As I start my day and working on my to-do list, I am reminded again that I need to focus on what matter most and put those things first.  I know that so often I find myself jumping from thing to thing and then at the end of the day, week or month, I haven’t taken the time for those things that matter most.  I am working on it.  I remind myself to keep things in perspective and to take the time for Family, Fun, Fitness and Friends – my 4 F’s.

I’m curious, what matters most to you?  How do you keep those things that matter most a top priority?

My best to you for a Happy Wednesday! ~ Angie

“No matter how one may think himself accomplished, when he sets out to learn a new language, science, or the bicycle, he has entered a new realm as truly as if he were a child newly born into the world.” ~Frances Willard, How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle

Let’s talk about the importance of continuing education.  I’m not necessarily talking about the formal job-specific required CEU type of training – although that is important.  I am talking about learning that stretches us and makes us step out of our daily lives to learn and do something we wouldn’t normally do.  I am also talking about personal development by attending inspirational or motivational seminars as well as reading motivational books and magazines and listening to inspirational content on your iPod or in the car.

There are far too many people in the free world walking through life just getting by.  They are such creatures of habit that the rut they have made is so deep, they can barely see above it.  Day in, day out they do the same things.  They eat the same things.  They go to and from work the same way.  They talk to the same people.  They watch the same things on TV every week.  In that world of doing the same things over and over again they have lost their “color.”  To me, that person has become black and white in a world that is vibrant and in High Definition 3-D!  Don’t let that be you!

Break free from the dullness and try something new and please venture off the beaten path at least a little bit – I promise you won’t get run over.  To get started, I encourage you to write down three things you would like to change or do differently and WHY.  The why is critical!  Do this step quickly.  Don’t over think it.  Go with your gut.  It doesn’t really matter what you write down either, it may be a small step or could be a huge leap – it’s up to you!  Once you have the list, pick one and write down three action steps you can do to start the change process.  Maybe you want to learn a new language.  Okay, do you want to learn it in a classroom setting or would you prefer an home-study audio system?  You decide and then do what it takes to make it happen.  Don’t wait – do it now!

If you want to see a change in your life, then you need to make that change.  It’s that simple.  With each new step towards doing something new or learning something new, you will grow and become more fulfilled.  You will get your color back!

As a final note: If you aren’t willing to learn and grow, then stop complaining about things in your life like your job, your paycheck, your weight, your spouse…  Oh, that was harsh!  Right?  I meant it to be.  You – and only you – can decide to learn, grow and make the choice to be happy.  That may take some work, but hey, you may find that the work itself brings you joy.

Be the change you want to see in your life!  ~Angie

Hello there! I made it back! I have been in this strange far off land called Votesville, which is governed by one of the most powerful women in the world, Oprah Winfrey. This place had many people manically asking, pleading, shaming and coercing people into voting for their video audition so they might have a chance to be the next television star on Opray Winfrey’s new network – OWN. I have never ventured into a land like this before and I am grateful I didn’t have to go it alone. It was crazy there! I even found that I lost my own mind and did things I thought I would never do and yet, I survived! Not only did I survive, I came out stronger than before. Sure, I’m tired and I KNOW a few (or more) of my family and friends are tired of ME, but I just had to do it. Once I ventured in, I had to go in all the way! Thankfully I had a team of amazing people who made regular visits to Votesville and kept me company.

I would like to individually thank everyone who supported me over the past six weeks through their views, votes, and sharing, but I don’t know where to begin. I have a pretty good list of those that I know voted every day, but as the competition got more intense, I found that more and more people were part of the action and I lost track. If you are one of the maniacal Team Vote Angie voters, THANK YOU! Because of your hard work and belief in me, we made it to 14th place out of 9,504 contestants! That is AWESOME!! I would like to give a BIG virtual HUG to everyone who cast even one vote as each vote MADE A DIFFERENCE!

Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things. ~Author Unknown (A million little things revealed as votes!)

All my best to you! ~ Angie

What is surprising about this Saturday?  Well, since my professional life seems to be narrowly focused on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) “Your OWN Show” video audition, you can imagine my surprise is related to the competition. I am surprised by the number of people coming together to dedicate a portion of their day – every day – to vote for me! It’s a humbling experience and also an exhilarating ride in which I am eternally grateful!  Of all the things I have ever done in my life, campaigning for myself is NOT one of them.  I’ve always been the one to lift up others, to promote others, to encourage and shout from the roof tops for others’ causes.  Not now.  Right now it is about ME.  So why would I do this now?  Am I changing?  Am I beocoming self-absorbed?  I asked myself the same question, and then I realized that I haven’t changed my point of view at all.  What I’ve done is realize that through a bigger media platform I will be able to serve others better.   I put on the thinking cap of “What would I do to help promote someone else?” and then apply that to my OWN campaign.

