I Can't Believe I Am 30!!! Reflections and the Future...

There’s always some sadness as I feel that time is slipping away. Never again in this lifetime will I be a young girl in my teens or twenties. Those days are behind me now - for good. It’s a reminder that this beautiful life is not forever… being with that thought both hurts and relieves me at the same time.

However, it is with incredible enthusiasm that I step forward. Each day I become more me. Now I stand on a greater foundation, with outstanding vision, faith, and a solid relationship with my self.

It seems every birthday brings some kind of weird mood. It's something nearly all of us go through, I think.

On my 26^th birthday I decided I was no longer a helpless princess. On that day I first faced the feelings of getting older. “What more is there to look forward to?” I questioned my self. “No more exciting birthdays in the future?” At that moment, I decided to change into a Queen. It was a mindset shift into greater power within myself. Ever since that choice I have taken more responsibility for myself, taken my happiness into my own hands, taken life head on, and have been more enthusiastic about inevitable aging. I now see all stages of growth as beautiful. I look forward to the thirties as the era of my youthful prime. I also look forward to the years beyond as I will embrace my earned wisdom and become a Grandmother of the Earth.

This year I felt the need to celebrate. I am the type who does not make a big deal out of my life events. When I found out I was pregnant, I was immediately terrified of having to have a baby shower. For my 30th birthday, I wanted to be different than I have in the past. I took a trip to Las Vegas with my immediate family and had the BEST TIME EVER! :) This big milestone had me reviewing my life deeply with a new perspective. I am so thankful to say that I made it through my own trials and am officially pleased. I can be very difficult at times :). Part of the bliss of my aging is that I have learned to work with my own characteristics.

There were many great lessons of my twenties. I learned about my own values, explored various extremes to find my own balance, became a mother, and actually birthed new life into this world. In my early twenties I became a “step-mother” to a loving, beautiful young girl (age 9 at the time, now 16). After having my son and going through the wonderful process of creating life, I learned about the feelings of being a mother, from the inside. Parenting gave me insight into greater levels of life and I began to find out how to make mine ideal – for me – and for these beautiful beings I have the opportunity to affect so much.

I became much more aware of myself. I got curious about things, explored, and questioned a lot. My levels of consciousness have expanded exponentially allowing me a great delight in the “small” things of life, seeing how truly miraculous they are.

My understanding of the Divinity of life, deeply developing my own personal relationship with God/the Creator/Source, knowing my Faith, and actually feeling Trust all grew in this wonderous decade. These gifts are my greatest blessings.

The largest lesson of my twenties consisted of building a truly loving relationship with myself. I am no longer critical and hard on myself. I am my biggest supporter and am very compassionate to my experiences and “failures”, seeing them as the little steps that help me take the larger ones. I no longer seek outside love to fulfill my days or make me feel happier. I fill my own well and share it with others. Only now do I truly love others – not out of neediness or want, but from simple pure love. Whew, these lessons have freed me up from my own feelings of victim-hood and have helped to create the solid foundation that I own with gratitude today. My daily life is a joyous journey.

I am better and better as life goes on. Now I get out there and really dance with the bittersweet, magnificent song of life. And while I always wish for more, faster, and greater success, as I continuously mature, I recognize the beauty in the process. Looking back I can see amazing growth - and with that awareness, I happily accept the pace that life brings. I enjoy the being of all of it rather than waiting for the goals to be completed until feeling happy.

I enter my thirties being very excited for the future. I feel that I’m at my prime. I have a greater sense of my self, excellent resources combined with expansive resourcefulness, and the experience to empower me in all that I dream of. I look forward to giving back more and co-creating the world to make it even better. My dreams are bigger, more meaningful for me, and feel more real than ever before. Now watch as I reach for them!!!

Good-bye beautiful queen. Hello beautiful empress. Here we go! J

I give thanks I've made it here and can’t wait to see what happens this decade.

by Danielle Crume © 2009

Just One Step at a Time

Life is challenging. At times it seems like a test - or perhaps a final exam.

It can feel like a culmination of your previous lessons where everything is on the line and every move you make is extremely important.

At these pivotal points - and sometimes in our regular daily active life - it can seem impossible to make it. Or perhaps not worth the trouble.

But these challenges are the exact things that we need to grow. As we master our smaller lessons, they get bigger and may seem impossible at times.

It's important to trust, especially when everything is on the line. Notice it always works out somehow. Check your faith and your "talk" or ideals. While you're at it, step more fully into it.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see". ~ Hebrews 11:1

Although you can't always see how everything can work out, you often can see the next step to take.

