The Art of Being an Overcomer

Monday Moments

Top of the morning to you! Hi there!  Good morning! Morning! These are some of the few ways I greet you online and in person. Sometimes, it’s accompanied with a hug, but always with high energy and a big smile. So, this morning I hope you feel my sheer joy, enthusiasm and thankfulness to you, as I help you start your Monday on a favorable note.

Today, as I awoke, the thunder was rumbling and the lightening commenced; followed by downpours. For sure, I wanted to stay under the covers and listen and lull and just…you know…do all of those things when it rains. Relax and settle in. But, no-can-do!  I must overcome this feeling and quickly overcome this feeling. After-all, I truly believe how we act and feel in those first moments of arising will set the tone for the rest of the day.  Therefore, time to shift some energy to overcome this relaxed state!

So, today as we greet the second day of spring, let’s overcome.  I like definitions, so we’ll start there.

Overcome(r) – Definition – to gain the superiority: WIN, to get the better of

Isn’t that good news? Thanks Merriam-Webster.  Now that we know what it means, I want to encourage you to overcome these Monday blues that sometimes try to creep upon us or other “blues” that may try to rear its head today or this week.

1)      Recognize the “blue” feeling and change it – this morning, I could have chosen to lie in the bed and feel ‘blah, blue or relaxed’. But, I also know  there is  lots to do and should I chose to ignore the many action items, later today I would be kicking myself for wasting time. NOPE! We have free will to choose another thought that will render us productive, happy, and active. Freely and intentionally choose the thought or best action that will serve you in a greater capacity.

2)      How to change the feeling:

a.      Say an affirmation – ex. Today is a great day, even in the rain. The rain allows me to wear my cute rain boots. Thank you for the rain and the stylish wardrobe to accompany this weather.

b.      Turn on some “feel good” music that will enhance a happy feeling, thought or act.

c.       Stand and give yourself a standing ovation for deciding to rise & shine.

d.      Find a scripture – it will remind you that you are not alone and give you strength. (Phil 4:13)

e.      Call a friend, family member  or colleague for a quick hello and share your affirmation, wishing them well for today

f.        Take ten minutes to stretch, have prayer or meditate

g.      Exercise (time permitting) – get the endorphins moving with ten sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks – just MOVE!

h.      Five finger rule – say aloud five things, events, places or actions you are thankful for, that you experienced over the weekend.

i.        Expectations & Intentions - Expect today to be a GREAT day! Intentionally make it a GREAT day!

j.        I am an OVERCOMER – repeat aloud ten times.

Go forth and overcome. Have a winning wonderful Monday and feel free to share your feedback on the blog or drop me an email. Oh, and by all means, share this Monday Moment with someone who may be experiencing a “blue Monday”. 

----Antoinette Sykes, MBA

www.StandingTallinLife.com

Dalai Lama

All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.

Dalai Lama

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dalai_lama.html#ixzz1HD2VR1Mu

I went to this site and if you need positive quotes for your website this is a good place to go to.  I heard an interview with the Dalai Lama and was impressed. 

Spring Stride

Warm weather is quickly approaching and with todays temps, spring is in the air. How excited are you to feel the sun on your face? Does it make you smile or raise your endorphins to see blooming daffodils and tulips? Even the flowers Stand Tall in this weather and so can you. For those of you who share in my excitement and are eager to usher in your own stride for spring, see below what it means to Stand Tall. While this word or phrase may not be apart of Webster’s lexicon (not yet at least), it is genuine, heart-felt, quite telling, descriptive and is sure to offer a new meaning to your world. That is my hope! Tell me, how are you Standing Tall, for this new springseason? How will you get your spring stride?

Me? Well, if you’ve listened to the Three Tips for Standing Tall audio (ahem…it’s a freebie when you subscribe to this blog), you are familiar with a few steps to Standing Tall. Haven’t subscribed? Click here to subscribe or visit the homepage of this blog to do so. Back to me. One of the ways in which I am getting my spring stride is retreating  or connecting with friends and family that I may not have seen in a while. It is important to honor those relationships with nurturing intention. In fact, it’s needed for me and for them as well. Relationships and connections help us grow, make us laugh, support us in our tears, and hold us with strong arms…just to name a few. In fact, connecting with you via this blog is a connection that I cherish and nurture. Thank you, as I get my spring stride. I look forward to reading how you will get your spring stride! Send your "Spring Stride" emails to asykes@StandingTallinLife.com

Sweet Inspirations

Suffering with back pain has become a challenge for me this week. I am new to this kind of ailment and my internet time has become very limited because of the nasty pain in my neck, upper back and right arm. Poor poor me right? lol

I am seriously a baby when it comes to pain with a visit full of tears to the chiropractor and massage therapist this week in addition to all sorts of pill popping.

One kind word, one soft inspirational post can put the pain aside for a few moments and give me a smile, a virtual hug and cease it long enough to write a post of thanks!

Thank you to all the writers for the great posts. I sincerely enjoy reading this blog and sharing the love with everyone on the world wide web.

To play a small part of a "Drama Free Community" with inspirational posts is a true honor for me and I can't thank everyone enough. If I feel this way with hidden pain today there must be others out there feeling the love as well!

Thanks for the twitter post Luis:

luis_galarza luis_galarza


Congratulations to my Sweet DIVA Friend Danna Crawford (@PowerSellingMom ) for the increase of ranking of her blog... http://fb.me/O660ghWC  "

That simple twitter post is a great example of HOW POWERFUL inspiration can be!  Because of that post, I was motivated and inspired, running from the drama to write a post here on our blog with a smile!

