Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I love lucky charms! It is sugary sweet, yet, when you get down to it, no true substance. They taste good, but the goodness in your life isn’t derived from them. They give you a quick boost of sweetness, but if you don’t have sweetness in your life, that feeling will quickly dissipate. I rarely eat them, but smile when I see that leprechaun smiling and reminding me just how lucky I am.

Do you have a lucky charm? How about a favorite coin you keep in your pocket? Or perhaps a rabbit’s foot, or do you wear lucky underwear?

Do you consider yourself a lucky person? Or have you caught yourself saying “I wouldn’t have any luck if it weren’t for bad luck”? When you go about your day, listen to what you say to yourself. Do you say “I’m excited as this is going to be amazing?” Or do you catch yourself saying “here we go again.”

Within you at this very minute is where you luck lives; your thoughts. When you honor your highest self of love, joy, brilliance, creativity, and peace, ‘luck’ begins to flow. You find yourself in the right place to meet the right person, hear the right words, taste the right food, and live in joy. When you live your highest self, you are excited and joyful as others live their dreams and you share in the excitement of their ‘luck’.

Affirmation: I create my luck by knowing life is full of amazing possibilities.

(S)he Said:

“Luck is what happens when preparations meets opportunity” ~Seneca

“Luck is believing you’re lucky” ~Tennessee Williams

“The day you decide to do it is your lucky day” ~Japanese Proverb

“Each misfortune you encounter will carry in it the seed of tomorrow’s good luck.” ~Og Mandino

Soulful Links:

Lucky ~ Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

Wishing I Was Lucky ~ Wet, Wet, Wet

With a Little Bit of Luck ~ My Fair Lady

For the next week I invite you allow your luck to flourish by:

Focusing on the goodness in your life and I mean every situation. Seek the good out of a contrasting experience and celebrate the good in an amazing experience.

Appreciating the fact that you always have a choice how to react to any situation in your life as lucky or unlucky – you choose.

Loving yourself through each experience in your week.

Forgiving yourself for having fear based reactions as contrasting experiences simply help lead you to what you do want. The less you beat yourself up on the past (which could be five minutes ago) the more ‘luck’ will come to you.

Mostly, my wish for you is a week filled with the absolute knowledge that you are an amazing piece of a worldwide jigsaw puzzle of humanity that is coming together. And when you see yourself fitting into this worldwide puzzle, you will be your lucky charm.

Until next week, here is to a heaping full bowl of your lucky charm – YOU!

Keep living big, loving big, and laughing along the journey.
~ Carol

Looking for a way to stay focused on Living Life Fulfilled? Make sure to surround yourself with people who lift you up, inspire you, support you, and simply love to laugh and have fun.

Focused Family

Teaching Your Children Law Of Attraction.

Welcome to Focused Family, our monthly newsletter on teaching the law of attraction to children.  We’re very happy and excited that you’re here. Each month we’ll share a parenting tip, a game to play, and a powerful child manifestation story to keep you inspired and focused on created the best possible family.

I’m so happy and grateful to share this work with you.  Until next month… dream big and keep focusing on what you’re wanting.

 Life is good, Steffani

Quote:

“Your children will see what you’re all about by what you live rather than what you say.” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

Parent tip of the month:  Energy, Attention and Focus! 

What are you including in your vibrational space? Do you know? Well what are you putting your energy, attention and focus on? Whatever the answer….that’s in your vibrational space. Are you day dreaming about a vacation? That’s in your vibrational bubble. Are you talking about a future experience or past experience? That’s in your vibrational bubble. Are you worrying about something? That’s in your vibrational bubble. Are you focusing on the bad weather, a sick coworker, a bad customer service experience? That’s also in there. Think for a minute about how often you worry about your kids. Do you want to include that in your vibrational bubble? We all know that we can’t attract or vibrate for someone else. So what does worrying do?  Does it affect them? No. But it does effect our vibration. And it effects what we’re attracting for everyone around us. It effects what we’re manifesting. So give some thought to what you’re putting your energy, attention and focus on. What are you talking about, thinking about, looking at, dreading? Change the negatives to positives and you’ll attract more of what you’re wanting. When conversations come up that are not welcome in your vibrational bubble. Change them. When you start thinking about things that are not welcome in your vibrational bubble CANCEL them. And move on to bigger and better thoughts and conversations. Only you control your vibration. Only you control what you’re attracting. You are a deliberate attractor. You can consciously create the life of your dreams by putting your energy, attention and focus on that dream life. Lead by example and show your kids that you’re putting your energy, attention and focus on all things good. They’ll be encouraged to do the same.

