tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308995582024-03-06T22:47:17.691-05:00Echoes of Cold MoonReflections, memories and funny (sometimes crazy) encounters from the journey of a sword-wielding Life Coach/MomZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-65672442087527173532008-10-30T01:12:00.001-04:002008-10-30T01:13:40.388-04:00TODAY at 2:00 pm EST: Building responsibility and self-discipline in your child without nagging, screaming, throwing a tantrum, or "Because I say so!"<span style="font-weight: bold;">** Don't forget to tune in TODAY for my Blog Talk Radio interview on this important parenting issue. **</span><br /><br /><br />Are you a parent of a pre-teen or teen? If not, please forward this important message to other parents you know.<br /><br />Have you ever tried to get your child to do what he/she is supposed to do by nagging, screaming or resorting to "Because I say so"? I bet it didn't work so well, did it? You might have felt so frustrated that you wanted to throw a tantrum! (perhaps you did already!)<br /><br />It's perfectly normal that you feel frustrated, stressed, worried, or even outright furious at times. Parenting is perhaps the most demanding and difficult job in the world. Ironically, none of us ever got pre-job training. For most parents, not so much on-the-job training, either. No wonder so many parents are so lost!<br /><br />Parenting pre-teens and teens is a roller-coaster ride with many challenges. I know. I've coached many parents over the years, and I have a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old myself. It's not easy. I understand.<br /><br />How do you build responsibility and self-discipline in your child without nagging, screaming, throwing a tantrum, yelling "Because I say so!" or anything else that could damage your relationship? I will be interviewed by parenting coach <a href="http://www.thinking-forward.com/">Joe Bruzzese</a> on his radio show on this important parenting issue. Make sure you tune in <span style="font-weight: bold;">this Thursday October 30th at 2:00 - 2:30 pm EST</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Topic: Building responsibility and self-discipline in your child without nagging, screaming, throwing a tantrum, or "Because I say so!"</span><br /><br />We will discuss:<br /><br /><ul><li>What are the common mistakes parents make in parenting pre-teens and teens?</li></ul><ul><li>What are the challenges for parents?<br /></li></ul><ul><li>5 strategies to build responsibility and self-discipline in your child</li></ul><br />You can either call in by phone, or log-on via your computer from anywhere with an internet connection. A recorded version of the show will be available on the website the following day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Listen by Phone</span> (646) 716-7230 When prompted dial 21634<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Listen Online:</span> go to <a href="http://www.thinking-forward.com/">www.Thinking-Forward.com</a> at any point from 11:00 - 11:30 AM PST (2:00 – 2:30 PM EST) and click on the button that says, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Listen Live – Blog Talk Radio"</span>.<br /><br />Hope you can tune in!<br /><br />P.S. Visit Joe's blog <a href="http://www.thinking-forward.com/">Thinking-Forward</a> for his daily (Monday-Friday) Internet TV show. He talks about all sort of issues concerning middle school kids and their parents. It's a great resource for any parents.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-44563316520052769012008-07-27T22:45:00.003-04:002008-07-27T22:47:16.562-04:00The Beautiful Flower in the Broken Pot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDh50O1N6R5g9yvu6Fk2OorHNGX45cLtwqhyphenhyphenWI9i94-Gb-zfd4d8-n77FozfDSYRCZPDbV6iYXOKXvXeld1mfFWSPi93BoIh9lIA_scLO-bXob8Fy_-iApZCHgTSYyCtmspPN/s1600-h/broken_pot_flow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDh50O1N6R5g9yvu6Fk2OorHNGX45cLtwqhyphenhyphenWI9i94-Gb-zfd4d8-n77FozfDSYRCZPDbV6iYXOKXvXeld1mfFWSPi93BoIh9lIA_scLO-bXob8Fy_-iApZCHgTSYyCtmspPN/s200/broken_pot_flow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227890685733166850" border="0" /></a>I came across this beautiful story at <a href="http://iammarissa.indiainteracts.com/2008/06/13/the-beautiful-flower-in-the-broken-pot/">IndiaInteracts</a>, and just have to share this with you!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Beautiful Flower in the Broken Pot</span><br />by <a href="http://iammarissa.indiainteracts.com/2008/06/13/the-beautiful-flower-in-the-broken-pot/">Marissa</a><br /><br />Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out patients at the clinic.<br /><br />One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. “Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw.<br /><br />Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, “Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning."<br /><br />He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. “I guess it's my face… I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments…"<br /><br />For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: “I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning."<br /><br />I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. “No thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag.