It was a very lively environment filled with a lot of people. Thousands of people visit the grocery store. People of all colors, shapes, sizes and moods! Therefore, it is imperative for a store employee to be patient, understanding, and accommodating.

I have had many “ok” interactions at stores. Sometimes, I have even had the “not-so-ok” interaction. Today, I had some fantastic interactions. Because I enjoy sharing awesomeness, here it is:

Every single day, I visit HEB in my neighborhood. It delights me to be pleasantly greeted, acknowledged, and handed a cart. Then, to kick it up a notch, an employee, who made it a special point to memorize my name, stops me. He puts his arm around my shoulder and asks, “Miss Sandra, How was your Easter?” We exchange stories and I continue to shop. Finally, I head to the check out lane. Here, I am greeted with a BIG smile and one of the best baggers ever – Gloria.

What makes Gloria so special? She does her job with great care. She consciously chooses how to bag the groceries. She mindfully places each item in the bag. Once she is finished, she smiles and sincerely says “thank you.” I enjoy having Gloria bag my groceries and often choose the lane that she is in.

In Life, I truly believe that we could make a huge difference in this world by doing two simple things: smiling and acknowledging.

Are you smiling?

Sharing Life and Love through the eyes of a happy goddess.
www.thehappygoddess.com

El Sr. Lougheed dejaba muchísima tarea y tenia grandes expectativas. Un dia me hizo una pregunta. Temerosa, respondí, “No termine mi tarea”, Su respuesta “Durmio Anoche Filer?” Avergonzada, conteste “Si”. El contesto rápidamente y dijo “Ese fue su primer error”

Lo anote en mi mente! Yo nunca cometí ese error en su clase. Ese día deje la clase enojada, avergonzada y determinada a “mostrarle”. Y lo hice. Desde ese momento en adelante yo complete toda mi tarea, mis deberes de lectura y conteste a sus preguntas correctamente en la clase. Yo termine el semestre con una “A” y me fui a tomar el segundo nivel de contabilidad con el profesor Mr. Lougheed! Porque? Porque no solo el me empujo a niveles mas altos de logro, sino que el reconoció mis esfuerzos. Incluso el recalco ( a su manera) que hacer tarea ( O hacer en la vida algo que importa) es una elección. Al final de dos años, el me dio una palmada en la espalda y dijo “Tu serás una gran contadora un día Filer”

Yo pienso a menudo sobre esta época cuando yo planeo mi día, semana y mi vida.
Recientemente vi un comercial de televisión y el mensaje era”

“Tenemos aproximadamente 25,000 mañanas. Que estas haciendo con las tuyas?
Precisamente! Un gran punto. Yo siempre me sorprendo cuando escucho a la gente decir “Oh, yo no tuve tiempo de hacer eso” o “Yo estoy demasiado ocupada, esto simplemente no funciona” Seguido por el “Yo estoy tan cansado para hacerlo…” Otro favorito es “Se me olvido”.

Como te podrás imaginar estas declaraciones me dejan un poco trastornada, la verdad sea dicha. Porque? Debido a Mr. Lougheed, no porque la vida pase despreocupadamente. DE hecho los días parecen pasar rápido, rápido. Como entrenadora, yo me apasiono asistiendo a las personas a “parar de dormir”. Esto es lo único que puedo hacer por alguien mas.

Al final es una decisión personal el “dormir” o agarrar el tiempo presente. Para hacer esas pequeñas cosas que pueden hacer una gran diferencia.

En que estamos tan ocupados? Que es eso tan importante que nos mantiene alejados de las cosas que deberíamos hacer para alcanzar nuestros sueños/ metas?

Si hay algo en tu vida que quieres que sea diferente, Yo te invito hoy a que te muevas conscientemente en el día al hacer las cosas que te traen alegría, o un sentimiento de propósito, y que están alineadas con tus sueños. Si estas listo, despierta y sacúdete! Hay mucho en la vida por vivir.

~ Sandra - La Diosa Feliz www.thehappygoddess.com

Este blog es amor taducido por Claudia Olmos.
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/claudia.olmos2

Who knew that this question would be a life lesson? In high school, I had Mr. Lougheed as my accounting teacher. Rumors were that he was really hard on students. In fact, I heard many failed his class. In hearing this, I made every effort to avoid having “him” as my teacher. Ultimately I did have him though. Today I am thankful, for he is one of the teachers that empowered two of my strongest traits: COMMITMENT & DETERMINATION!

