I love this article by Patricia Drain,  author of “What Will I Be When I Grow Up?”. She identifies the specific steps that she has used to create results instead of disappointments in creating our New Year’s resolutions.

What are your RESULTS that you are going to achieve this year? What steps will you take to accomplish these?

Here is Patricia’s article on her blog

This is actually a post from my friend, Alexis Martin Neely. The link is at the bottom of this post. Take a minute to read it! She talks about having so many things to be grateful for, but not feeling the gratitude. She is a mompreneur and she is passionate about bringing faith and love into people’s lives.

But like most moms, she forgot to take care of herself this weekend in the midst of travel, fun and lots of food! She offers a great “centering” exercise to get you back on track.

But first, I want to share what I am grateful for in my life right now:

1. My four children–who keep me laughing even on my worst days.

2. Hugs from my family.

3. Being led by something bigger than just me.

4. Giving birth to four incredible girls who will all make a powerful difference in this world.

5. My husband, who loves me so much on the days that I don’t love him, that I just have to love him back.

6. The ability to send my kids to the best schools around so they can have the best education and have choices in life.

7. A great home that keeps us warm, is filled with happiness, and is surrounded by loving neighbors.

8. The best friends I have ever had! And more great people keep coming into my life everyday!

To read Alexis’ article, click here.

This morning, I received my weekly inspirational message from my good friend, Ari Galper. It hit home for me and I wanted to share it with you. If this touches you like it touched me, I recommend that you check out Ari’s book. It includes weekly inspirations he gleaned through his relationship with his son.

Here’s life lesson #39 from “Toby’s Book”.
–  Spend Time Appreciating The Gifts Your Children Give You  –

Sometimes as parents, we get distracted by what we want our children to achieve instead of focusing on what makes them special.

Children have so much to teach us through their uniqueness.

Their insights are innocent, honest and pure.

And there can be great pleasure in just savoring the little moments that our children share with us – a smile, a hug, a sense of accomplishment.

It’s so important that we acknowledge these things, because when our children feel acknowledged by us, they feel they can conquer anything.

To your success,

Ari Galper,
Founder Unlock The Game & ChatWise

P.S. If this lesson really resonates with you, please go to Toby’s Blog at http://www.TobyLessonsBook.com and share your comments.

Lisa Druxman, the Mom Entrepreneur expert at Entrepreneur.com, wrote this great article a while back about the Guilty Mompreneur. She offers 7 tips to help us manage our guilt.

Quick read here!

I StumbledUpon this great blog post that I just had to share with you. Jane Chin writes this article/blog post that identifies the responsibility that is included in choosing a lifestyle. This is especially important when you have people in your life such as a husband and/or children.

I am also reposting her poem as it gave me chills when I read it. I don’t know Jane, but I am excited to get to know her!

I’ll share the short verse I wrote in my What I Love to Do blog, about the pursuit of goals (including the goal of “freedom”) at the expense of people:

First time out,
I set my eyes on the goal.

I drive onward, upward,
Tune out the surrounding,
Proud of my laser-like focus!
I pushed past the finish line,
Broke through tape,
I have arrived!

So where is everyone?

In my fire to the finish,
I forgo friends, family:
People who matter.
And at day’s end,
Me and a Trophy
Are not “Home”.

True Freedom is a lot of work, because it demands that I am inclusive and grow with my loved ones – not just by myself.

True Freedom asks that I innovate and create ways to express myself and at the same time, strengthen the personal relationships that are important to me.

True Freedom is knowing the difference between selfishness and self actualization, so I can choose which direction of this Conscious Evolution spectrum I want to move toward.

Read the complete article here