Tag Archives: Believing

If failing isn’t an option…

…then is success a fair goal.

I read that title a couple of times and it started to make more sense, what I meant by that statement was this; If you are going to take on a new challenge, and there was no chance to fail, then what would you learn, would the challenge have the same meaning. I practice every day to see the positive in all things, I have often said that fail is;

“F ound A nother I mportant L esson”

So I am OK with failing an attempt at something, if the attempt means you learned how to do it better next time. If you learned that it doesn’t mean you are any less of a person because you tried and did not succeed the first time, and especially if it means you look forward to trying again because it means something different now.

I absolutely love the thought of challenges, not just the ones that others offer, say, at work or in the gym, but the challenges you set up for yourself. Personally, I create challenges for myself every day, and at this point I think it might be the right time to admit I am not competitive, but like everyone else, I find beating the man I was yesterday feels pretty good, like when I go for my walk, yesterday I did 5k steps, today I shoot for 5010, yeah, I know, what’s 10 extra steps? Well to me its further than I went yesterday, and it’s not about the distance, its more about the determination.

Keep in mind as well, that challenges are not just physical, they are also emotional and spiritual, there are days when I wake up and I feel “tired” on a spiritual level, so I challenge myself to breathe, find my light and move forward. Emotionally I can lose myself occasionally, and it’s up to me to find myself, to remember who I am and why I am, and then challenge myself to be a better me.

It comes as no surprize then that I find such a wonderful fit for myself as an Author and now as a Social Marketer with an amazing company, you can probably imagine the challenges I set for myself on a day to day basis. I try to find a customer a day, someone willing to accept how easy it is to live with day to day products that are free of harsh chemicals and toxins, and then I try to find someone each week that may be interested in creating a business for themselves, something that can give them their time back and financial freedom. For me this business is creating the funds I need to publish my books, that is my WHY, that’s what drives me to challenge myself every day.

And yes, most certainly I fail, in fact I welcome failure in this industry because it helps me to grow, believe it or not, failure in the social marketing world means you face your fears, if you are afraid of talking to people, then you challenge yourself to reach out to one person a day, and you build from there. If you are afraid to BE out there, then you challenge yourself to start creating who you are, make your posts about you, about what you like, about what you do, then, working your way up to live videos to show the world that you are real… yes, it’s a huge challenge, and yes you might fail at first, but, you will also learn who you are, and most importantly, you will learn to believe in yourself.

Believe in you and see what happens, you will recognize the person you are meant to BE.

Find my Books here

https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=BawB%27s+Raven+Feathers&sitesearch_type=STORE

You want to try being successful…

. . .first become successful at being.

I had so much fun on this adventure, experiencing the ups and downs of direct sales and social marketing, I share what I’m doing with as many people as I can, then hope they make a choice to purchase.

It’s kind of similar to writing I suppose, a writer does something they enjoy doing so very much and then they hope that what they wrote becomes as enjoyable reading it as writing it. In the marketing business those of us that are brand new to the industry are mentored, groomed, and led, by leaders that have experienced the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and have become successful by working towards it and by simply being themselves and sharing what they are passionate about. I have a feeling this way of life has been around since the cavemen created the first wheel then sold their wheel to others, ok, so I love the comic strip titled B.C. by Mastroianni and Hart, it is one of my favourites, but the point is, there are always things that are out there that someone needs or wants and it takes someone else to share them.

That takes me to the part about being successful, this is a part of the adventure that is all up to the individual, success cannot be bought, I believe it must be earned, and it should be appreciated because you have earned it. The definition of success will vary with each that seeks it, for some it is simple, as in passing a test or meeting a challenge or goal, for others it becomes more involved, by striving to be the best you can be at whatever you are doing.

In this industry success involves work, it means getting out of bed EVERY morning believing in you, believing that you can do this, believing that you are strong enough, proud enough and willing enough to accept all the challenges, appreciate the ups and learn from the downs, it involves believing in the products you share, whatever they are, from widgets and whatnots to household and wellness products, you need to use them, enjoy them and present them with a passion, the people you are sharing with need to believe in you before they will look at what you are sharing.

