I recently attended a presentation given by Phil Borges at the Time for Our Power Conference. I had previously seen his amazing book, Women Empowered, Inspiring Change in the Emerging World. When I heard him speak I was moved to tears.

He shared stories of women from across the globe who are fighting all odds to make a difference in the lives of women and in the world. Through his extraordinary photographs he captures the spirit of courage these women embody; through his huge heart he offers the world hope and offers real steps forward. I encourage you to learn more about Phil, his photography, and his passion.

www.philborges.com

In what creative ways can we not only feel our gratitude, but express it?
Isn't that what it is all about?

If you showed up today as an EXPRESSION of GRATITUDE what would that look like and whose life would you touch?

How creative can you be in that expression?

How would BEING gratitude enhance your life?

A personal share and a dedication to Jay:
As I write these words, gratitude looks and feels like ... a smile that reflects living life with an amazing partner.

Saying thank you for being you and sharing how very blessed I am to be in this life adventure with a man I admire so much.

Saying thank you for holding safe space for me to be me

and

Saying there are not the words to capture the magic that defines the gratitude I feel for you !

To my readers I ask, How creative can you be in your expression of gratitude?

Change happens.... it’s inevitable. As John F Kennedy so aptly said, “The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.” Here is the key – how we navigate change determines where we end up and in very real terms the quality of our lives. I would go so far as to say, the person who masters change, masters happiness.

Now, I can pretty much guarantee that your education on this topic was like mine.  There were no classes on how to handle change; no birds and the bees type conversation from my folks on change. Yet experiencing lots of change is natural and inherent in living life.

Proof that Change is Constant

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that those folks who were born between 1957 and 1964 held an average of 9 jobs between ages 18 and 36.
• The US Census Bureau indicates just under 50% of marriages end in divorce
• 16%  - of all US households will move this year, which means new schools, new lives, new routines

It’s exhausting to think about!  These statistics touch on jobs, marriage and relocation. Other changes might be the birth of a child, a child leaving home, a change in health, a natural disaster, a fabulous new relationship or the ending of a painful relationship.

To get through change, welcome or unwelcome, we often tighten our seat belts and hold our breath until the dust settles on the other side. In that process we miss powerful opportunities to grow through change and become more empowered by the experience. How might we spend our time traveling the path of change more wisely? The journey might look like this:

1. To begin with, we’d stop for a long, thoughtful assessment of what is unfolding. We’d get real.
2. With a clear view in our sights we’d become intentional, willing adventurers on the journey. This is much better than dragging our heels kicking and screaming.
3. We’d document the days, our feelings and our “Ah Ha” moments in a Change Journal. Having a place to process unedited and unfiltered is important.
4. We’d carve out time to simply be. The whirlwind that kicks up around change can choke out all life and blur all perceptions. Quiet time in solitude can help settle those winds and the dust.
5. We’d become visionaries, getting really clear about where we want to arrive at the end of the change and who we want to be in response to it.
6. Finally, we’d surrender to the GAP. That place in between when finding our footing is tough, when the changing landscape leaves things hard to recognize. We’d trust that we can and will emerge with fresh insights and new gifts.

Contrast the ideas of handling transitions (large or small) with clarity and intention and what most people do: react to whatever hits them next in the process. The end results are dramatically different.   Spend your change wisely and over time you just might become a change master!

If you are one of those intrepid travelers hesitant to take your first step into social networking, I have to say I am so glad I am not alone. Not that it is that hard but in my mind it is one more thing to learn about, more passwords and accounts to set up, more tech stuff in this non-tech head of mine.

Ah, another great opportunity for a learning experience. Don't ya just love it? Ok, so what would playing in the field of social networking look like?

Here goes ...

You can now find me on

• Squidoo
  

• DIGG
• Del.icio.us
• StumbleUpon
  
• Furl
  
• Diigo
  
• Blinklist
  
• Folkd

• Technorati Profile

Pretty good for a start and this is a small peek at a big list. How did I get this far? I added
Author Marketing Experts
to my team! They are helping me spread the word about my book on the internet in a wide variety of ways. Penny and her team are amazing and I highly recommend their PR services!

When a woman I admire so much steps into my life to play at this level, I know I am doing something right!

Michelle Yozzo Drake is a powerful executive coach, talented author, and a very wise woman with a huge heart. That winning combination is hard to come by and is what sets this extraordinary woman apart from the rest.

Click here to watch her video
testimonial on
The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living

I am continually amazed when I open my email and pick up my phone these days. Lots of fun surprises! I never know where news of my little book will pop up next. I thought I'd share just a few of the latest features (and an opportunity for you to get a signed copy and a beautiful poster):

The Woman's Field Guide a Small Press Bookwatch at none other than Entrepreneur.com!

Story Circle Book Reviews - "... This book may help you escape the daily grind and stress of your job or environment. Any chapter will guide you through a potentially life-changing adventure."

Morgan James Publishing:Hit top ten sellers in June

Your Fabulous Life Review

Wise Woman E-zine Featured Product

Bestseller in June at Books on First

Creekside Coffee House Best Picks for June

ShelfAwareness, Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade, May we recommend ...

In The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living I share this quote, "The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post." by L. Thomas Holdcroft. The operative word here is guidepost. In what ways can we learn from, be guided by, our past in order to move into the future in an empowered way?

What if we apply this question to our belief systems and relationship with money. A wise woman once wrote, "Many of us find it more difficult to talk about money than sex, death, or even childhood abuse. In fact, money may well be the last taboo in today's society." The author of these words is Olivia Mellan and she has a powerful gift to give anyone wishing to upgrade their money awareness.

Through the resources she shares at www.MoneyHarmony.com, her critically acclaimed books, and her money coaching Olivia helps people to dispel the money myths that may be ruling their lives and to set out on more informed and more balanced financial footing.

Here is one example: Is the topic of money "up" for you? Take Olivia's free Money Personality Quiz and get a real eye-opener.

I had the privilege of hearing Olivia speak and spending time with her a few months back. Her warm heart and tremendous passion shine through in all she does. She is a woman I am proud to spotlight!