Special people in a room....

Ever come across someone that is really special and you are just drawn to them ??
What makes them special, what is it about them that you just want to get to know more about ?

For starters, when you do come across someone you value and appreciate, let them know how you feel about them - letting them know not only makes them feel great about themselves, it has a wonderful effect if it is sincere.  Compliments are a great way to motivate people and quite honestly, everyone loves to receive one.  You can really make someone feel special with words...and you should at every opportunity !
 
So when you are connecting with people, what qualities stand out for you ? what influences you and what qualities do you consider to be of interest ??
 I am sure for all of us, different things draw us to different people, and that is quite alright....then you think some more and realize.....well if I am looking for these things in other people....am I also exercising the same special qualities ???  I am sure you are and you just don't know it......so here are my favorite ones that just inspire the life out of me........(i am hoping just about now - you are thinking about your list as well ).....enjoy !


1.  Genuine and sincere

When I am in someone's company, you really get a sense of their personality, how do they react to your needs, feelings and interests ??  There is nothing more sincere then showing genuine concern and you get that right from the get go from indivduals - if it is truly genuine ! Being considerate of others, understanding and supporting them in their efforts and challenges....something really special about that. Building trust and being honest goes hand in hand with coming across genuine, and making someone feel comfortable - they get what they see and others will quickly be responsive to you as a truly genuine individual....it's all about being authentic ! 


 2.  Energy

Positive energy not only attracts positive people, it just draws them to you....has a tremendous effect on those in the same room with you....they want to be with you, they want to know about you, they want to be just like you.....your positive energy impacts others in ways you have no idea.....your positive energy inspires, motivates  and gets you through the worst of days.  I love being around people who have this effect on me and thrive from their positive attitude and energy.  Things don't always go as we would like, but when you take on a positive outlook, you are able to get through successfully and bring about the result you were looking for....if you are excited, others will be excited, if you are interested, others will be interested.....when you walk into that room, you want to bring that energy that will attract others just like you in your network of people ! 


 3.  Passionate

Do you have that sparkle ?? How do you know ??  I am sure, you can walk into any room and you could probably pick out the passionate ones......it comes from within, and if you are passionate, you are truly motivated about what you do, there is no doubt about that - your level of enthusiasm and level of committment can be an incredible inspiration for others....you have to not only say, but you need to believe that....and if you believe that.....you are quite the inspiration !  You need to be the model on what you love to see from others....you cannot expect something you cannot deliver.  Passionate individuals drive their teams, their families, their communities, their friends, their networks to successful destinations you never thought would be possible......nothing more rewarding to accomplish than what you set out to do......I really believe you cannot teach someone to be motivated, but you sure can get them excited about goals and dreams !


4.  Driven

I don't know about you, but I have this zest for life and enjoy what I do....in whatever area or role you have -  you have to be really happy, and you have to be a go getter.  The beautiful thing about this is that you get others around you to join in - it's really contagious....there is nothing better than to have a great team around you and people you want to be and work with to plan and aim for the results you are looking for.  This can apply to the workplace, a voluntary organization and or any area of your life . If you are determined with a plan - you have the ability to take your purpose and make it meaningful to others. You are capable of bringing talented and motivated individuals together.... Your personality is one that people just love....who would not want to be around someone that is inspiring , motivating and has the ability to reach great heights of success !


 5.  Nurturing

We need to believe in others and what they are competent of....sometimes, they don't even know what they can do.....when you have that gift that you can see beyond what they can see - it is incredible.  We have gems amongst us and sometimes...all it takes is to invest some time in those that you believe in, help them find their way to greatness,  share what you see with them and what they don't see.  This exercise must be for me the greatest reward to see others personally succeed - and you can easily make that happen.  Believe in someone, guide them, & mentor them.  If you can recognize the importance of investing precious time and energy in others - they will grow and advance. They will find their success and become more than what they ever dreamed of !!!  You are an even bigger success in my eyes when you are happy of their successes - you are truly remarkable. Nothing better than to celebrate with those that are deserving !

Very special individuals come in different shapes and sizes, genders and cultures, but they all possess many of the same qualities I have highlighted....what are your favorite ones and who will you be reaching out to the next time you are in a room !!!