So, my friends and faithful readers, let me thank you for helping me enjoy what I love doing by reading what I have written, and for those of you that are just starting out on a new adventure, any adventure, believe in you and success will follow. Carve out that perfect wheel for you and roll with it.

If you wake each morning with your biggest smile and say that you believe

Then success will greet you where you are and good things you will receive.

WI:)ND 🌻

It’s not always what you think you see. . .

. . .sometimes it’s just meant to be.

I have been growing in the last three months, growing and learning and listening, and most importantly I have been watching others become successful, doing exactly the same thing, it inspires me to watch them and learn, it creates a positive path for me to walk on, with an obtainable goal, and without a “finish line” it makes this journey more fun, it turns it into and adventure.

But let’s take a minute and figure out how I got here, or more importantly how we ALL get here. It starts when we’re 5, we are led to school by our parents or guardians, and we are told to listen to some total strangers tell us what to do, when to do it and how to do it. We are told how to dress, how to behave, how to read and write, how to create formulas using the Pythagorean theory, then after twelve long agonizing years we are released, only to discover yet another path where we can once again become students but on a much higher level. Another four or five years pass and we are finally free, to become ourselves, to use this knowledge we have gained and create a life for ourselves… by working for someone else. By becoming someone else’s profit maker, being told what to do, and when to do it, being given impossible timelines and being told when we can eat, when we can have coffee, when to arrive, when to leave, what to wear and how to behave. Huh, sounds like one of those full circles we hear so much about but never believe could happen to us.

Then comes the dream, you focus that part of your brain that remains yours, the part that wasn’t changed or altered by society, the part that still dreams, and you use it… to dream of winning the lottery… that’s right, you have succumbed to what you believe to be your escape, your deliverance from societies evil oppressive ways. You fixate on something that may or may not happen, I won’t say it can’t, it could happen, but, could it happen too late, what if it happens on your eighty second birthday, are you going to be able to jump for joy?

So, now, fast forward back to today, back to my adventure, something I have never done before, something most of us have never done before…work for no-one else… I work for myself, I dress how I choose, come and go as I please, I can get sick without feeling guilty, and best of all, the money I make, goes in MY pocket, for my trips, my cars, my pets my purpose. Yeah, I know, you’ve read this far, and now you think I either won the elusive lottery or I’m selling something, well, no to both. What I have done is taken the opportunity that was presented to me, I jumped off of societies doomed ship to nowhere, and I landed on my own ship, one that I steer, a fine sturdy ship with tall sails that catch the wind, I have found my adventure.

It’s totally not what I thought it was, and I am making it become what I need it to be, it is my own small business, it is my contribution to the world, it is showing people how to make their own choices, you don’t have to buy and use something because the TV and multimillion dollar ads tell you to, you can choose to live your own way, shop where you want and buy what you like. Break free of societies grip, of the brain washing, of the titles and negative energy put on small businesses. Support your friends, support your neighbours, and oh yeah, support YOURSELF, ask yourself why you are continuing to put money in your boss’s pocket, or in the bank of a multi-billion-dollar chain store.

Find something that interests you and DO IT, I’m not saying drop everything and go, I’m saying take a chance to become a part time social marketer, or a customer, spread the word for your friend’s small business and feel good about yourself, feel good because you have helped someone create a life for themselves, then consider your own life, and yes my friends, you can do this… I did.

Choose to live your own life, it is yours after all… WI:)ND 

There are two kinds of people. . .

. . . and I love them both.

There are people that see a sign and ignore it, it’s not for them, it’s for everyone else, and there are those that read the signs and then point the rest of us in the right direction. Keep in mind that signs are not all billboard size and full of information, signs can be subtle, signs can be just a hint or they can come with fanfare. The thing is, a sign could be that split second in life when something new can be introduced that may or may not change or alter ones’ direction.

The interesting thing about signs is it doesn’t matter how big and obvious they are, it is up to the individual to actually interpret and appreciate them, some are warnings, some are guides, some are sent by the Universe others come with a smile attached, again, whatever the actual sign is, it has to be noticed and acted upon in order to fully comprehend its meaning.

