Several years ago we pulled into a parking lot and saw a beautiful creamy yellow Rolls Royce convertible!  Our curiosity about the car drew us over to take a peak when, to our surprise, a voice bellowed out from the car.  "Step away from the car", it instructed.  It was amusing and effective - we laughed and stepped back from the car, continuing to admire it from a distance!

Wouldn't it be great if we had a commanding voice inside us that instructed us to "step away" when we started to do something we know we shouldn't?  "Step away from the cookie jar!"  Or how about "Put the shoes back on the rack!"  The good news is that we all have the voice inside us.  So next time you think you are going to succumb to temptation, just summon up your most commanding voice and tell yourself to "Step Away!"

Stay tuned, and as always, I welcome your ideas and comments.

Karen

My Daddy is dying.  Since we got the news that he is beginning to shut down, I have spent a lot of time this week thinking about the gifts that I got from him - my musical talents, the ability to tackle any project with a "Can Do" attitude, never accepting that there were limits to what I was capable of doing. 

I also inherited some of my more challenging traits from him - my appetite, my "Missouri Mule" subbornness, and a little bit of temper.  Those traits - those less-than-desirable habits of mine - are part of my legacy from my Daddy. 

It is all too easy to say we can't change a habit because it dates back to our childhood, or to say "well that's the way my family does things".  But believe me when I tell you this.  Just because you grew up with certain habits does not mean those habits cannot be changed.  With a clear idea of what you need to change, a plan for how to make the changes, and a system for holding yourself accountable for following through, you can change your habits - the habits that will become the legacy you leave for your own children.  That is motivation enough for me!!  How 'bout you?

Stay tuned, and as always, I welcome your ideas and comments.

Karen

Do you remember when you were a kid watching cartoons on Saturday mornings?  I used to like the ones where the character was pondering a particular action and there would be an angel on one shoulder encouraging the character to do the right thing, and a devil on the other - well, you get the picture!  

Every once in a while I picture that devil on my shoulder leading me astray - telling me to ignore what I know is the right thing to do.  And I have to admit, sometimes the path of least resistance is to give in to the devilish voice. 

So what do the little angel and devil on your shoulder have to do with achieving transformational change in your life?  LOTS!!  Changing our habits - and that is what leads to transformational change - is a matter of choice.  Day after day choosing to make the bed, or hang up your clothes, or go for a walk, or put that cookie back in the jar, or . . . .

What is your challenge today?  What habit do you have that you want to change?  Decide today to change it, and then hold yourself ACCOUNTABLE for following through on that change, day after day after day.  YOU CAN ACHIEVE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE!  It's your choice!

Stay tuned, and as always, I welcome your comments and ideas.

Karen