It’s Mastermind Time!

Are you ready to move forward in 2009? 

“It’s mastermind time.”  Napoleon Hill in his timeless classic, “Think and Grow Rich” formally introduced the concept of the “mastermind alliance.”  He wrote about the mastermind group principle as:

“The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

He continues …

“No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind].”

 The Mastermind group is created with like-minded partners desiring to take charge of their lives, gain control and move across the finish line.  The Mastermind group members’ primary purpose is to come together in sessions of brainstorming who’s ultimate goal is to create solutions to problems plaguing their lives while all the while setting up rational goals to be achieved. It is imperative for each group member’s character to be filled with integrity and honesty.  Each member holds the other accountable for the actions of the requests.  Sometimes things can become quite personal and intimate; Members open some secret doors leading to their self-sabotaging behavior that leaves them struck and unsuccessful in achieving their victories.

 Spirituality is the key component in the mastermind system; moving within and throughout the group by creating the warmth and supporting energy which allows you to open up and discuss those buried issues directing you away from your goals.  The members can assist your motivation whenever, you’re experiencing burn out.

The beauty of mastermind groups is that participants raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion.  Mastermind group members act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues. This is the essence says, “Furthermore she reminds us, In a mastermind group, the agenda belongs to the group and Your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. You create a community of supportive colleagues who brainstorm together to move the individuals and the group to new heights. 

You’ll gain tremendous insights which improve your business and personal life. Your mastermind group is like having an objective board of directors, a success team, and a peer advisory group, all rolled into one.” 

 Mastermind is a supportive group, encourages team members to enrich their lives in the 7 areas of business, family, community, personal growth, social, spiritual, health, financial, and professional. I encourage you to seek out an existing mastermind group and join, or create your own, if you have the inspiration to do extraordinary things. 

 If you decide to join and or create a group and need assistance contact me at: mindofagoodess.wordpress.com

Good Help Is Hard to Find

           

Betty was my personal healthcare provider for several months.  I was hesitant in hiring her because there was something about her I couldn’t explain or define that left me with an unsure feeling.  Eventually, I decided to go with her since I couldn’t explain it and I needed someone to help around the house.

Several (months/weeks/days?) after I hired her, the day arrived. We had developed a very gregarious, amiable relationship.  She was friendly and we would make small talk about family and current events.  She would arrive at 5:30 in the morning when it was still dark out, and one day she arrived wearing dark sunglasses.  My reporter’s intuition led me to ask her about them and she laughed it off, not answering.  I couldn’t let it go so I commented on the style of the glasses.  Then I asked her to open the shutters.  She said, “Why do you want the shutters opened its dark outside.”  I said, “Exactly why do you want the sunglasses on its dark outside.”

She laughs it off again. The reporter is still there trying to dig a little further.  I noticed it was getting close to time for her to leave. And I was still wondering about the glasses because I have never seen her wear glasses before and in trying to spark her into answering I asked her if her husband gave her a black eye.  She said no, laughing again.

 Then I saw water coming out from under the glasses from her eye.  I asked her again if her husband hit her.  She said no and that she only needed a minute.  I kept at her and she finally told me that she put crazy glue in her eyes.  Then she took off the glasses and when I saw it I wanted to run—her eyes were so ugly and bloodshot red. 

Then she explained she put the Crazy Glue in her eye.  She said that she wears contacts and she was cleaning her lenses and the solution was the same color as the Crazy Glue and she mistakenly cleaned her lenses with the glue.  She said when she put it in her eye she felt it was different, and when she went to put on the next lens she saw that she had put the Crazy Glue on the lens.  As she and her husband were trying to take it out they could not and she irritated her eye.  I started firing questions at her.  Her judgment was way off.  How did you even drive like that?  It blew my mind.  Why are you here, why aren’t you at the doctor’s?  Didn’t it hurt?  Can you move your eye? Does it itch?

Listening, I could not figure out how she could make a mistake like that.  So I fired Betty right there.  If she could make a mistake like that on herself I became scared about what kind of mistake she would make on me because she was not paying attention to what she was doing.  When she asked me why I fired her I made up a story, knowing that people do not like to hear the truth.   I made up a story about how I found someone else who would work for me for less.  Anyone can understand that.

