Guts, Grace & Gusto

“Shake it off. Pick yourself up. Dust yourself off. Regroup. Bounce back and start again.” These words were printed on a notepad stuffed into a gift bag for guests at the Grand Opening of Speedy Printing in Fairfax, VA. I’m going to make post-its from them and display those winning words in strategic locations whenever a zinger lands in my lap to manage.

Have you had a few of those hurled your way? Events that rocked your world for awhile, you didn’t see coming perhaps, never imagined you’d have to deal with it, but there it is, smack dab in the middle of your reality.

“Now what?” you may ponder. For a time you may not have any answers which is another source of angst, of not knowing what to do. However, resilient souls discover paths that lead from the darkness and light up the way. Those with a powerful will to survive find or attract solutions to rise up to succeed.

Such was the case of Kia and Brahm Arian, owners of Speedy Printing who included those inspiring messages in my gift bag. I met the Arians a few years ago after Kia read my book, Dancing through Life with Guts, Grace & Gusto, at a time when my world was shifting and shaking. She had such creative flair and impressed by her graphic design capabilities coupled with excellent customer service, their business got my design and printing projects.

Even with all that talent, their business wasn’t thriving. Last summer they set their intention and focused on landing upon the path of success to turn around their reality. With that clear intention, solutions materialized. Enter Ben Glass, a marketing genius for business who provided guidance that turned around their reality.

The steps to success are repeatable with patterns designed to take you where you want to go, but action is required. The Arians took those steps and went from survival mode to thrival mode. They moved to a new location this year and business is booming. Effective marketing catapulted them into gusto mode, fully energized, vibrant and thriving.

The Grand Opening was truly a celebration of their unstoppable attitude, of finding a way that works when nothing seems to be working. There is always a way. Winners dust off the old, fire up resilience and bounce back—soaring into a welcome reality of success. The Arians did it.

Note those winning words. Keep them handy and put them into action when life has different plans. S.S.

Labels: overcoming obstacles, resilience, success

In preparation for a session I’m facilitating this week on “Envisioning Your Favorite Future,” I envisioned setting the tone with Jana Stansfield’s CD, “If I Were Brave.” Its lyrics repeatedly beg the question, “What would I do today, if I were brave?” Works magic inspiring people to think about their own answers.

Saturday morning I rummage through my workshop prop box only to come up empty handed. The CD jacket was there, but no CD. Another opportunity for letting go, but the lyrics are permanently implanted in both my head and heart. I really wanted to share this inspiring song because those lyrics reflect the power of the heart, of blasting through fear and taking steps toward your dreams.

I didn’t let go of my desire for musically getting to the heart of the matter and having that question, “What would I do today, if I were brave? “ echo in their hearts. I just wished it would materialize.

I’ve found through my workshops, sometimes people are fuzzy how they would put their courage to work. I hear “I don’t know.” Yet, more often they do know. They have lots of reasons (AKA fears) to keep a lid on their dreams because unleashing the secrets buried within would create a world of change, and that can lead down some scary roads of intentionally walking down an uncertain future. Yet, everyone has the potential to act courageously and manifest dreams. It’s the unwillingness to let go of fear and focus on the “what ifs” that overrides them.

In my desire to let go of stuff no longer needed, I participated in a local “Circulation Day” last Saturday. A brilliant form of exchange—a no-sale yard sale, of bringing what you don’t need or want any longer, and taking, if so inspired, something in exchange. So, I gathered together a carload of stuff that needed to go-- clothes, boots, books, CDs, my mom’s tap shoes, in hopes others would find them useful.

They say nature abhors a vacuum (my nature is I abhor vacuuming, but that's another topic!) When we let go, something else takes its place. Getting all of that stuff out of the house immediately made me feel lighter and hopefully freed up some space for more good to flow.

After unloading it all, I scanned the treasures others were letting go. What an instant lesson that provided! For sitting right there was “If I Were Brave” CD, just hours before I had wished would materialize.

