Life By Design’s Weekly News
April 29, 2009
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News this week:

~ Self-Awareness through Humor on JTS this week
~ Coming this Summer
~ Quote of the Week

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Self-Awareness through Humor on JTS this week

Journey to Self this week is about the importance of knowing yourself.  Joining me to discuss this topic is Sara Barron.

Sara is the author of the book “People are Unappealing” where she combines the theme of knowing who you are with humor.

Her work has also appeared on Showtime’s “This American Life”, The Today Show, NPR’s Weekend Edition and at the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen, Colorado. Her essays have also appeared in the anthologies Mortified: The Big Book of Angst, Have I Got A Guy For You, and Rock and Roll Cage-Match. Sara hosts The Moth: Stories Told (www.themoth.org) and teaches humor writing at Gotham Writer’s Workshop. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

“These days, the market is pretty well saturated when it comes to memoir. Which means it has to be good; it has to be different. Sara Barron’s essays about her childhood, her parents, her life in acting school in Manhattan and her fellow actors are, dare we say it, as funny as David Sedaris’… Barron swats these quirks around like a cat with a big, juicy catnip toy. When you aren’t squirming, you’re laughing out loud.” ~ Los Angeles Times

Join me Thursday April 30th as Sara and I talk about her new book, the importance of knowing yourself, and learning life’s lessons through humor.  Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

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Coming this Summer

I don’t want to give too many details away, but this summer  Mom’s Coffee Break will be undergoing a some exciting new changes!

Mom’s Coffee Break’s new motto and mission is “Helping working mothers not just survive, but thrive.”  I am bringing in two amazing partners that have different areas of expertise and experiences.  There is some amazing synergy between the three of us and I see a working mother’s community that is going to benefit it’s members in SO MANY WAYS!  MCB will be taking a “whole-istic” approach bringing support in way of experts, resources, services, information, education, and much more!

We are still working on the details, but a couple of things to look forward to is a member’s area with new resources, recommendations, and tools!  Monthly Virtual Seminars and Workshops with expert guest speakers.

As I had mention with MCB intergrating a “whole-istic” approach - meaning that we will be looking at all areas of working mother’s lives.  Each of the different areas of our lives do not exist independently from the rest. Therefore; improvements in family life is going to help you get better results in your career and improve your self-concept.  MCB’s Virtual Seminars and Workshops will cover issues in the main areas of business, family life/relationships, and identity.

Also coming this summer the launch of Mom’s Coffee Break Radio Show on Blog Talk Radio.

Co-hosting the show together will be myself, Jody Maley an expert in the field of direct sales. Additionally she brings the personal experiences of being apart of a blended family with six children, as well as a tremendous journey of personal and spiritual growth.  Jody is an avid student of the law of attraction and has see the manifestation of her dreams. She has a passion to help other women be empowered and successful in their lives.

My other co-host is Mandy Sly an amazing women that I have had the privileged in knowing for over 20 years.

In that time I have watched her always strive to make the best of even the worst situation, along with the resourcefulness to make alot out of a little!  She is a single mother to a teenage son, and currently is working on her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice at Blackhawk Technical College.

Mandy has spent over 16 years perfecting money saving ways to eat, decorate and look great on a budget.  She is educated and active in the “Go-Green” movement and brings her readers practical ways that they can live a “greener” lifestyle.  In addition, she is a creative and EXCELLENT COOK that has been exploring organic cooking for years.

I am very excited about launching the new and improved Mom’s Coffee Break!! Stay tuned for details!!

Sign up for the Mom’s Coffee Break mailing list at http://mcbreminders.eventbrite.com

Don’t forget to join MCB Member’s Area ~ http://mcb.collectivex.com

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Quote of the Week

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today…” ~ Stacia Tauscher

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
April 23, 2009
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News this week:

~ What can you do when your in-laws are the out-laws?
~ Heal Yourself on Journey to Self this week
~ Quote of the Week

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What can you do when your in-laws are the out-laws?

The saying goes, “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family” this can be applied to in-laws as well.  It can be difficult as families blend.  Parents sometimes have a hard time just realizing that their son or daughter is now embarking on their own life. We are all unique, we hold different ideas and beliefs that may not always fall into line with what others may think.