Monthly game:  Dinner Affirmations

When I am asked to create powerful affirmations I do. When I’m not asked I don’t. Kids are the same. If we ask them to participate in something, and keep it consistent, they’ll oblige. Sometimes right away, sometimes eventually. So what are you asking of your kids? What kind of rituals and traditions have you created? Are they positive and fun? Do they align with LOA? Here’s an idea you can add. If you spend a few nights a week having dinner with your kids, no matter what their age, ask them to create a new powerful affirmation each night. Tell them one of your latest and greatest powerful affirmations.  Don’t be afraid to share it. Then ask them to create one. It could be something pertaining to their school work. “I’m a straight A student.” “I work hard on every one of my history exams.”  Or something more personal that might be pertinent in their life. “I make friends easily.” “I’m very popular in a positive and helpful way.” You might start by asking your kids: “What are you working on in your life right now?” Or “what do you want to improve in your life right now?”  Then help them create an affirmation around that. It can become your new dinner routine. When you’re setting the table you can ask, “Are you thinking about your latest and greatest affirmation?” “Have you been saying your last affirmation often?” “Do you have something in your life you want to work on tonight?”  This can start as young as kids can talk. And it can last until they’re adults and beyond. J The basic tip for a good affirmation is, keep it positive, keep it present and keep it in the first person. So, I have or I am is better then I want or I will have.  I also like to ask one question of my affirmations. And that is, is it true?  Do I really feel like that can happen? If my affirmation feels like a load of bull, then it’s not going to get me anywhere. If there’s at least a hint of truth to it then it will work for me.  For instance, I have never considered myself a good cook. So if I had a new affirmation that said “I’m an excellent cook” That wouldn’t work for me. My subconscious would say “BS!” Instead I might set a new affirmation of “I enjoy cooking healthy meals”. Or “I cook healthy meals that taste great”. Both of those are true and believable to me. So that’s an easy leap. And it will get me where I’m wanting to be, which is to be a good cook. Help your kids to develop a new affirmation every night you share dinner together. They’ll enjoy it and get better and better at creating powerful affirmations in their lives. And with all those powerful affirmations floating around, ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE.

The latest and greatest Kids Manifestation Story:

My son Jack is 18 months old.  And he is a POWERFUL manifestor. We started giving him some Pedialyte (baby Gatorade) when he was young to keep him hydrated. And he LOVED it. He has since always had a bit of Pedialyte in his water. He doesn’t drink straight water very well because of it. Our doctor said it was no problem but if we wanted to stop the Pedialyte we should just stop it, cold turkey. So we decided to make a change. We were traveling to Mexico for a week long vacation. And we started just giving him Milk and purified water. He didn’t seem to protest very much.  But you could tell that when he drank his water he would look twice at it, wondering where the flavor was. We were only there a few days when Jack got a little infermo (sick). We took him to the doctor and although he was given a clean bill of health we walked out with a prescription for….yep, you guessed it, Pedialyte. Just a few days without his beloved Pedialyte and he suddenly has a doctor prescribed order for it. What a powerful little man! I can’t wait to see what he asks for next.

Do you have any kid’s manifestation stories you’d like to share.  E-mail me at steffani@postive-focus.com  I’d love to hear about your powerful kids.

I’m so happy and grateful to share this work with you.  Until next month… dream big and keep focusing on what you’re wanting.

Life is good,

Steffani

Steffani Fort LeFevour is an actress, a fitness specialist and an expert in the law of attraction and living your best life. She has been teaching the law of attraction to kids and adults for over 8 years and applying it in her own life for over 20 years. Her passion is to help others to focus on their ultimate lives and consciously create the life of their dreams.

 She is a board member at Positive Focus, a 501c3 Non-Profit dedicated to empowering people to live life fulfilled through the provision of Service-Charity, Mind-Body-Spirit, and Fun-Social events, workshops, resources and services.