I have never been one to waste time trying to understand the meanings behind many of the signs I have come across, but, to be honest I have found myself quite perplexed with the logic behind some signs, for example: a sign that reads “don’t do this” to some, becomes almost a challenge to do exactly “that”, and it is then I perceive that if the sign advising people of what not to do was not created then what they are not supposed to do would not have become evident and challenged them.

That being said, some of the signs I have been fortunate enough to “see” have led me to places I was destined to “be”. Some were presented by friends that have either been there before or wished for me to join them on an adventure, others were, I believe, sent by the Universe and directed right at me, and I was/am insightful enough to change my direction spontaneously (one of the perc’s of having gypsy blood) and see where a new path will take me. Some signs even come with a gift, not as a lure to follow them, but more as a thank you that you did.

There are indeed two kinds of people out there, and I am both of them, I have gone out of my way to step on the odd patch of grass, (carefully of course) and I have even temporarily changed my name to “staff” just to see why he has his own door, and I have followed the direction presented to me by subtly obvious signs. I will continue to write my word hugs as per the sign from the Universe, I will continue to work with and beside the youth that choose to share my path, a subtle sign as a result of my writing, and I will follow this path I am on now after seeing the signs that were put up by my friends towards a chemical free, healthy lifestyle, and a new place to shop for things that are good for me.

WI:)ND 🌻

A person is better to accept a challenge only once. . .

. . .if the challenge accepted is one to make you better.

I believe challenges should be a part of a positive lifestyle, and the most beneficial are those that we create for ourselves by ourselves. From an athletic standpoint where you challenge yourself to walk a little further each week, to cerebral, where you challenge yourself to do a new crossword every week, to of course, your overall well-being, where you challenge yourself to start living clean.

Challenges from others can also be invigorating, and we experience them from our very early years, some as bets and dares, to our lives as elders and seniors where we are challenged to a game of chess or checkers, (do people still play checkers?) I challenge myself every morning when I wake up to create and share a smile on my social networking page, and the challenge is not so much to write the inspiration, but to continue to enjoy writing it, and some mornings it is more challenging than others. (yes I have some off days too)

I’m sure we are all faced with our challenges, and some more than others, but what makes a challenge productive is if the challenge can make you a better person, is what you have been challenged to do, going to show you that you can be better or do better at a task, or is it strictly for machismo or ego. The macho thing, many years ago, used to impress the ladies, now, guys, I think the ladies you used to want to impress could probably give you a run for your money so its best to focus on you instead.

Recently I created a challenge for myself, and that was to complete series two of my books, I chose to accept that challenge because doing so would make me a better person, a better writer, and better at marketing strategies, as well as open the door to a new challenge of finishing my children’s book and my Biography (that others are challenging me to write)

I also accepted a new career path, I was challenged by change, to make the choice to change, and to accept that something new could in fact change my life. Turns out it wasn’t a challenge at all, in fact the change was a positive thing, and now, I am challenging you to accept that challenge of change, change where you shop for things, change what things you shop for, challenge yourself to start living a clean chemical free lifestyle.

Change can be something you choose. . .

. . .because you were given the choice.

I love to hear about happiness, how it is attained, how important it is and how people come to believe that because of a change they made in their lives their happiness levels increased. Our lives revolve around how happy we are, so why then don’t we choose to make changes more often that can increase our levels of happy. Our clothes, our routes we take to work, when we eat dessert (if it’s that good why don’t we eat it first), our jobs, and I realize we all have bills to pay, but if you are going from a job that makes you miserable to a job that makes you happy, wouldn’t it be nicer to pay bills with a smile.

*note- I know the economy is a little shaky (author avoiding political opinions)  right now, and jobs are not as readily available out there, but there are ALWAYS options, be creative, if a door of opportunity hasn’t opened for you then build your own door.