 

Try something new...

Have you ever been in a situation where you avoid doing things....just because you have a certain fear ?  Let's face it....the truth is, no one likes to challenge their comfort zones.  I am certain I am not the only one....and I am also certain I am not the only one either to find the strength to challenge yourself in whatever you put your mind to. 

One of my biggest fears has been heights -  and throughout the years I learned that you have the strength to change it around. Every person has different thesholds of comfort level, and coming out of your comfort zone must probably be the scariest feeling.  I know it was for me, but I also know that in order to enjoy and live in the moment, I had to focus on enjoying what I was doing.   We can probably all set the example that we can do more than we thought we can....believing in ourselves is  probably our biggest motivator.  The greatest joy is to push and free yourself from the limitations you have set up for yourself.   My advice to you is not to be afraid to try something new.  All you need is some courage and motivation.

So, going back to one of my biggest fears. A few years back, we were in Paris, France. We were not going to be there for very long as we were just stopping by on our way home and all decided that we wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower.  You might know where I am going with this.....located on the Champ de Mars....the Eiffel Tower is one of the most well known structures in the world....it is 1050 feet in height  and was the tallest man made structure in the world until it was surpassed by the Chrysler building in New York.

Millions of people climb this magnificent building every year, and I wanted to be part of this statistic.
I remember, when we travelled with our friends to Las Vegas, we all decided to go up on the top of the replica - Eiffel Tower at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel ( I thought that was high) - with all the excitement - I forgot all about my fear of heights...until I realized we were taking a long time in the elevator to go up and suddenly felt a knot in my stomach.  This meant it was a long way up.  Let's just say - my back never left the back of the wall while we were up there !  Being in Paris, I owed it to myself to climb the tower and be rewarded with the stunning view of Paris. There was so much to see with all its monuments.  I just had to enjoy the experience.  There was many times while we were waiting to go up, that I had second doubts....and a few times.....I decided that I was not going up - it was just way too high up.  Ofcourse my family was not very helpful, since they said that if we were going to go up, we all had to go together.....although I would be  just fine waiting on the ground floor. That was not an option, so I decided, I was going to take baby steps - I was going to go up to the first two levels and then decide.  I tried that - it was not so bad. On the first floor, it was very relaxed, with so much to enjoy with the history of the Eiffel Tower and and the gallery to take in the buildings and monuments.  It had a circular view over Paris.  I was just amazed with all there was to see. I knew I wanted to see more, and this was just a tease. The glass lifts offered us a panaromic view of the tower on the way up - it was just stunning, being somewhat distracted with the experience, I made it to the second level and started to question myself if in fact I would be able to take the lift to the highest level. After taking some photos and just getting comfortable with the height we were at.....it was time for us to take the lift all the way up.....I was going to make this happen.....yikes !

I could not believe it - once we got up, it felt like I was in a plane with the view - only difference was we had the option to be in the open air or under the roof.  It was breathtaking.  What an amazing view of Paris....the scenery looked just like a painting. Using the panoramic maps all around the top of the tower, we were able to locate our position and get an idea of the directions and distances to major world cities - I was fascinated.  Wow...just imagine - I was able to explore the Eiffel Tower, something I wanted to do for a long time, something I would have never done if I did not come out of my comfort zone ! I am definitely going back to Paris for more !


So, the next time you want to try something new, don't hesitate, go for it....the reward is worth the experience.  The lesson I learned was that we can really do what we put our mind to !  No matter what age.  So be the example and push past your limits !   You will be pleasantly surprised.
 

 

View from top of Eiffel Tower

how far away we were

lights came on by the time we got down



distance to all destinations in the world

selfie just before going up on Eiffel Tower
 

 

 

CEO in the house...meet Mom !: Shout out to all moms - what you really want to k...

CEO in the house...meet Mom !: Shout out to all moms - what you really want to k...: Moms are really superheros....if you have not figured that out by now......it's true.....they have many many roles and demands on a m...

Shout out to all moms - what you really want to know....