 As I was lying in my bed thinking if she did that kind of thing to herself how could she care for another, what would she do to me?  Did she not see the severity of my situation?  I’m very vulnerable. I lay in this bed unable to move unable to take care of my most basic needs. I trust this lady with my life and this morning she shows me she can’t be trusted with her own life. God, knows I didn’t want to search for another care provider, but the more I thought about Betty putting Crazy Glue in her own eye, I knew I had made the right decision.  Good Help Is Hard To Find.

mindofagoddess

Beware Of The Lurking Vampires

 

“A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his hand round your shoulder – watch out!”
– Proverbs 27:6

 Vampires are everywhere waiting to block your blessing. Vampires are powerless beings of darkness and misery who thrive on the profits of those who prosper, by taking the earnings of hard workers. The only way they know to become powerful is to drain your energy.

There are two types of people; those with the courage and reserve to stand on their own and the subhuman vampires who leech life with leprous and disastrous results.   In life, we are faced with peaks to climb and rivers to ford; battles come our way every day and with every battle comes a new vampire. It can be said that a vampire always brings the battle to you.  Have you ever had a disagreement with someone and came away exhausted? Extremely tired regardless of the outcome; whether you won or lost the argument?

Have you ever noticed yourself entering a conversation you are in disagreement with the subject matter being discussed?  You believe that your opinion is justified so you become determined to make your point and shine a light on the fallacious errs in the logic they are incorporating into their false-argument to prove a point.

Are verbal battles making you angry and causing you to display negative emotions, or worse yet, are they deterring you from achieving your work? Are you fighting about something that will not move you toward your vision of a greater self?

 Picking your battles:

Where are you on your journey toward greatness? 

Are you travelling or are you allowing someone to block your blessing?  Vampires can be despised by taking on the form of a human being.  They could be a stranger, a neighbor, a friend, a spouse, and yes a family member.

 Vampires create havoc in your mind; perhaps by forcing you to play the blame game.  You believe you are in a mess because you need to change your venue.  For instance, you are in a hill of debt; and your only solution is to move, neglecting or not recognizing that the behavior begins in the mind.  As Harv Eker, says, “The root brings the results of the fruit.” 

Battles will come our way every day and to combat the vampire we need to be selective about the battles we choose to fight, that’s the kryptonite needed to keep the vampire at bay.

Are You Fired UP!

 

 

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress,” says  President Barack Obama.

 

Are you fired-up?… And ready to Go?

What lifestyle change do you desire right now?  Do you think you deserve to see your dreams fulfilled? As you seek assistance, whether it be a book, person or a program, take heed and be conscious of the fact that these instruments are tools which allow for you to embark on your lifestyle change. Are you carful for what you wish for? Are your fantasies realistic enough to be planned out and carried through for your personal benefit?

Have you ever decided to change your lifestyle to benefit your health? Take for instance the case of a smoker of many years who wishes to quit. After attending a smoker’s cessation program for 3 months the new graduate is free of nicotine and the smoking stops. Then  two months later the ex-smoker lights up and gets addicted once more. Again, wishing to quit, the smoker attempts to cease their unhealthy habit only this time the urge to smoke is stronger, making it harder to stop. Why?

Living in America most of us felt the urge to want to lose some weight and perhaps you’ve felt this same urge, so, after exploring the many weight watchers program you enlist in one.  You diligently follow the program and shed the pounds. You begin looking fantastic, feeling well, as if years were poured back into your body; yet again after many years of weight loss, the pounds begin to mount, except this time it’s many more than before.  Again you resume your weight loss program but it’s a greater challenge; your weight gain has more than doubled the amount you lost…Why?

Perhaps, you are having trouble with your finances.  You are always broke and your creditors show up more frequently than the postal service. Luckily, you saw an advertisement on television which steered you to a debt management program.  “Great”, you think as your debt clears up in three years.  However, less than three months later your credit spirals out of control again,  except this time not only are your creditors calling you, but so are Mr. Electric, Mr. Gas, and Mr. Landlord…on a personal note, I was diagnosed with crippling rheumatoid arthritis; I found a nutrition program, and the disease went in remission for 12 years. I actually believed the disease had left my body, however, at the tender age of 38 the disease returned with a vengeance; I was liberated by a wheelchair…Why?

     “Whatever we want to change about ourselves requires a lifestyle change because life is a journey not a destination,” says Diane Williams, author of “The Measurement of Loyalty a Memoir.”

Change can only be instigated by addressing the root of the situation, very similar to apple trees in that if the apples are rotten, the gardener/farmer addresses the issue by fixing the fruit from the roots.  One may have to dig up the tree to discover what is hindering its growth.  Next it’s important to pay attention to the tree and continue to treat the roots in order to keep them healthy.

