing. Even if you find out after the fact—perhaps way after the fact—make the necessary apologies then move on. But any other type of guilt is a waste of your time and energy.
Get rid of guilt. Leave it in the past where it belongs and move on to a bright future.
Your homework today is to let go of the bad guilt.
The fact that you’re feeling guilt is a good thing—it means you come to situations with an open heart and you try to give your best. But the fact that you’re hanging onto it, clinging to it, and using it as a weapon against yourself is not a good thing. This is the stuff to toss out.
When things don’t go quite as you planned, apologize, discover why things went off track, then make a note to do better next time.
That’s it.
No need to hang on, to revisit it, to angst over it.
Sometimes, though, the guilt starts up. When this happens, remind yourself that you’ve apologized and made amends, you understand where you went wrong, and you’ve made a pact with yourself to do better next time. Keep reminding yourself of this as often as you need to.
Recognize that this is a process and it might take time. If you stick with it, you’ll soon find that guilt has lessened its grip on you. And, when you keep at it, one day you’ll find that guilt has no hold over you at all.
Yay you! I knew you could do it!
I’m so proud of you!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Yes I Can Pep Talks 