So, here I sit day after day voting, tweeting, Facebooking, and emailing family, friends, and associates asking for their support and reminding them to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!  I know that getting a show on OWN is a long shot, but I am known to make the long shots.  I also know that the more people who see my audition video the more that will checkout my existing shows and that will help gain more listeners and viewers for my current guests.

There is something bigger out there for me and this is a chance for me to Make a Difference myself!

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” -Pamela Vaull Starr

Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others,

It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important,

Only you know what is best for you.

Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart.

Cling to that as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.

Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future.

By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give.

Nothing is really over … until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,

It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don’t be afraid to encounter risks, It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find.

The quickest way to receive love is to give love.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly,

And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don’t dismiss your Dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope.

To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don’t run through life so fast that you forget where you’ve been,

But also know where you’re going.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored every step of the way.

- Author Unknown

I wonder…

Am I on track?

Am I headed in the right direction?

Should I go that way?

What if I don’t go that way?

What if I do?

Where will I go?

What will I learn?

How will I change?

How will I grow?

Will I succeed?

Is it meant to be?

Who will come with me?

Who will stay behind?

Who will I meet?

Who will become my friend?

Who won’t like me?

Do I care?

Should I care?

Am I truly my authentic self?

Is the risk worth it?

What if I don’t take the risk?

How will I know what I missed?

Am I where I’m supposed to be?

I wonder what’s in store for me.

~ Angie Strader

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I am having one of those days in which I can actually feel the positive energy flowing around me like magic fairy dust with blessings as the little stars and sparkly stuff!  I can’t describe the feeling any better than that or tell where it’s coming from, but I can tell you it is definitely there.

There is peace and joy that comes with a feeling like I am experiencing today.  It’s like that warm fuzzy feeling I sometimes get, but I can usually readily put my finger on the source of where that energy is coming from.  Today, it hit me out of nowhere.  All of a sudden I had this knowing feeling that I am being blessed somewhere by someone and whoever it is, is either praying really hard for me or there is more than one at play here.

Okay, don’t think I freaked out here.  I usually don’t share this kind of thing in a blog post, but this is something different and unusual that I just had to share.  Have you ever felt such a thing?  I’m curious to see if this is something I’m learning to tap into through the work I am doing on myself and through the awesome connections coming into my life or if you think this is just a random warm happy feeling that is enjoyable, but doesn’t really mean anything.

Honestly, even if you told me it was all in my head I wouldn’t care because it is an amazing feeling and I don’t care where it is coming from.  I’m going to enjoy it and when (or if) it fades, I will welcome it next time around.

Magic or Manic?  You decide – and keep it to yourself!  Just kidding!  Your thoughts and comments are welcome.

~Angie

Enjoy the ride!

I was asked to be a guest co-host Girlfriends 2.0 Diva Toolbox radio show on BlogTalk radio yesterday with Cindy W. Morrison and the topic of  balance in your personal and professional life came up.  Those that know me well know that I believe that the whole concept of “Work/Life Balance” is crap is  unattainable.  I shared my thoughts on how life is more like a teeter-totter than a balance beam and then it got me thinking, and thinking and then the thinking turned into a dream I had last night… Anyway, I wanted to share with you a post I did some ago and would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.  I think I have work to do to help more women and men come to terms with being out of balance and still loving life!

Click the link below and let me know your thoughts on how you manage life’s ups and downs:

Question for you: Do you believe it is possible to achieve real work-life balance?

Click icon to listen to today’s inspirational message!

Today’s Quote

Anyway

~ Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

Today’s Tip

When in doubt…do the right thing!

Have a great week!

~ Angie and Joanie

Thoughts? Comments?

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Every now and then a song comes along that gets me pumped up and this is my current favorite.  I hope you enjoy the song and the video.  Those who know me will so get why I love this song!

If you liked this please share through Facebook, Twitter, Digg or other sites through the ‘share and enjoy’ below.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome.  Thank you!

~ Angie