The Divine Path of Our Cat Spotty

This is a picture of our cat Spotty, who loves to look at the back door and imagine herself outside frolickling and chasing birds. However, Spotty is now officially an indoor cat.

You see, the first thing she does when she gets outside is to find the tallest tree in the entire yard and then proceed to climb to the tippy, tippy, top literally hanging on by a limb where she can't seem to find her way down.

Oh, yes, mayhem galore here at the Lyman household when Spotty is stuck in a tree. My daughters, Ashley, 9 and Rebecca 6, quickly transform from happy little girls into a complete frenzy fearing for Spotty's life. Me, on the other hand, go straight to the garage to fetch the ladder. More than once, Spotty has climbed so high that I could not reach her with the ladder (by the way, the fire department does not rescue cats anymore). However, Spotty has her angels that surround her and have come to her rescue....more than once I might mention:)

One day, in the midst of a "Spotty tree climbing episode", the entire neighborhood came out to help but no one seemed to be able to get Spotty down. Then, one of my neighbors sons called Save-a-Pet who directed him to a local tree service company who may have the equipment to get her down. By the grace of God, this gentleman came and rescued Spotty for us:) And, he did it free-of-charge:) My daughters will forever be thankful to you Eric from Norse Tree!!

Do you ever find yourself in a position where you feel you have gotten to a point where there is no solution? A point where you feel you have gotten so far into something that there is no way out? Well, I am here..ahem....OK....well, Spotty is here to tell you that you are never too far away from a miracle! Keep believing because when you least expect it, everything can change in your favor!!!!!

Have a wonderful blessed, happy, healthy, and wealthy New Year!!!!!!!!

You Are Qualified

You are Qualified!

I read this blog post the other day and boy, it really spoke to me. If you ever find yourself at a crossroad in your life where you are not sure you have the tools to attain something that you want, then this article is a must read!

http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/blog/index.php?m=read&p=792

The Root of the Problem

So many of us walk around with our problems chained to our feet. Instead of releasing them, we allow them to block our divine destiny. Have you thought about what your divine destiny is?

Whatever your destiny is, today could be the day to your breakthrough. You may be thinking, wow, Dona that sounds great, but it will never happen to me. And, if you are trying to do it based on your strength, you may be right. People will stop loving you. People will disappoint you. Friends may abandon you. But, the the love of God will never let you go. Once you receive that, success in life and business is limitless!!

Consider Jonah who had limited vision and refused to yield to his divine destiny. He did everything in his power to keep his problems chained to his leg and look the other way instead of yielding to his divine destiny. While in the belly of a whale, Jonah did not know if he would live or die. He couldn't see past the moment. Little did he know that God had a divine plan for his life including having the whale to spew him out on to the shore, safe and sound, complete with a set of instructions on how to follow God's plan for his life.

Are you like Jonah? Do you judge your current situation with limited vision? If you are relying on your physical sight, you may be missing the blessings that God has in store for you. Seeing isn't believing.....rather, believing is seeing. With limited vision, what you are seeing is not worth watching. God is looking at you with limitless vision. He knows you and knows what is coming next. He knows the abundance and prosperity that is in your future. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him. For He "created your inmost being knitting you together in your mothers womb" Psalms 139:13.

Don't ever let the enemy tell you what you see is what you get. The enemy will try and fool and deceive you every chance he gets. Know that your strength is rooted in the most high God and will not faulter. Your vision for your life is so small compared to the vision that God has for you. Allow yourself to open up to the plan. Allow yourself the confidence in knowing that you have the creator of the Universe on your side. Allow yourself to remove your chains. You are no longer a victim. You are a victor!

When God Whispers

by Dona Lyman

When God whispers, do you listen or do you turn your head?

When God whispers, do you take action or do you do nothing?

When God whispers, do you feel the breath of your spirit responding, or do you feel your ego controlling?

When God whispers, do you feel the peace, or do you feel confusion?

When God whispers, do you feel free or do you feel imprisoned?

When God whispers, do you choose to embrace your truth, or do you choose to live the lies?

When God whispers, do you forgive your past mistakes or do you attach the chain to your legs?

When God whispers do you feel your inner beauty, or do you feel others opinions?

When God whispers, do you breathe in the empowerment, or do you breathe out your power?

When God whispers, do you feel the courage or do you feel fear?

When God whispers, do you feel the strength, or do you feel weakness?

When God whispers, do you allow the pure love, or do you reject it?

When God whispers, are you grateful or are you ungrateful?

When God whispers, do you bask in the grace of the spirit, or do you drown in the misery of the world?