There may be several options and it may be hard to choose, but with some due diligence, you can figure out which is best for you. Follow your heart and you'll know what's right for you. Make the space to get there (tune in) and find out. Don't be too busy minded and only consider what everyone else requests.

Many times you can't see beyond to the second step, you must just be fully present with what is up first. Be open to what is right for you, make your decisions, and go for it. Let go of the fear give it all you got.

As you step forward, the next step reveals itself. Sometimes you can more easily see how this is going to work itself out. As it always does...

And you can enjoy your growth *beyond the challenge*.

Just one step at a time... See how many you can have fun with while you're at it.

Keep on walking. Soon you'll look back and realize just how far you've traveled. :)

Love!

by Danielle Crume © 2009

The Essence of Autumn

Just realized I never posted about autumn, so here it is! :)

Plants are supple with life. The fruits of our labor are now ripe for the picking. Refreshing cool breezes return.

Family gathers, giving thanks for the season's harvest. Leaves fall as mother nature clears off her branches.

This season involves a lot of activity and visible transitions.

Autumn is the season of culmination, celebration, and space.

If you've been diligently working, you've brought forth a bountiful crop. If you've been focused on growth and your ideal creation, you'll have your most rewarding harvest yet.

If things are not going as planned, it's a natural time to become aware of what new opportunities are arising for you. What would you like to change? Letting go of the excess can create space for the things you want more of. It's an ideal time to release things that we are not fully appreciating.

It's also the time to celebrate and feast. Give thanks for the gifts you've been given! Pause and congratulate yourself on all the work you've done, this cycle and throughout life.

The last nights of autumn are the most mystical of the year. They are ideal for meditation and depth of connection.

As the leaves fall, it is a perfect time to review the fruit you've grown in the past six months. Can you see anything that needs to be weeded out? Clarify what you're creating and adjust what you can to make it your ultimate experience.

Bask in the time of your harvest. Soon the reflective months of winter roll in and complete the cycle.

Enjoy the culmination of your efforts and give thanks! Celebrate and let go of what is not your ideal.

by Danielle Crume © 2009

Who Do You Surround Yourself With?

They say you become most like the five people you are closest to.

I believe we are impacted by everyone we come in contact with. Each one makes an impression somewhat, with the level of intensity depending on either our closeness to them or our charges on them (positive attraction to negative rejection). Either way a simple contact can leave us forever impacted. Even though we may not be conscious of it, a piece of ourselves is often awakened in us with our connection.

The selection of your influence is essential to achieving your goals and greater levels of growth. Mentors often contribute to the greatest advances in ourselves. I see a significant difference in my mindset when I'm surrounded by those who serve as living examples, exuding that which I seek to expand into. Mindset is key in fully enjoying experience and growth. Mentors often share messages of growth, love, motivation, etc. Not only do I experience the shift in attitude, I enjoy the effects of these messages too.

So stop and think for a moment of the five people you look up to the most. Its okay if you can't think of all five now.

Openly think about it now and keep your mind open to it during the next week. It can be lots of fun to find people you can admire in one way or another.

_____________________________________________________________

BRAINSTORM:

(Jot down the 1st few mentors that come to mind. Its okay to get creative and messy here.)

_____________________________________________________________

TOP 5: The Final List

Who _________ Why/What About Them Is Outstanding___________

1. ____________ _______________________________________

2. ____________ _______________________________________

3. ____________ _______________________________________

4. ____________ _______________________________________

5. ____________ _______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Many people are attracted to a mentor who has accomplished what they seek to or is very experienced in something they are curious about (often to the highest degree) and is an enthusiastic source of encouragement.

Outstanding qualities of mentors can be based on ANYTHING, so have fun to find silly things that do matter to you. As you explore yourself throughout life, you go through all kinds of phases. In each you learn more about your essential self, your core being, who you are.

I am going through this too and don't want to impact yours, so I'll post mine later...

Have fun!

by Danielle Crume © 2009

A Great Set of Tools

To be serious about anything, you’ve got to get the best set of tools you can get your hands on.

Tools are not just for handymen. Superheroes are even more super because they have a perfect gadget for the job.

Superman had an indestructible cape that offered him use of a pocket, carried a disguise, and always wore his mighty S shield.

Wonder woman had special bracelets, a belt that contained a miracle metal which enabled her to deflect bullets with her wrists, and a golden lasso that wrangled her opposition.

What’s important is that you have the tools that are right for you. It can be deeply reenergizing to set your self up nicely for your next work session. Taking care of all the details, refilling your supplies, and improving your tools can help you dramatically increase your efficiency and creativity.

Take some time to check in on the tools you use.

Do you need to refill some things? Are you ready to graduate to a higher level?

