Kristie Dean
Reformat Your Life Today
The Year of Living Dangerously: Giving Generously
0159 days
by Kristie Dean
in Uncategorized
Giving Generously
Giving generously – how many of us consider what that means? In this time of economic hardship, it is easy to just look after ourselves instead of reaching out to help someone else in time of need. I hope you, the regular readers of my blog, will consider giving to this family in need. Lee Allen Pollard is in the final stages of carcinoid cancer. A few years ago, Lee became disabled and he and his wife had to choose between keeping a roof over their children’s heads or paying the life insurance. They made the decision to drop the life insurance until they could get back on track. During this time, Lee received his diagnosis.
This family means so much to me. They would give to any one of us. Here is the donation page.
Three Questions For Success
0218 days
by Kristie Dean
in Uncategorized
There are three questions that enable any person to add success to his or her life. Watch below to find out what these questions are and how YOU can apply them to your life.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8hFA1Ov6sU 435 355[/youtube]
The Year of Living Dangerously: Make Someone’s Day
0230 days
by Kristie Dean
in Uncategorized
“No man has a prosperity so high or so firm, but that two or three words can dishearten it; and there is no calamity which right words will not begin to redress.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“How does making someone’s day fit into living dangerously?” a friend asked when I told her of July’s plan. It’s a good question, but the answer is simple. “How does it NOT fit in?” I replied. The entire purpose of the year is to stretch my boundaries and help me focus on the good things in life. Finding someone each day to compliment sincerely will stretch those boundaries, I’m sure. To be fair, complimenting people is not something I’ve never done – in fact, I do it a lot. But by focusing on finding a heartfelt compliment to give someone each day, I hope to make it a HABIT.
There is nothing that can be gained from being a criticizer of people. You might see it as “constructive” but most of the time it is FAR from constructive. I’m not saying there isn’t a time or place for constructive criticism; I’m just saying that you need to think long and hard about what you are going to say. Will it really help the person or will it cause them pain? Too often we are quick to dash other people’s dreams. “Oh, that won’t work.” or “Why are you spending so much time doing that?” What good can come out of those types of comments?
So for the entire month of July, I plan to compliment someone every day. The tricky part is that it has to be a SINCERE compliment – straight from my heart. My first compliment goes out to a reader, Amy Barbour, for being the winner of the Year of Living Dangerously book giveaway. Way to go, Amy!
Check back to see how it goes!
Taking Action vs. Talking
0266 days
by Kristie Dean
in Uncategorized
Taking action...image courtesy of http://free-clipart.net/
Action vs. Talking
I was on Facebook today and saw a post by a friend asking for help with a situation. About ten people posted they would help out, but I only saw one person asking specific information, and then telling how she would help. I’ve noticed this in “real life” too. Some people say they will help, while others just take action. Who would you rather have on your side? I’d much rather have the person who will help on my side.
Action-oriented
There’s an old axiom that if you want something done, give it to a busy person. It has been my experience that this is definitely the truth. People who are busy take consistent action. When I’m busy, I find that I’m more focused, and that I’m better able to handle whatever comes my way. Consider which type of friend you are-are you the one who wishes to help, or the one that does help? It makes a difference.
How can you learn to take action? A few simple steps:
- Ask a person what they need. Don’t accept, “I’ll let you know,” unless you know the person will get back to you. Offer a few suggestions if they seem stuck. “Perhaps we can bring dinner by tomorrow night?” or “Would you like me to take the kids back to my house?” are some examples of asking specifically
- If they can’t come up with anything you can do to help, think of what you would need in that situation. Then offer to do that. When a person is worried or grief-stricken, he or she isn’t concentrating.
- Do it. Whatever you’ve offered, take action and do it
Action = SatisfACTION
I’m much more satisfied when I can point to specific things I’ve done rather than to things I “meant” to do. When you take action, you are showing that you care about a person. So, the next time someone tells you they need help, don’t just offer the “If you need anything, let me know” phrase, but actually find out what they need, and do it. Take action!
The Year of Living Dangerously: England Awaits
0270 days
Obligatory Phone Box Photo
The Year of Living Dangerously
So, what will make this trip part of The Year of Living Dangerously? Since I’ve done it before, it isn’t really outside my comfort zone. However, this time, I am responsible for another human being. But, she’s 17 and quite capable of watching out for herself. So, what is different? This time, I’ll be chronicling my journey for my other blog, Divorce Your Travel Agent, and researching a possible book.
After writing my first book, I’ve been toying with the idea of two different types of books for my second. I am trying to decide between mysteries, which I love, or historical fiction, which is another passion of mine. This journey to the UK will help me decide which will win out. I’ll be researching at two castles for a possible book on a supposed ancestress of mine, as well as picking up a reader’s card at the British Library.
Year of Living Dangerously: Researching Risk
When I come back, I’ll be dedicating my summer to working on research so that I can actually start the writing process. I am excited, but a bit unnerved. I’m really tough on writer’s of historical fiction about getting the facts right, and I’m a bit worried that I might get a fact or two wrong. This has a crushing impact on my creativity. Not much is known about the woman I’m writing about in the general historic record, and I won’t have time to access the charters, etc. to verify everything. But, part of living dangerously is taking risks, and that is what this book will mean to me.
I still have another book on the backburner, and that story will get told eventually. But, the Year of Living Dangerously has started with a bang, and I’m excited to jump right into it.
Recent Comments