Problems with in-laws can cause major family stress and ultimately can cause problems in your relationship.  Here are a few ways you can improve your relationship with your in-laws.

Stand United - One of the first steps is to make sure that you and your spouse stand united.  Discuss topics that might be an issue of contention with your in-laws and decide what you want to do as a couple and family.  There is pressure to live up to parent’s expectations, but your relationship depends greatly on making decisions that are best for your family.  Sometimes that is going to go against traditions or values that do not work for you, your spouse, and children.

To Get Respect You Have Give It - Personally, I have experienced problems with my in-laws during my first marriage.  It wasn’t so much that my in-laws felt that they had to inject their opinion into every aspect of our life, but it was more the way it was done.  Usually very sarcastically without regards to our feelings.  Respect is a two way street.  In the relationship to your in-laws respect is going to be key getting through the times when you may not see eye to eye.  Also keep in mind that your in-laws intentions are probably not rooted in evil - no matter what you want to tell yourself.

Handling conflicts with your in-laws in a respectful way is going to help build the bridge of communication.  The next time you are faced with a disagreement with your in-law try saying something like, “I realize that your advice is coming from a place of love and concern, but we have decided that this is what is best for our family.  You may not agree, but as family we need to support each other.”

There are certain topics that will bring you to an impasse in these cases all the arguing and fighting will not change the mind of either party involved in these situations you have to agree to disagree.

Communicate - It is important that as the in-law you are assertive and stand up for yourself.  It is equally important that your spouse is doing the same.  Talk with your in-laws, use “I” statements to let them know how you feel and what kind of relationship you would like to work towards.

Don’t Put Children in the Middle - Unfortunately, a side effect of adult turmoil is that children get dragged into the middle.  Even if it is not intended there are lots of passive aggressive statements or actions that kids can pick up on.  Don’t discuss problems with your in-laws in front of your children.  Refrain from negative statements about them in front of your children.  Remember they love you all and don’t understand the more complex (and even the simple) issues that can be at the heart of hard feelings.

You and your in-laws might never be best friends but, remembering some of the key points that I discussed may help to strengthen your relationship with them.  It will definitely help reduce tension during family gatherings and open you up to enjoying your time together more.

~ Tonya

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Heal Yourself on Journey to Self this week

This week we have great show with two amazing women that are dedicated to helping individuals heal their mind, body, and spirit. Rebbekah White and Buffy Lauer will be joining me and talking about the new Heal Yourself Magazine, the official magazine of Heal Yourself Talk Radio.  Heal Yourself Magazine has brought together some of the finest authors, products and reviews for the health and wellness industry to help you reach individuals reach their highest potential.

Heal Yourself Magazine was founded by Rebbekah White host of Heal Yourself Talk Radio, the popular internet and Boston Radio show that focuses on healing your mind, body and spirit. It is Rebbekah and Buffy’s hope that the online magazine will bring more enlightenment to those who are actively searching for answers.

Rebbekah White was an army wife for 8 years before her husband was medically discharged. Rebbekah currently resides in Sylvania, Ohio where she is the mother to three boys ages 14, 12 and 6.  Rebbekah started Heal Yourself Talk Radio out of a desire to reach out to others and teach them how to learn how to heal their mind, body and soul.

After years of dealing with depression and other physical ailments, Rebbekah realized she wanted to help others learn how to deal with depression and other areas of life.  Heal Yourself Talk Radio is a great starting point for information no matter what you are dealing with in your life.

Buffy Lauer is the newest partner, editor, pr rep and marketing expert for The Heal Yourself Network.  Buffy believes in self healing and like Rebbekah in spreading the word about holistic health and wellness.  Buffy brings to the table many life experiences, business experience and the excitement to help Heal Yourself Network grow to its fullest potential. In the past years she has turned 40 and have had a tremendous opportunity for reflection, healing, and growth.

She was born and raised in the Toledo areas, having the privilege of being adopted into a wonderful family.  Although she has had many years of understanding and working through her abandonment issues from her birth her parents, she is truly grateful for the family that she had been given and believes there are no mistakes - she is exactly where she is meant to be!  Which also includes being a single mom to her 11 year old son James, and her 8 year old daughter Ellie.