When God whispers, do you answer the call?

4 Habits of Highly Effective Entrepreneurs

1. Idealize -
What is your ideal future? What are you thinking about? Until your thought is linked with a purpose, there will be no accomplishment. Custom design your future in your mind and repeat it regularly.

2. Visualize -
Once you know what it is that you want, begin to visualize it. Be as precise and as detailed as you can possibly be. Choose the colors, choose the furniture, choose the locations. This should be a daily ritual so that the image becomes clear and recognizable to your subconscious mind.

3. Verbalize -
List 25 affirmations that support your vision and your ideal future. It is important that these statements assume that you have already achieved your future.

4. Materialize -
Become aware of when your goals begin to manifest and always be grateful. Update your vision when what you have dreamed of has become real. It will keep the process fluid and current.

A Simple Prayer for Business

No matter what your circumstances are, no matter what you are going through, and no matter how impossible things may look, there is always hope. What is going on around us can be very frightening and unsettling. In my life, there is one person whom I know I can turn to anytime of the the day or night to work with me and create a plan for opportunity, abundance, prosperity, peace, and health.

In business, spirituality is often overlooked or we don't really talk about it much because we are "afraid" of what other people may think. We don't want other people to think we are one of those "religious" types, right?

For me, it's OK what other people think of me, because really, it's none of my business. What's important to me is what I think of me. What I really think of me deep down on the inside where no one else can see me but me. I know from experience, if things aren't lined up on the inside, then they certainly won't be lined up the outside. It's a spiritual roadblock.

One of my mentors pulls on her spirituality every single day to help guide her, provide her with new ideas, and establish new connections. The right connections. The ones that she never thought possible. She says that people can think she is "woo-woo" all they want. But at the end of the day, she found "the secret." She is happy, blessed, and rich. Apparantly, her way works pretty well.

Sometimes, the hard part is knowing where to start. I started with a simple prayer. My prayer went something like this:

"Dear God. My way of things don't seem to be working very well down here:) I am all out of ideas, and I don't know what else to do. Please, Lord, give me the guidance, direction, and wisdom to hear your voice in a way that I can understand to help guide my path."

That's it...simple and sweet.

If you are looking for guidance, strength, wisdom and opportunity and are trying to do it all on your own, you may never find your answer. Instead, you may find yourself at your wits end exhausted and frustrated. Take a break. Cast your worries off of you and onto Him. Yield to the breakthrough that God has planned for you. Once we get of our own way and allow God to do his work, that's when the miracles begin!

Have a great day!

What's Your Relationship With Money?

You are grateful for what you have. You are determined. You've set goals. You walk the walk and talk the talk. So, why then, are your finances not anywhere near where they should be???

If you haven't read the book "The Science of Success" by Wallace Wattles, I recommend you do so. Most of us have subconscious thoughts and beliefs about money that are actually holding us back. Along with Wattles, it is my belief that you can not rise to your greatest talents and truly unleash your souls work without money. If you can't help yourself, how are you going to help and support others?

"There is nothing wrong in wanting to get rich." - Wallace Wattles

It's critical to understand that the desire for wealth is a natural and healthy desire for a richer, fuller, and more abundant life. It's almost impossible to use your true talents and abilities if you are constantly thinking about how much money you don't have.

There are 3 key areas that encompass our lives: our body, our mind and our spirit. No one area is greater or higher than the other and no one area can be fully expressed if another area is lacking. And, where there is a dream or a desire that can not be expressed, the entire system goes array. If we let money myths infect our body, our mind or our spirit, our paths to success will be one big detour and we will end up never really reaching our full potential.

Money Myth #1 - There is not enough

That is just bull. There is enough abundance and prosperity to support us all and then some; "there is abundance of opportunity for the man who will go with the tide, instead of trying to swim against it." In fact, there is no limit. You are never deprived of an opportunity, and you are never being "kept down" by your spouse, your business partner, or your children. The hard truth - it's not that opportunity isn't there, it just that you may not want to do the things that you need to do to seize it.

Money Myth #2 - It doesn't matter what you say

Money is like a child; it loves attention and needs direction. If you are haphazardly saying your wealthy one day and then claiming you are poor the next, you are sending out conflicting messages, and according to spiritual laws, they can never be answered because they just cancelled each other out! It is absolutely critical that you only speak of success. Even though your circumstances around you may look different than your thoughts right now, that is not where you are going to be. It's just where you are right now. If you keep talking the way you have been talking, you will keep getting what you have been getting. You MUST FEEL and SPEAK wealth and success. What you say is really what you get (the bible is packed with scripture on this topic--just read the gospels of Matthew, Mark or Luke). You must begin to speak from where you will be instead of where you are. When you start speaking that way, you will start believing that way. You will be able to make better decisions and set loftier goals.