Hugz and drama free blessings to all!

eBay and True TV not for sissies

When I listed an action figure of Ben Affleck (from his 1998 role as AJ Frost in the movie "Armageddon") on eBay, I had no idea the handsome plastic prince would bring so much drama to my life.

The action figure was paid for on February 21 and shipped out to Santa Monica, California with little fan-fare on February 22 via USPS Priority Mail. On March 2, I received a frantic email from the buyer. It was one of those "Dude, where's my stuff!?" messages that set my heart racing.  It seems "Ben" was needed as a TV show prop that was to be filmed the following Monday and she had to have him by Friday at the latest... that is, Day after TOMORROW!

Looking at the tracking information, I saw that the package had been delivered and a notice left, which usually means the recipient wasn't available to receive the item. After a few phone calls I left a message on the buyer's phone mail. Within the hour I received a phone call back and we agreed that it looked like the Ben was headed back to me. The buyer and I could not understand why it was held only a few days in Santa Monica Post Office before it was sent it back to me. I agreed to get it back to the post office and ship it Express mail immediately to get it to her the next day, her deadline was pressing.

This morning was spent with my usual eBay morning routine, getting shipping labels printed, researching the next items to put up for auction, and taking care of the 1,001 other details that all eBay sellers have to attend. 

Noon came and went, no postman! One o'clock, still my postal box was empty. I began to really worry. I had the label printed (this time with the suite number which had been left off the original shipping information) and had researched the cost to Express mail "Ben" back to California. Suddenly, I decided to check the tracking information one more time. To my amazement, it showed the item had been received in Orlando (headed for my place), then sent back westward and received in California about 11:30 last night. Hooray!

I called the buyer (who from the sounds of it was in a meeting) and she told me she had called USPS with the tracking # and told them the problem and that she needed the package sent back to California. I managed to wheedle the details of the TV filming and found out it is to be a prop on TRUTV (network) in an episode that will probably be titled "Forbidden Storage".  TruTV airs such shows as "Hardcore Pawn" a show that I personally enjoy which next airs Tue, March 8 at 10P and the very popular "Operation Repo" which airs Wednesdays @ 9pm. I will be looking for "Ben" on the upcoming show and will let you know more details as I get them.

Lessons learned today:

1. As a buyer, make sure your complete address is in the Ship To: address field. 
2. The Post Office will not hold an item more than a few days if address is incorrect or incomplete
3. Never underestimate the importance of getting a tracking # and putting on each item you ship
4. eBay is successful, for one thing, because it encourages buyers and sellers to communicate. You won't find that on Amazon!

We Inspire Each Other

What I need is someone who will make me do what I can. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all have goals. They may be small...or rather large and lofty, but we are all looking ahead to something. Perhaps we don't think we can actually get there. Or maybe we never doubt ourselves for a moment. Some of us work hard and keep our goals in focus. Some of us wish away our time and wonder where it went. Most of us do a little of both.

All of us need inspiration. A friend. A mentor. Someone to snap us back to reality when we dream too much and work too little or just plain give up. A positive shove in the right direction will do us good.

January is gone. February is over and done. March is here with another clean page and fresh start.

It is sure to be a great month if we make ourselves do the work. Ralph was right!

5 Easy Tips To Release Stress Today

Release Stress - Avoid Drama!

Do you think is easier or harder to release stress now in days?

Our life lately has become a Star Wars journey to everything we do on a daily basics. Is an high tech world, technology that can make our life easier, but research shows that is also elevating our stress levels, because now we have more things to do or keep track of than before, things like:

• Did you send that tweet on Twitter yet.
• I need to tell my Facebook friends where I'm going right now.
• Oh, man! I forgot to update foursquare with my current location.
• I need to check my voicemail again.
• Let see how many messages and spam I got on my email.
• Oh, I almost forgot, I need to check my Facebook messages too.
• As soon I have time I need to sign up for LinkedIn.
• I hope I get to download my favorite song for my iPod today.
• Etc..

And the list goes on, and on... There are many other element that are contributing to this, like unemployment levels, fear of loosing your job, slow economy, working long hours, dropping sales in your business, and more. The fact is that almost any negative factor in our life can get us to get stress.

In a tech based world like ours a simple note written by hand can make a remarkable difference. Here are a few tip to help you release your stress today:

1. Start by handwriting a positive statement on two clean piece of paper, then posted on your fridge or desk and send  the other copy to a friend or family member that might need some motivational help.

2. Show stress the way out by decreasing tension in your shoulders. You can do this by simply raising them towards your ears, then you need to hold that position for three seconds, then exhale while releasing them.

3. Show you are accessible by sending a small email or message to one of your top business leads or prospects you got this week. Just remember to show that you are ready and willing to help them.

4. Energize your body during the day with healthy snacks. So, be sure to keep a good supply of protein bars, dried fruits, nuts, or other type of healthy snack you can find at your local super market.

5. Did you visualize achieving your goals yet? If your goal is to have a very productive day each and everyday, just close your eyes for about 60 seconds in the morning, then generate a positive vision focusing on the way your want your day to be.

I hope this little tips can help you to said bye to stress today!

Luis Galarza,
A motivated and crazy entrepreneur!

My blog: Free Internet Marketing.

Connect with me on Twitter or Facebook.

.