Join me Thursday April 23rd as Rebbekah and Buffy shares with us their own experiences of self-healing and their passion to help others do the same.  Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

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Quote of the Week

Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. it’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.”

~ Barack Obama

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
April 16, 2009
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News this week:

~ Get Out of Your Way
~ The Power of Focus on JTS
~ Get “Romance for Women” on Digital Download!
~ Quote of the Week

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Get Out of Your Way

On Monday night I co-hosted “Ladies, Let’s Talk” with a panel of amazing women.  We were sharing ways to creating the life of your dreams and discussing how sometimes it is ourselves that stand in our way, to which I responded that the best lesson that I every learned was how to get out of my own way.

Face it, doing a make over on your life requires change and change is scary even if it is for the better.  It’s delving into the unknown.  Sometimes it means stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. And to create the life of your dreams it may even require you to listen to and follow your heart instead of your head.  Sometimes we work against ourselves, against our dreams.  We all have that voice that creeps in when we are feeling the most vulnerable that tell us that we can’t do that, that mocks our dreams and instills the doubt that keeps us from going forward.  When we stop fighting ourselves and instead support our dreams by taking action - then we are half way there.

I firmly believe that if we can be our own cheerleader instead of our own worst critic we will truly have the key to unlock our dreams.

Here is to creating the life you want - because YOU CAN!!

~ Tonya

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The Power of Focus on JTS

This week on Journey to Self we are talking about The Power of Focus.  My guest this week Jody Marley will be joining me to share her insights and experiences of how gaining focus can change lives.

Jody has been a leader for over 8 years in the direct sales industry and has won several National awards. She has traveled quite a journey and overcome many challenges including a divorce, bitter custody battle, a total house fire and a heart condition. She has overcome it all and now has a new spouse and is part of a blended family with six kids.

She understands adversity and what it takes to be successful in your industry.

Jody is living her true passion of helping others achieve their goals. She is ready to help you achieve yours.

Her current activities include, frequent co-host on Ladies, Let’s Talk, Owner of Designed For Divine Destinations, an elite Circle Leader with http://www.AmazingWomansDay.com, and a published writer at http://www.Selfgrowth.com.

Join me Thursday April 16th as Jody and I discuss the Power of Focus.  Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

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Get “Romance for Women” on Digital Download!

“Romance for Women” is now available as a digital download!  Surprise your special someone with this beautiful book of poetry.

http://www.urlfreeze.com/LBDEnterprises/romanceforwomenebook/

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Quote of the Week

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.”

~ Aristotle

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
March 31, 2009
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News this week:

~ Journey to Self this week - guest Heather Jumah from WSW
~ Romance for Women now available digitally!
~ Quote of the Week

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Journey to Self this week - guest Heather Jumah from WSW

Heather Jumah, Founder and CEO has a passion to help women create and live the life of their dreams. Heather inspires and empowers women to change their lives developing the success mindset and skills necessary so they can live passionate, prosperous lives.

Heather encourages women to live the “millionaire lifestyle” and she is bringing the Millionaire Lifestyle to women throughout the world through her multi-media company Wealth, Success and Women which includes two other woman niche businesses.  She believes the “millionaire lifestyle” is more a state of mind than a reflection of your bank account.  Whether you’re a millionaire or not, Heather is committed to showing you how you too can live your best life…an inspired and exciting life!

Heather is a serial entrepreneur and small business consultant specializing in working with women that are dedicated to creating six-figure incomes working from the comfort of their homes. She is the expert women turn to when they want to take their business from a great idea to six-figures in one year. Heather understands that women entrepreneurs have special needs and unique challenges while building their businesses, she also realizes that most women need an outside support system as they build their business which she provides through her Millionaire Mastermind Program, the Millionaire Divas and her Millionaire Protege Program.

Heather believes that every woman that is dedicated can build a six figure income business. She has been consulting with women entrepreneurs across the United States through her seminars, teleclasses and consulting practice. Prior to WSW Heather started several businesses building them to six and seven figure success, this enables Heather to provide expertise and knowledge based on real world experience.

Whatever dream you have for your life, Heather encourages you to pursue the dreams and passions that live in your heart so you can live the “Millionaire Lifestyle”…a life of passion, freedom and adventure!