Money Myth #3 - You are only worth so much

You have absolutely no idea how much you are worth because we just don't have that capability to comprehend our true worth. God created you and He knows every single hair on your head. You are a prized creation that was lovingly crafted with the hands of a devoted, loving, and doting parent. You were given the best gift in the whole world. The ability to create---infinitely!! That's why you have dreams. Dreams are the first step in the creation process and are the foundation to manifestation.

Dream it. Believe it. Receive it.

Just look around you, creation is brimming with possibility...and so are you!! I just love Nelson's Mandela's speech about our greatness. How appropriate for this topic!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Nelson Mandela

© 2009 Dona Lyman & Company

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Dona Lyman, The Mompreneur Coach, is devoted to empowering women in creating amazing businesses and amazing lives. To learn how to live an extraordinary life now, register for her free Daily Empowerment Quotes at http://www.donalyman.blogspot.com/

Have an empowered day!

Dona.

4 Secrets To Knowing EXACTLY What Works in This Economy

Are you fearful or worried about the economy? You are not unlike many other mompreneurs. All of this negative talk and worry can shake you from the inside out. Just because things may look different than before doesn't mean that all of your talents, abilities and power has been taken from you. You are not a victim; you are a victor!

Now, for many mompreneurs, you may be also feeling tension from your spouse's unstable employment, or perhaps the loss of his job. That is why it is critical to realize that the opportunity to succeed in business right now has never been better. What's the secret? Knowing what things to focus on and what things to leave aside.

I am witness to my clients, peers, and friends experiencing their best year ever. And, I want to see you experience your best year ever too. Thats why I am going to sahare with you what I have learned from my millionaire mentors.

This is the year of celebration and advancement. This is the year that you step into your true power and start to charge what you are worth. This is the year that you get that client you never thought you would get , or finally getting up the nerve to raise your rates and then realizing that you should have done this a long time ago!

So, what can you do to start building your business today? What do all the "experts" and multi-millionaire mompreneurs know that you don't? Today is your lucky day because I am going to share with you "The 4 Secrets to knowing EXACTLY what works in this ecomony."

Secret #1 Offer a Payment Plan Option

What's sounds so simple can be so rewarding!!! This method has been working so well for many of my clients that they really don't want anyone else to know about it! It's an awesome incentive that steers the client into a "yes" buying decision. Many clients can't pay for a higher-end service up-front and this option takes that objection off the table immediately. This strategy also guarantees client commitment and they will also be more likely to buy your other products and services.

Secret #2 Look for the Opportunity Within

See where you can take what products and/or services that you already have and re-package them into high-end service offerings such as coaching or creating a box product. People are silently begging to be led and if you can offer them "the magic bean" in a simplified manner taking out all of the guess work, they are going to love you for it, and buy it! There is tremendous value in offering these types of services. And statistics show that people are on a buying trend towards more personalized products and services. They prefer one-to-one and will pay good money to get what they want.

Secret #3 Look for Joint Ventures

I challenge you to contact one of your peers and compare lists. I am sure that you will be amazed at how many potential prospects can be found from just one contact. Identify someone with a larger following than you, contact them, and see where there is some synergy. And, this is where the fun part kicks-in. As a mompreneur, you are naturally saavy and creative. Now is your time to grab that cup of coffee and talk about different ways you can leverage each-others expertise.

Secret #4 Create Multiple Products From One Idea

A successful, saavy mompreneur is very creative and is an amazing businesswoman. She can generate a ton of income with the flick of her wand from just one idea (well, maybe not that easily :) This area is usually the primary reason why a business thrives and survives. It's because you are not dependent on any one stream of income. If one product tanks, not to worry because you have other streams of income coming in to support you.

Many of my clients are seeing tremendous growth in this area. When I work with my clients, we roll up our sleeves and we identify and focus on one core theme or idea and then create product offerings and/or services that align with that one idea.

© 2009 Dona Lyman & Company

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Dona Lyman, The Mompreneur Coach, is devoted to empowering women in creating amazing businesses and amazing lives. To learn how to live an extraordinary life now, register for her free Daily Empowerment Quotes at http://www.donalyman.com/

Tailor Made Temptations

The other day, I was referred to visit Jerry Savelle's website http://www.jerrysavelle.org/. I was "poking around" and came across a TV broadcast entitled "Tailor Made Temptations" that Jerry's daughter, Teri, was hosting. It looked interesting, so I clicked on it and watched it.

