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REMEMBER WHEN…
You were able to talk on the phone with your girlfriends for hours and talk about everything and anything. Of course today with msn and chat rooms it makes it much easier to have more people on board in the conversation. Remember when you just laughed and laughed at a story or even at nothing.

As mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, employees, and whatever hat we may be wearing we FORGET to let down our hair and be in the moment and have fun. WHY??? I don’t believe there is any one answer. I feel it comes down to we ALLOW this to be — maybe we believe that is what being a responsible adult is all about.

Well I have to differ. In my 40th year it was so much fun because everyone wanted to celebrate and now at 42 1/2 my friends and I slipped back into our pattern.

Almost every energy reading that I have done in the last year and a half the message is SLOW DOWN, ENJOY LIFE MORE, RELAX, LAUGH, HAVE FUN.

I just moved four months ago and I met this woman who lives on my street and happens to be part of the Spirituelle Diva group that I joined. I love to host parties and I really wanted to get back to this especially with my new home — open it up. I approached her about having a party – a Pajama party. We sent out invitations to 20 women and it was very clear NO PJs NO ENTRY. Now this was an adult version (would have loved this when I was 16!) with martinis & wine, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert. WOW. Most of all there was so much laughter, letting our hair down, dancing and fun. The energy of my place was electric. When the women left we handed out ceramic teddy bear cups filled with candy and chocolate kisses. There had to be party favours!

The women had so much fun .. I loved reading the thank you comments the next day. I am considering making this an annual event.

In the last days of this month, as you approach the holidays be grateful for what you have and the people in your life and REALLY ENJOY THEM!

All my love,

Sandra

I WANT TO SHARE A STORY…

This is the story of women who were ground-breakers. These brave women from the early 1900s made all the difference in the lives we live today.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but when, in North America, women picketed in front of the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote, they were jailed.


And by the end of the first night in jail, those women were barely alive.
Forty  prison guards wielding clubs and their warden’s blessing
went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of
‘obstructing sidewalk  traffic.’


(Lucy Burns)
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above
her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping
for air.

(Dora  Lewis)
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed  her
head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate,
Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.
Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,
beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the  women.

Thus unfolded the ‘Night of Terror’ on Nov. 15,  1917,
when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his
guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because
they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson’s White House for the right
to vote.

For weeks, the women’s only water came from an open pail. Their
food–all of it colorless slop–was infested with worms.

(Alice Paul)
When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a
chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited.
She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

All women who have every voted, have ever owned property, have ever enjoyed equal rights need to remember that women’s rights had to be fought for in Canada as well.  Do our daughters and our sisters know the price that was paid to earn rights for women here, in North America?

2009 is the 80th Anniversary of the Persons Case in Canada, which finally declared women in Canada to be Persons!

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know, so that we remember to celebrate the rights we enjoy.

“Knowledge is Freedom: hide it, and it withers; share it, and it blooms” (P. Hill)

Tags: canada, history, north america, united states, women

OUT WITH 2009 AND IN WITH 2010…
I know for some this was a tough year especially financially. I want you to know that when I graduated from University it was 1990 (watch it!!) and it was a recession. My friend’s father got me a one month temp job at CBC in Human Resources. This one month job lasted 4 years in three different areas, sales promotions/marketing and international sales. All I can say is that EVERY job, even the ones I disliked, have given me knowledge and led me to where I am today.

I am grateful. So take what comes your way, be in the moment, and enjoy for you never know where it will lead you.

I am working with a number of people to bring about the youth development program. We are EXCITED! 2010 is about allowing those seeds that you planted to grow and sprout. These may have been ones that you planted an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year or more ago! Let’s make it happen, IT’S YOUR CHOICE!

All my best,

Sandra

OUT WITH 2009 AND IN WITH 2010…
For those looking for jobs it may have been a tougher year as the economy went through some changes. When I graduated in 1990 we were in a very deep recession – my friend’s father got me a one month temp. job with CBC. I took it thinking no big deal and I realized that he really opened the door for me. THis one month temp. job turned into 4 years in different areas.

It is my feeling that this year was more about peeling away layers, discovering who we are and what want to do with our lives and planting the seeds. Some of you may be working in jobs or in an area that you do not love however I feel that this will change for 2010. Just as an aside, I realize now that every job that I did in my past has given me the awareness and knowledge to be where I am today.