Welcome to Choice Airlines where we honor the choices you make on living your life. We offer four different flight options: Grounded, Turbulence, Possibilities, and Joy. Choose your flight for today and know that you can upgrade at anytime.
 
Hi, I’m Captain Compassion and I will be your pilot today on aircraft Grounded. Please fasten your seat belts to feel secure. Rather than showing a movie, we’ll be listening to some relaxing music to help calm you. We will taxi around the airport but at no time will our wheels leave the ground. This flight is simply to prepare you to feel secure and know it is okay to be afraid. When you allow yourself to feel these feelings rather than degrading yourself because of them, you will move through them quicker. When you start feeling safe and secure and trust that you will always be supported on Grounded, I will share some information with you about our two other flights, Turbulence and Possibilities. And perhaps at the end of our flight, I’ll tell you about a dream aircraft we call Joy. Know that you are not alone as you see other passengers squeezing their arm rests. Look down the aisle into the cockpit and see compassion is right here to support you. Look out the window and see if you can see Turbulence. If you can’t yet, that is okay as you are right where you need to be for now.
 
Hi, I am Captain Hope and this is Captain Fun and we will be your pilots today on aircraft Turbulence. Please fasten your seat belts as the weather is forecasted to be stormy. The in-flight movie we’ll be showing is “Twister” as it demonstrates how inner turmoil becomes your outer reality in a fun and entertaining way. Although our take-off might be rough and we will barely clear the trees, I promise you, we will clear them. We might go through some strong air pockets, but I promise you as the flight continues you will build confidence that you made it through the last bank of clouds for some calm skies and you will make it through this one too. Eventually, Captain Fun will have you laughing through the air pockets as the aircraft suddenly drops and then settles into a smooth flight pattern. You started this flight wondering if you should have stayed on Grounded, yet as time passes, you are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
 
Hi, I’m Captain Peace and I will be your pilot today on aircraft Possibilities. Our flight today is interactive as all of you will choose how high we fly and the weather conditions we will face. When you take the controls of your life and realize that contrasting experiences are there to grow from and remind you of what you do want out of life, amazing possibilities open up to you. Our in-flight movie is “You Can Heal Your Life” as it walks you through a better feeling place to thrive and fly high. Look below you and see how you made it through turbulence. Look within you and find peace. Look above you and see joy.
 
Hi, I’m Captain Love and I will be your pilot today on aircraft Joy. Joy is first class treatment all the way as you’re loving life to its fullest. We will be flying up to 65,000 feet off the ground with no particular destination as we see all aspects of life joyful. The in-flight movie we’ll be showing is “Heaven Can Wait” as your heaven is here NOW. We will go through some turbulence and be grounded to refuel, but all is well, as you simply know that joy lies within the journey of life. Look below you and see possibilities. Look within you and see love. Look above and see the vastness of living your life fulfilled.

 Affirmation:  I continue to fly high knowing I am loved and loving.

 (S)he Said:

“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche

 ”Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.”
 ~ Mary Kay Ash

 ”You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.” ~ Chinese Proverb
 ”How blessings brighten as they take their flight.” ~ Edward Young

 Soulful Links:

Fly Me to the Moon ~ Frank Sinatra

Fly Away ~ Lenny Kravitz

Fly ~ Sugar Ray

For the next week I invite you to fly first class by:
 
Reaching for a better feeling thought however you currently feel.
 
Loving yourself regardless of how you currently feel.
 
Appreciating your yesterday, being at peace with your today, and getting excited about your tomorrow.
 
Mostly, my wish for you is to find acceptance and fun in the bumps in life and to honor yourself as you are a unique person who is love, kindness, compassion, and lots of fun!
 
Until next time, thank you for flying with Choice Airlines and we look forward to you joining us again.

Keep living big, loving big, and laughing along the journey.
~Carol

Coming soon I will be organizing a cooking/serving event opportunity where we will go to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter to provide, prepare and serve dinner for 35 residents of this shelter.I’m sure you have a favorite comfort food, ethnic or vegetarian meal you would love to share with the LPCS guests one weekend. Stay posted to the calendar for details. I recently became a Night Supervisor at LPCS and had my first overnight experience. It’s truly a home environment complete with meals.