I am writing this today because I have recently made a change, from one very successful company to another, I was given the choice, I alone had the final say and I did my research. The choice was made to shift my focus to something new and exciting, not just for me but for every one of you out there, and yes there are often risks involved when changes are made, but, if it is your happiness that is the outcome of the change, shouldn’t it be acceptable to welcome a bit of a risk.

I chose to write my little books, at the risk they may not be well received, the risk was there, but my happiness for doing something I believed in was more than worth it, now I sit putting all the pieces together to complete the series, and the change to my happiness levels are off the charts, so, sure, change can be overwhelming sometimes, but if at the end of the day you feel the need to make your life better, then make the choice to make the change.

Life is ours to change as we choose,

if the choice is happiness you cant lose.

WI:)ND

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You don’t know. . .

. . . what you don’t know.

I guess it is safe to say that I didn’t know a lot about what I was doing in life, so I learned as much as I could, now, six decades later I have learned a lot more about what I didn’t know.

Absolutely everyone you listen to will have their own ideas, their own perception on what it is they are teaching or sharing. Something else I have learned, and this is only my perception, is that when we hear the words “you have to” it puts us (me) in a defensive state, I would feel much better if I had the option; “you should” or “you could”, hearing this would make us (me) feel much more at ease.

So you want to write a book? Ok, here is the readers digest version of the steps, First; write the book (I have heard this is the easy part) then find THE editor for you (this step is important, your editor has to believe in you) then find THE most awesome designer (also important, your designer has to be able to create using your thoughts alone) then find a printer (yup, also important if you want good quality for your work) and there you have it, you have written your first book. The point here is one you may have missed, none of the people helping you with your book are “above you” they are on your level doing what they love to do WITH you, and if they do an excellent job you are going to share them with others, so, on that note, Thank you to my incredible team (Family) of book experts;

Rachel Small (Editor), Jessee Wise (Graphic Design/Illustrations) Fiona Raven (Designer), Friesens Printing (Printing), Beth Kallman Werner(Marketing), and a list of others too long to add in this post, but the most important are those that believed in me, and you all know who you are.

WI:)ND

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Being real in the world you live . . .

. . .means the world to those you live with.

Life is an adventure, at least it should be, from the minute you arrive in the world drawing your first breath to the minute you leave it, exhaling your last. All of those years in between are spent watching, listening, learning and living, following paths either naturally predestined or contrived on a whim. There is not just one path, in fact most human beings have so many paths to follow they lose count by the time they reach thirty something, which might I add, is around the same time some will experience a “Mid Life Crisis” ( I have never really understood why it is called a “Crisis” when really, it is just a change of direction)

What is this real I speak of all the time, well, real is just as it sounds, being happy with who you are and what you are doing with your life, being happy believing in what you choose to believe in, and being happy to live and let live, the old-school mantra. I share this today because I recently started an adventure on a new path, a path that involves sharing a product I believe in, and not like all of the other products out there that use MLM to market their products, this company is designed to grow with everyone’s happiness in mind it was easy to get started. I, like all the other hopeful new home business entrepreneurs began by first sharing with my friends, and at this point I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of my friends for being so patient with me as I learn the ropes, like where the fine lines are and how to approach without being aggressive.

I will succeed in this little business because I believe in it, and I promised myself I would stay real, I will share it with everyone I know, and everyone I don’t know (eventually) and I will leave the decision up to them, they will see first my real happiness my real results and then my success, they will see my little books on the shelves in the book stores because of my success, and they will want to duplicate the same happiness and success, because they choose to. I go to bed every night knowing there are now a gazillion people (I am not even exaggerating there) that have heard about my books.

I am not greedy, I would like just one percent of all these people to share in the joy I am living, you all have the chance to make the choice in life to be real, and my path will lead me to each and every one of you… (eventually)

Make this day real because you believe in you.

Send me a smile I will send one right back in the WI:)ND

WI:)ND🌻

Time waits for no-one. . .

. . .and why should it.

I spent this last weekend surrounded by mountains, light and energy, kindred energy of lives past and lives to come, Angels and Spirit guides filled the space and meditation came easy in the safety of such wonderful souls. I found my focus and my balance once again, I strengthened my Aura and my Energy, I walked away knowing I am happy to BE.