Mr. Lougheed gave out a LOT of homework and had high expectations. One day, he asked me a question. Fearfully, I responded, “I didn’t get my homework done.” His reply, “Did you sleep last night, Filer?” Sheepishly, my response was, “Yes.” He quickly barked back, “THAT was your first mistake.”

Duly noted! I never made that mistake again in his class. I left class that day angry, embarrassed, and determined to “show him.” And, I did. From that moment forward, I completed all my homework, reading assignments, and answered questions correctly in class. I ended the semester with an A – and – went on to take the second level accounting class with … Mr. Lougheed! Why? Because he not only pushed me to a higher level of achievement, he recognized my efforts. He also pointed out (in his way) that doing homework (or anything in life for that matter) is a choice. At the end of the two years, he patted me on the back and said, “You’ll make a great accountant one day, Filer.”

I think about this time and time again as I plan my day, week, month, and life. Recently, I saw a commercial on television and the message was:

We each have about 25,000 mornings. What are you doing with yours?

Precisely! Great point. I am always amazed when I hear people say, “Oh, I didn’t have time to do that.” Or, “I am so busy, it just didn’t work out.” Followed up by, “I was just too tired to get it done.” Another favorite, “I forgot.”

As you can imagine, these statements drive me a little crazy, truth be told. Why? Because of Mr. Lougheed. No, because life is breezing by. Days actually seem to be going by faster and faster and faster. As a coach, I am passionate about assisting people to “stop sleeping.” However, that is all I am able to do for anyone else.

Ultimately, it is a personal decision to “sleep” or take the time now, to do those little things that can make such a big difference.

What are we all so busy doing? What is so important that it keeps us from doing the things that we could be doing to realize our dreams/goals?

If there is something in your life that you want to be different, I invite you today to consciously move through your day doing the things that bring you joy, a feeling of purpose, and are in alignment with your dreams. If you are ready, wake up and shake it up! There is a whole lot of life to be living.

Sharing the magic of Life and Love through the eyes of a happy goddess.
www.thehappygoddess.com

Cada una de estos seres vivientes en la naturaleza, comienzan con una semilla. Algunas han sido plantadas intencionalmente y otras acarreadas por el camino del viento o por un pájaro, o simplemente han caído de una planta madre. El suelo provee la base para que la semilla crezca. La lluvia y los rayos de sol nutren cada semilla pequeña. Haciendo una bella y maravillosa transformación.

Cuales son las semillas que tu estas plantando en este 2012? Que Nuevo crecimiento has presenciado? Como estas nutriendo tus intenciones? Es un tiempo maravilloso para continuar plantando tus semillas y crear tu jardín.Cada uno de nosotros es una expresión única, individual y bella del universo. Como las estrellas, el sol y la luna. Permítete a ti mismo brillar, florecer y prosperar. Yo veo lo bello que eres…lo mas importante es que tu lo puedas ver.

Con botones de flores, fragancia y alegría.

~ Sandra - La Diosa Feliz www.thehappygoddess.com

Este blog es amor taducido por Claudia Olmos.
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/claudia.olmos2

I thought about how this quote applies to my life. Amazing! Like Scarecrow, there was a point in my life that I felt ripped to shreds, guts exposed. I, too, was follow, follow, follow, follow, following the yellow brick road. I was skipping down the road, chasing the rainbow. Only to arrive at “the rainbow” and have it yanked back like a rug beneath my feet.

Plunk!

Like this quote and Scarecrow, fortunately I now see so clearly that it was my opportunity to rebuild myself. Which I did, along with my own Ellie the Good Witch, and a host of friends, divinely appointed for the task: Wendi, Keale, Charlsie, Jane, and Melody. These “characters” helped put me back together through their kind words, wisdom, love, and generosity.

They were there when my straw was scattered.

Indeed, I agree, the fall apart is an opportunity. If it hadn’t been for the “plunk,” I’d not be the “me” that I was meant to be.

Thank you, friends!

Sharing the magic of Life and Love through the eyes of a happy goddess.
www.thehappygoddess.com

This has been a common message for me over the past several weeks. Illustrations of this Universal message continue to come into my awareness. That being said, I thought I’d share with each of you.

Today, I watched a YouTube speech by Tony Robbins. He shared a great example of how a homeless man asked him for a quarter. In short, he looked at the homeless man, opened his wallet, and exposed bills and the quarter. He turned to the man and said, “Life pays you the price you ask for.” The man looked to Tony, the quarter, the wallet filled with bills and took the quarter saying, “You are weird!” It hit home for me thinking, how often am I asking for quarters when I could be asking for bills?

What are you asking for?

Tony went on to say that when we ask for more of something, we will get it. It is a matter of being specific in our focus on what
“more” means.