As I watched the program, I quickly became captivated and it made me think of something. Very often, we hear that God has a plan for our lives. We hear that each and everyone of us are born with talents, strengths, and abilities that were "tailor-made" for our life.

But, how often do you hear that the enemy has one also?

Once I started to think about that concept a little bit more, I saw that there can be many "devils" in our lives and businesses like lack of finances, strained or destroyed relationships, fear, worry, doubt and stress.

As I listened on, I began to open my mind and began to realize that walking in faith and growing a business requires that we defend ourselves against what the enemy wants to take away from us. He wants us so badly to be focused on the "cheese" in the mouse-trap so that we keep our focus off of our true calling and purpose. And what happens when we go for the cheese? BAM!!! We get caught in trap!

Your true purpose and calling can never be taken away from you. The enemy can not defeat you unless he deceives you. And, he will only bring weakness in your life and business where you have demonstrated weakness.

If you haven't yet watched this broadcast, I recommend that you do!

3 Ways To Boost Business In A Bad Economy

Mompreneurs know that a recession equals opportunity. While the rest of the world is running around in fear, saavy mompreneurs are out and about searching for new and improved ways to increase their businesses. A critical trait of a saavy mompreneur is knowing that adversity is part of the game. The trick is to look at adversity straight in the face and refuse to let it take you down.

"Face adversity promptly and without flinching, and you will reduce it's impact."

-Winston Churchill

Here are 3 Ways To Boost Business In A Bad Economy:

1. Look for the opportunity.

A recession may change people's personal spending habits, but it doesn't stop business people from investing in their business. If you have a product or service that can be of value to your clients, they will buy. Now is the time to re-assess what you are offering and see where you can align your products and services to fit a niche of your marketplace.

2. Think creatively.

Now is not the time to be boring! Now is the time to think out of the box. Sit down with your team and re-evaluate how you can already take what you have and re-package it. Just like you would take a pair of pants to the tailor to be hemmed so that they "fit you to a T", look at how you can tailor your product to fit your customer "like a T."

3. Don't be wishy-washy.

We have all heard the term "go with the flow." And, now is a time to do just that. Opportunities during a down ecomony present themselves rapidly and will disappear just as fast! Take risks.

"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base."

-Frederick Wilcox

© 2009 Dona Lyman & Company

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Dona Lyman, The Mompreneur Coach, is devoted to empowering women in creating amazing businesses and amazing lives. To learn how to live an extraordinary life now, register for her free Daily Empowerment Quotes at http://www.donalyman.com/

Checkin' In With My Mompreneur Peeps

Hey! Happy Friday!!!

I was sitting down looking at all of my previous posts. I think their good, but, I started to think about the very real challenges that mompreneurs face every single day - like divorce, weight-loss, winning clients, losing clients, work/life issues, feeling loved, feeling appreciated and so on. And while inspiration is great and very much needed, sometimes, what it takes to break through a challenge, or leap to the next level, is just gettin' real!

So, today, I thought I would put out my challenges and see if there are any other mompreneurs out there that would like to join in and share what their challenges are:)

Starting this September, i will be going back to school to pursue my Masters Degree in Counseling. And, honestly, I am scared! In my mind, I say to myself that I am the one who is supposed to be the cheerleader. I am the one that partners with my clients to create amazing businesses and amazing lives. And, if I admit that I am terrified, and expose my vulnerability, what will that say about me? I also have swirling through my mind at every given moment that I am a single mom caring for two children......am I crazy for choosing to back to school????? Am I insane...perhaps temporary insanity?

I have to admit that I have been praying ALLOOTTT lately. And everytime, I go within and connect with the Lord, the answer always comes and it is clear. Not only clear, but crystal clear. That this is my path. That this is exactly where I am supposed to be and that everything will work out exactly the way it was planned.

I may not know the hows and the whys, but I do know that I need to yield and to trust in God that he's got my back and that as I follow him, I will be fulfilling my true purpose for His good works, not mine.

I also know that fear will feed the principles of fear and faith will feed the principles of faith, and today, here and now, I choose to feed the principles of faith! I choose to look fear in the face and refuse to allow him to park in my mind!

One thing that I have learned over time and in sharing in such beautiful blessings as well as heart wrenching tragedies and losses, is that nothing is a complete disaster. Even a forest that has been burnt down to the ground has a re-birth and will grow once again to be a beautiful, majestic creation. There is always a solution and there is always hope. Life isn't always pretty and it isn't always perfect. But, we are alive. We are blessed.

