For almost half a century, I've had a love affair with Hawaii. It's a beautiful place that became the 50th U.S State on August 21st, 1959. This story of my experiences and the road to Lahaina is a very personal one. The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major volcanic islands and these are their native spellings - Hawai'i, Maui, Koho'olawe, Moloka'i, Lana'i, O'ahu, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets in the North Pacific Ocean. Located about 2,000 miles … [Read more...]
Embracing Change in Life
Embracing Change: How to Define Your Life's Path Have you thought about the path you wish to take in your life, from this day forward? I've shared my thoughts around "living outside the box" and the significance of embracing change as a strategy to live a lifestyle by design, so this concept may be top of mind for you. My first name - Connie - comes from Latin and means "constant; never changing." I used to say that was the reason I so disliked any types of change and could not imagine … [Read more...]
Morning Habits to Rule Your Day
Simple Morning Habits That Will Make Your Day Shine Have you ever thought about the concept that creating morning habits would help you to rule your day and accomplish more than you ever thought could be possible? Morning habits and routines were not a part of my life during my first half-century as an inhabitant of our planet. Planet Earth, that is. Instead, I allowed my days to unfold on their own. Although I wouldn’t realize it until many years later, what I was doing was truly a recipe … [Read more...]
Ten for Flinching
It was an exceptionally warm morning, and my thoughts were on the story I'd begun outlining before leaving home. I had coupons to redeem at the drugstore and decided to pick up a few things before going back home to my writing. Creating stories that people could relate to in some way had become my reason for living. I took a cart and placed my large purse in the front. My shoulder had been bothering me and I didn't want to aggravate it any more than necessary. I opened the store's app on my … [Read more...]
Do or Do Not… There is No Try
Do or Do Not: What the Action Takers of the World Know is NOT a Secret I write in the still of the night. Although I will never identify as a "night owl," I know that when my brain shares a story idea it's best to get it written down and not expect it to still be fresh in my mind in the morning. I also do this for product and course ideas. Taking massive action at the most inopportune times has given me a lucrative, time freedom lifestyle. It's like we learned from Yoda - "Do or do not; there … [Read more...]
Life Outside the Box
Life Outside the Box is the Only Life for Me! I can remember the exact moment when I first heard the expression "living life outside the box." It was 2005 and I was ready to change my life completely. I asked friends and family members if they knew anyone who had completely changed their life. To my surprise, they did know people who had left jobs and careers, moves across the country, and created lifestyles that made more sense for them. One couple had left the corporate world and … [Read more...]
Spiritual Retreat Vacations
Spiritual Retreat Vacations: Nurturing Creativity and Well-being for Writers and Business Owners In the demanding worlds of writing and business, finding time for self-care and rejuvenation can often take a backseat. However, investing in your spiritual well-being is essential for maintaining creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. Spiritual retreat vacations offer a transformative experience that combines relaxation, introspection, and spiritual practices to help writers and … [Read more...]
Being on the Same Wavelength in Life and Business
What Does It Mean to Be on the Same Wavelength as Another Person? Being "on the same wavelength" as another person means that you both share a similar understanding, perspective, or way of thinking about a particular topic or situation. It implies a sense of mutual understanding and agreement, as if your thoughts and ideas are in sync, leading to effective communication and rapport between individuals. I've experienced this with various people throughout my lifetime, but the feeling always … [Read more...]
Parallel Universes
Parallel Universes As Augmented Reality A recent conversation with a friend and colleague took an interesting turn. At some point, he said that he thought he needed to be more realistic about his expectations for his life, and that he now felt that he had wasted many years going after dreams that did not pan out. This thinking came at a time when he was quite vulnerable, as his nephew had recently drowned in a boating accident and the family was grieving this devastating loss. My … [Read more...]
Storytelling As a Strategy: Tracy Chapman Fast Car
Tracy Chapman made her debut as a singer/songwriter in 1988 with the release of "Fast Car". This heartfelt song is described as one that tells a grittily realistic story of a poor working woman trying to escape the cycle of poverty, set to folk rock music. I thought it would make an excellent Case Study for you, whether or not you have already embraced storytelling as a strategy to connect with your audience. We all have stories to tell. This is also how we are able to connect with others in … [Read more...]