It also gave me a chance to reflect and chat about my theories and my belief, or it may be more suitable to call it “sharing my opinion” with others, which-ever way you go with it is safe to say I had a wonderful time both sharing and listening in a phone free environment, it was quite refreshing. One of the topics that came up was time, how we were in the back half of October already, where did Summer go, in fact, where did the last few years go.  Well, it is my theory that as we get older we stop waiting for things to happen, it almost seems like when we hit the magic number of 50, things speed up dramatically. We no longer wait for dates, or occasions, we don’t wait for results or deadlines, we just seem to be happy being who we are and where we are in time, and time passes quicker.

Having said this, I found myself incapable of waiting for funding, although I am still seeking it, I will manifest what I need to get my little books out for December, one way or another, the Universe told me I should, so I will. This means I will self-publish once again, if an agent should happen by at the right time I will entertain the idea of going traditional, but I believe because one has not yet crossed my path (and believe me I have searched) that my little books are meant to stay organic and real, and just a heads up, you are going to love Series Two, Rachel has been incredible at polishing my word hugs, and I know Fiona is going to shine as well with design, I made a promise I wouldn’t let my readers down with this series and I haven’t, each Volume still brings a smile to my heart, and I wrote them.

Stay tuned…

Believe in you, and others will too

Believe in your strength and what you can do.

Contact us, we WILL show you a new reason to smile.

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http://www.bawbsravenfeathers.net

There are two places to get recognition. . .

. . .from the mirror and from your peers.

“Writers write” said Carrie Mumford during a conversation we were having at a local coffee shop, and those two words have been forefront in my thoughts ever since. I have never given myself the recognition I deserved for being a writer, until recently. I spent all day Sunday, writing, finishing the chapter pages for Volume X of Series Two of BawB’s Raven Feathers. This is something I have been taking for granted for the last five years, the fact that I can sit down every morning and put together a rhyming inspirational quote of my own, never repeating one that I’ve already written, avoiding gender, race, religion and politics, just putting on a smile and creating a word hug that I can share with the world, and then having to come up with a full page, speaking on a one word topic, in the third person, again without being specific while sharing my opinion and not judging, and doing it while a tear rolls down my cheek because it’s the last chapter of the last book I will write in this series titled “Happiness”, yes, yes I am a writer, and I write.

An excerpt from that chapter:

“It is in the dawn or the dusk, it is in the stars or the clouds that dance in the sky, it is in the hand we hold or in the moments alone, it is in our hearts and our souls. Happiness is a breath, or a kiss, a hug from a friend, it is in a memory or a moment when a new smile is shared. Happiness is colors and cookies, rain and rivers, it’s a feeling we get when a touch makes us quiver… Happiness is a way of thinking.”

 

When I am not writing I am fortunate to have found a way to continue to share happiness. I was led by the Universe to the desk of a wonderful kind soul, she introduced me to Nerium, and to the people that she worked with in her business, who in turn welcomed me and shared their energy and their smiles. I chose to pursue this adventure, and went about it with both eyes open, I needed to learn about it, use it, feel it and then believe in it. Six months have passed and I believe, I look and feel fantastic, I have met and shared with some wonderful people, who are carrying the smiles forward and I have been recognized for my achievements, not just by my peers but by the company, which to me, means the world.

I have also recognized that the founder of the company Jeff Olsen, is also a writer and an Author, he wrote a book called the Slight Edge, I have read this book three times and each time I do I smile. He writes of a way of thinking that will lead people to the happiness and success they desire, is it a coincidence that I write about inspiring people to find their inner smile which in turn will lead them to happiness. I want to meet Jeff Olsen one day and shake his hand, because I feel his energy by reading his words, yes, writers write, and then they share what they write with the world, for some the best recognition they will receive are the smiles they see on the faces of those that read what they have written.

Thank you to all the people that now share their smiles with me, I appreciate the recognition.

WI:)ND

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http://www.bawbsravenfeathers.net/