Here are some creative ideas to prompt your review:

• Specialty Supplies. Have all the utensils that will help while doing the work ready and at hand. Everyone can use basics such as a phone with an updated contact list, a full tank of gas, and a healthy body. Be creative in getting the things ready that help you do your work specifically. For example, a painter should have a range of paint colors, brushes, water cups, canvases, rags, etc. If you’re a writer, having a great set of journals, plenty of paper, and a great collection of pens all help to facilitate the creativity and it shows in the final copy.

Other specialty supplies to think about are things that keep you whistling while you work. It may be tea, coffee with all the special add-ons, a fun candy dish, your favorite music playlist, or a warm pair of slippers. Treat yourself to little things that make a big impact on how you feel while “doing your do”!

• Craft Space. Setup your creation and/or workspace like a cockpit in which all of your tools are centered and ready for you to grab within reach. Have an area for everything you need while in your process. For example, an ideal desk for an office worker should allow plenty of counter space to spread out work on, be stocked with a full set of pens, pencils, rulers, scissors, tape, notebooks, a planner, paper, etc.

While in this space, take a moment to be aware of all of your senses and how you can better their experience. Have the sound at the right levels to facilitate your concentration. Create a Vision Board to keep near your work area that is aesthetically pleasing to see to give it a personal feel. Make it fun to be in your space.

• Inspiration and Daily Motivation. Just like we need to take a bath or shower every day, a daily dose of inspiration can help us get moving and feeling great about it. Whether it be a quote in your email, messages through Twitter (see my Daily Inspiration List), a special ritual and/or prayer that helps you to feel connected, a CD, book, music, or class – find some way that works for you to easily enjoy receiving a daily splash of inspiration.

• Ready Packs. Keep a small bag of your essential tools in the spaces that you frequent such as your car, your friend's house, etc. Have a mini-version of your most needed tools on hand for spontaneous creativity. Add some basic things such as a $20 bill, a snack bar, and a bottle of water.

• And most importantly.. You. Make sure you are up to par first. That means take care of yourself. Nurture yourself so that you are ready to be your best. Do what it takes to get off to a great start!

Have fun playing with your tools!

by Danielle Crume © 2009

Your Self Concept

Okay, it's been a few days since I've posted anything. I haven't gotten to write as much as I'd like. I have been focused on a special project...

Well, it's times like these that I like to dig through some of my favorite notes and post them up - to share them and also to get them in my "grand archive of info I love".

So here's one I've kept for years. Hope you enjoy!

My Quick Notes Adapted from the book Advanced Selling Strategies by Brian Tracy:

Self Concept – Made up of the three following parts, each which affects the others. When you understand the roles of these three aspects, you can then put your hands on the keyboard of your mental computer and change your programming.

Self Ideal – All the qualities and attributes of other people that you most admire. A description of the person you would most like to be if you could embody all of the qualities that you most aspire to. Largely determines the direction of your life.

Some examples of ideal attributes include (my personal list) :

Compassionate	Honest	Loving
Confident	Present	Connected
Empowered	Leader (through action)	Listener
Helper of the Community	Teacher	Sense of Humor
Honorable	Healthy	Strong
Asthetically Pleasing	Witty	Integrity
Organized	Integrated	Driven
Competent	Courageous	Patient
Spiritual	Wise	Spontaneous
Adventurous

Self Image – The way you see yourself and think about yourself in the present, your “inner mirror”. You constantly refer to this mirror to see how you should behave or perform in a situation. You always behave on the outside in a manner consistent with the picture you have of yourself on the inside.

Self Esteem – How much you like yourself. The emotional component of your self-concept. The reactor core or energy source of your inner power. The single most important element determining your attitude and personality and the key to success in your life. This is the relationship between your self-image and your self-ideal.

It's always fun to look at the little pieces that contribute to the masterpieces we are.

Love!

by Danielle Crume © 2009

The Ultimate Web Experience

I have checked out all kinds of internet sites over the years but few have kept my interest. Here I list the top tools I've found for the full web experience. These are based on a blend of important points including ease of use, how fun they are to visit, usefulness, and efficiency.

My all time favorite web tools are Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, and my blog.

I forgot to add that Facebook has some fun games to play too... :)

What's your favorite?

Love,

by Danielle Crume © 2009

Six Ways to Make People Like You....

Read this in a book a while back. I picked it up because I thought it was kinda funny and would be interesting.

Just found the notes I had taken... Helpful things for us to keep in mind. Good for me to reconnect with too. We could all learn a bit about relationships and connecting with others! :)

Six Ways to Make People Like You:

1. Become genuinely interested in others.

2. Smile.

3. Remember that a man's name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in the English language.

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

5. Talk in terms of the other person's interest.

6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

Can't we all just get along? :)

Have fun!