Feeling Excited About Life?

Today I read a blog about putting excitement back into your life on a daily basis. This blog by Jonathan Mead, The Illuminated Mind, is a great perspective on choosing your excitement and looking at things differently to create it.  Want to feel it again? Just step back in time to your childhood and remember how you used to play and what excited you as a child. As children, we mostly follow our hearts and do what ever makes us happy. We never really had to think about it or analyze it. Kids just go for the gusto. Maybe we need to bring back a bit of that drive so we can start to feel excited about life again.

Always remember, that we live moment to moment and if your waiting to create the life you want, it will never happen. Enjoy Jonathan's blog and let me know what you think. Have a great weekend or should I say choose to have a great weekend. Follow your excitement.

Jill

Trying on a New Perception

This morning the dogs and I got up at 6:00 a.m. and went for a sunrise stroll. It came to me last night when I was feeling guilty for not walking them yesterday like I had promised. When I made this decision last night I really thought I wasn't going to follow through. After all, I am not a morning person and neither are the dogs.

But, the alarm sounded precisely as it was programmed and after hitting snooze a few times, the excitement of seeing the sunrise roused me enough to get me out of bed.

We timed it perfectly. As we stepped out the door, we stumbled into the brisk morning air with the sound of church bells ringing in the distance. In that moment I was transported back to Italy. All that was missing was an expresso and some gelato. In that instant I was, vivendo nel momento, living in the moment. My senses were filled with the memory of our trip and I felt flush with joy.

Yesterday I started reading a book called Slowing Down to the Speed of Life, written by Richard Carlson & Joseph Bailey. It's about getting off the hamster wheel of life and living in the moment. It isn't about changing your lifestyle to find simplicity, it is about seeing the simplicity in your lifestyle.

Changing our perception of our current situation can change the way we feel emotionally and physically. It's a simple concept. The challenge is having the awareness to make that change.

Yesterday, my schedule changed at the last moment and I was feeling guilty for not walking the dogs and I was stressing to try to fit it into the schedule. But, when I stopped trying to force it to work and let go of the guilt, I was able to change my perception of the situation. That is when I had the idea to do something different and walk the dogs at sunrise.

I followed through with my new intention and this morning the dogs and I enjoyed our morning stroll at dawn and we returned home feeling refreshed and content. Not being morning people, we promptly ate breakfast, went back to bed and slept until noon.

Instead of trying to control the situation, I let the situation flow and it all worked out. Because of this, I experienced a beautiful sunrise and a mini trip back to Italy. Changing my perception and my attitude changed my circumstance. Vivendo nel momento.

Ciao,

Jill

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry.


Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares,


Its faults and blunders, Its aches and pains.


Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.


All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.


We cannot undo a single act we performed.


We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow.


With its possible adversities, Its burdens,


Its large promise and poor performance.


Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.


Tomorrow's Sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,


but it will rise.


Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.


This just leaves only one day . . . Today.


Any person can fight the battles of just one day.


It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity's -


yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.


It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.


It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday


and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us therefore live but one day at a time.

~ Author Unknown ~

With no website presence are you killing your business?

In this day and age I can't believe there are business owners who don't have a website. The excuses are always the same:

I have no time to make one.

I have no money. I am broke.

They cost too much.

Web designers are out to rip you off.

I am doing fine without one.

And the list can go on and on and on...

With social networking being the new word of mouth and the next generation being about text messaging and facebook, you can see why having a website to market and advertise your business is so important. Think of it as a digital brochure that is going to reach an unlimited amount of potential customers.

It doesn't matter what type of business you have. Whether you're an artist, an entrepreneur or a big corporation, having a web presence is a must. It is a digital calling card, a resource and an unlimited marketing tool. Think about it… when You Need Information about a business what is the first thing you do? Pick up the Yellow Pages or look up their name on the internet?

When it comes to websites, it's all about the convenience factor. With smart phones, all someone has to do is type in your web address or even just google your business name and they will have your information instantly. Two minutes later they are either walking through your door or they are calling and emailing your business. Let's face the facts; everyone is busy these days and the easier you make it for them to receive or find your business information the better.

Having a web presence expands your market/demographic significantly. Remember, the internet is global. How much would it cost you to advertise globally if you didn't have access to the internet? It is also a great way to solicit a newsletter, email blasts or to promote sales, classes and other interesting things that are happening on a weekly or monthly basis. Remember, people are busy and they need to be reminded that you your business exists. Having a website is proactive marketing and how far you choose to take it is totally up to you.

According to Wikipedia; As of June 2008, the number of personal computers in use worldwide hit one billion, while another billion is expected to be reached by 2014. That statistic alone should be enough reason for your business to have a web presence. The internet isn't just a place for geeks and researchers, it has become a new form of communication and should be top priority when it comes to marketing your business.

No more excuses… It's time to start taking advantage of all the internet has to offer, by building that website and unleashing your digital calling card to the world.

"How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of your generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?"—Seth Godin

MMMM…Macarons! A kitchen disaster waiting to happen.

So as all of you know from my last post, I am searching for the perfect food to bring to my French class. Well, a recipe for Macarons passed by my desktop today and voila, I made the decision to try to make these scrumptious treats.

For those of you who don't know what a "Macaron" is: It is a popular little pastry in France that is sweet, chewy and very pretty. They can range in flavor and color and have been the origin of Iron Chef Bakery wars all over France. The quest to make the best and/or most creative Macaron is a constant battle between pastry chefs across l'hexagone.

So what does this recipe entail? For one it requires a pastry bag with a point that measures 3/8 inch across. What does this mean? I believe it means cheating and using a plastic Ziploc bag isn't going to cut it. I have to go out and purchase said item and watch you tube, so I can learn how to use it. There is also whipping and folding involved. Sounds a little kinky, huh. We'll see about that. (Note to self: Do not use the word 'whipping' for a you tube search.)

And what if you live in a higher elevation then normal? I can see that this is going to take some figuring and a lot of patience on my part. I am starting to feel defeated already and I haven't even gotten started. Do I really have what it takes to make a French pastry that has been around since the mid-16th century? Who do I think I am taking on such a challenge?

So here I am, in my kitchen of mismatched utensils and mixing bowels, on a quest, to attempt to produce this delectable morsel of sugar and egg whites. Occasionally, frightening images dance in my mind. The worst of them being of my kitchen, that looks like a bomb of white flour went off in it and I am curled up in a ball on the floor rocking back and forth repeating, "qu'ai-je fait? qu'ai-je fait? qu'ai-je fait…

All of this, just for a few extra points in French class. I will keep you posted on my results. In the meantime, keep sending me your recipes, just in case I need back up. I might need to lower my expectations just a wee bit to something like Coq au vin. No one ever said French cooking is easy, except maybe Julia Child.

Bon appétit,

Chef Jill

“In department stores, so much kitchen equipment is bought indiscriminately by people who just come in for men's underwear.”

—Julia Child