So, please share your challenges and thoughts :) I would love to hear from you and connect:)

What Happens Tomorrow

Your Authentic Self

"No Bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings."

-William Blake

Have you ever tried to be someone else? Or look at other people and wish you had what they had? Or wonder, what are they doing that you are not?


Running a successful business requires that we be our authentic selves because that is where the true magic is. That's where the true you is allowed to be the true you. It's where your inner spirit comes alive and knows exactly what needs to get done and what direction you need to head in. It's where there are no wrong answers and only solutions. It's where you get to be a kid again and are free to create and be free.


And, that's why people buy from you. They buy from you because they trust you. They buy from you because they feel you can help them solve a problem that they have. When we step into someone elses story, we block the creation of our story.


Today, feel confident in you. Feel confident in your ability and your decisions. Go within and tap into your inner spirit and be authentic. It's often said that the only people that block our personal success is ourselves! When you are free to be you, anything is possible because you are tapping into your heart and your gifts.


So, don't be afraid to be you. Instead embrace it! Step into your divine power today!

Patience is a Virtue

A mompreneur friend of mine had me in stitches the other day when she was telling me how she began each day. Each and every morning she wakes up with warm and fuzzy thoughts and is so thankful for her life and for her children. But, as the day goes on, and as she is multi-tasking running her business and running a household, those warm and fuzzy feelings come to a quick halt...usually around 11am:) As the day progresses further, she tries to keep her composure, but finds it increasingly difficult. And, by dinnertime, her patience is nill----as a matter of fact it's no where to be found. As she gets the kids to sleep and finishes some of the work that was left-over she drifts off to sleep. And, the next morning those warm and fuzzy feelings are back and by 11am they are gone:)

As us moms know, sometimes those angelic faces can be not so angelic. There are those days where it seems like everybody is looking for something from you and they all needed it yeserday. Your husband can't find his shoes and is running late for work, the kids are running in 5 different directions, (and by the way one of your little angels happened to spill a whole glass of milk which you told them not to take out of the kitchen) on your freshly printed report that you were going to review, and as a mompreneur, you are looking at the tasks of the day that you need to get done to keep your business happy & healthy. And, you ask yourself, "will I ever get any peace in this house?"

The good news is yes! As mompreneurs, we have all had those days and we can all join the club of feeling like we are going to go over the deep end. Is there a magic pill that can change a scene of disaster into a scene of peace and serenity? I wish:) As a matter of fact, it would be nice to drive through Starbucks and along with my green tea latte order a "tall non-fat with whipped perfect life" please:)

I have found some quick remedies that work for me, and I hope they work for you too. The way that I look at is every little bit helps:)

1. Go on your computer and type in the word "patience". Pick a nice font that you like, a color that will match your surroundings, print it out and frame it in a beautiful frame that you enjoy to look at. Put one all over the house and in your office. You can also use the words Grace, Happiness, Peace and so on. When the day starts getting crazy, it will remind you to take a deep breath, remember that this is only temporary and that you are a great mom!
2. Remove yourself from the circumstance - sometimes it's good to do nothing. What I mean by that is when you are on full-force overload, take a moment to walk away and regain your composure. You want to respond vs. react. You won't say anything you didn't mean and you will be able to come back and address the situation with a clear and focused mind.
3. Remember that this too shall pass. Even though we have our crazy times, we really are blessed to have a family and a career that we love and enjoy.

Have an Empowered Day!

One of my favorite pictures

Just came across one of my favorite pictures of the girls that I thought I would share with you:) This picture was taken on perfect September day almost four years ago. I can't believe that four years came and went just like that! Well, everytime I look at this picture it puts a big smile on my face and reminds me how blessed I really am.

Have a great day!

Dona.

Great Wolf Lodge

Just got back from a mini-vacation at Great Wolf Lodge. This is definitely a kid-friendly resort that has something for every age, including tweens. What surprised me is that most children were on their own exploring and running around. I still felt uncomfortable letting my 8 and 6 year old roam around by themselves, but I did let them go solo to some activities in which they felt like real grown-ups and couldn't stop talking about it! (If they only knew what being a grown-up was really like !! LOL ) I also met some other moms that had been there several times before who were able to "show me the ropes."

When you first get there, I would recommend the Paw Pass---it comes with a whole host of goodies for the kids that they love including a magic wand that they can use to go on a "Magi-Quest". The wand looks like a stick and you get to choose a topper - mostly fairies and unicorns for girls and wizards and dragons for boys. Once their wands are activated, they begin their journey throughout the entire resort searching for magic treasure chests and hidden clues. I have to say, I never saw so many kids running throughout the floors with smiles from ear to ear.

