Hello and Happy Monday!

When I was a kid, I remember swallowing a few seeds from an apple I'd chewed down to the core and immediate panic set in. With my eight year old mind, I was afraid to open my mouth, add water or sunlight for fear I would do more of what Mom accused me of: "Growing like a weed."

Thankfully, new growth doesn't happen that easily or that quickly, though I long for that upcoming spring day when our surroundings suddenly appear as if everything has bloomed at once. Until then, each little purple crocus, yellow daffodil, blade of new green grass provides us with that anticipated image of the beautiful change to come. No wonder the buds of spring find me digging in new ways to grow.

Why be simply an observer? Why not actively engage in significant growth of your own?

If you're like me, it's high time to shake off those winter doldrums. Let's plant some seeds to inspire.....here are a few ideas to help us all blossom spiritually and soulfully this spring:

Go to bed earlier. Learn a new language. Step outside your comfort zone. Volunteer at a local charity. Go decaf. Schedule that overdue dental exam or mammogram. Sign up for a class. Listen to your spouse.....really listen. Work toward that career goal. Wear something red. Take off ten pounds. Give more than expected. Walk around the block. Clean out the garage. Offer free smiles to random strangers. Read the book you got for Christmas. Turn off the TV. Quit smoking.....now.

Now here's the fun part. Do it with a friend.....a good "bud" who will support and encourage you along your path. The mountains we climb aren't nearly as steep if we have a loyal pal trekking shoulder to shoulder with us. The bonus? You'll accomplish your goal in no time, and you'll have a new bond in friendship with someone who cares about your success.

An apple tree is a metaphor for a fruitful life. Gratefully, the apple seeds I ate so many years ago didn't turn me into one.....but I've been pursuing that bountiful existence ever since. My heartfelt wish for all of us this spring? Let's GET GROWING!

Til next season, thanks for reading.

Mary

.

"Whether the glass is half full or half empty depends on whether you are pouring or drinking"

- Andy Grimm was a giver not a taker and the memory of his sweet and gentle spirit will live on in my heart forever.

As my birthday month comes to an end I am once again reminded of Dad's wisdom:

"If you don't have a Happy Birthday it's your own damn fault"
-John Bichelmeyer March 24, 1981

To all who visit this blog spot wishing you a Happy Birth... day, week, month and year no matter when or where YOU celebrate your own damn birthday :) !

CHEERS!!!

Sharing this quote as today's food for thought… "I've learned that people will forget what you said, they'll forget what you did, but they'll never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

My POST today is short and sweet and to the point...

The American Heart Association wants you to WEAR RED TODAY and so do I!
TODAY as I post this message we celebrate NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY in order to raise awareness about the number one killer of Women in the United States today.

As you know I am already all too aware of the heartache of heart disease having lost both Mom & Dad to congestive heart failure I have made it my mission to support the work done by the AHA.

To learn more go to:

www.HeartsWeLeaveBehind.com

So why not GO RED today along with thousands of others nationwide-for your heart, for your health, and for the people YOU love.
 
XOXO
 
Mary

January is almost behind us... I can't believe it!

Quite an eventful start to the year for me with plenty of travel and new connections that I have completely enjoyed and for ALL of you reading this note I am hopeful you had a FUN 1-11 as well!

I know I have not been so great this new year to date at sharing any food for thought here on this BlogSpot so today I thought I would change that.

Thought for today... SIMPLIFY.

When I saw the TO DO list below on the wall of my Doctor's office recently it really resonated with me and as a result I am sharing here with all of you.

SIMPLIFY

Slow Down

Imagine Doing Less

Make Time for Loved Ones

Practice Patience

Learn to Quietly Say No

Increase Your Quiet Times

Follow Your Heart

Yield to LIFE


My goal for the remainder of 11 - SIMPLIFY.

I'll let you know how I do and in the meantime as always sending my very BEST WISHES to all of YOU!

Let me start this post by making a sweeping generalization:

• If you're 40 years or younger, you're all there in the social media world.

• 40-plus? Not so much.

Ah, the great social media divide.

But this post is for both groups, so please read on.

Social media is here, whether we like it or not. Whether we're familiar with it, or not. Whether we use it, or not. Whether we understand its value, or not. So with this blog post, I intend to convince you of its value....and if you're already a regular user of these social tools, to encourage you to broaden the scope of its use in your daily routine.

Here's a high impact video on the subject from my friend Connie Podesta.

Take two minutes to watch here:

TEXTING HARRY - Connie Podesta

Do you recognize yourself in this context? If you're over 40, maybe you're Harry. Younger? Then perhaps you're grandson, Chad. Of if you're a frequent flyer like me, maybe you're even Connie.

In the not too distant past, I was reluctant to tune in and turn on to the value of  social media. And then I remembered a hard lesson learned....

A hundred years ago -- otherwise known as the 1980s -- I got a call from my Dallas office. My staff there asked for my permission to buy something they called a “FAX machine”, which was cutting edge communications technology at the time.

“We have to start FAXING resumes to our clients or we will lose business” the branch manager shared. "You don't need one," I replied, “FAXING is just a phase; the latest craze. We can conduct business just fine without one."

Almost immediately, we started losing business. Why? Because we were being left behind. Our competitors were far more responsive to clients because the FAX machine allowed them to react so much more quickly.

Taking a longer view, turns out I was right. Faxing WAS a phase.... for a quarter century, that is. Enter all the social media tools of today that don't just give us quick access to customers, friends and family... they give us INSTANT access.

Here's to the powerful connections now available to each of us through today's technology.

Let me hear how things like YouTube, Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and the rest of these tools are improving your ability to connect and communicate.

Till next time I say stay warm, stay connected and stay OPEN to change.....

Cheers!

Mary B. Lucas