Tag Archives: life

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

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 🌻

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/

Seeing is a part of believing. . .

. . . and believing can help you to see.

I never would have believed had I not have seen with my own eyes the support from somewhere I have never been. Thousands of likes with each new post from so many wonderful people, most of which are in the Philippines, and most of which make my smile even bigger.

With each new post I move forward, it gives me a chance to share with the world where I am in my adventure, and as a writer, I need to believe in what I write, I need to know someone, somewhere will read it and smile, so believe me, when I see so much support from so many people I find new light and new hope for not just myself, but for other aspiring authors and writers. This has to be more than a dream, you need to take that step to make it a reality, commit to yourself, “see” yourself succeed at whatever it is you are doing, share your progress, your adventure with the world and know that out there somewhere there are others just like you, waiting for that little spark of inspiration.

As I write this, the effects of a recent visit with my Editor Rachel Small, has filled me with new found excitement and enthusiasm, her energy and her passion for what she does, along with her ability to polish my word hugs and make them just that much warmer, has given me that little bit of extra inspiration. I have increased my drive now to find a sponsor or an investor to help with my task of printing and releasing Series Two of BawB’s Raven Feathers to the world.

WI:)ND 🌻

If you focus on where you want to be tomorrow. . .

. . .where you are today soon becomes where you were yesterday.

So here it is August 16th and I find myself focused on where I want to be tomorrow, I am scrambling to find funding or an investor so I can get Series two of my little books published and out to the world for a December launch, they are in the final stages of editing with Rachel Small, then off to design with Fiona Raven, then Friesens for printing, sounds easy, well it will take some serious manifesting but I am confident I will find a way (I have an open line to the Universe).

A moment passes. . .

It only takes a moment to realize there are always options to every design, and by design the opportunity I was offered to share an amazing line of anti-aging/wrinkle fighting products for Mind AND Body with Nerium international is starting to take shape as my plan “B”. If I keep with the system, keep sharing what I believe in and people keep realizing that the system (and the product) works, I won’t need an investor or funding, I will cover the costs myself.

I have mentioned recently how the little things can grow into the biggest things of your life, and I speak from experience as recently I have been seen and liked by thousands of Filipino supporters, men and women that have acknowledged I am alive by hitting a “like” button, to me, that is the most amazing thing ever. I know that each one of them has the potential to talk to a friend, who in turn will talk to a friend, which, again by design is how the system works. Some authors don’t use advertising, they use word of mouth, testimonials and lots of satisfied people, so imagine as I have. So here I am, a happy, retired, published author of award winning books filled with inspirational poetry and positive energy, reaching out to the world and inspiring all to believe in your dreams and ask yourself WHY do you want to be happy? Now ask yourself WHY NOT take a step forward?.

Thoughts are things that you make happen by wanting them to be

If you believe in having happy thoughts then think of them, you’ll see.

WI:)ND🌻

You can’t build a future. . .

. . . by just thinking about it.

You have to actually do a little bit of work, and I’m not saying back breaking labor, but some work that involves planning and research (looking into your dreams and goals) then a little bit of architecture (mapping and blueprinting the framework) then finally the use of the tools (the time spent and the effort given), just a small amount of “work” will make your future that much brighter.

Now having said this, I am finding that most of society would rather do less work to produce larger gains, less effort for more return, and in a perfect world this would be wonderful, however, we live in a world where we get back what we put in. So why then when we are offered a chance to create our own happiness which in turn will generate successes, do we turn our backs and deny ourselves the chance to live our dream?

Believe in you and what can you do

walk through the door with a new point of view.

WI:)ND

bawbsravenfeathers.net

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Don’t base your dreams on what yesterday brought. . .

. . .create them with what tomorrow will bring.

I listened to a person last night, a person just like you and me,  he spoke about dream building and goals, and he spoke about believing in yourself. This really hit home for me because I have already lived one of my dreams, so I speak from experience when I say dreams can happen, but when I listen to others that are living and sharing their dreams it makes my heart happy.

My dream was to write one book, to fill it with inspiration and energy, to have the reader open it, read it, feel it and become inspired in themselves, to understand the power of a smile and to create achievable goals. I lived that dream, I wrote that book, and I went on to write 4 more. I am still creating these little books with another 5 books in the works, my dream is not yet done as I will continue to write and share my energy long after I’m gone, those that can feel the wind will share my smiles.

Now, I am meeting other people with dreams, they don’t just have dreams, they create their dreams and they are living them, everywhere I go now I am meeting these people and they are sharing their dreams, they are smiling, they are happy and all they are doing is sharing what they believe in. They are not writers they are believers, they are not sales people they are sharing people, to some of them it is not about the money or the potential earnings it is about the dreams and the Why.

It donned on me last night while I was listening to this person, that one of my dreams was to share with the universe the energy and the desire to believe in yourself, now I am feeling that everyone who has read my little books has helped me to live my dream, so it is my turn to give back to the world with an opportunity to create yours.