Join me Thursday April 2nd as Heather and I talk about empowering women through entrepreneurship. Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

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Romance for Women now available digitally!

My good friend Al Cole contacted me today to let me know that his book of poetry, “Romance for Women” is now available as a digital download…YAY!!!

Al is an extremely talented writer and poet - I highly recommend this book.

http://www.urlfreeze.com/LBDEnterprises/romanceforwomenebook/

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Quote of the Week

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

~ Walt Disney

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
March 25, 2009
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News this week:

~ Childhood Neurological Disorders on Journey to Self
~ Quote of the Week

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Childhood Neurological Disorders on Journey to Self

This week on Journey to Self we are discussing childhood neurological disorder.

Findings from the National Health Interview Survey showed that an estimated 5.7 per 1,000 school-age children had autism. Findings from the National Survey of Children’s Health showed that an estimated 5.5 per 1,000 school-age children had autism. Together, these surveys suggest that at least 300,000 4- to 17-year-old children had autism in 2003–2004.”~ CDC Website

About my guests:

Dr. Robert Melillo, author of the book “Disconnected Kids”. He is a world- renowned chiropractic neurologist, professor, and researcher in childhood neurological disorders.  He is the program developing founder and executive director of The Brain Balance Program™

He has dedicated his life to research, diagnosis, and treatment of these Neurobehavioral/ Developmental Disorders. Dr. Melillo has been personally working with and helping children and their families for over a decade at the original Brain Balance Center located in Ronkonkoma, New York. As an expert in the field of neurology Dr. Melillo continues to teach students and professionals alike, both nationally and internationally, who work with the children affected by these disorders.

Dr. Melillo has been well published in the clinical literature with the culmination of years of study and research coming about in authorship of his textbook for physicians, called Neurobehavioral Childhood Disorders, An Evolutionary Perspective. He has also recently released a parent guide to these disorders called Disconnected Kids.

Dr. Jeremy Fritz is a board eligible Chiropractic Neurologist with the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, certified as a Clinical Nutritionist by the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutrition, and functional medicine practitioner with an emphasis on functional neurology related to Childhood Neurobehavioral and Developmental Disorders.

Dr. Fritz is currently the Executive Director of the Brain Balance Achievement Center in Vernon Hills, IL, which is located approximately 30 miles outside of Chicago.  Dr. Fritz has been working with and helping children and their families since 2001 and is a student of world- renowned chiropractic neurologist, professor, and researcher in childhood neurological disorders, Dr. Robert Melillo. Dr. Fritz is noted by parents to be extremely dedicated and passionate, providing cutting edge solutions in a manner that is both fun for their children and educational to the parents.

Join me Thursday March 26th as Dr. Melillo and Dr. Fritz discuss childhood neurological disorders, the current research, and what parents need to know. Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info.

(Click Book to Buy)

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Quote of the Week

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence…Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
March 18, 2009
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News this week:

~ Dare I say I think Spring has Sprung!
~ Victoria DePaul on Journey to Self this week
~ It Is What It Is…By Paula Klee Parish
~ Quote of the Week

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Dare I say I think Spring has Sprung!

I know that just last week I was gripping about the cold weather that had set in after the tease of spring.  This week there has been another turn in the weather - has been BEAUTIFUL!! Mid 40’s to 50’s so far!

We have been spending time outside spotting lots of birds and going to the park.  This week I registered Logan for 4 year old kindergarten, got my acceptance letter for graduate school, and ordered my cap and gown…and it’s just Wednesday.

I am looking forward to Spring Break from school next week and enjoying some more of the nice spring weather!

~ Tonya

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Victoria DePaul on Journey to Self this week

This week on Journey to Self we will be searching for leadership excellence with author Victoria DePaul.

With more than 24 years experience in corporate America, Victoria C. DePaul knows a thing or two about effective business leadership. After struggling for many years with how to motivate employees to perform at their best level, DePaul discovered that the basis for motivation is the person’s desire to be happy.