Another great example was provided by Andy Dooley at a recent workshop we attended. He shared that the reason we are able to manifest the parking spaces but not the other things we so desire is because we are lazy and lousy in our focus. Huh? He then went on to share that we are on one of two trains: bliss or bitch. We can tell which one we are riding by the results in our life. Pay attention to the stories that you are telling, as they will show you which train you are riding.

This can be easily summed up with a very well known Biblical quote, “Ask and you shall receive.”

Now get clear on what you are asking for and allow yourself to receive it. We’ve got the parking spots covered, it is time to kick it up a notch!

<3 The Happy Goddess … Sharing words of wisdom through the eyes of a happy, happy goddess. <3

During a Love Circle last year, we focused our attention on the creation of a Magical Creation Box. Pictured above is mine.

In looking at the photo, one of the prominate pictures is that of a retro mermaid that looks similar to a Cupey doll. I founds this image in a Cottage magazine. I fell in love with her. After all, isn’t she adorable? I proceeded to cut her out of the magazine and apply her to my box. Later, Kim said to me, “Wouldn’t it be cool if you actually found her somewhere?” Of course, I said it would be totally awesome, as she would fit right into our beach-themed condo.

While in Florida, on my magical island, I was at the flea market. It is a lovely flea market that happens only once a month. In 2011, I treated myself to an extra week on the island which resulted in me getting to visit the flea market a second time. Yeah!

The second time proved to be the charm because guess what I found? Yep. A little antique mermaid that looks really close to the one I asked for during the magical creation box exercise. And, the bonus was that not only did I get a little mermaid, I got a merman. Bonus!

Ask. Believe. Recieve:

If you’d like to learn more about The Magical Creation Box exercise, or have me lead your small group in creating your own boxes, please contact me. As you can see from this example, it is a powerful exercise - and, a whole lot of fun!

I love this story! After returning from Florida, it has been important for me to preserve my tan. As such, I renewed my membership with Darque Tan. On dreary days, it just feels so darn good to be under the lamps.

One day, I went too long and the result was a burn. Ouch! Not good.

Several days after, I returned to the location closer to my home. Not *the* location of the incident. When I shared with Chris what had happened, he gasped and said,

“Do you need a hug?”

I paused for a moment, not expecting that reply. Quickly, I recovered and said, “Yes! I can always use a hug.” Chris promptly said, “Well then, let’s get this matter of business handled first.” He then came from behind the counter and gave me a big hug.

How awesome is that?

Imagine what our world would be like if offering a hug would be part of the problem resolution.

Sharing life and love through the eyes of a happy goddess . . . .
www.thehappygoddess.com

As a child, Grandma would allow me to play “secretary” in Grandpa’s office. I would sit at this big desk and pretend to talk on the phone to clients. Prior to this, I would visit her bedroom closets and drawers to find my “costume.” Carefully, I would go through boxes and boxes of shoes to find just the right ones. Usually, they were this Asian-style pair that were delicately embroidered, with pointed toes, and shiny fabric. Going through her drawers, I would find baubles and beads to adorn my small self with. With the finishing touch being her mink coat. This was a ritual that we both enjoyed. Once Grandpa got home, all that stuff was placed into a drawer until his next day at work. The evening would end with dessert before dinner and neighborhood walks at dusk to glance into windows to see, “how everyone decorated.” Which, by the way, is something I still enjoy. Some things do not change.

During my late teen years, Grandma relocated to Florida. I found myself as a young adult, going there more and more often to spend quality time with her. I continued to wear her baubles and beads, shoes, and it also grew into her clothes and eventually, makeup. Ah, good times. The days of playing “office” were over. We moved instead into a space of enjoying fancy meals together, lounging at the beach, sunset cocktails, and long, long, long talks about my “problems.” And, something that continued were the walks at dusk to glance into windows.

What rituals do you share with people that you love that you can continue or share with others?

Interestingly enough, today I will be going to a fancy lunch. It just so happens that a very special little girl in my life just received a fancy new dress. Her wish was to go to “fancy lunch” with her Tia. So be it, and so it is. Today, on what would be my Grandmother’s 96th birthday, just as I did for so many years with her, I will put on the baubles and beads, shiny shoes, clothes and makeup, to dine out, have fun, feel pretty and maybe shop.

I know my Grandmother is really happy, I can feel it. For now I know, from personal experience, the joy she felt when she took me to the fancy meals. The ritual that she shared with me, that brought so much joy, and felt so incredibly loving, is now a ritual that I am able to share.