<br /><br />When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.<br /><br />He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was preface with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going.<br /><br />At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch.<br /><br />He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, “Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don"t seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again.<br /><br />And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning.<br /><br />As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.<br /><br />In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden.<br /><br />Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious.<br /><br />When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning.<br /><br />“Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!"<br /><br />Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear.<br /><br />I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God.<br /><br />Recently I was visiting a friend, who has a greenhouse, as she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, “If this were my plant, I"d put it in the loveliest container I had!"<br /><br />My friend changed my mind. “I ran short of pots," she explained, and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden."<br /><br />She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. “Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. “He won't mind starting in this small body."<br /><br />All this happened long ago - and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-70198324745187018792008-07-25T22:40:00.000-04:002008-07-27T22:44:15.493-04:00Hug O' WarIn response to my previous post "<a href="http://echoes-of-cold-moon.blogspot.com/2008/07/give-hug-spread-love.html">Give a Hug, Spread the Love</a>", a friend of mine sent me this beautiful poem by Shel Silverstein.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hug O' War</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEAYH9YHNkZYUOhxPxDx9stYFAlWiLPYFcGIdrOqmJgzyW9OE9DWHpjp-gAbiFJORS-ZX0E6KJIjR_Ru2j87gE7HevPTjczLEVt1yWVHiF5WFB89PkylOV_7dBVfq5Y0UK-vSTA/s1600-h/Tiger+Hug.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEAYH9YHNkZYUOhxPxDx9stYFAlWiLPYFcGIdrOqmJgzyW9OE9DWHpjp-gAbiFJORS-ZX0E6KJIjR_Ru2j87gE7HevPTjczLEVt1yWVHiF5WFB89PkylOV_7dBVfq5Y0UK-vSTA/s200/Tiger+Hug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227887420823731874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I will not play at tug o' war,<br />I'd rather play at hug o' war,<br />Where everone hugs,<br />Instead of tugs,<br />Where everyone giggles,<br />And rolls on the rug,<br />Where everyone kisses,<br />And everyone grins,<br />Where everone cuddles.<br />And everyone wins.</blockquote><br />Imagine what the world would be like if everyone played this game??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdGtziwe6lRdjIbpK3ZCxxrabKISBYWS2nfdkrWioVp8vkJJ07vkPLUL1TGA4A-Vdc1PunqQt32Q_cm_O2FGzB5FhtgBta-ACxC6W10vqTa67nMFNgEpoFKNkdkk1k-jgBqZ/s1600-h/polar_bears_hugs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdGtziwe6lRdjIbpK3ZCxxrabKISBYWS2nfdkrWioVp8vkJJ07vkPLUL1TGA4A-Vdc1PunqQt32Q_cm_O2FGzB5FhtgBta-ACxC6W10vqTa67nMFNgEpoFKNkdkk1k-jgBqZ/s200/polar_bears_hugs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227889795058534930" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-85525487675698894782008-07-11T11:04:00.001-04:002008-07-27T22:39:32.342-04:00Give a Hug, Spread the Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-073H76HKVQZkQXVwsm4qM_0-gRharj2XKKMAFd3wkIcmLH2G6KSaEPHoUTo2tnFqkMJByJsN-BXJGQC7ls0hCzfSg-LHlriY68rZT4QfDA8OZlHdEfiSXmEJ_13mazILWbs/s1600-h/Kitten+wanting+a+hug.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-073H76HKVQZkQXVwsm4qM_0-gRharj2XKKMAFd3wkIcmLH2G6KSaEPHoUTo2tnFqkMJByJsN-BXJGQC7ls0hCzfSg-LHlriY68rZT4QfDA8OZlHdEfiSXmEJ_13mazILWbs/s200/Kitten+wanting+a+hug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227888962984909218" /></a>"Hugging is healthy. It helps the immune system, cures depression, reduces stress and induces sleep.<br /><br />It's invigorating, rejuvenating and has no unpleasant side effects. Hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.<br /><br />Hugging is all natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, no artificial ingredients, non-fattening, nonpolluting, environmentally friendly and 100 percent wholesome.<br /><br />Hugging is the ideal gift. It's inflation-proof with no monthly payments. There are no batteries to replace. Great for any occasion, fun to give and receive, shows you care, comes with its own wrapping and, of course, is fully returnable."<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Author Unknown</span><br /><br /><p></p><center><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9O6vZTvQl4o&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9O6vZTvQl4o&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><center><span style="font-style:italic;">Give a Hug. Spread the Love.