Re-Boot the Basics – WRITING

by Sheila Askov

Please add SPONTANEOUS WRITING to your Bucket List.

This exercise has a couple of harmless-sounding rules:

  • You must keep writing for 10 minutes without stopping, even if all you can think of to write is how much you hate this exercise.
  • You’re not allowed to cross out or correct anything that flows from your pen.

When I started writing I discovered my internal ‘censor’ kept my pen from actually scratching out my truth. I’m not sure what caused me to break into a sweat, but my discomfort was real and according to my blood pressure…measurable.

It must have something to do with my childhood training, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”, combined with the current ‘politically correct’ climate permeating society. I was shocked at the magnitude of my ‘need to please’. I imprisoned myself with impossible expectations. There’s nothing I can write about without offending someone. Statistically…many will ‘beg to differ’.

The growing pains are worth it.

Today, I love the freedom of spontaneous writing. It’s my 10 minutes, my feelings, and my opportunity to vent.  Afterwards I can tear it up, shred it, read it to my family, or if an impressive nugget of wisdom happens to sneak out…I can find a way to share it with a little bit of the world.

You have a lifetime of experiences locked inside of you just begging to have a voice.  You WILL be surprised at what flows from your pen occasionally. Ultimately…you matter, you can heal, and your journey can help the world.

RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND AT ALL TIMES.

RECEIPTS ARE WORTH MORE THAN THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD

by Sheila Askov

They create specific proof of the important 4 W’s: Where, When, What, and sometimes Why.

Credit card and bank statements alone are not sufficient proof in the event of an audit.

For example: A credit card charge on a business account at a big box store may show total charges of $4,000 and subsequent payment.  Making the payment from your business account is not enough.  Only the original receipt will provide enough details to satisfy the IRS.

In this same case, if you purchased items for multiple properties, uses, or projects, each of these details must be documented on the original receipt.

Buy your personal items separately. It’s much easier to track and justify business expenses when the items are used for business purposes only with the 4 W’s noted on the original receipt.

Your modus operandi can be a significant factor during an audit.

Keep it simple…Keep it separate…but KEEP THE RECEIPT!

Re-Boot Your Brain…READ

By Sheila Askov

Is your brain bored with your thinking & conclusions? Maybe it’s a case of ‘garbage in’…’garbage out’.

Choose to read something unexpected.
Maybe…it will anger you & incite you to action.
Maybe…the science in ‘The Shark’s Paintbrush’ exploring BIOMIMICRY for natural global solutions will get your creative juices flowing.
Maybe…you’ll re-read a self-help book again, because you’re actually ready to do the work this time.

Don’t shy away from fiction. Your own imagination determines the cast of characters.

Note to self: Scanning phone text does not qualify as “reading”.

Curling up with a good book IS pampering you. I’ve seen someone curl up to a cute Kindle, but it just doesn’t seem the same somehow. Do whatever makes it possible to enjoy your own ‘Great Escape‘.

Remember…the real magic begins when the personal odyssey opens windows inside us.

GETTYSBURG Distorted

By Sheila Askov – for TBC’s 25th anniversaryGettysburg Distorted pic

One score & five years ago these three mothers brought forth on this nation a new business, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the reality that all paperwork is NOT created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great paperwork war, testing whether this family-owned business, or any small business so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of technology in that war.

We hereby highly resolve that all of this confusion will not have occurred in vane – that this business, under God, shall provide a new birth of clarity & support – until the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall be restored upon the earth.

#TBCgals

According to Sheila…

If The Planets Can Do It – So Can You

We witnessed 5 planets in alignment a couple weeks ago. Its rarity made it a newsworthy event.

I started thinking about the power of alignment. For instance, alignment gives a huge advantage in performance. That’s the reason no one buys a new set of tires without making sure they’re aligned before driving off the lot.

What would happen in your life or business if only 5 of your virtues or strengths were in perfect alignment?

Jot down the first things that come to mind. If you’re drawing a blank…visit The 52 Virtues Project at www.52virtues.com. You’ll quickly recognize you possess more ‘good stuff’ than you thought.

Plug in your passion & require your own alignment.

But be prepared…you might create another newsworthy event!

According to Sheila…

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ – only FOR THE BIRDS

As an outside observer, it’s obvious to me that ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ is “strictly for the birds”.

It began when 1 precious Partridge parked itself in a pear tree, enjoying the morning solitude.
2 Turtle Doves flying past decided to join her. 3 French Hens strutted by beneath the trio.
“Great tree,” clucked one of the hens. “Let’s get the 4 Calling Birds to spread the word.”

