Published January 7, 2011 | 
I spent two weeks over the holiday trying to come up with something to write for an "end of year post." I spent the last week trying to come up with a "New Year’s post."
I have a long list of accomplishments for 2010. I have an even longer list of Goals for 2011. And yet . . . I try to write them down and get
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I’m almost to the end of this journal (started Dec 1) and reading back, much of it was one long Hard Times Rant. ("I can’t post that!" I tell myself, "What will people think?!") Yes, even I think that sometimes too. Yes, even ‘Pollyanna’ gets negative and downright whiny.
Then last week, I watched a series of videos I found thanks to my friend Kay Wright (Virtual Done Wright). By the end of the 4th video, I found myself clicking the "Buy Now" button to buy the book ("Act NOW to get our 5-week study course!") What the . . . Why did I do THAT?
Now, let me tell you – I LOVE self-help books and videos. I follow Barbara Sher (Wishcraft) almost religiously. We watched The Secret last year and loved it. This idea of the power of positive thinking and Law of Attraction isn’t lost on me. On the other hand . . .
I’m less than enthusiastic about ACT NOW offers (*insert waving crazy hands*). Nothing makes me UNsubscribe faster than "this offer will be gone SOON!" (Except maybe lauch coaches saying "this offer will be gone soon!" and whining about how many launches there are going on at the same time as theirs. But that one just makes me giggle while I’m clicking UNsubscribe / UNfollow / UNlike.)
Another surprising fact – I haven’t had time to read a book in at least the last 6 months. Why was I buying another one?
Maybe something about this author reminded me of Barbara (always a good thing in my world of self-help manuals). Maybe her words made me think of The Secret, which I also enjoyed. Mostly, I think it was the 2nd video being at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. And what she said there. She reminded the viewer to Breathe. And meditate. And my little bit of Taoist beliefs came rushing in and settled over me.
Somehow that was just what I needed. Right when I needed to hear it.
Miraculously, the book arrived in only a few short days (if you knew our mail problems, you would know why that’s a miracle.) Even more miraculously, I’m already halfway through reading it. I start the 5-week self-study course next week.
And . . . miraculously . . . my Pollyanna attitude is BACK! She even mentions Pollyanna in the book too (and The Secret. and The Intention Experiment. AND Quantum Physics. Again, if you know me, you know I admire that.) I knew there was something I liked about this author besides her being a native of Fort Worth. 
"Who is she, what’s the book, and where can I watch these inspiring videos???" you’re asking.
Mindy Audlin of Fort Worth, TX
The book: What If It All Goes Right?
The videos: http://whatifitallgoesrightbook.com/
But . . . ACT NOW if you want to watch them! They’ll only be online for a few more days! (No joke. She mentions that in the last video.)
Published April 14, 2010 | 
Goooooooooooood moooooooorning, Vietnaaaaaaaam!
Well it’s not morning and we’re not in Vietnam, as far as I remember, but it probably caught your attention and that’s what counts. 
My name is Dean and I’m a slave…, er, assistant to Ms Kat who runs YellowRoseDesigns business. I’m here to update you about her work and to post generally cool stuff concerning her, her business and people, projects, and things she admires and likes. At least sometimes, when she is too busy to do it herself. I’m here to come up with ideas to help Ms Kat get the recognition she deserves. Which means – so much for the introduction, let’s get down to business!
A POLL. What poll you want to ask? A POLL ABOUT GIVEAWAYS. Should Ms Kat run some giveaways? If so, what prizes would you be interested in? Please, save your “rides, chicks and wine” for later. You’re in Ms Kat’s territory so you should definitely think about a prize from her works. Do you want her jewelry, T-shirts, journals…? Do you have any other ideas? Leave a comment, show Ms Kat some love and help her decide.
That’s all for now. Peace. Out.
Published February 27, 2010 | . . . You don’t quit playing
Last night I watched the Slovakian Olympic hockey team take on Canada. For anyone who doesn’t know, Canadians invented hockey. Playing on their “home turf”, the Canadian team clearly expected to win, especially after sending the Russian “Dream team” home with their tails between their legs.
At the end of the 2nd period, the score was 3:0, Canada. During the break, as they cleared the ice and both teams prepared for the final period, the announcers on CNBC declared Canada the winners. Even as the players skated back onto the ice – with 20 minutes left in the game – they said repeatedly, “It’s going to be Canada vs. the U.S. for the gold!”
Thankfully, no one gave that memo to the Slovakian team. They played the 3rd period with heart . . . and when they scored 2 goals, they forced the arrogant announcers to eat their words. As the clock ticked down the final seconds, and then the final milliseconds of the game, the Slovakians sent a 6th player onto the ice and scrambled the puck in front of the Canadian net. They were not going down without a fight. The game announcers, who had declared a clear winner 20 minutes earlier, suddenly changed their tune, “Whoever wins this game will go on to play for the gold medal.”
Like many people, I was cheering for the underdogs – Slovakia. Why do we do it? Why do we root for the underdog? Why not cheer on the “obvious” winner? Make ourselves part of “the winning team” too? Because somewhere, deep in our hearts, or our gut, we think, “Hell, if they can win against a country that invented the sport, and in that country’s homeland no less, maybe I can too!” Maybe I can be a winner!”
The game ended.
3:2, Canada
Canada had won, but the Slovakian team made them earn their place in the Olympic finals. The Slovakians did not go sit on the bench and give up when the score was 3 to nothing. When one of their players was knocked into the glass and hurt enough that it took longer to get back up, he did not sit on the ice with his head in his hands and cry. He got back up and he played. And he kept playing until the final buzzer.
Hell, if the underdog team can keep fighting to win, even until the last seconds of the clock run out, against a country that invented the sport, and in that country’s homeland, maybe I should keep fighting to win too! Because no matter what the score is . . . no matter what the odds against you are . . . you keep playing. You don’t quit. You don’t give up and go sit on the bench while there’s still time on the clock.
Thank you, Slovakia. You are True Olympians.
Slovakia will play against Finland tonight, 27 Feb, for a chance at the Olympic Bronze Medal, airing on MSNBC at 7pm PT. I’ll be watching. Will you?
Posted in Inspiration | 
dream, Inspiration, olympic hockey, Slovakia, underdog, win, winner, wish | 
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