Food was classic "snack-bar" food-chicken strips, nachos, pretzels, etc. They also had a buffet and a Starbucks that I was so thankful for! But watch out, because these snacks aren't cheap! You can easily go through hundreds of dollars a day on food and drink. When I go again, I would bring a case of bottled water, juice boxes, and more items that can be a quick fix in the microwave like mac and cheese, soup and even sandwiches as there is a fridge in the room.

All in all, we had a great time. The girls said it was the best trip that they ever were on, so, that put a nice big smile on my face and warmed up the ol' heart :)

I do have to say that I am EXHAUSTED!!! Many of the rides require that you walk up what feels like 20 flights of stairs. No need to go to the gym this week :) So, I guess that's a good thing.

Have a great day!

The Little Peach Tree That Could

As I begin to sit down to write this blog post, I look out my office door and peer into my backyard. I am admiring a peach tree that I had planted, oh, I would say about 10 years ago when I first moved into my home. Believe it or not, this particular peach tree was a mail order purchase. Yup, I looked through a catalogue and placed my order!

When I got the peach tree in the mail the following week, I could not believe what I was looking at! Barely recognizable as a tree, it looked like a very small twig, more like a weed, with some bare roots dangling on the end. I couldn't believe it! First, I thought that I ordered a "tree" and expected to get something at least big enough to fit in a box. Second, I couldn't believe that my peach tree was delivered in an ordinary 81/2 by 11 inch manila envelope! I almost threw it away thinking it was junk mail! Go figure. I thought, "could this really be?" I was quite disappointed. But then, I talked myself into keeping this poor, little, what looks like a weed, peach tree and thought, "what the heck, I'll plant it and if it grows it grows, and, if it doesn't, it doesn't."

Well, 10 years later, it has grown to about a good 15-20ft tall! But, during that 10 year growth period, this little"peach" tree never yielded any fruit. Year after year, I would look at this tree and wonder where the fruit is. Waiting....waiting....waiting. And year after year, nothing.

You see, I had grand plans to throw on my chef's hat and whirl around the kitchen being the "June Cleaver" mom creating delectable goodies for my little ones - peach pie, peach butter, peach jam etc. - and my little ones eating them with joy and smiling from ear to ear! (I have a good imagination, huh? :) )

Many times, I thought about cutting it down. It was getting kind of straggly and looked as if it could use a really good pruning--even after you pruned it! But something just told me to wait and one day a harvest would come when I least expected it. And, this year, that harvest has come! My little "runt of the litter" peach tree has produced these beautiful globes of golden orange delicious fruit.

As I look at this beautiful peach tree who started so small and grew so tall majestically growing into maturity and producing a crop, I think about us - you and me...as mothers, as wives, as business owners.

I think about how we start our businesses, we start our families, our careers, and go about daily life by planting seeds of our own. We have no idea what the future holds, but we do know that we have a seed with the hopes that one day, it's going to produce an abundant crop and we will reap a bountiful harvest.

But, how many of us "cut down our peach trees" before it's time. Simply giving up on ourselves, not believing in our abilities, our talents, and most importantly in our potential? How many of us give up right before our peach tree yields it's fruit? How many of us expect to receive one thing, yet receive another and become disappointed instead of looking at what we received and finding the gift inside?

Today's message....never give up! Dream big dreams. Dream the impossible because you just may get it when you least expect it. You were born with a seed of potential that you can't possibly comprehend. Know that you have a gift and a crop within that is yet to be cultivated.

Don't let the hard times get you down. Stay focused on what you want, because one day YOU WILL have a harvest!!!

Renew Your Mind, Grow Your Business

If anyone would ask me what is the most important component for running a business, I would be able to answer them in a second! What's the answer? Mindset.

Mindset is a critical aspect of running a business that many people overlook. We are used to focusing on marketing, sales, and customer service, right? There are thousands upon thousands of consultants, coaches and schools that can teach you how to be a marketing or a sales maverick. But, what is all that training worth to you if you wake up every day dragging your feet because you are thinking negatively and are stuck in a lack mentality. I can tell you what you will get---zero, zilch, nada!!

It's so important that your mindset is focused on success, wealth, abundance and that you surround yourself with people that believe the same thing. We only know what we know---that's why we need to learn; and not to learn from just anybody, but rather from people who are doing right now what we want to be doing tomorrow.