Ways to serve LPCS besides food: Acetaminophen and Excedrin, men and women’s gently used clothing and shoes, personal care items, bus passes, breakfast items, coffee, tea, magazines, movies, twin bedding and blankets for their bunk beds. I would be happy to drop off any items you would like to donate, so just let me know.

Gives Back Ideas: We are always looking for Co-Organizers so please contact me if you have a gives back idea you want to help bring to the PF community.

Global Free Hugs IV is off to wonderful roll, with people from all over the world participating. We need your help to contact more huggers!  Do you have friends or family in another part of the world?  Do you have Facebook friends from other parts of the country or world who you could invite to participate?  Send them the Link to Positive Focus.  Send them one of the many YouTube videos of Free Hugs Events.  It’s a wonderful free warm gift to share with anyone who passes you.  I cannot explain the warmth and love I feel when a hug is shared with a total stranger. Instant friendships are made and the world is somehow different.

Hugs to you and I look forward to seeing you at a PF event soon!

Cathy
cathy@positive-focus.com

Upcoming Gives Back Events:

Operation Sack Lunch After Work Social, Tuesday March 16^th from 6:30 to 9:30pm at Cathy’s House on Wells Street in River North.

Free Hugs Event, Sunday, March 21 from 1pm to 3pm at the Old Water Tower on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

GIVER PROFILE:

NAME:  Cathy Landerholm

CITY:  Chicago

I volunteered at these PF Events: Free Hugs, Feed the Homeless, Sack Lunch Social

I volunteer because: I get an enormous positive feeling to be able to give back in ways that make a difference to someone’s life.  Where financial donations are not always possible, I can do much by volunteering my time and efforts.

My favorite volunteer experience: Getting to know the guests at the Rogers Park Kitchen. They have become like family to me.

When not volunteering, I like to: Cook, go to outdoor festivals, backpacking trips, skydiving, camping, fishing, hiking, beach volleyball, Opera!

You might be surprised to know: I used to teach ballroom dancing at Fred Astaire Dance Studios and in 2005 I ran the Chicago Marathon for the first time and did it in 6 hrs and 19 minutes. Yes!

What our Givers are saying:

Food Service:

I loved that everyone enjoyed the food, the smoothies and the biggest blast was the assembly line to prepare the 30 lunches. Lots of laughs for all

Such a great idea to make food for the homeless while getting to know each other too. Thanks Cathy for putting this together.

Good News Community Kitchen now looks to Positive Focus Members to answer the call when needed. I am so proud to be a part of a group with so many dedicated members who know the need in our community, and would give up their time when needed. We all get so much out of this.

Free Hugs:

A little cold weather, but was comforted by warm hugs!

It was cold, but as always still a great event.

The best, as always!

Its a wonderful opportunity to spend a couple hours on a Saturday or Sunday, greeting people from all over the world, sharing a smile, a laugh and most certainly a hug. This really does have a profound affect on so many people, including yourself! That’s what keeps me going month after month.

Haiti Fundraiser:

The sale of some very beautiful artwork brought in some much-needed funds for Doctors Without Borders and we had a great time socializing, eating, and being entertained.

Awesome event for a great cause! Kudos to Rossi and everyone that helped arrange this event.

Thanks Rossi for hosting this event for such a worthy cause.

I am so very grateful to all of you who helped make this event a big success! Love

Our World:

I got lots of the big stuff picked up but much of the smaller litter was frozen to the ground. We’ll go back when it thaws a bit.

Inside activities for me this month – getting rid of some clothes and will donate soon.

Gives Back Events Offered:

Complete Details: of our Gives Back Offerings are on our events page, so check there and RSVP where your are drawn to assist. I promise you that it will be a worthwhile event and have you coming back for more!!

Free Hugs: Twice a month (1^st Saturday’s, 3^rd Sunday’s, and occasionally additional dates) we spread kindness by the simple gesture of a free hugs at Old Water Tower Park, Michigan Avenue and Pearson St.

Good News Community Kitchen: We meet at their Rogers Park location to serve food to the homeless.

Operation Sack Lunch & Social: Join us monthly for our kid-friendly event with a entree for the potluck food to include in the sack lunches we’ll be preparing to deliver to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter (LPCS). It’s a great time to get to know the PF community better as we eat, drink, laugh and prepare 30 sack lunches to deliver to the LPCS to distribute to their guests.