Interestingly, it is happening today on my Grandmother’s birthday. This is a ritual that feels really good, a sort of “pay it forward” experience. And, in a world where there is so much troubling us, it sure is nice to allow a happy ritual to override everything else.

May your day be filled with happy rituals!

This has become a funny sort of “catch phrase” for a friend and I.  We came to realize, in our conscious awareness and attention to word choices, that this particular phrase is used quite often.  Whenever we first greet each other to begin our connection, we sort of pause, take a deep breath, smile and say, “You know, there is a LOT going on.”

It’s true.  There really is a LOT going on.  This year is going by at a stunning rate.  It is already June! As time goes on faster and faster, the days streaming by quickly transforming into months, and months to quarters, it has been a year filled with things happening.  There have been really high highs and really low lows.   

Just this week, a long time friend texted to say that her husband had fallen down a flight of stairs and was airlifted to a hospital.  What? My friend would continue to text with updates.  He had blood behind the brain, a lung contusion, and had to be on a vent.  This all happened to them in one moment.  I was stunned.  My friend was scared. 

I sat with a few other friends this week as they shared with me their personal story.  The story developed as the result of a traumatic experience.  That one happening (in a moment) changed their lives forever.  

A desperate phone call came into me at 1:00 in the morning.  Something had happened and this person had “no where to go and no one to turn to.”

Yes! There is a lot going on.  The high times in life are typically easy to ride along with.  It’s sort of the “hands up in the air on a roller coaster” type feeling.   The low spots can be much more challenging.  We tend to turn to worry.  And, worry wears us down. 

The best tool that I have found in being there for someone else is to love and listen.  When I say that, I mean to get fully present and really listen to what they are sharing without judgment, interruption, taking it on, or feeling the need to fix it.  To really acknowledge that you have heard what they are saying.  This is powerful.  In doing so, it not only shows that you deeply care, it also provides the platform for them to work it out for themselves through the sharing.    

The next time you find yourself having the “there is a lot going on” conversation, I invite you to stop, smile, love and listen.  Then, release the worry to activate the prayers.

“Están pasando muchas cosas” Ama y Escucha

Esta se ha convertido una frase muy usual entre una amiga y yo. De repente me di cuenta de que esta frase en particular la hemos usado muy a menudo, siempre que nos encontramos. A manera de saludo y conexión, nosotros tomamos una pausa, respiramos hondo y comenzamos la conversación diciendo: “Sabes? Están pasando muchas cosas”.

Es cierto. Están pasando muchas cosas. Este año ha caminado a una frecuencia impresionante. Ya estamos en Junio! El tiempo pasa más y más rápido, los días se convierten en meses, estos en cuatrimestres y así. Este año en particular ha estado lleno de acontecimientos. Verdaderamente altos y bajos.

Tan solo esta semana, una antigua amiga me envío un mensaje de texto diciendo que su esposo había caído de un tramo de escalones y tuvo que ser trasladado vía aérea al hospital. Yo quede atónita mi amiga estaba muy asustada.

Tuve oportunidad de sentarme con otras amigas esta semana y conforme me iban compartiendo su historia personal, notaba que  la historia se desarrollaba como resultado de una experiencia traumática que había sucedido en un momento en el  que  cambio sus vidas para siempre.

Una llamada telefónica desesperada me llego a la 1:00 de la mañana. Algo había pasado y esta persona no tenía “a donde ir ni a quién recurrir”

En fin, están pasando muchas cosas! Los momentos “Altos” en la vida son típicamente fáciles de manejar. Es ese sentimiento parecido a cuando vamos con las manos en alto arriba de una Montana Rusa. Los momentos de “bajada” son los más desafiantes, tendemos a preocuparnos y la preocupación nos desgasta.

La mejor herramienta que he encontrado para estar ahí para los demás es AMAR Y ESCUCHAR. Cuando digo esto quiero decir estar completamente presente y realmente escuchar lo que te están compartiendo, sin juicio, interrupción o necesidad de arreglarlo. Pare realmente reconocer que tú has escuchado lo que te están diciendo. Esto es poderoso, al hacerlo no solo muestra que realmente te preocupas por tus amigos y seres queridos, sino que además les proporcionas una plataforma para que ellos mismos trabajen sus problemas a la vez que lo comparten.

La próxima vez que te encuentres ante la frase “Están pasando muchas cosas”. Te invito a que pares, sonrías, ames y escuches. Después libera la preocupación y activa las oraciones.

This blog is lovingly translated by Claudia Olmos. 

Este blog es amor traducido por Claudia Olmos.

~Sharing the magic of Life and Love through the eyes of a happy goddess.

 www.thehappygoddess.com