</span></span></center><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-65496415841462496532008-07-09T20:02:00.002-04:002008-07-09T21:18:57.163-04:00Fire Rainbow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVv_IXCFS7LSfD1-5oyxNaLkRPIrKXbf44b1I7LkSbQyJsgY7-V77YzOsZ7mFK7Vg2YMhS3-sxYTqw2CXieRbsLqkbpkNOkaW31hmEYjbjZzd-BM05aOJP3Ifjvz00oRWVbpR/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVv_IXCFS7LSfD1-5oyxNaLkRPIrKXbf44b1I7LkSbQyJsgY7-V77YzOsZ7mFK7Vg2YMhS3-sxYTqw2CXieRbsLqkbpkNOkaW31hmEYjbjZzd-BM05aOJP3Ifjvz00oRWVbpR/s320/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221188256723603234" /></a><br />THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA. <br /><br />THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED ON THE IDAHO / WASHINGTON BORDER. THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR. <br /><br />CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES. <br /><br />AMAZING, ISN'T IT?!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-64732583522718498422008-05-25T12:07:00.004-04:002008-05-25T12:20:52.400-04:00Stick-Figure Work Life BalanceHere is a funny stick-figure video about the dire consequences of not maintaining work/life balance. Enjoy!<br /><br /><p align=center><object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9brT4tU-sE&hl=en&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H9brT4tU-sE&hl=en&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-88646208936045674532008-05-11T02:06:00.000-04:002008-05-11T04:12:32.358-04:00Funny Poem about MotherhoodFound this <a href="http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/funny/poems.php?id=684467">funny poem</a> about motherhood. Enjoy!<br /><br />* * * * * * *<br />Ode to Motherhood<br /><br />Where did they go -<br />My beautiful hips,<br />look at what's left in their place....<br />Two handles of love<br />is what they say,<br />with stretch marks all over the place....<br /><br />Where are they now<br />my perky firm breasts,<br />Oh there they are down there.....<br />Pointing towards my ankles<br />and knees,<br />hoisted up by the bras that I wear....<br /><br />What happened to<br />my lovely smooth thighs,<br />They're covered in cellulite bulge...<br />they're thick and they're round<br />and it can't be from<br />all of the chocolate that I indulge...<br /><br />I've said goodbye<br />to my firm and tight butt,<br />which is now as flat as a board....<br />It droops down to there<br />it hasn't a care<br />Yet it once seemed to be so adored....<br /><br />There's no more nails<br />to paint blood red,<br />to be adorned with many gold rings....<br />They're cracked and chipped<br />and broken now<br />I no longer have time for such things....<br /><br />But wait, what is that?<br />It's my fifth son's first smile,<br />and look it's because he loves me...<br />To him I'm the best<br />and most incredible thing<br />That his little eyes ever did see....<br /><br />There'll be time later on<br />once he's all big and grown,<br />and he's got his own life to live...<br />For me to be sexy<br />and get it all back<br />But for now there's so much to give..<br /><br />© Paula Pawson 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-5077162684700796902008-05-11T01:02:00.000-04:002008-05-11T04:04:54.097-04:00Ode to Motherhood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr6QJkYvtiT3ILY_jucywiARpuZXrosuWpmtpZGXJ5Xx5e1IfbpKACgvEKAs-jtor99LPO2G8AI32EiViV05BT4yLBt2zFau0I0ZskkIOKAcLweNIXB0zhOb4Jd-y9k9wTD5z5A/s1600-h/mothers_day_reflecting_lily.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr6QJkYvtiT3ILY_jucywiARpuZXrosuWpmtpZGXJ5Xx5e1IfbpKACgvEKAs-jtor99LPO2G8AI32EiViV05BT4yLBt2zFau0I0ZskkIOKAcLweNIXB0zhOb4Jd-y9k9wTD5z5A/s200/mothers_day_reflecting_lily.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198952830147751762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">To all the moms:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Happy Mother's Day!</span><br /><br />You have worked <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> hard, all year around. I hope you get to take a day off, and enjoy your special day. I hope you love the festivities and/or any loving gestures your family bestow on you. Even if none of your family is around to celebrate this day with you, I hope you make a point to do or have something you love today. Hey, this is your special day, and you <span style="font-style: italic;">totally </span>deserve it.<br /><br />I just called my Mom in Taiwan. None of us could spend Mother's Day with her, and my dad had to attend a meeting today. I was so glad to find that Mom was in a good mood, nonetheless. I said, "Well, Mom, since Dad is not home, you've got a day off! How are you going to celebrate your special day?" She told me cheerfully that she's got some ideas -- she might visit this or that city, do some shopping, visit her favorite coffee shop, etc. She was getting herself ready to go out and enjoy her free time. I'm pretty sure she is going to dress up and have fun out on the town. Way to go, Mom! That's the spirit!<br /><br />Motherhood is life-changing. I'm positive that you'd agree with me. Being a mom has changed me on so many levels. It's the most challenging job I've ever taken on, and the most amazing journey I've experienced. I'd never trade it for anything in the world.<br /><br />Before you go out for your Mother's Day celebration, here are some thoughts for you to ponder.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are loving and caring...