           Having a relationship with God, starting your own business, planting an apple tree, whatever your desire; no momentary program can change your situation forever.  All programs are intended to do is help you find and treat the roots by focusing on the base problems and issues you might face in order to make a lifestyle change.  Place your attention on the roots, the source of your dilemmas; pay attention to what you say you want because you’re going to get what you give your attention to, i.e. one reaps what one sows.  In quoting Harv Eker author, The Secrets of a Millionaire Mind, “Where attention goes, energy flows and results show.”

 

Mindofagoddess.wordpress.com

Independence on Wheels

Have you ever been truly afraid of the one thing you really wanted?

I have. I wanted my independence, but fear crept into my psyche in an attempt to keep me from my desires.

I wanted the independence in mobility which a mobilized wheelchair could offer yet I was afraid to go down my ramp  and out into the world alone. Besides the few practice sessions with the therapist, I haven’t been on a ramp and into the world alone in twelve years.

At the tender age of 43, rheumatoid arthritis invaded my body, racking my joints in pain and leaving them practically immobile. The only treatment for the symptoms was for me to sit and be pushed around.

Several years passed and the disease progressed. It continued to destroy my joints and mobility, resulting in my inability to push myself around. The doctor suggests a mobilized wheelchair as a solution. I resisted at first believing that the mobility in my arms would return if I worked hard enough, yet years went by and the disease continued to exasperate my limbs. Finally, I began to see the benefit that a mobilized wheelchair seemed to offer, a benefit that all my therapists, doctor, and friends repeated so often; a benefit that through my trying to wheel myself around I failed to see, the benefit of independence.

The therapist decided that I needed a mobilized custom-built wheelchair. The sales representative told me, that it would take several months to design the chair. However, it took, a little over two years. Finally, after long months of waiting, she arrived with the chair and the ticket to my independence!

Driving a 400-pound wheelchair around the house was a cinch, and shortly after mastering that feat, I figured that it was time to move to the next level and drive the chair outside. I really wanted to go outside because I hadn’t ventured out alone in twelve years, and I adamantly wanted to change that part of my life. I wanted as much independence as possible, and I knew the wheelchair would give it to me.

I rolled into my family room and approached the ramp in the front door. I wanted to go outside, yet I was hesitant…okay scared.

In crossing the threshold onto the ramp there is a small bump which makes the chair pop up a fraction of a centimeter onto the ramp. I thought about the pop and wheeled away from the door.

My mind pondered the many times I went down the ramp with my therapist and ended up being fine. I prayed, “Lord give me the courage to wheel down this ramp,” when I finished praying I visualized myself rolling down the ramp safely. I then took a deep breath, placed the speedometer to “turtle,” the lowest speed, and I grasped the joystick. Holding tightly, inch by inch I moved slowly down the ramp and into the street. Yes! I was ecstatic, in fact so ecstatic that I decided to drive midway down the block—I moved so quickly and easily that I decided to go the full block. The sky was clear and a cool breeze surrounded me.

I was confident, thrilled, feeling adventurous and enjoying my independence—I turned the corner.

Moving along, singing and greeting everybody on the streets, I cranked up the speed from “first” to “second” to “third” out of the five speed range my chair offers. I decide to go around the block. At the end of the next block there was a cul-de-sac; I traveled to the end turned around and turned up the next block. I spoke with everyone I saw along the way.

I had so much fun that I turned around and continued heading south. Who would’ve known that the next street was a cul a sac as well? I sing and move the speed gear up to “rabbit,” top speed.

Moving toward the end of the next block, I spotted a bridge. I remembered seeing the bridge a few years ago when my aide and I ventured out for a tour of the neighborhood. I remembered that the bridge takes you to the opposite side of my house, yet I remember we didn’t cross it but I couldn’t remember why.

I rolled up to the bridge and pondered for a moment: I looked it over and proceed to move up the bridge—everything was fine until I got mid-way. Oops! The bridge descended into a slope, resembling the ramps in the kids skateboard park. It was too steep.

There was no way I was going to attempt to traverse the abyss below. I blew my horn and began backing up. I was doing quite well until…Oops I met a tree in an unfriendly manner…Bang! “Oh heck,” I said as I pulled the joystick forward.

The chair didn’t move; it didn’t even wiggle. I pulled the stick to the right and then back to the left—nothing. My neck is practically immobilized as well, but I turned my head as far as I could—no one in sight. I watched the ground, hoping for an advancing shadow—nothing. Next, I listened closely, hoping for the sound of approaching footsteps—nothing. I called out; “Help” several times, but there was no answer.