Being successful requires focus, determination, and endurance. We need to make sure that our mind is fit and clear of negativity.

Here are 4 tips that you can use to get you started today!

1. Get rid of the stinkin' thinkin' and start developing the right thinkin' - look at your goals, believe in the impossible, dream big
2. Put on positive qualities, put away negative qualities - Just like we all have "that little black dress" that we love and fits us the best, we all have thinking that fits us the best. When you start going down the path of defeat, put on your "little black dress" thinking.
3. Make some kind of continued effort to fill your mind with food instead of junk - for example, stop reading the newspaper the first thing in the morning and pick up a motivational book instead, or take a walk in your garden and smell the fresh morning air and feel the morning dew between your toes. Just like they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so is the morning for the renewing of your mind :)
4. Take a few moments each day to close your door, shut your eyes, and clear your mind

When our minds, bodies and spirits are working at their best, we are at our best. It enables us to flow effortlessly and to attract more business, improve our relationships, and quite simply, to just be happy:)

© 2009 Dona Lyman

Is Your Rubber Band About To Snap?

Let’s face it…..mompreneurs are expected to juggle alot! We have the uncanny ability to transform from a savvy executive to a soccer mom in a matter of seconds; all while talking on the phone, carrying the baby, planning dinner, confirming client appointments and loading the dishwasher. Let’s see a man do that!

What’s this word called “lazy”…certainly can not be used to describe a mompreneur! Why does it have to be so tough? I can’t answer that. What I do know is that as each day passes by, there seems to be more and more demands, pressures and requests on our time and our lives.

And, more demands = more stress. We find ourselves not only physically exhausted and depleted, but emotionally as well. This added stress is directly related to the troubles that we experience in our businesses, our marriages, our finances, and our relationships. You are not alone if you feel like you just can’t take it anymore and that you are about to snap!

What can we do? Well, before we can do anything, the first thing that we need to do is take a moment to ourselves. Yup, you heard me right….take a moment for ourselves to put up our feet and breathe.

Did you know that we were created and have the ability to withstand a certain amount of pressure? And, that each and everyone of our tolerance levels are different?

It’s really not the tasks at hand that are causing us undue stress. The problem lies when we try to over-extend ourselves and when we try to be superwoman. It’s OK to have a full to-do list once in awhile. But, when you have a full to-do list every single day, it becomes overwhelming. And, when we become overwhelmed, we become inefficient. As a mompreneur, we can not afford to have that happen.

So, where does the balance come in?

It’s starts by asking yourself four key questions:

1. Do you control your days, or do your days control you?
2. Are you stressing yourself out by trying to be someone you are not?
3. Are you striving for perfection in all areas in your life and business that are simply unrealistic?
4. Are you letting the pressures of everyday life take over your life?

There is one sure thing that you can be guaranteed to receive every single day that you are alive-and that’s 24 hours. No one gets more and no one gets less. We are all on the same playing field. And, it's critical to our health and success that we balance this time to ensure that we nurture ourselves both physically and emotionally.

This is where you need to be kind to yourself. Most likely, you have been living in a chaotic schedule for many years now and it’s going to take some time to adapt to a new schedule, but if you want gain happiness and lose the stress, a new schedule is just what the doctor ordered.

Start by asking yourself where can you loosen the reigns a bit? What events can you start saying “no” to. Where can you start delegating – i.e. hire a maid. Where have you been striving for perfection and making yourself crazy where, really, good is good enough?

The bottom line is that we can not fully complete our purpose if we are stressed out. Our vision for our businesses and lives become cloudy, our health suffers, we become a certified emotional basketcase because we are running around taking care of everything and everyone, except ourselves.

Take time to care for you.

You are the most important person in the mix. If you are not running at your best, neither will anyone else around you.

Always remember that you are an amazing mompreneur and nothing is to hard for you to handle! So, go out and start taking care of YOU!

Never Give Up!

How many times have you said "there is no way I can do this?" If your like the rest of us, probably more times than you would like to admit.

I want you to know that there is always a way. It's been said that "if you can't find the door, look for a window." It may not be easy and it probably won't be convenient. You may find yourself walking through a maze of going up, down, around and over. But, if you set your faith, keep your determination, and refuse to give up, you will find a way.

How many of us give-up just before we reach a breakthrough? Someone once told me that it takes 20 years to become an overnight success, and now I know what they mean. That's why I want to tell you the story about the chicken and the eagle.

Once upon a time, a farmer found an eagle's egg. He took it home and placed it under the care of a hen. And, lo and behold, the egg hatched with a brood a chickens. The farmer tried to raise the bird with patience and tried to tame him. However, the eagle just never seemed to fit in. It didn't "mingle" with the other chickens and always seemed to walk his own path.