Our World: First Sunday’s of the month offering you an opportunity to help beautify your space in the world. It can be 5 minutes or five hours. Just imagine if everyone chipped in to clean up in their community from their personal home, neighborhood, city, etc.

RSVP: Although we appreciate you honoring your event RSVPs, when we are working with another organization that is counting on us to provide volunteers or other services it is imperative that you keep these commitments. Certainly emergencies come up, but if you need to cancel, please alert the event organizer ASAP so your position can be filled.

Foundation building can involve research, meetings, visioning, paperwork, people, places, money, and so on and on and on. Getting all the pieces together to create your dream can seem daunting and create uncertainty in even deserving them. Sure paperwork will most likely be needed as you want to meet laws and regulations. Sure other people, places, and resources might be needed. But the foundation I am talking about is the foundation of love, faith, compassion, and belief. Build YOUR foundation of ultimate belief in yourself, love for yourself, and trust in yourself, and as you build your dreams from that space, your foundation will allow those dreams to soar. Your unwavering foundation will see the contrasting experiences as growth opportunities rather than setbacks. Your solid foundation of love, faith, and trust will bring those insurmountable feelings into bite size doable tasks and fun tasks.

(S)he Said:

“Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.” ~ Nicholas Murray Butler

“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.” ~ Zig Ziglar

“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.” ~ Thomas Kemptis

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” ~David Brinkley

Soulful Links:

Foundation ~ Kate Nash

For the next week I invite you to build your foundation by:

Being gentle with yourself as beating yourself up for perceived failures, missteps, or misdeeds only keeps you in that space of lack. Honor those feelings, but don’t live in them.

Surrounding yourself with people who inspired and support you to be and live your best.

Loving you, others and life. When you work from a space of love, amazing experiences are grander and contrasting experiences are softer.

Mostly, my wish for you is a week of fully becoming aware of your inner power and letting it shine bright for others to emulate.

Until next time, reach for the stars, knowing your foundation is loving, trusting, sturdy, and fully supporting you! \

Keep living big, loving big, and laughing along the journey.
~Carol

BOOK CLUB [ We’re starting Michael Losier’s “The Law of Connection” on March 4th and it’s a good one! Those who attend the four sessions will have the opportunity to be involved in a teleconference with Michael. And don’t forget, we are hosting him in Chicago in September, so join us in March and be reading to meet him in September. To learn more about him, visit his website: http://www.michaellosier.com.

NEWLY ADDED EVENTS:
03.03 Compassionate Communication with Shantal
03.04 I Can Do Anything with Shantal
03.14 Whirly Ball with Rashida and Huzefa – you need to sign up by this weekend to guarantee a court.

PF CALENDAR:
Check out what we’ve recently added and what’s coming up soon. We’ve got so much going on, and we’d love to see you join us! RSVP HERE and please update your RSVP if plans change so we can best prepare and allow others to join.

7-DAY PF OUTLOOK:

FRIDAY:
Join Dave for Friday Night Lights - an informal fun focused group to play moderate skill level and very good natured volleyball each Friday night in February.

SATURDAY:
Join Preston for OCEAN OF DEVOTION – Sound Healing Gong Concert. Ocean of Devotion is a gentle-but-dynamic 70-minute acoustic group concert meditation.

SUNDAY:
Open day – or at least right now it is. 

MONDAY:
Join Carol for POSITIVE + get a dose of positivity added to creating your dreams and desires in this supportive, fun, and informative group coaching session that meets twice a month.

TUESDAY:
Join Preston and Emily for Synthesis - a small weekly meditation that offers an opportunity to safely explore individual and group consciousness.

WEDNESDAY:
Join Marilyn for a study/support group discussion on THE SEDONA METHOD: can show you and your organization how to tap your natural ability to let go of any unwanted thought, feeling or belief in the moment.

Join Shantal for COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION: a new support & study group based on Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s work and book, “Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.”

THURSDAY:
Join Carol and Steffani for BOOK CLUB – THE LAW OF CONNECTION – Michael Losier is a LOA expert and gives you the tools to incorporate into your life. It looks like we’ll be able to have a teleconference with him after we finish the book too!!

Join Shantal for I CAN DO ANYTHING Expressing your authentic self to create the life you love!