Moms are really superheros....if you have not figured that out by now......it's true.....they have many many roles and demands on a mom is overwhelming .....she is the driver, housekeeper, doctor, teacher, fashion designer, cook, event planner, homework buddy, school lunch mother, volunteer, clothes picker upper, friend, disciplinarian, taster, shopper, organizer, role model, banker, dog walker, cabano girl, gardener, support system....and the list goes on and on....In addition, Moms like to know everything.....that's the way it just is......you can't blame us ! As a mom raising boys.....loved, loved every minute.....so much fun and so much work..... I got to experience another side I never had any idea about...boys and sports ! wow what a combination. I also realized that each child is different and love their individuality, who they are and what makes them special.  Moms are very overprotective...did I say overprotective ?? just for the record -  all moms like to protect  our children - to keep them safe and help them understand the important and valuable lessons of life.

All moms want to navigate the school year with as much organization and success as possible....and have somewhat of a schedule or a plan.....it might not always work out, but at least, there is a plan of the week and everyone knows more or less what will be taking place.

Especially if you are a sport mom, your life just got superbusy tenfold, you spend lots of times in arena's, fields, and facilities where you are hanging out with lots of other moms.....we spend lots of time - talking about our kids and all the fun raising them, our day to day challenges and just the ordinary school day follow-up !What I have learned and observed is really simple -   all moms want to be in the know....all the time....Moms do a pretty good job to balance work life and family life - not easy, but totally devoted to raising their children when they have made that committment. And that means that they will go to great length to make it their business about their kids whereabouts.

So ever wonder.....what moms really mean when they are asking certain questions.......

here is a list I have put together.....over the years we establish our own dictionary of mom language....this would be a great time to take it out and dust it off....I am sure at the next dinner with my boys, we will probably talk about this list, have a few laughs....I look at it this way....memories are priceless, nothing makes me more proud than to have asked these questions and being a difficult mom.....I think in the end....my boys understood why i was asking them ! (and maybe secretly thanking me )

So back to this list and back to school - there are changes happening in every household this time of year... and ofcourse the questions you ask and want to know will have a different meaning for different ages. Summer is pretty much wrapping up.....moms get their children ready for back to school.....moms go back to work, teachers welcome their students with open arms......and moms go on mommy patrol all through the year.....to all moms out there and mommies to be and grandmas....there is a universal language between us. The role we play has an unbelieveable impact on our children....and one day, when they become parents, they will ask those same questions and really want to know exactly what we want to know now. We all play a key role for generations to come.....that is just the way it is - your every action to nurture, teach, appreciate, love and build your family will bring you years of beautiful memories.....so on this labor day , I salute all moms for your efforts and the next time you hear one of these questions....what are you really asking ??  I especially am thinking of my mom today and all her questions !!! love you mom and miss you !

here are my favorite questions.....and what I really want to know.....which one is your favorite.....share what you really want to know ? All moms need to stick together.....

　

• Where are you going ? you want a detailed itinerary....with whom, times, how long staying, have you been there before

• who are you going with ? do I know them ?

• I have not seen so and so for a while ? what has happened ?? a quarrel ?

• what time are you coming home ? is it going to be past midnight ?....( first six months driving, would not be able to sleep)

• are you taking the car ? who are you driving exactly, can't have any drinks, are you the designated driver ?

• Am i picking you up tonight ? please dear god don't make it a long night....

• Who's picking you up ? do i know them, who else is going to be in the car ?

• do you have any homework ? why are you not in your room doing your homework ?

• on the way home, can you make a stop for me ? I really need for you to pick up the dog food...

• I am on the way home, can you put the water to boil ? can you make spaghetti ?

• Did not have the chance to clean up the kitchen, are you busy ?....can you put away all the dishes from the dishwasher ?

• Are you planning to swim when you get home ? Can you clean the pool ?

• oh, do i know your friend ?? I want to meet friend, invite them for dinner soon...

• don't you have something else you can wear ? not particularly thrilled about what you are wearing, can you pls go and change ?

• we have a wedding in 2 weeks, are you coming ? need to confirm our attendance, clear schedule.....(haha...they gotta love our family get togethers )

• do you have plans this friday ?? we are having a family dinner night...don't make any plans !