Inspire The World With You

When I think of inspiration I think of the writers that I follow each week and their beautiful words put in perfect order.  I think of public figures like Oprah or Bill Gates and how they encourage everyday people to do more and be more.  I think of the single parent that works three jobs to support their children through college and medical school.  I think of the artist that paints with strokes of ease as the paint touches the canvas.

I don’t think of myself.

Art by Ricki Mountain

Do you think of yourself as inspiring?

The answer to that may be yes and it may be no…but…

I bet there is someone out there who thinks you are inspiring.

Actually, I know this to be true.  You inspire me with your comments, your kind words and your beautiful lives.

We may not be aware of those whom we inspire. 

We may inspire from afar with a handwritten note. 

We may inspire with a phone call at the right moment.

We may inspire with a smile and a wave.

We may inspire with a hug in the morning.

We may inspire with our well wishes.

We may inspire with our motivation to reach a goal.

We may inspire with our encouraging thoughts.

We may inspire with our willingness to help.

We may inspire with our dedication to a task.

We may inspire with a vote of confidence.
We may inspire with a firm handshake and pat on the back.

We may inspire with our time to truly listen.
We may inspire with our desire to improve our attitude toward life.

The list is endless.   Just when you think no one sees or no one notices, someone does see.  Someone does notice.  Don’t ever think that you cannot inspire others.  It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture like donating millions of dollars to start a college or speaking at an ivy-league college graduation.

You inspire when you are being who you were created to be and are true to that nature.  That is true inspiration.  I challenge you to be your true inspirational self today; the self that knows confidence and feels love. Go. Run.  Inspire the world with you. 

Stephani's Travel Tips

I normally travel about once a year by plane, but over the last two weeks, I’ve actually been on 8 planes.   That’s probably a record for me.  I love traveling and the anticipation of getting on a plane and going somewhere.  It’s uplifting for me to change my environment a bit and refresh my point of view.

When you travel, you see, hear and observer many types of people.  I mean, MANY types.  They come in all shapes and sizes, colors and styles, backgrounds and their reasons for travel vary greatly as well.  We all know this. 

I tend to be an observer when I fly and not much of a chatterer.  I try to respect those around me and basically mind my own business.  I read, look out the window or close my eyes. I don’t normally start up a conversation, but will respond if talked to.  I just don’t want to bother anyone.  Not everyone has this same traveling philosophy however. 

During my travels these last few weeks, I have observed some unusual sorts, some beautiful souls and others who are in between.  It’s filled my mind with many moments of entertainment and frustration all at the same time.   So today, I thought I’d share with you some of my traveling tips.  Keep in mind, I am not a regular plane traveler, but feel I am qualified enough to make some observations that may assist you in your future travel plans. 

photo credit

Stephani’s Travel Tips

-Print your boarding pass before you get in line to board the plane. The passengers behind you will appreciate you. Trust me.

-If your carryon bag requires two adults to lift it, it is not a carryon bag. Check it!

-Children need snacks, games, toys, blankets, books, drinks, diapers, etc.  Do not make your two year old carry all these items and then watch them struggle down the aisle and fuss at them to hurry up.  It makes everyone dislike you quickly.

-If you’re not sitting directly beside your travel partner, this does not qualify you for a “talk to them over the seats for the entire trip pass.”  Remain silent.

-If the plane is boarding and you’re sitting in an aisle seat, and the two seats are still empty next to you, do not put your tray table down and start eating the lunch you brought  on board and put your coat and purse/briefcase on the empty seats.  Does not make a good first impression.

-If there is turbulence, hold your cup of hot coffee.  Please

-If you didn’t bring reading material, you are not allowed to read your seat partner’s reading material, while they are reading it.  It’s creepy.

-Your child should only kick the seat in front of them once.  Once.

I hope you’ll remember these tips for your next flight and if you happen to sit next to me, I will smile politely and say hello, but we probably won’t be best friends by the end of the flight.  Happy travels.

14 Stars

My husband and I just returned from our cruise to the Caribbean and let’s just say we had a w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l time together.  We did all the touristy things; climbed the Mayan Ruins, sat at the beaches with sand in our toes, ate lavishly every day and shopped the local markets. 