There I sat struck in the mud against a tree, a huge oak nonetheless. If someone were to walk by, they would never see me. I came to the conclusion that there was no one on the streets. Fear was trying to enter my psychic—you can’t be independent—now what? I had a little self-talked; Diane stop focusing on the circumstances. Independence is your desire and God is your source—seek Him. “

Instantly, my mind reflected on the scripture, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (TNIV).

I called out “God help” and I closed my eyes, visualizing myself being rescued, I then opened my eyes and yelled “Help, Help.”

A woman appeared. She looked as if to be in her early thirties, fit and toned standing about 5’8 and weighing approximately 140 lbs. She was wearing a neat pair of khaki pants, matching top and sneakers and as she approached, asked in a calm patient manner, “What can I do to help you?” I explained to her the function of power release bars. She attempted to reach them, and reported to me that the tree was blocking her access to them.

“Darn it!” I say aloud. Meanwhile, the woman looked at the wheelchair, rolled up her sleeves and placed her keys on the ground. “Don’t worry,” she said confidently, “I’ll help you,” she squatted down and gave me directions. “Turn the chair on. Now move the joystick to the right. Okay, now to the left” she said as she moved the chair, “Now go forward.” I followed her directions and the muddy wheels rolled onto cement. “Hallelujah!” I shouted. She smiled.

I put on my reporter hat: I introduced myself, and in turn, she introduced herself as Michelle and explained that she happened to be checking on her grandmother when she heard my call for help.

I asked if she happened to be a physical therapist… she smiles and offers to walk me home. I thank her for her gracious invitation and dash away full speed ahead alone. I travel home singing all the way, enjoying my freedom…independence on wheels.

It’s All In The Food

It’s all In the Food…Just a fork full away

Providing your child with good eating habits promotes lifelong good health. Food provides the energy that children need to grow strong, learn successfully, play creatively and explore the world around them. American Academy of Pediatrics, (AAP) encourages families to think of their nutritional decisions as health decisions.

There is 50 plus minerals, including, iron, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, etc, the water –soluble vitamins: (B vitamins and C): and the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are essential to a child’s health throughout their lifetime.

I interviewed 3 nutrition specialists: Sabrina Candelaria, Register dietician at the University of Miami at Miller School of Medicine; Sarah Krieger MPH. RD All Children’s Hospital St. Petersburg, Florida and Dr. Jose Rosa-Olivares, general pediatrician, Miami Children’s Hospital. All three were in agreement on one issue: “parents need to focus on their child’s diet before concerning themselves with vitamins and supplements.”

At what age shall we begin giving our children vitamins? Vitamins are essential to a child’s lifelong health. All children need the same kinds of nutrients, but the amount of each nutrient differs according to age, thus it is essential provide the child with food rich in vitamins and minerals. The child’s diet is vitally important; therefore it is imperative that parents are armed with proper nutritional knowledge as they prepare the child’s daily meals. The healthier your child eats, the more nutritious he remains; however, as children become older and more independent, their food choices change. So with that added independence how do you get nutritious food into your children?

The following are seven incentives for parents to encourage their child’s nutritional knowledge and proper daily food intake on his lifetime journey. The following seven incentives can be used to educate the children and encourage them to take the vitamins, and minerals:

· Parent…Be aware…your child is watching you. You need to be aware of your nutritional habits. It’s imperative that you teach positive eating habit. Moreover, it’s mandatory that you eat a variety of foods from the four food groups, (insert groups here) in order for your child to develop the same habit. Model proper food choices at all times for your child, beginning at birth, children imitate what they see.

· It’s best to give 5-6 small meals a day, to encourage the child to intake the appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals in each serving.

· Examine the vitamin and mineral content of a food and figure out at what stage in your child’s development it would be most beneficial for them to benefit and grow from it. For example, what stage is the brain developing? What foods do they need to consume in order to develop wholly in that stage, and benefit from the vitamins and minerals specifically in that food?

· Teach children to recognize their appropriate nutritional intake is essential to their vitamins, intake, thus they will continue to eat well when they are alone with their peers.

· About school age, children tend to be influenced by their friends, and become more selective about their food choices so it’s imperative that you arm your child with proper nutritional knowledge as you prepare your child’s daily meals.

· Write a grocery list, that covers the spectrum of the four food groups with your child. Be sure to get your child to select foods from the four food groups; continue to educate.