In her new book, Creating the Intrapreneur: The Search for Leadership Excellence, DePaul uses her personal and professional experience to guide readers toward achieving true success in business and life. She explains that all organizations and communities are energy systems in which the basic unit of power is the individual. In order to achieve results, people must be empowered to experience and express their creative self. Only then will they be truly happy and productive.

Based in personal experience and application, the concepts that Victoria introduces are more than theory — they are the proven steps to organizational transformation. Further, she discovered what true happiness is- the full experience of our creative, spirit Self. In order to achieve excellent results, all that was necessary was to empower others to express their unique creativity. In other words, she learned to provide the vision, guidance and tools and then got out of the way. The natural result was a motivated and innovative workforce, leading to increased production results, high levels of morale and accountability.

Victoria, parent of two teenage sons, holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies- Business Administration, from the New York Institute of Technology.

Join me Thursday March 19th as Victoria DePaul and I talk about her book and the search for leadership excellence. Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

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It Is What It Is…By Paula Klee Parish

This is an all too common phrase that seems to simply state the obvious but actually implies helplessness.
Voted by USA Today as the #1 cliché of 2004, it seems to have made a comeback. Every where you go you hear someone saying, “It Is What It is…”

Origin of It Is What It is:
There is no question that the phrase was first heard in the “sports” arena. And, if my information is correct, NFL’s Carolina Panthers, John Fox, originated it.

This cliché, popular within the circles of coaches, business execs, and those of us who just want to say “It’s happened; I’m going to forget about it; I’m going to move on, and there is nothing that can be done about it.”

“We showed up and gave 100%, and it is what it is.” - NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson said, after finishing second in the Nextel Cup championship. (AP, Nov. 22)

The question has been asked: What does this cliché really mean?
In a nutshell, it means this is the way it’s going right now, and that’s how it is. It is a way to say: “don’t over think the situation”. It’s a reminder to keep things simple, don’t overanalyze things, or a way to put a definition on something that’s hard to explain.

It is a phrase used to instill a sense of acceptance in a situation. It is used to remind one of the unalterable elements of life. Think of “I am who I am”. The phrase defines things that cannot be changed: “it is this way, so we have to accept it”. An apple can never be an orange, even though you wish, hope and dream it was an orange…it IS what it IS.

It is the condition and/or state of the present that has to be accepted.

Just like: I hate the fact that I wear a size 10 shoe, but it is what it is…

The question has been asked: Why do we use this cliché?
Because it describes something that cannot and does not need to be changed, or will not be changed, but is generally not important enough to fight over and can be overcome. In a bureaucracy, where some “Jaba the Hut” type is standing in the way, we should take the lead from General George Patton who said: “Just go around the idiots…” Of course our economic situation needs much more forethought than that. However, the good news is…we have the ingenuity, talent and skills to close this chapter of our history and move forward in a positive direction.

Something to think about:
The phrase is also used to transition to positive issues. It is actually used to turn a negative into a positive…let’s take that lead…

Inertia to Motivation:
A reminder from our very own Ernie Fasio of LIMBA…”We never make great strides when things are honky dory. It’s just too easy to continue in a sub-optimal way when we are not forced to make a change. Well the time for change has come. We need to reach deep within ourselves and reapply the ingenuity that has been the hallmark of our American industry. We have no choice. We’re cornered in an alley, and we are forced to fight our way out. Fortunately we still have the muscle and brains to prevail.”

Let’s start this New Year with the optimism of our forefathers who looked at challenge as an opportunity to make great strides. Let us seek to learn from our mistakes and build the tomorrow for our children and grandchildren that they deserve and that we owe ourselves as participants in the growth of this great nation.

Let’s change: It IS what It IS…to…Let’s Make It Happen!

Paula Klee Parish is the Founder and President/CEO of Performance Solutions, Inc., a corporate training company whose focus is professional development and personal growth. She is also an adult instructor/educator, writer, life coach/behaviorist and author of: The Journey to Be Your Own Best Friend: How to Discover Your Power Within.

(Click book to buy)

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Quote of the Week

There’s a very positive relationship between people’s ability to accomplish any task and the time they’re willing to spend on it.”