2010 is about the seeds you planted days, weeks, months and maybe even years ago and they are about to spout. You can create ANYTHING that you want.

Myself and others are working on a youth development program that will shift your paradigms! We look forward to co-creating with you.

Enjoy the remaining days of 2009…

All my best,

Sandra

This is a fascinating story about a young woman who was able to innovate using a childhood toy.  She found a inexpensive and easy production method for high tech diagnostic chips.  The moral of the story is that creativity can come from anywhere.

Tags: chip, diagnostic, dink, hi-tech, innovation, khine, michelle, shrinky, toy

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting.

After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again..

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills – eat a banana.. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips… Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady..

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

Tags: banana, benefits, fruit, natural, nutrition, potassium, remedy

Jim Rohn, one of the great motivation speaker died recently.  Here is a 30 minute video that discusses the importance of goal setting.  The power of rewarding people is quite powerful.  To get everything you want, you help others get what they want.

Mr Rohn placed great importance on reading and expanding one’s knowledge.  As a voracious reader, he suggested reading Mortimer Adler’s “How to read a book,” it had a list of what books are great to read.

When he was young (mid-20s), his performance at work was poor.  When asked why, he mentioned it was because he received a relatively small paycheck.  His mentor replied, “Wrong, that is what they pay you.  It is not what they pay others in the company.  If you had better skills and better productivity, the paycheck will change.”  What the mentor mentioned deals exactly with productivity. One of the fantastic phrases that Mr. Rohn received from his mentor was: “If you will change, everything will change for you.”

Another major shift in Mr. Rohn’s life was time management.  His tip was: “Don’t start the day, until you are finished.”  What does that mean?  Well, whatever you do, ensure you have a complete and thorough plan and know what you are doing before you start a task.

Mr. Rohn mentioned one of the reasons that people fail when they set their goals  was some of them could be at times too unrealistic.  If something does not work, change it up.  He gave an example of a friend who wanted to become a medical doctor.  His grades were not good enough, so he worked in the nursing home business and later became very successful.  Sometimes opportunities arise when certain goals do not work.

Mr. Rohn sums up that life is a collection of experiences.  When you look at your life and your experiences, are you satisfied? Are there areas in your life that you wish to enhance?  Life is short, if there is an experience you want to try, do it.

Tags: attitude, goals, inspiration, jim, management, motivation, opportunities, reading, rohn, setting, time

I would like to share an email I have recently received:

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: ‘How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?’

The surgeon said, ‘I’m sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn’t make it.’

Sally said, ‘Why do little children get cancer? Doesn’t God care anymore? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?’

The surgeon asked, ‘Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he’s transported to the university.’

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. ‘Would you like a lock of his hair?’ the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy’s hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, ‘It was Jimmy’s idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. ‘I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ‘ Mom , I won’t be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom .’ She went on, ‘My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.’

Sally walked out of Children’s Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy’s belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy’s belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son’s room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:

Dear Mom ,

I know you’re going to miss me; but don’t think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just ’cause I’m not around to say ‘I Love You’.. I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won’t be so lonely, that’s okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn’t like the same things us boys do.. You’ll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.

Don’t be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool.. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn’t look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God’s knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That’s when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn’t allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him ‘where was He when I needed him?’ ‘God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I’ve written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn’t that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I’m sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.. I don’t hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I’m glad because I couldn’t stand that pain anymore and God couldn’t stand to see me hurt so much, either. That’s when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

Tags: attitude, bad, god, good, jesus, journey, positive, spiritual

To avoid it…

Eat right!

Make sure you get your daily dose of fruit and veggies..

Take your vitamins and bump up your vitamin C.

Get plenty of exercise because it builds your immune system.

Walk for at least an hour a day,

go for a swim,

take the stairs instead of the lift, etc.

Wash your hands often.

If you can’t, keep a bottle of antibacterial stuff around.

Get lots of fresh air.

Open doors & windows whenever possible.

Try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can.

Get plenty of rest.

OR

Take the doctor’s approach..

Think about it…

When you go for a flu jab, what do they do first?

They clean your arm with alcohol…

Why?

Because Alcohol KILLS GERMS.