FRIDAY:
Join Carol for PF FUN – FUNKADESI @ WILD HARE: “This ideal party band … also bears messages of togetherness … The rhythms of Indian Ragas and reggae have striking similarities, while the Latin, African and contemporary funk that’s spicing this one-sound, many-voices stew fits the all-world melange to a tee. Whatever your background, there’s music here for you.”

ON THE PF HORIZON:
(Check the calendar for details)

6th:
Join Carol for Free Hugs
Join Preston and Emily for Give Peace a Dance

7th:
Join the world for One World
Join Lena and Chris for Living In Attraction Discussion Group

8th: Open day – or at least right now it is.
9th: Join Rossi Tuesday Teachings – Eckhart Tolle and Course of Miracles – an ongoing group discussion.

10th: Open day – or at least right now it is.

11th: Open day – or at least right now it is.

PF EXTRAS:

VISIONING: We’re excited to let you know that we are currently looking for a space for Positive Focus Place that will allow us to have a physical location for our events, workshops, services and a book store! Tax free donations will be used for this space along with our programming. Although we are in the incubator stage, it could hatch before you know it through intention, belief, and amazing possibilities! If you are interested in helping us manifest this vision, please email pf@positive-focus.com or click here to donate on our website.

Our Vision: To spread positivity globally through virtual and physical communities allowing people to see love over fear, abundance over lack, diversity over differences, and peace over conflict.
To inspire and empower each person we see through personal demonstration and shining a light to their inner power.
To see the world as 1 person 7 billion times rather than seeing the world as 7 billion people.
To be kind, compassionate, and have lots of fun and laughter along the journey.
To personally demonstrate a quote we hold close to our hearts:
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~ Gandhi

Positive Focus, a 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Chicago, inspires and empowers people to live a life of fulfillment and positivity with unconditional joy, love and abundance through the provision of Service-Charity, Mind-Body-Spirit, and Fun-Social events, workshops, resources and services. For more information, visit: www.positive-focus.com.

Have a fantastic, positively-focused outlook, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Shantal and your PF Events Team

We are currently seeing the world’s greatest winter athletes live their dreams as they compete in the Olympics. They have trained for hours and hours a day, years upon years to realize their dreams and we get the pleasure of witnessing them. We literally put them on a pedestal and give them a bronze, silver, or gold medal to acknowledge their accomplishments. I admire their athleticism. I admire their perseverance and drive. Mostly I admire that they are living their dreams!

 You might not be a world class skier, or perhaps can’t even ice skate, but you can be a world class YOU! Take a moment and put your dreams and desires in your own Olympics. See yourself winning that gold medal for whatever your best life looks like. How does it feel to be on that stand with your friends and family cheering you on as witnesses to living an authentic life filled with love, laughter, health, abundance, and happiness. When you live your truth and not what you think others expect of you, you are a gold medalist! When you put your head on your pillow each night and can smile knowing you gave life your best, you are a gold medalist. When you can forgive yourself and others for possible missteps along the journey and get right back up to realize your best life, you are a gold medalist! All the Olympic athletes have fallen, have gotten hurt, have failed, have cried, and perhaps even wanted to quit from time to time. Yet each new they had to live their authentic selves and live that dream. Living your best life is truly golden to me.

AFFIRMATION: Each day I choose to show the world my very best.

(S)he Said:

“Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.” ~ Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

“More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.” Napoleon Hill

“One secures the gold of the spirit when he finds himself.” ~ Claude M. Bristol

Soulful Links:

Heart of Gold ~ Neil Young

Fields of Gold ~ Sting

Fields of Gold ~ Celtic Woman

Band of Gold   ~ Freda Payne

For the next week I invite you to be a gold medalist in your life by:

Appreciating the slips and falls along the journey as there is value in the contrasting experiences too. It’s easy to appreciate when you are winning your race, but appreciate that you participated whether you won or lost.

Loving what is, loving what was, and loving what will be.

Focusing on all the good in your life from the smallest events to the largest experiences as when you focus on goodness, more will come.

Mostly, my wish for you is a week to really become aware that you are an amazing person. There might be seven billion people in the world, but there is only one of you, so live it up, love it up, laugh it up.

Until next time, live your dream and wear your gold medal proudly.