Every time I hear one of these people speak I think of how amazing it could be if everyone could live one dream, well, this is a chance to do just that. I have reached out to my friends, because they are my friends, I have shared with them and given them the choice, now I am sharing with the world, and giving everyone that same choice and the same opportunity exists to live your dream.

http://www.bawbsravenfeathers.net

Thoughts are Things

WI:)ND🌻

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A new adventure. . .

. . . always begins with the first step.

So here I am, sitting high up on the edge of success overlooking a scene of what my life will become, I am taking the first step to my new adventure. I realized a short while ago that I was there, that place which becomes familiar to artists and authors, people of all sizes and types and backgrounds with all sorts of talents. That place where dreams are so close to becoming reality that you can feel it, then reality hits and you realize that you are two nickels short of a dime to make it happen….

So you dig a little deeper and you don’t ever give up on a dream!!!

WI:)ND🌻

How do you know if you’ve missed a beat. . .

. . .if you haven’t danced to your own drum?

 

It has been a while since I have had a look at my Blog site, the stats are showing that people still trickle by and read what I have written, but, I felt guilty for not contributing for such a long time. I have followed others as they embark on this writing adventure and I am so proud of them and their creative energy, it just seems to flow once you are in the zone. I find myself struggling of late to find that zone, I still post my morning inspiration each day, but the writing I do for my books is not coming to the surface, I feel it, I just can’t put it into words.

 

I am not worried however, my incredible Editor Rachel Small keeps nudging me while she works on the content of the remaining volumes. That, as I have mentioned before is so important, to have a flowing, comfortable and copacetic working arrangement with your editor, no pressure, just an honest understanding of what’s involved with what you are writing. One day I will wake up and there it will be, on the surface, ready to type.

 

Now this is not to say I am not busy, quite the contrary in fact as I am busier now than when I was working full time. I have moved south of the city to escape the pressures of big city living, the traffic, the drivers, the lack of motivation, my life was becoming ritualistic, patterned if you will. Okay fine, I was in a rut, plain and simple.

 

So here I am in a different, calmer, more laid back environment where I find the time to concentrate on doing what the Universe wanted me to do; help others to help themselves. Currently I am still Co-facilitating my Literacy and Parenting programs in the city for the Further Education Society, as well as Mentoring the up and coming authors at the Oilfields High School in Black Diamond AB. The wind also led me to the FCSS in Claresholm where I am now working with an amazing group of Ladies that excel in sharing their kind energy to those that need support.

 

And if that’s not enough I am now the proud Papa to a very handsome black stallion named Dracula’s Raven, (he came to me named Dracula, I added the Raven to share my spirit with him) together we are working to build a bond and to share what we both know about life. Eventually he will be under saddle, which I will call a graduation day for us both, and we will ride off into the sunset.

Until that day I will continue to write, and I am learning as I live;

With each new day you share yourself in the smile that you give.

 

WI:)ND

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Use positive steps. . .

. . . and you will arrive at positive places.

It’s been a while since I have had the pleasure of sitting with the keyboard and sharing my thoughts. I still write every morning but only my short bursts of inspirational poetry, which come to me at 0500 with my first cup of coffee. I choose to abstain from writing if in fact I have nothing to write about because I don’t want to end up with nothing to read. 🙂

 

I have decided to move forward with Series Two of BawB’s Raven Feathers; my editor Rachel has plunged herself into the piles of print and papers I have sent to her, she is using her positive perception while perusing for some perfectly printed prose and poetry, and in this series there will be a particularly pleasing positive twist using pristine pictures… whew, that’s enough p’s for one paragraph.

 

I have also had the absolute pleasure of growing in my role as a facilitator with the Further Education Society of Alberta. So far I have co-facilitated two full programs at the Calgary Remand Center, and I have found working with those groups to be incredibly rewarding, but it gets better. I was offered an opportunity to run a writing circles program at the Calgary Catholic Immigrant Society and although I was nervous as heck to step up on my own, it too has been very rewarding.

 

The real ground breaking, earth shattering, life changing event for me, was being trusted with my co-facilitator Lois’ (I am actually Lois’ side kick, but we work so well together) group at the Alcove Addiction Center for Women. I have never in this lifetime met such a wonderful group of strong, dedicated, determined women. This group not only welcomed and trusted me but also made me feel accepted. Together over the last few weeks we have, in a two-hour session each week, achieved a level of balanced calm, while using our imaginations to escape for a moment to a place of much appreciated inner peace.

 

I have such tremendous respect for the men and women in these groups I have been asked to work with, as they possess the will and desire to achieve their own level of happiness after experiencing and learning from some of life’s hardest lessons. The positive energy they share with me in our two-hour sessions lasts me for the entire week and I look so forward to sit with them again.

 

I hope only to absorb some of their wonderful energy and have it mix with mine while I follow the path to becoming a seasoned and well-rounded facilitator, so far I am honoured to sit with and watch the masters while I learn from them and to share with these groups of amazing people my own peaceful, positive and inspirational energy.

 

Keep doing what you do if it works for you and each day you’ll find yourself growing

Share what you learn with others you meet and your smile will always be showing.

 

WI:)ND

BawB

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