What a perfect illustration of getting clear on your vision and watching the Law of Attraction manifest, in wondrous ways, just what you do want. Sandra Strauss

Labels: brave, change, courage, If I were brave, Law of Attraction, letting go, letting go of fear, manifestation

David Smith of Phoenix, AZ weighed in at 650 pounds in 2003. He was so embarrassed he only went out at night. He didn’t work or have friends. His days were mainly composed of eating and sleeping. David wanted a better life, as well as a healthier one, since he knew obesity was putting his life at risk. So David went public contacting a local television station. A week later a personal trainer came forward to tackle the biggest assignment of his career. Together they created a miracle

This morning David burst through a photo mural of his former self on NBC’s Today to reveal his amazing 400 pound transformation. A story of sheer guts and determination to let go his bondage of obesity. His story also illustrates the possibilities that become realities when focused on a goal.

Changing habits takes motivation and that takes desire and commitment. Without these critical components, it’s unlikely your intention to achieve a goal will actually materialize. That’s just wishing. That means accepting a reality you don’t want, and wishing it would change. But until you’re ready and willing to take action, you’ll stay stuck, frustrated and angry at your circumstances because you have a dream of a different reality. The space between your current reality and what you desire is the gap of growth. Getting to a greater state of well-being and closing the gap requires action.

When motivation rises up within and you take action to make a change, you attract more of what you need to achieve it. The very private David got to a point he was so sick of his situation he went public. He contacted his local TV station which got a personal trainer motivated to step up to serve.

Help awaits when you set your intentions and are willing to let go of old ways. What changes would you like to see in your health? Your relationships? Your job? Are you ready to take action to make them?

Like a trapeze artist who has to let go of one ring to soar to the next one, you must move in the direction of your desire. Perhaps for a time, you’ll be suspended in the process, without a safety net, not sure of your next move. Growth is in closing the gaps, and letting go what you really don’t want to hang on to, so you can soar toward what you do want.

Sandra Strauss

Labels: change, dealing with change, personal growth, weight loss, well-being

Headlines this week feature the deaths of several celebrities—the king of pop, a poster queen, a pitchman and a sidekick. Sudden death shocks us, as if it’s not supposed to happen, at least not during the prime time of our lives. That seems to intensify the tragedy and deepen the loss. It gives cause to reflect on the unexpected and often unexplainable that’s woven into the fabric of every life. Their star quality is a metaphor . . . bright stars shine for a time, blaze across the universe, and then their glow either eventually or suddenly, vanishes.

Life changes and usually bears little resemblance to the pattern you may have anticipated. The unexpected teaches us valuable lessons of the treasure of Now. We never really know what’s next on the horizon or what tomorrow will bring even with the most careful planning. So take stock. Are you waiting for the “perfect” time to make a change, to go for a dream, to take steps toward a life-enhancing move? Waiting can be costly to your happiness. Are you feeling stuck? Suffering from stagnation? That’s not really living. Life is for breathing passion into your days, or at least, breathing with as much energy as you can muster at the moment.

Life is about growing and stretching daily, putting more of who you are into expression, even when life tests you to the core. No matter your opinion of Michael Jackson, he leaped upon the world’s stage with his desire to be the fullest expression of talent as he moonwalked himself across the planet. Yet, growth is not just about expressing talent. It’s also tapping more of what lies within. Farrah Fawcett was far more than a famous head of hair. She transformed into a model of courage, hope and perseverance for the world to see.

Loss brings to the forefront the fragility of life, the fragments of time perhaps too often taken for granted. What are you doing with all those slivers? Are they blazing the trail of the legacy you wish to leave? Are they leading in the direction of what you value? Are you spending your time expressing what you desire? What choices would you make if you could see into the future and saw that time was not on your side?

Sandra Strauss

Labels: dealing with change, Life purpose, loss, personal growth

Today’s news headlines feature the sudden death of Craig Lenell, who was piloting the transatlantic Continental flight yesterday when he suffered a heart attack. “Flying was his life. He died doing what made him happiest,” his wife reported to the press. Fortunately, the flight crew handled the situation, quite literally with flying colors, and the incident posed no risk to any aboard.