The best part of the trip however, was truly just “being” together and sitting holding hands, walking along the shore smiling at each other, talking about how lucky we are in our love and lives, and reconnecting to each other without any interruptions.  It was much needed time for us to unwind and relax and have officially given it 14 stars on the 1-10 scale of stars.

It’s so important for couples to make time to enjoy each other’s company and really let go of the pressures of work and life every now and then.  We truly unplugged, shut off the phones, didn’t check email at the internet café on board, and didn’t have one conversation about the boys, work, to do items, etc.  We just focused on each other and for us, that was the 4 extra stars in our 14 star rating.  No interruptions, no worries, but just endless time together at a snail’s pace in a gorgeous setting.

I won’t go into the daily details, but will share several of the photos we took and a list of the highlights of our vacation journey.   I hope you will take some time, even if it’s an evening walk, to enjoy the love in your life and let them know how much they mean to you.  It will only strengthen everything you have together.   Consider it homework for the week.

Vacation Highlights….

-Sea sickness is real and can last for hours.  Dramamine is your friend.

-Towel animals WILL make you laugh.

-All shapes and sizes wear a bikini - so wear it if you have one!

-Sunsets at sea are gorgeous to say the least.

-My husband is officially the Ping Pong Champion of the ship.

-Walking on the beach in three countries in seven days can lower your heart rate.

-There are conventions for magicians.

-Piano bar music will make you want to dance in front of strangers.

-If you’re going to eat, make sure you learn where the gym is day one.

-Grits look just like cream of wheat.

-Romance is an evening walk on deck.

-Who needs a good book to read when you have 2400 people to watch.

-You get lost on a large ship, but never fear, maps of the ship are everywhere.

-Who says you can’t win “big” with $2 in the casino? 

-When it comes right down to it, people are people everywhere and are kind at heart.

-We have more than we need in life.

-I love the man I married 21 years ago, more than ever.

Bon Voyage To Us

We have been looking forward to this vacation and cannot wait to see this...

and this...

and explore this...

and taste this...

so I hope you'll come back in a week or so and I'll tell you all about it.

Until then....bon voyage to us!

GTGHeartU2

I shook my finger at a teenage driver yesterday.  Shook it hard and looked her right in the eye when we got to the stoplight.  I even switched lanes so she could have a clear look of my face and head shake at her.   My eyes said, “Don’t you dare do that ever again!”

She was driving slowly and a little too close to my lane, when I slowed down and got behind her to avoid being hit.  She continued to drive a little haphazardly in her lane and then a little into the next lane, so I decided to pass her.  When I did, I saw that she was texting with both hands and steering with her knees, at least I hope she was steering with her knees!

photo credit

 It really upset me.  We were on a busy street within 10 minutes of two schools that had just let out of their school day.  Kids were along the sidewalks everywhere. I switched lanes and got up next to her and shook my finger at her and acted like I was texting with both hands. The light turned green and away she went.

I’m not a big advocate and don’t normally spout off about this or that, but texting and driving really pushes my buttons.   I hardly even “talk” on my phone when I’m driving let alone text. (I’m usually parked or waiting somewhere when I do talk in the car, so don’t be surprised if my kids answer because I don’t want the distraction.)

It really upset me to see a young lady, maybe 16, risking her life as well as many others while she finger pecked away.  

I think we should be allowed to call a special phone line and report the license plate number and our “observation” of their texting.  The owner of the vehicle could then receive an automated voicemail indicating the “observation” and perhaps spark a conversation with their child.  

It’s dangerous and we know it, yet so many continue to do it.  What will it take to create an awareness of the dangers? Graphic videos?  Someone you know die in an accident involving texting?  Hitting a tree?   What will it take, especially for teens to realize that it is almost as dangerous as drinking and driving?

If you have teenage drivers (and we have one, yet to get on the road however) please choose to have a conversation with them about it.  Again and again and again.  Tell them of my recent observation, explain the consequences, etc.  Just keep the subject in front of them.  

Please.

And, if you ever, EVER, see my child texting and driving, you have my permission to shake you finger at him AND call us to let us know.