  • Teach your child to read the labels before purchasing food to ensure the required vitamin and nutrient content.
  • Make a weekly menu with your child. At younger ages, use pictures to make a list.
  • Create a social gathering for your child or with your child, and always use their input to define the menu.

Supplement indicators: If the child neglects a food group for days, it might be an indication that they are not receiving all of these nutrients. At this point, you may need to supplement the child’s diet. A vitamin’s or minerals can supplement a healthy diet but do not to replace nutritious food. It’s not just, about their eating but the overall education, says Sarah Krieger MPH. RD All Children’s Hospital St. Petersburg, Florida; again, she reiterates, “that’s exactly, what vitamins are, supplements.”

Whenever you think, your child may be in need of supplements it’s time to consult your pediatrician. A pediatrician can prescribe the appropriate vitamins to supplement your child’s nutrional intake. Krieger advises parents to read the labels and purchase whole food verses synthetic supplements.

Advisably, nutrition should come from foods first and if the child is not eating well then they should be supplemented with chewable multi-vitamin. Dr. Jose Olivera warns, “Parents need to make sure that their children understand that the cutesy chewable vitamins are not candies. Supervise the kids intake an explain it to tell because vitamin overdose can cause negative effects. “

If you follow these steps then have no fear, you have created great habits so continue to foster these habits and continue to educate your child about the practices of healthy eating.

Destination to Success

Are you committed to a dream or goal? Senator Barrack Obama, the democratic candidate for President of the United States of America is. His commitment stems from the desire to go to the White House and serve as our next president. He rallies purpose, determination and motivation to expedite his way to becoming the 44th president of the United States.

Senator Obama along with his campaign members develop strategies for reaching that destination of success he so longs for. As the campaign unfolds, the Senator and his staff unfold their plan: creating and revising the intricacies of each decision, and adapting with swift versatility when necessary. Senator Obama always keeps a keen eye on his goal and on any obstacles that might be thrown in his way on the road to the oval office.

With every speech Senator Obama delivers his focus is primarily on the joint efforts which he and his supporters can undertake to achieve victory…he tells his supporters of the taxing demands of the campaign trail and of promises grand for the future; he asks his supporters to work with him. It’s quite evident that work is what sets the dreamers apart from those tangibly who achieve their goals.

Are you committing yourself to an arbitrary dream or a tangible goal? The arbitrary dreamer longs for fulfillment of their desires but their sometimes capricious whims are for naught.

Dreamers dream, and like steam their whims are flimsy, unsteady and uneasy; for to achieve or succeed you must go through the trouble of backing a rebuttal to not sit placid while your dreams go flaccid. Idealistic, and anti-rational, most lofty dreamers are usually procrastinators reacting to the circumstances at hand.

They refuse to be pragmatic and would much rather challenge fate by rolling the allegorical dice and crossing their fingers in blind anticipation, while goal setters model their goals to achieve success. The realistic view of those who set concrete goals develop a tested strategy for achieving said goals. And it is only after this process of work that they are free to revel in their sweet successes.

Senator Barack Obama is committed to win the 2008 presidential election and transform his hard work, and his determination shall lead to unlimited success.

Goals direct your life—plans tell you your next step. Work your plans and plan your goals, always remembering the words of Warren Buffet, investor, “the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

Are you committed to your dream—or are you committed to your goal?

Mindofagoddess.wordpress.com

Living your dream

Are you living your dream?

I have wanted to be a writer all my life. As a child, I wrote scripts and songs for my friends to perform. As I grew older, I was encouraged by people around me to write more and cultivate my talent. Increasingly, I dreamed of becoming a writer.

The fall semester of my freshman year in college changed the direction of my dream. My English professor returned my first writing assignment with a huge “F” written across it. No one had ever given me such a horrible grade. No one. Not ever. I was in total shock.

First in grade school, then in high school, I was commended and received honor awards for my writing. It was my dream and I thought I was good at it. But now, staring down at that monster “F”, I was devastated. To make matters worse, at the end of the class the professor approached me and candidly told me that I had no talent, and suggested I forget about my dreams of becoming a writer immediately if I wanted to make enough money to eat in this lifetime.

Distraught, I attempted to squelch the dream, yet the longing in my heart for writing—a longing I had been suppressing for 15 years persisted.

I believe that I’d been chosen by God to write, then I must write. I finally understand my critical teacher and my fear of failure are rocks blocking my blessings, and it’s up to me to remove the rocks, and embrace my dream.

I am now FREE.  To live your dream is to be free.

Are you free?

Mind of a Goddess