Category Archives: Change and Personal Empowerment

Part 1: Seven Steps to Keep from Getting Stuck in the Wrong Pot

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Today’s question is, “Have you outgrown your pot?”  or “Is your pot in the right spot?” Let me explain.  Sometimes we don’t notice that we are stagnant because the process of growth is so gradual or the people around us and in the same pot as us enable or discourage us from rocking the boat.  The seed does not instantly become a tree, the mineral does not rapidly become a stone, and the human embryo does not reach perfection all at once.  We are designed to keep growing and growing, and growing.

To Stop Growing Is to Begin Dying

Although growth is a natural gradual process and requires patience, we must be clear, the goal is always to progress, to perfect ourselves, and to keep striving to become the best we can be.  No matter what our age or accomplishments to date are, no one should ever choose to ‘stop growing.’ That’s the point when we begin to die.

It Is Our Vision That Gives Us the Will To Keep Growing

Look around you, there are dead people everywhere, (vision-less, goal-less, and unhappy people).   The Bible states that, “Where there is no vision the people perish.”  It is our vision that gives us joy and the will to keep growing, striving, serving, and living.  Outgrowing your pot simply means that you are no longer growing, progressing, feeling like you are making a difference, or moving ahead. To continue reading Part 2 of Seven Steps to Keep From Outgrowing Your Pot, All Living Things Are Growing or Dying, click here http://wp.me/ppImQ-gS

Barbara Talley is a workshop leader, keynote speaker, author, and publisher who speaks and writes on value-based living themes.

A Leap of Faith Is Not Risky

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What “risky” venture is exciting your senses or calling to you? Remember, it’s not considered a risk when you are stepping out on faith.  It is a risk when you are making fear-based decisions.  Faith is a much more powerful motivator than fear. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?   What dream is whispering to you now to not give up?

About a year ago, my sister called me to ask my advice on a life changing decision she had to make within 24 hours.  Her job of over 25 years had given her an ultimatum, move across the country to keep her job or be unemployed.  Together we weighed the pros and cons.  Of course it was a difficult decision to make in light of the current economy.  I thought she had decided to make the move.  My final words to her were to just make sure that her decision was faith-based instead of fear-based.  Those words must have resonated with her, because the next day she informed me that she was “stepping out on faith,” and remaining in her own home, familiar surroundings, and using the year of severance pay to finish her Masters Degree.

Take the Leap of Faith In Spite of Your Fears

Fear abounds everywhere so it may be harder to find people willing to encourage  or support you to take “a leap of faith.”   Everywhere people are telling you to take it easy. Don’t rock the boat.  But what if the boat is crowded, going no where, going in the wrong direction, or slowly sinking?  Do you just hold on until it sinks or start swimming now?

You May Have to Take Your Faith Walk Alone

2009 was an extremely challenging year for me.  I had tremendous pressures on me and at times could not see a way out, so I just prayed harder and held on.  I got by, so to speak, “on a wing and a prayer,” and “with a little help from my friends.”  I had to make some serious changes, set some new goals, and go into uncharted waters. At times I couldn’t get encouragement from my most trusted friends.  The economic times made them think about survival instead of thriving.   So I had to go within, and purely on faith, take my faith walk alone.  Jumping from the boat was scary and perhaps even risky, but I knew I had to be true to myself.  That meant continuing to hold on to my dreams and not giving up.

Barbara Talley is a speaker, author, and poet who speaks on the themes of vision, values, and virtues.  Her life mission is to help others live a more meaningful life.  For more info or to book Barbara to motivate your audience, check out her website.  www.thepoetspeaks.com

A New Day: A New Blessing

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This morning as I watched the beautiful shades of pink, gray, and gold painted across the sky at sunrise, I couldn’t help but think of how blessed we are.  I felt grateful and remembered the Bible’s promise that “A grateful heart attracts blessings.”  The dawn of each new day symbolizes promise, order, wonder, and beauty.  Each new day is a gift holding within it unlimited possibilities to create, observe, appreciate, and serve.

I uttered my favorite dawn prayer from the Bahá’í Writings, “Illumine my inner being oh my God with the splendors of the dayspring of thy revelation, even as thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of thy favor.”

Prayer in the morning protects me and puts me on the right track.  The words of God awaken, open, and excite my heart and soul, the same way that the sunrise delights my physical eyes and humbles me.  I think to myself how blessed I am to be a human being, to have the potential to mirror the attributes and qualities of God, to be so valued and trusted that I have been given free will.  With this power, I can create or destroy, love or hate, believe or fear, take from others or serve them unselfishly.  I pause and feel at this moment that I am blessed and highly favored, just as every other person is.

