Monday, October 31, 2011

Motivational Monday #60 - Defining Emergencies

What does an emergency look like to you?

Prepared Binder - Home Edition
I think it is a valid question, because everyone has a different opinion.  For one person the lack of morning coffee can be considered an emergency, but for others it would take a power outage in the middle of a snow storm.  (I'm looking at you North East America...)  Others would consider sudden medical issues to be an emergency, while others would think of fire or theft.

Each of us has a worst case scenario.  We have that one thing we hope will never happen because we don't know what we would do.  If you are like most of us, you don't want to think about that worst case scenario very often because it scares you.

So take a minute and think about it anyway.  I know it isn't going to be fun, but try.  Think of the things you can't control, and then look at what you can.  Think of what you can do to make it more manageable.  Think of what you can do to prepare.

Now go act. Start doing the things you can now so that later you will have one less worry.

When my grandfather died we were glad to know he had everything ready to go.  Money was organized, bills were paid, a trust was written, an executor was established and the process was fairly seamless.  He knew that he wouldn't be able to control his own death, but he was able to control how his family would deal with the aftermath.

I know we are coming up on the holiday season, and for many of us that means we start thinking more of family.  We reminisce about the memories of holidays past.  We think of happy time and also those which were sad.  It may seem like an odd time to think about emergency preparedness, but really, it is the perfect time.  While thinking of those we care about it is easy to think about why we should prepare.  We prepare because we love them and want to make sure they are taken care of.

So identify your emergencies, think about who you are planning for, and get to it!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Motivational Monday #59 - And Here We Go Again

Every year I write a nice long post about why Prepared Binder is the right gift to give this year.  I have to admit is seems strange to do so.  Over the last two years I have written about many things, natural disasters, being prepared, getting involved, volunteering, gaining perspective, taking action, overcoming fear, and a myriad of other things as well.  Then it is time to write the annual 'Why you should use Prepared Binder' post and I get all tongue tied.

Silly, huh?

I believe in this product.  I know it can help.  I know it can take an overwhelming task and break it down into smaller and more manageable portions.  It can facilitate progress.  It can start conversations.  It can create an inner peace when you know you have dealt with the details.


I know all of that, but it still feels strange to tell you.

Maybe I feel awkward because I am asking you to love something I created.  There is a level of personal investment with that request.  Maybe I feel odd because there are so many ways to spend your hard earned dollars, and I am asking for you to consider Prepared Binder.  Maybe I feel uncomfortable because I would rather talk to you in person than over the internet.

Or maybe I am just being a ninny.

So here it is, my official pitch on behalf of my wonderful product:  Prepared Binder is a practical, useful and needed product.  It is a better gift than reindeer sweaters or electric socks.  It is more thoughtful than a fruitcake and it is a better conversation piece than a flocked tree.

Instead of rewriting what I have already said, here are links to some of my favorite posts that explain Prepared Binder:

Okay, there it is, my annual sales pitch.  Now go out there and order 5 of them and tell your family you care with the gift of preparedness.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Three Choices

I recently read a quote, and while I have no idea who said it, it had a profound impact on me.
"When something bad happens you have three choices.  You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you."
I have to admit I don't choose wisely as often as I should.  In fact, I wonder if the fourth choice is "or you can whine about it."  If so, well then I know which one I pick!  (hangs head)

So how do we take those things in our lives and change them from destroyers to strengths?  How do we make our own personal definitions and avoid circumstances dictating our personal narrative?

While I think it is true that we are the sum of our experiences, there is so much choice involved in what we add up to.  We can take disappointment and turn it into motivation, we can change heartache into poetry, we can convert despair into hope.  We really do have the choice.

When I read this quote I immediately thought of my grandfather and how he was defined by the death of his younger brother.  My aunt quickly pointed out that in spite of this he found strength from his trials.  

I then started to think about how I define myself and where those definitions come from.  It was strange to realize how seemingly small and insignificant moments have changed the person I am.

Sometimes I have allowed things to define me, other times destroy me.  What I want to focus on now is how I make them strengthen me.  I don't want my life to be a literary tragedy.  I want to look back on my life and see strength.

So here is my question, how do we all get from where we are to where we want to be?  I doubt I am the only person who wishes they could find more strength from their life's experiences. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Motivational Monday #58 - Playing Dress Up Is Good For The Soul

I'm not sure why, but a big part of childhood is pretending to be someone else.  Little girls dress up as fairy princesses, and little boys dress up an ninja's or pirates.  If they are really adventurous they dress up as their parents and act out what it would be like to be an adult.

I was never a 'girly girl' but I did my fair share of dress up too.  It was a nice escape to be someone else.  It was fun to forget my own worries and enter the magical land of sugar plums and pixie dust.

As I watch my kids put on this year's Halloween costumes and run around the house lost in the magic of imagination, I wonder what creative world they have designed for themselves.  

I know that as adults we tend to make things a little too serious.  We look at the deep problems of the world and focus on the overwhelming obstacles in our way.  Sometimes I wish I could turn into a fairy princess and wave my magic wand. 

Today is a Motivational Monday post, and I bet you are wondering what these personal reflections will do to motivate you.  My hope is that you will take a moment and imagine what it would be like to be someone else, or have a super power, or live in a far away kingdom. 

I think the time we take in imagination opens our minds to the possibilities we ignore.  It reminds us of the dreams we have and the goals we strive for.  When we remember these little details it helps refocus our energies and improve our outlook.

While I may never be a princess with unlimited magical powers and a fabulous castle, I am a mother who has the power to make my kids smile and we all live in a castle exactly the size I am willing to clean.