As a career pilot it probably seemed to Mr. Lenell like an ordinary day at work, in a job that he loved. He had no idea that flight would be his last.

This raises a critical question to take to heart--are you doing what makes you happiest? Are you putting your passion into action?

Late last night, my 26-year old daughter who’s back in the world of work after a year of globe-trotting is feeling the pinch of her wings being clipped. Her passion is travel, exploring other cultures and welcoming the fresh delights of each day. Last year, she worked aboard a cruise ship as a youth counselor traveling several continents. Now, she’s grounded in an office using her both her degree and talent in communications to work. Yet, with every update from friends who are on international assignments, the yearning rises again. Each time, it’s a sign pointing the pathway back to her heart. The flurry of reasons holding her back are meeting less resistance—her heart is pulsing more powerfully with a plan for doing what she loves.

Do you notice any signs from your gut, or more accurately, your heart, of the life you want to live? Those yearnings, wishes, and rumblings that rise up again and again are hotwired to your heart. It becomes a matter of choice if and when you act upon them.

When you’re clear on what makes your heart sing and take action to do it, you’re clearly on the path of joy. When you choose to ignore those signals, you’ll stay grounded in a continual loop of wishing and hoping, but hope isn’t a plan.

It’s vital to keep in mind as you go about your life, what fuels your passion. It’s always the right time to soar.

Labels: career choices, discovering your purpose, Life purpose, passion

“If laughter really is the best medicine, Roz Trieber would make a world-class doctor” Examiner.com, March 3, 2007

Fellow speaker, author, and colleague, Roz Trieber, a certified health education specialist and certified laughter leader, is all about bringing humor to people under pressure. She walks her talk. She has survived breast and pancreatic cancer. Roz once shared with me how she brought laughter into an exam room with a red clown nose appropriately positioned for a colonoscopy. Her speaking career has focused on embracing humor to reduce stress and cope with negative situations.

Roz’s pancreatic cancer returned and her indomitable spirit shines even now in hospice. She’s modeling what she values--to live her moments in joy. She is committed to bringing laughter into her life every day, with her husband Bernie, her sons, and her friends.

At last Saturday’s National Speakers Association-DC meeting, a challenge was given to us—to pool our resources in spreading the word about her book, Cancer and the Healing Power of Play—a Prescription for Living Joyously with Presence, Acceptance and Trust.

Her mission is to fire up the humor spirit and not just for people with cancer. The games are designed for everyone who wants to experience more laughter and fun.

“Humor is all about imperfection,” says Roz. “No one laughs when something’s perfect." Putting the power of play into action lightens up the way,no matter what you're going through.

Labels: cancer and healing, humor. stress, power of play

Walking onto the stage, Susan Boyle didn’t appear that “she had it in her.” Judges scoffed in anticipation of an apparent musical fiasco. Camera shots captured audience snickers and boos. Yet, when she began belting out her powerful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream”, her magical voice transformed the sea of cynicism into thunderous applause.

Simon called her “a bit of a tiger.” Susan did indeed exemplify the guts, grace and gusto spirit. She took a risk and the world became her stage. There she stood vulnerable to attack and public embarrassment, but Susan knew what others did not. She had a gift, a talent to share and she put it into expression, and taught millions a lesson in judgment. Susan did indeed dream the dream and became an overnight sensation, because she was willing to take that moment in time and break open the world of possibilities. She’s already gotten much more than her 15 minutes of fame.

Are you finding ways to express your special gifts and talents? If not, what’s stopping you? Opportunities for expressing them may come and go. Are you prepared “to take the stage”? Are you willing to take a risk to put your talent out there? That takes guts, but you will be known for your gusto.You've got it. Rock the world with your own special talent.

Click here to see Susan shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Labels: Dream the Dream, gifts and talents, Susan Boyle, you've got talent