~ Joyce Brothers

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
March 12, 2009
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News this week:

~ Staying Busy and Warm in Wisconsin
~ We are looking toward this stars this week on JTS
~ Quote of the Week

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Staying Busy and Warm in Wisconsin

As always towards spring in Wisconsin weather ping-pongs around.  On Monday it was in the mid-40’s - for Wisconsinites we that is light jacket weather!  Today, it was 16 degrees and with the Windshield factored in it felt like 1 degree. Me and my sinus are anxious for steadier warmer weather that hopefully is right around the corner.

It’s been a couple of busy weeks here.  The last two weeks I have had an exam in each one of my classes, then last week I was down with the flu.  On the home front, Ben has been called back to work after an almost 3 month lay-off, we are so grateful! And next week I will be signing Logan up for 4 year-old Kindergarten for the fall.

Keep thinking spring!!

Tonya

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We are looking toward this stars this week on JTS

Constance Stellas is one of those rare astrologers who has maintained a commonsense approach by building on the basics. Advanced Astrology for Life reflects this approach and can lead anyone who is interested into the rarified atmosphere of excellence.”

~ Chris Lorenz, Dell Horoscope

Born of a Greek background and firmly grounded by her astrological background and studies there, Constance Stellas has been an astrologer for over 20 years. She practices primarily in New York City and her clients range broadly in backgrounds, from the arts to academia to business.

Constance maintains dual citizenship and leads astrology workshops both in the US and Greece, including a workshop at the Oracle at Delphi. She is the Resident Astrologer for UK women’s glossy Scarlet and the monthly astrological columnist to ValleyLife magazine. Constance has been featured in publications including the New York Times, Marie Claire, Working Woman to name just a few and has been a guest on various national radio shows as well as local morning shows.

Constance’s first book, The Hidden Power of Everyday Things, is a day-by-day guidebook that draws on numerology, astrology, and the Kabbala to pinpoint, according to your birthdate, exactly which materials and objects you need to fill your life with fortune and happiness.

Her second book, The Astrology Gift Guide, is a unique gift-buying guide that uses individual profiles for each astrological sign to help choose the perfect gift for anyone. The book highlights personality profiles for each sign and then lists gift ideas for each sign in three price ranges.

Geared towards the reader with a basic knowledge of astrology, Stellas wrote Advanced Astrology for Life, teaching astrological techniques and highlighting how to use astrology to enhance daily life. It guides the reader through key decisions at home, work and in relationships

In her latest book, The Everything Sex Signs Book, Astrology Between the Sheets, Constance combines astrology and psychology to uncover a potential lover’s preferred seduction style, fantasies and turn-ons.

Join me Thursday March 12th as expert astrologer Constance Stellas and I talk about how the stars influence our lives, how we can find love and make our relationships better. Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

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Quote of the Week

One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.”

~ Simone de Beauvoir

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
February 26, 2009
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News this week:

~ Body Image in the Techno Age on JTS
~ Family Management 101 series at MCB
~ WSW Brings You “Free Resources for Your Business”
~ Quote of the Week

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Body Image in the Techno Age on JTS

Twenty years ago there was no size zero. Twenty-five years ago there was barely a size 2, and if someone fit in a 2 she was what my mother called, in a whisper, “one of those girls with problems.” Anorexia and bulimia were just getting popular then among the teenage set. The goal of weight obsessed teens and 20somethings was to fit in a size 4. It was a badge of honor to say you wore a 4. That was bad enough.”

~ From the article “Weightism” by Rivka Tadjer

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and on Journey to Self we will be talking about body image in the techno age.

Body image is an issue that most women (and Men) have struggled with at one point in their lives.  Society certainly does not make it easy with the pressure not only to be thin, but also the emphasis on youth.

Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors.”

~ National Eating Disorder Association Website

Rivka Tadjer author of “Two Weeks Under” joins me this week to talk about this very important issue.

About My Guest:

Rivka Tadjer is an author who specializes in the sociological implications of the techno-centric era—how our behavior is changing. She has devoted a lot of ink tothe issues of privacy, security, and identity.

Tadjer has written for newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times Op Ed page, as well as many business papers, magazines and online outlets, including: The Wall Street Journal Interactive, Business Week, Red Herring, and Working Woman, and CBS MarketWatch. She has been a columnist for The Wall Street Journal Interactive, as well as for several tech and business magazines. She has written for TV news, made on-air appearances for Internet privacy issues, and authored a non-fiction book called Small Business Solutions for Financial Management, to help entrepreneurs compete with large corporations.