So…

I walk to the pub. (exercise)

I put lime in my vodka…(fruit)

Celery in my Bloody Mary (veggies)

Drink outdoors on the patio..(fresh air)

Tell rude jokes and laugh…..(eliminate stress)

Then I pass out. (rest)

The way I see it…

If you keep your alcohol levels up,

flu germs can’t get you! As my grandmother always said,

‘A shot in the glass

is better than one in the ass!’

Live Well –

Laugh Often –

Love Much

Tags: flu, fun, humor, joke, live, love

WHAT A YEAR… At first glance it feels like the year has slipped by and I didn’t get as much done as I wanted. At a closer look I realize that this has been a tremendous year of releasing, letting go and surrendering and opening up space to plant the seeds.

This year I really took back my power, remembered how to love and honour myself and this has been coming through in my relationships: with myself, my work, my finances, my health and wellness, and with family and friends.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THIS YEAR, WHILE SO REWARDING, WAS A TOUGH YEAR AT TIMES.

There were periods when I felt frustrated, angry, and sad and I didn’t know why. I honoured these tough times and let things unfold as they were meant to. There were also periods of great inspiration and creation which has pushed me along the path of clearly defining my intentions.

Studying the Tao Te Chang, the way of being, has really been an amazing reminder to who I am — who we all are! I love it. The best part is that I have met some incredible women through this study group. I have connected so well with them that I arranged with one of the woman who lives on my street to host a pajama party last night at my home with 20 guests. It was so much fun — reminding us to be in the moment, laugh, let go and just BE. The ages ranged from 37-60. The energy of this place was incredible.

MY BEING…. I feel that I have come to a place in my life where I am remembering WHO I AM and my TRUTH. I am grateful for all that is in my life, especially my children and friends. I feel that all I need to do is live my life. I do not feel obliged to share my life and what I choose to do with others, unless I want to. It is such a great feeling TO BE. I now understand that I have never been in love and that even when it comes to male figures that I have not allowed in love in the way of acknowledgment and praise for my work as I did not know how. Now I am ready!!! I needed to shed my layers and I did this year. I want to acknowledge my friend Mark, for he has been instrumental in this and I am forever grateful.

MY HUMAN/DOING SIDE This is the part of me that did and acted. When I think about all the things that I did this year it is incredible. Most of what I did was peel away the layers and plant the seeds that are sprouting right now.

Here goes…
- Created and launched my website
- Finished incorporating my business
- Started my practice with Vivian (which I discovered was not the right location for me — all is good and Viv and I are still amazing friends)
- Created 5 workshops between June and November
- Sold my house
- Bought a house
- Moved and did fairly big renovations
- Settled my children into a new area
- Am clearly defining my intentions and setting goals for next year
- Created new friendships through the Tao study group
- Became a gold sponsor of the Spirituelle Divas
- Had my first published article – Women’s Post on-line
and I am sure the lists goes on to my personal stuff. WOW this is incredible. There are a lot of very stressful things on this list however I made it through!

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE WITH YOU THIS SITE
It has been wonderful feeling I have empowered and touched other peoples’ lives. You have also touched mine. For the women that shared their stories you have also impacted and empowered other women. Thank you! It begins one person at a time and just leading by example. There are so many women I meet that have incredible stories and you tell me that you are not good writers so you refrain from sharing. I encourage you to PLEASE SHARE AND WRITE FROM YOUR HEART. Your stories may make the difference in someones’ life. We never know.

As you look at your Year-In-Review be kind and gentle with yourself. You are exactly where you are meant to be. It is also a chocie. If you feel like a victim then you must take the accountability and responsibility for allowing these things to happen in your life. YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY AND LOVED. WE ALL DESERVE TO BE HAPPY AND LOVED.

Take some time and look back on this year. CELEBRATE all the things that happened to make you feel good and for the things that didn’t look at them as the contrast that likely moved you further along in your journey of knowing, awareness and remembering fully who you are – a brilliant being!

Enjoy life — laugh and have fun. Find what resonates with you and then GO FOR IT. Be in the moment.

2010 is the year the our “seeds are sprouting” and with nurturing and loving and honouring ourselves we will see what we want unfold.

I am exicted to see my seeds sprouting!

Thank you again all — I am eternally grateful.

All my love,
Sandra

Tags: awareness, growth, honesty, letting go, mirror, releasing, rewards, trust, truth, values, yearly review

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