As the eagle grew, he realized deep down inside, that something just wasn't right. Even though all he had ever known was life in the chicken yard, it just didn't feel like home. He craved freedom, the open skies and the feeling of wind beneath his wings. He wanted to leave the chicken yard and take flight, but the farmer had clipped his wings to keep him just where he was.

Since the eagle was stuck in the chicken yard, he just sat there looking up into the sky. One day, a storm rolled into the chicken yard; the skies grew dark and the winds started to kick-up. All of the chickens were scared and they began to run around in circles looking for cover. The eagle just sat there watching the craziness going on in front of him with the threat of the storm not bothering him in the least.

At that moment, he stretched his wings and realized that the farmer forgot to keep them clipped. That's when he saw another eagle riding majestically in the wind above him. He looked around at the frantic chickens and then back at the eagle in the sky, took a deep breath, spread his wings and took flight.

You see, eagles are majestic creatures. They are a bird that refuses to give up. The only thing that an eagle has in common with a chicken is that they are both birds.

The bible uses an eagle as an example of strength, perseverance, and determination. Eagles soar above troubles and have a winning spirit. They are creatures who crave freedom and refuse to give up on their destiny. They are loyal mates, and devoted parents. They are not afraid to work hard and be who they were born to be.

Chickens are lazy, skittish, fearful, and rarely reach their potential. Chickens need to be kept in the confines of a fence and are completely happy to do so. When the storms come, chickens huddle together with fear "hoping" to find some food on their way back to the hen house.

So, when the times get tough, step into your power and rise above your perceived limitations. You were been born with a winning spirit and were given all of the tools you will need to fulfill your purpose.

So whether it's not going as planned in business in life, you are an eagle and will rise above the storm and soar into success!

The Desert Song-Jill McCloghry Shares Her Story

A New Year, A New You

by Dona Lyman

With each new year, we bring in new intentions, new thoughts, new hopes, and new dreams. Then after the hype wears off we are left with disappointments and thoughts of failure. But, I am here to tell you that that may have been your yesterday’s, but this is today---this is your day….this is your year for a New You where anything is possible. Dream it. Believe it. Receive it. Accept nothing less.

Psalm 118:8 states “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Who better to hold our hopes, dreams, and ambitions? It is time that we stop blaming ourselves and time to start expecting blessings. You are exactly where you should be. You are perfectly positioned for greatness. You may be saying that you had a tough year, and that things didn’t go well for you. That is your perception. Not God’s perception. Not the Universe's perception. Take a moment to think about this – just when you think you life is falling apart, it is actually falling together for the first time. All is well.

Never give up on your dreams. Never accept failure. There is no failure. At least you tried! That’s something that a lot of people can’t say. Life doesn’t happen when you are sitting on the sidelines. You have to get in the game, and play the game. You have to get dirty…that’s why we have Tide detergent :) Life may not turn out the way that you expect it to, but it turns out exactly the way He planned for us. When we stop giving up control on how we think life should be, and start accepting life as it is, the stress melts away.

It has been said that for thousands of years, we have been searching for “something more.” You would think by now, we would get it, right? Our search for “something more” is no more than connecting with ourselves and with God to fulfill our purpose. When we are fulfilling our purpose, there is a divine order in our lives. Our lives our filled with direction instead of chaos. We listen to our inner spirit instead of looking at others for advice. The way I see it, why would I take advice from someone who is just as lost? Every single second of your life, you are directly connected to supernatural strength, healing, peace and love. You don’t need anyone else. You are the creator of your problems, and you are also the solution. Stop looking outward for something that can only be healed inward. Stop trying to do the talking and start listening.

I have perfect peace in knowing that I can live a blessed day every day. I have perfect peace in knowing that I don’t have to pretend to be someone I am not. I can roll up all of my problems, my complaints and know that I can start anew anytime that I want. You may not be strong enough to do the things that you want to do, but He is. You may not have the wisdom to know what it is that you need to do, but He does. You may not know how to be happy, but He can show you how. It’s time to stop waiting on ourselves, because we know that we have tried it and it hasn’t worked for us so far.

This year, connect to yourself. Know that you can accomplish anything that you want. Know that you were built to eat off of a table of royalty….stop accepting the crumbs off of the floor as acceptable. Step up and step into yourself! When you believe in yourself, you become unstoppable!!! Make this an unstoppable year! Make this the year that you you give up the blaming, that you give up the excuses and step into you!