After they tried to dose the New York press corps with Anthrax, Tadjer started writing novels.

Tadjer teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz, in hopes that someone will carry the torch of an independent press, before the Fourth Estate crumbles to ruins altogether. She also does marketing and PR work for select, worthy high-tech companies and non-profit organizations in the arts and education. Her favorite long-term personal project: Finagling a way to make the voting system in this country mandatory, less hackable, and able to provide voters with a receipt. She also serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Woodstock Day School, a progressive, independent private school.

Tadjer’s hometown is Washington, D.C. She went to Boston University and University of Maryland, studying philosophy and journalism when those two things weren’t mutually exclusive. She is a first-generation American who lived in L.A. briefly, Manhattan for most of her adult life, until she scurried to live on high ground in Woodstock, NY.

Join me Thursday February 26th as Rivka and I talk about the challenges that face women as they strive to come to acceptance with their own body image. Listen live at 10am pst / 11am mnt / 12pm cst / 1pm est on Blog Talk Radio.

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info.

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Family Management 101 Series

Don’t forget to stop by the Mom’s Coffee Break Website ~ http://momcoffeebreak.com to read a new Family Management article every week!

Stop by later this week to read Family Management 101: The Family and Friends Department.

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WSW Brings You “Free Resources for Your Business”

I am honored to be speaking at Wealth, Success and Women’s tele-seminar next week Wednesday March 4th @ 8pm cst/9pm est.  I will be talking about Free Resources for Your Business and sharing the research I have done on free and low cost alternatives for the home business owner.

Wealth, Success and Women is a free social networking site for women entrepreneurs ~ http://www.wealthsuccessandwomen.com.  Mix and mingle with other dynamic, motivated, successful women in the Million’aire Diva Community.

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Quote of the Week

“It’s time to start living the life you’ve imagined”

~ Henry James

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
February 21, 2009
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News this week:

~ Renee Gonseth and I talked about the Family Manager on JTS
~ Family Management 101: The Finances Department
~ Wealth, Success and Women
~ Quote of the Week

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Renee Gonseth and I talked about the Family Manager on JTS

The Family Manager Creed

I oversee the most important organization in the world
Where hundreds of decisions are made daily
Where Property and resources are managed
Where health and nutritional needs are determined
Where finances and futures are discussed and debated
Where projects are planned and events are arranged
Where transportation and scheduling are critical
Where team-building is a priority
Where careers begin and end

I am a Family Manager“

I am so grateful that Renee made time to be on Journey to Self this week.  She shared some of the parental challenges that she has had with her son, including the challenge of coping with a child with mental illness. This show was filled with great insights into challenges and solutions that any parent/family manager can relate to.

We also discussed the role of a family manager and the seven different departments of home and family management.

About my guest:  Renee is a mother, sister, friend, entrepreneur and recently a grandmother!! She grew up in a little town in upstate NY, the youngest of 5. Renee has been so very fortunate to meet some extraordinary people along her path as she have lived all over the country! She has had extraordinary experiences and has come to know that these make her who she is and believes she has gained unique insight about the not so everyday things! Being a bit adventurous, she love everything outdoors and absolutely love socializing and learning everyday about people, places and life!

Renee is a frequent co-host on the internet radio show “Ladies, Let’s Talk…” a segment of The Women’s Empower Hour ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/thewomensempowerhour where she shares her extraordinary insights on a variety of topics!

To listen to this show go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself/2009/02/19/Journey-to-Self-The-Family-Manager

(** About midway through the show there is a couple minute of dead air because of a technical problem stay with the show though - we rebound nicely to finish the show**)

To learn how to connect with Renee read the show notes on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info

Join me next week Thursday February 26th @ 12pm cst / 1pm est my guest will be the author of “Two Weeks Under” Rivka Tadjer. Rivka is a sign-of-the-times writer. She specializes in the sociological implications of the techno-centric era–how our behavior is changing.  She has devoted a lot of ink to the issues of privacy, security, and identity.