So many people are asleep, or if awake, are too busy scurrying about to notice this wonderful gift of awe and beauty.  I’m in that same category some of the time myself.  But this morning, I stopped and recognized and acknowledged this daily gift from God and felt refreshed and privileged.  The sunrise is just the beginning of the gifts that the aware will notice throughout their day.  With each step we can appreciate the ability to move.  With each sound we can be grateful for our hearing.  With each smile we give and receive we can be thankful for our ability to touch others and feel their warmth and love.  With each thought we can be thankful for our ability to create new realities.  Haven’t we been taught that the reality of man is his thought?   With each word we can encourage others or depress or sadden them.  We can spread hope and joy or fear and doubt.  As humans, we have a choice, that’s what makes us human.  But, with this choice and blessing comes great responsibility.  We are here to grow, mirror the qualities of God,  and make things better.  Today is a wonderful new day and it’s ours to do as we wish.  I’m determined to make mine magnificent, what about you?

Barbara Talley is a professional speaker, poet, and author.  Her presentations focus on vision, values, and virtues.  You can find more about her programs at www.ThePoetSpeaks.com

How Are You Handing Change?

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Continued from Part 1: 5 Changes That Can Dramatically Change Your Life – http://wp.me/ppImQ-d2

We Must Face Change with Courage, Resolve, and Hope

Now the question for you is how are you handling change?  Are you being swept up into the winds of change and enjoying the journey or are you fighting it and falling back into your old familiar routines.   The past as we know it is gone.  We’ve got to embrace new technologies, learn new strategies, and be open to new possibilities.  We must face all this change with courage, resolve, and hope.  If we do, we will be the leaders.  If we don’t, the dizzying  rate of change will consume and paralyze us.  Fortunately, you are not alone.  Help is all around you.  Reach out to others going in the same direction that you are and turn this seemingly uncontrollable chasm of chaos into a journey of joy!  I’ve written a book that focuses on change called On Track, On Fire, and On Purpose.  It discusses three critical tools for harnessing the power of change, your vision, your values, and your virtues.  You can purchase it on Amazon.com or from my website www.thepoetspeaks.com.

5 Changes That Will Make a Dramatic Difference

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This article discusses five changes that can make a dramatic impact on your life:  And, the good thing about them is that you don’t need to wait for someone else to start realizing the benefits.  Your future is in your own hands.

The first change we must make has to do with our health.  We must make it a priority, do our own research, and take care of our bodies. 

The second change has to do with taking care of others.   Is there someone in your life that requires your support and nurturing now?

The third change is to begin preparing for your next job right now.  With the lightening  speed of change, who knows when opportunity will knock.   You’ve got to be ready and poised to make a move.  So make sure that you take advantage of educational offerings and stay at the top of your game.  While others may be pensive and fearful, you must remain positive, focused, and productive.

The fourth change has to do with interpersonal skills.  People who get along with others tend to have longevity in organizations.  Be sure to appreciate and work well with diverse people.  Be a leader and set small goals to learn more about the diversity in your organization.  Don’t wait until a specific national emphasis month; instead incorporate learning about others into your daily routine.

The fifth change is to prepare for the future.  Start putting into place backup plans for your retirement and future well-being.  Are you learning to live within your means and spending less and saving more?   With all the fear in the air, it’s easy to get paralyzed, confused, and apathetic.  But, for leaders and winners, change implies, taking charge.  And, those that take charge are noticed and rewarded! We have a choice; we can be swept up by change or we can learn to face it, embrace it, and manage it.  We must be firm, yet flexible at the same time.  Spencer Johnson’s #1 bestseller, Who Moved My Cheese tackles this subject with humor and insight.  If you haven’t read it already, you’ll want to read it. It inspires great thought and offers a wonderful perspective on how to deal with change.  In it he uses four characters, Sniff and Scurry and Hem and Haw to represent the search for cheese in the maze of life.

Continue Reading Part 2: Handling Change   http://wp.me/ppImQ-d5

Barbara Talley is a Poet, Author, Publisher, and Keynote speaker who speaks on Time Management, Goal Setting, Empowerment, Communications, Diversity, Leadership, and Women’s Issues. To book Barbara for an event, phone 301.428.4831, email her at barbara@thepoetspeaks.com or visit her website www.thepoetspeaks.com.

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