 Keep living big, loving big, and laughing along the journey.
~Carol
 
Looking for a way to stay focused on Living Life Fulfilled? Make sure to surround yourself with people who lift you up, inspire you, support you, and simply love to laugh and have fun.

Love is in the air as Valentines Day approaches. Some people look forward to Valentine’s Day with excitement and anticipation on what their sweetie might get them; while others lament over the idea of not having a significant other to share the day with. Whether you are in a relationship, or single, you already have a valentine – and that is YOU! Look in the mirror and say, “will you be mine?” Will you choose to live your life fulfilled? Will you choose to see the greatness in you and let it shine for the rest of the world to see?
 
Regardless of the circumstances of your outer reality, inwardly is where love starts. Enjoy the perfection of your imperfections as there is only one you in the universe. Love where you’ve been as it’s brought you to today. Love where you are now as it will catapult you into tomorrow. Love where you are going as there is excitement in the journey as there is in the destination. Be your own best friend. Be your own valentine. Simply put – will you be mine?

 Affirmation: Today I choose love for myself, for others, and for life.

(S)he Said:

 “What you want to do, and what you can do, is limited only by what you can dream.” ~Mike Melville

 “When all’s said and done, all roads lead to the same end. So it’s not so much which road you take, as how you take it.” ~Charles de Lint

 “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” ~Oprah Winfrey

 “Many times a day I realize how much my own life is built upon the labors of my fellowmen, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.” ~Albert Einstein

 Soulful Links

 Be Mine ~ David Gray

 Baby Be Mine ~Michael Jackson

 To Be My Baby ~Bon Jovi

 For the next week, I invite you to be your valentine by:
 
Seeing your individuality and being proud of what you bring to the table of life.
 
Appreciating past and present experiences as through appreciation life becomes full of love.
 
Believing in you! You are the star of your own movie of life, so go win the Oscar!
 
Mostly, my wish for you this week is to see the love that you have for others and shine it on yourself. :)
 
Until next time, share your heart with the world and your heart will be full of love.

 Keep living big, loving big, and laughing along the journey.
~Carol
 Looking for a way to stay focused on Living Life Fulfilled? Make sure to surround yourself with people who lift you up, inspire you, support you, and simply love to laugh and have fun.

Global Free Hugs IV – we are in count down stages of global free hugs. Invitations to previous huggers and finding new hug locations is in the works. If you have suggestions or want to help us spread the word, email us at globalfreehugs@positive-focus.com. 

 Live, Love, Laugh, Hug 

Carol  

Name: Hello!  My name is Maura and I’m a Chicago native…However, I have lived in 3 other states but continue to find my way back to the south side.   

1. I volunteered at these PF events: Free Hugs 

 2. I volunteer because: It’s the Free Hugs event(s) that have led me to PF.  After watching several videos and hearing of a coworker’s experience I knew I had to find out how I could be a part of such a wonderful thing!  I wanted in!  After a few Google searches, I discovered PF J  My favorite volunteer experience… 

3. My favorite volunteer experience: Hmmm…Well, it would have to be the first time we (my two boys and I) attended a Free Hugs Sunday. My older son (7) was vehemently opposed of the whole thing, “You can’t make me do this! I’m not going to talk to anyone! This is boring!”.  I told him that he did not have to do anything that made him feel uncomfortable and could sit quietly and draw or read a book. My intention was to stay for just an hour.  Not even 10 minutes after we arrived, my four year old whom is QUITE shy wanted to pretend that he needed a hug.  “Ask me, Mom. Ask me!” and he would walk by, I would ask him if he needed a hug and he would walk over to me with his arms open…and of course I gave him a great big squeeze.  Not soon after, Liam (4) was standing next to me and would “help” me give hugs to passers-by.  Meanwhile, Aidan (7) who was brooding on the sidelines is witnessing all of this.  I notice him begin to tear pages out of his sketch pad…He has created his own “FREE HUGS” sign for his brother to hold.  I could hear Aidan whispering, “Hear, Liam…Hold this…higher!” Because Liam always does what his big brother tells him, Liam began to display his own sign…and received quite a warm response!  It was not long after that Aidan began to hide behind me and sort of offer himself up to be hugger by those whom I hugged.  However, this lasted a short time…Aidan and Liam announced they wanted to stand across the way from me. They both were holding signs over their heads and bellowing, “FREE HUGS!!!!! WHO NEEDS A HUG!!?!?” When it came time for us to go, Aidan would plead, “Just 5 more minutes! Just 5 more minutes!” What a wonderful day!  It had such a profound affect on me and my children…It was also amazing to watch those individuals who didn’t feel comfortable hugging a grown-up but were willing to accept one from a child.  I don’t think we stopped smiling the rest of that day J 

 4. When not volunteering, I like to: When not volunteering, I LOVE to bake bread, knit, read and will be running the Chicago Marathon this year. 

