Pinterest: The Vision Board Exercise

A while back I was thinking about how Pinterest is a vision board of sorts: a snapshot of who we are, who want to be, and what moves us. I looked at mine at the time, and it just seemed to be a hot mess. While it seemed to be a semi-reflection of the disarray and inner struggle that I felt at the time (and still do sometimes), this was not an accurate representation of the real person underneath it all. But where was she in all of the mess?

What I discovered while organizing my pin boards about a year later …my life may seem to be in disarray and does not always seem to be the life I dream of, but with a little culling and rearranging, there is a very beautiful life underneath it all. And I am closer to it than I realized.

This exercise showed me that I am still evolving and changing, but I am on the right path to becoming the person I was created to be. It’s exciting to see her and to know that she’s there. She’s been there all along.

And if I did this with a little time on my Pinterest board, what could I accomplish with a little culling and rearranging in my life.

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Is there dissonance in your life?

Have you ever hit a couple of keys on a piano that were just not meant to be played together? You know with everything inside of you, no matter how little you know about music, that this is not right. These notes do not go together.

We can also have dissonance in our lives.

“Authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, and feet – thinking, saying, feeling, and doing the same thing – consistently. This builds trust, and followers love leaders they can trust.” -Lance Secretan

I know what this feels like, but I also know what it feels like to have the dissonance of not walking authentically every single day. Sometimes days I feel like the poster child for the dazed and confused. Other days, I feel like I am walking on a cloud of harmony and joy. I think, if we are honest, that many of us can relate to that feeling of dissonance at some time or another.

It is hard to be authentic if we feel like there are four different people inside of us. It reminds me of the old game show called, “To Tell The Truth”. Will the real [person’s name] please stand up?

Do you ever find that your actions do not always align with what you want? It’s as if we find ourselves living double lives.

And then you see the people who seem to totally have it together.

We assure ourselves that they have had perfect lives and every advantage known to man. Oddly, that is not usually the case. Sometimes it is the person without any of those advantages that goes the farthest. The biggest difference between the two groups is that one knows what she wants and does it and the other is listening to three other voices in her head and feels like she is going around in circles because of it.

So today, let’s write our mission statement…what is at the heart of who we are and what we want? Run everything you think, feel, say, or do by that mission statement. Let it be your litmus test. Does it go with the other notes in your life? We will be utterly amazed when we walk into the life that we were created to have. It will feel oh so right.

“I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I’ve become. If I had, I’d have done it a lot earlier.” -Oprah Winfrey

Have a wonderful and blessed day, my friends.

~Simply Topaz

I Love Pope Francis I And I Am Not Even Catholic

I must admit that I did not get it all at first. Every time a television show was interrupted to watch for smoke I did not get it and was a little annoyed. But that quickly changed as began to let my annoyance fade to curiosity and from curiosity to love.

As I sat watching, I began to realize the importance of what was about to happen to all of the people there waiting and watching, not to mention the people that were probably watching from their homes. This was a monumental moment for Catholics. It is the person that they would be looking to for guidance and direction, a person they revere.

As the smoke billowed out and the bells rang, the people cheered.

It took about two minutes to fall in love with the humbleness and sincerity of this man. I have never seen or felt such warmth and sincerity from a Pope. He immediately won the hearts of Catholics and even many non-Catholics.

Because he felt real. He felt like one of us. And he find kind and sincere. What wonderful qualities for a Pope to have, or for any leader or person to have. He spoke to the hearts of the people.

As a woman on the journey to find and grow the leading lady in myself, I am always watching the people and leaders that move me. There is something to learn from everyone, and I cannot wait to see and hear more from Pope Francis I. He is going to be one to watch. I hope that he is all that he seems to be and that he does good things.

And for now, I leave you with this…
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Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people’s souls. -Melody Beattie

What was your initial reaction to Pope Francis I?

The Compliment Guys – Super Heroes Show Acts of Kindness

The Compliment Guys – Super Heroes Show Acts of Kindness

If you only watch one video this year, this one should be it!

I talk about acts of kindness a lot, sometimes as a reminder to myself and sometimes to remind others. It is good for everyone, both the giver and the receiver. I love what The Compliment Guys are doing! They are indeed super heroes!

I have often thought how cool it would be to have all of my Christmas shopping and prep work done early and be able to go out during this stressful time and do acts of kindness for all of the tired and stressed shoppers. I have yet to have that year. I am usually one of the tired shoppers with way more to do than I have time to do. But even though I may not be up for a whole day out of spreading cheer, there is always the opportunity to do small acts of kindness. Even I smile and a hello can make someone’s day a little brighter. Or to let someone go in front of you, or hold a door, or any other small gesture of kindness. And we are all a little better for having been part of that moment, both the giver and the receiver.

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Thank you to The Compliment Guys and for all that you are doing! I can only imagine the ripple effect from your acts of kindness!

Let’s all remember to put on that super cape from time to time…

I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world. -Curly Girl Design

Share your ideas for acts of kindness.

Be Your Own Valentine on Valentine’s Day – Ways to Celebrate

Be your own Valentine…what a great day to love yourself.

I must confess. I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I’m not necessarily cynical about love or anything, just a day centered on forced displays of affection with cheesy, meaningless gifts designed to boost retail sells. And, honestly, I give this day zero thought until I walk through the store to see aisles and aisles of all of the Valentine’s Day paraphernalia. It probably doesn’t help that I’m on a huge decluttering kick.

But that is just me. Many people love the day, and that is fine, too.

The one thing that we can all probably agree on is the fact that it is a day that tends to make a woman feel especially alone if she finds herself without a date on the biggest “love” day of the year, especially younger women. I do love certain things about getting older, and a thing like that not bothering me anymore is one of them. So in keeping with the spirit of being a leading lady, I wanted to offer some other options for those who are feeling a little lonely this Valentine’s Day. And if you are fine, you might know someone who might benefit from these suggestions, so be sure to tell your friends and share it on your facebook wall. Let’s take away its power to make us feel that way this year. It’s easier than you might think.

To read more…

Fun and Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day by The Art of a Beautiful Life

Fun and Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day Without a Date