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Family Management 101: The Finances Department

As family managers the stress of finances looms over us.  Money is a hot button topic, people fight over it and marriages have ended over issues related to money.  In my experience of my first marriage, my ex-husband made very poor choices when it came to the way that money was spent.  Because of this I was the one in charge of paying bills and managing our family budget.  I had failed at my attempts to make him understand the importance of not overspending and the evils of credit.  Though our marriage had much deeper conflicts that ultimately lead to our divorce, the way we fought about money definitely was a factor.  A couple months after we separated I sat down to evaluate my bills.  After paying all my bills for the month on just my salary I had more money left over than I usually did with mine and his salary combined.

As much as I felt stressed in my first marriage it pales in comparison to how I started to worry about money after becoming a mother.  Now there is the future to consider as well as just budgeting to meet the financial needs of growing children such as braces, medical bills, school cost, the cost of extra activities, not to mention sitters and transportation costs.

Read the whole article at http://momcoffeebreak.com/family-management-101-the-finances-department/

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Wealth, Success and Women

This week I became aware of a great new group - Wealth, Success and Women.  This is a free social networking site for women entrepreneurs ~ http://www.wealthsuccessandwomen.com.  Mix and mingle with other dynamic, motivated, successful women in the Million’aire Diva Community.

Heather Jumah (Founder, President and CEO) has started and run a number of multi-million dollar businesses, and has amazing energy and business savvy to assist and inspire the members to build their own six figure business.  Dr. Sally Witt, Vice President of Social Media has experience building several mid-high six figure businesses and provides a wealth of internet marketing knowledge and expertise to the members, enabling them to build six figure businesses online.

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Quote of the Week

Every accomplishment large and small begins with the same decision: I’LL TRY.” ~ Ted Key

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Life By Design’s Weekly News
February 10, 2009
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News this week:

~ Three Times the Journey to Self this week!
~ Family Management 101: The Food Department
~ Quote of the Week
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Three Times the Journey to Self this week!

This week we have three Journey to Self shows!!

First on Thursday February 12th @ 12pm cst/1pm est Debbie Nigro is one of the founding partners of First Wives World, LLC, and its “Chief Executive Girlfriend”.  She will be talking about the new face of divorce and share her philosophy for moving on with life, love, and all the rest after a divorce

Then Thursday February 12th @ 7pm cst/8pm est one of my favorite duos - Charly Leetham and Connie Boris will share with you the secrets to balancing your mind and body connection and the amazing benefits that you will experience in doing so on a special evening JTS.

Finally, to set the Valentine mood on Friday February 13th @ 3pm cst/4pm est one of my favorite people Al “Mr. Romance” Cole will be joining me to talk about romance, relationships, and Valentine’s Day!

Please tune in to Blog Talk Radio ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/journeytoself to listen to these very special shows this week!!

You can join the chat room during the show, use the “click to talk” feature, or call in (347) 215-8942 with your comments or questions.

If you can’t make it to the live show - no worries, all shows are archived and available with the show notes soon after the show on the Journey to Self Website ~ http://journeytoself.info.

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Family Management 101: The Food Department

This week I offered some great tips and strategies on managing the Food Department better.

“You oversee 1,095 meals per year- not including snacks and parties. A few smart strategies can eliminate time-robbing, last-minute trips to the store and significantly reduce your food bill, too.”

~ Family Manager - Grocery Shopping Savvy

Each evening, I use to go from the fridge to the freezer, to the cupboard again and again looking for something to “jump out” at me as if it was going to dance and sing “Cook me tonight!” Just deciding what to cook for dinner use to take forever, of course the only input that I got from my family as to what they wanted for dinner was “anything”. Because I was so unorganized I usually did not have meat thawed out or all the ingredients for what I wanted to make, not to mention that I was not including all the food groups that needed to be included for a balanced meal. By getting my “food department” organized I was able to save time, money, and created more nutritionally balanced meals for me and my family.

Continue reading at Mom’s Coffee Break Blog ~ http://momcoffeebreak.com/family-management-101-the-food-department

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Quote of the Week

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

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If you would like to get LBD’s Weekly News and monthly Empowering You! Ezine delivered to your e-mail, sign up for Life By Design’s Mailing list or subscribe to our RSS feed.