5. You might be surprised to know: One might be surprised to learn that actually…I’m kind of shy.  

January events: What our Givers are said:   Free Hugs:

      Always in all ways, this is one of my favorite events.

 Feed the Hungry, Feed the Soul:

     I truly enjoyed helping to serve others in need. it was a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.

      This is a great way of giving back to the community.

      It was a wonderful evening of helping others. Very warm vibe.

      We had more than enough people, but there was something to do for everyone! What a wonderful turnout.

      PF Gives back event Feed the Hungry, Feed the Soul, is a wonderful event. You get a chance to roll up your sleeves, do a little hard work and share a smile. It feels good to try and help make a difference in people’s lives.

     This is such a warm place to be, the positive and hopeful energy and family like relationship with the guests is unbelievable. I wish I had more time to be with these people.

About PF Gives Back: PF Gives Back positively allows people to live life to the fullest through serving others such as Free Hugs, Random Acts of Kindness, and volunteering for other social service agencies, and much more.

JUST ADDED:
February 12th: Chinese Energetics free demonstration

7-DAY PF OUTLOOK:

FRIDAY:
Join Dave for some friendly play at FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – VOLLEYBALL – Traditional play “bump, set, hit/spike” and lots of fun is to be expected.

SATURDAY:
Join Carol for FREE HUGS: as we have so much fun hugging twice a month, so if you haven’t joined us yet, come on out. Even if it’s just to observe, take pictures for us, or get a hug and leave. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Join Preston, Emily and other PF members for GIVE PEACE A DANCE – Dance, join the outdoor drum circle around the fire pit, get a session with a bodywork, or simply chill out and relax the evening away.

SUNDAY:
Join Carol for OUR WORLD – our first event of this monthly time to clean up your world. Whether it is five minutes or five hours, your home, your yard, or your neighborhood, get out there and beautify your place in the world. How can you refuse? Anytime during the day, five minutes, five hours?

Join Lena and Chris for LIVING IN ATTRACTION DISCUSSION GROUP – a monthly discussion focused on applying the Universal Laws to everyday life.

Join Carol for SUPER BOWL PARTY – Bring something to share, a fun attitude, and lets watch some football!

MONDAY:
Open day – or at least right now it is.

TUESDAY:
Join Rossi for TUESDAY TEACHINGS – ECKHART TOLLE & COURSE IN MIRACLES – an ongoing group discussion on an author/teacher that allows you to live your life more fulfilled.

Join Preston and Emily for SYNTHESIS – a small weekly meditation that offers an opportunity to safely explore individual and group consciousness.

WEDNESDAY:
Open day – or at least right now it is.

THURSDAY:
Open day – or at least right now it is.

FRIDAY:
Join Dave for some friendly play at FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – VOLLEYBALL – Traditional play “bump, set, hit/spike” and lots of fun is to be expected.

Join PF member Paul Wong for CHINESE ENERGETICS This 90-minute free demonstration will teach you the benefits of a natural, non-touch, energetic method from tai chi, gi qong, and martial arts practice.

ON THE PF HORIZON:
(Check the calendar for details)

13th: Join Rossi for Art Fundraiser for Haiti.

14th: Open day – or at least right now it is.

15th: Join Cathy for PF Gives Back – Sack Lunch and Social.

16th:

Join Madelon for Tuesday Teachings – Byron Katie – an ongoing group discussion.

Join Preston and Emily for Synthesis – a small weekly meditation.

17th:
Join Carol for Positive+ – a bi-monthly group coaching session.

Join Marilyn for The Sedona Method - a study/support group on the book and technique.

18th: Join Carol for Book Club: The Law of Connection by Michael Losier.