The 8 Maids-a- Milking over by the barn were not concerned until they heard an awful racket. Running to see what happened they discovered 6 of their most reliable Geese had given birth to 5 Golden Rings.

The 7 Swans in the pond came closer, observed the mayhem, & chose to just keep swimming.

Meanwhile back at the manor, the humans who’d partied all night were interrupted by several of the milking maids announcing the miracle of the golden rings.

Devoid of healthy curiosity, 10 of the Lords began leaping with joy & demanded that 9 of the Ladies begin dancing immediately. Only 11 of the Pipers & 12 of the Drummers were still awake after the all-night festivities.

To this day, no one knows for sure if Geese waddled & honked loudly before this event.

Conclusion: People, please party within your own traditions.
‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ really is STRICTLY FOR THE BIRDS!

According to Sheila…

What Are YOU ‘Full’ of?

Thanksgiving Day is past, and most of us are still full of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pies, and traditional family favorites.

But what are we ‘ful’ of?

If we feel awful or remorseful– the odds are, an over-the-counter antacid won’t make us feel better.

When we feel grateful, thoughtful, joyful, and peaceful…we probably found a way to be helpful, playful, and useful. 

I’m going to practice being mindful, purposeful, and resourceful in a very colorful way.

Remember, it’s natural to feel wonderful, beautiful, and powerful when we’re ‘ful of the right stuff!

According to Sheila…

2014 – RESOLVE TO EVOLVE

Contrary to wide-spread belief, if you look up ‘EVOLVE’ in the dictionary it will not tell you to, “…see Darwin for details”.

From a verb’s perspective, evolution is usually the result of a personal commitment to emerge, advance, develop, expand, and mature.

Eliminate King-sized New Year’s Resolutions, and focus on intentional shifts in your attitude, behavior, and environment.

Every sailor, scientist, & inventor understands the magnitude of a minor adjustment. Become your own hero and RESOLVE TO EVOLVE today.

According to Sheila…

FALL IS MORE THAN A SEASON – IT CAN BE A HAPPY VERB

I know fall is a 4-letter word frequently associated with pain, but don’t let that intimidate you.

Perception becomes reality quickly, so consider the power of these simple mind shifts.

We can…fall back into old, self-defeating habits – OR – fall back on experience as it shines its light on a better way.

We don’t need to…fall for anything anyone tells us. Take time to listen to opposing views, ask questions, and decide which makes more sense in the long run. It’s much quicker than making another ‘oops’.

Most of us have…fallen down on the job at work, at home, or both. Welcome to humanity! It’s more fun to kneel down beside someone who’s fallen & help them rise again.

There will come a day when we… fall out of favor with a specific person or group of people we love and depend on. Even though this feels like a really BAD day, it may turn out to be one of our best gifts. This is an incredible opportunity to stop, breathe, & look at what just happened. We may discover we don’t need their approval as much as we thought. Better yet, maybe we just outgrew the relationship, and they did us a favor by letting us go on to bigger & better things.

The glorious colors of autumn create a visual message worth noting.  Each leaf releases itself from the branch that has been its home without a fight, floating gracefully to the earth for its next stage of service. Both tree & leaf understand the bigger picture.

So don’t be afraid…fall into the beauty of an unexplored new path. Fall toward an exciting new future releasing all you loved before with much gratitude. Fall forward with enthusiasm…and be COLORFUL!

According to Sheila…

CHILL OUT A LITTLE BIT & ENJOY SIZZLING SUMMER SUCCESS

In case you haven’t noticed…people don’t drive slowly when we’re in a hurry, and we’re USUALLY in a hurry for one reason or another. Racing to beat the clock is a way of life for most of us.

In case you haven’t noticed…there are times when a slow driver, or someone having the audacity to actually go the speed limit, messes up our routine, impedes our progress, and somehow appears at the next red light right beside us.  AAARGH!!!

In case you haven’t noticed…when you leave at the last possible moment or heaven-forbid a few minutes late, every idiot, (please forgive me), who ever obtained a driver’s license will be on the road. Odds are good there won’t be a police officer in sight.  The police officer may catch you on radar a few miles later while you’re trying to make up for the time you lost. Most of the traffic lights will be red, too.

In case you haven’t noticed…when you leave a little earlier than normal, the commute seems to flow more smoothly.  You may even experience the luxury of a moment or two to ‘chill out’ after reaching your destination. Ironically, we usually accomplish more the days we aren’t so rushed.

I can’t explain this phenomenon, but I suggest we find a way to take advantage of it.

I intend to conduct a personal experiment.

 Beginning Monday, July 8th through July 21st, I will get in my car 10 minutes earlier than usual, pay attention to how the day evolves, and document any changes I experience. Stay tuned…