</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>You give your children unconditional love, the highest level of love in the world. You are the go-to person when anyone needs TLC - a hug, a kiss, some encouraging words, or chocolate chip cookies. You are love, personified.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are patient...</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>Reading "The Little Engine That Could" for the 1,000th time, with the same level of joy and enthusiasm (even when you were so tired you could barely keep your eyes open); getting your toddler potty trained; helping your child with challenging homework; sewing your child's school play or Halloween costume... <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> takes patience.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are committed...</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>Hey, you took on a life-long commitment to be a mom, didn't you?!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are strong and you persevere...</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>Think about what you had to go through to bring your child to the world -- the pregnancy, the labor pain, the adoption process -- need I say more? Think about <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> the challenges you've gone through to take care of your children and make sure they are healthy, safe and happy. You are <span style="font-style: italic;">much</span> tougher than you give yourself credit for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are disciplined...</span> You get up every morning to take care of your family, cooking, feeding, bathing, cleaning... day after day, after day. If that's not discipline, I don't know what is.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">You take charge and get things done... </span>You are the one who organizes and coordinates everyone's schedules, and make sure nobody misses doctor's appointments, soccer practice, band concert, birthday party, anniversary dinner (even if you have to plan it yourself).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You know when to say no and stand your ground...</span> You have no problem telling your toddler or teenager what they are not supposed to do, even if you know they are not gonna like you.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">You are creative... </span>You've created a loving home for your children. You use your creativity in the ways you show your love, the foods you cook, the stories you tell, the imaginative plays, the silly songs you make up, the garden you planted and all the family vacations and memories you help create.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are powerful...</span> You were given the power and privilege to co-create a life (your child), to help your child reach his/her full potential and create a better world. That's enormous power and responsibility.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are beautiful...</span> Have you ever looked deeply into your child's eyes and see your own reflection? You are <span style="font-style: italic;">absolutely</span> beautiful... no laugh lines or stretch marks could ever diminish your beauty.<br /><br />I hope you take a few moment here and let it all sink in.<br /><br />Next time, when someone else, or that nasty little voice in your head, tells you that you are not loving enough, strong enough, pretty enough, disciplined enough, or that you are too "selfish" for taking care of yourself, or <span style="font-style: italic;">whatever</span>, tell them to get lost. They simply don't know any better.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are perfect and whole, just the way you are. You deserve to be loved and adored, just like you love and adore your children. </span>Now, go ahead and celebrate this day the way you truly deserve.<br /><br />Forward this message to any moms you know who could use a little validation or encouragement. As moms, we ought to support and empower one another.<br /><br />Take good care of yourself... you are irreplaceable!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-13534592480346257362008-02-12T10:25:00.000-05:002008-02-12T10:26:23.500-05:00Cindy Ashton's Butterfly<blockquote>"<span style="font-style:italic;">What seems to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.</span>"<br />-- Oscar Wilde</blockquote><br />This video brought tears to my eyes. It's the right dose of inspiration to start your day (or to pick you up when you feel down). Watch it, and you will agree with me.<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gjKqGYksuO8&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gjKqGYksuO8&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object></center><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-88055262512599363942007-11-23T14:15:00.000-05:002007-11-26T00:29:36.439-05:00How We MetFun video - very creative! <br /><br /><object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dBvDm_JLEcI&rel=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dBvDm_JLEcI&rel=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-16863109769212831852007-11-22T12:19:00.000-05:002007-11-22T13:22:48.722-05:00Happy Thanksgiving and The Turkey Day Blue<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswPwNjQmmGIyWE5cH5vTGcIQ9e4X0OSAs7-BOdmTCNXOWdAEkuvCwEYy-JmWiBZDfOXhvpeDxTNVHWVgVVLFFLHIRTEEccDvQUZuFAUHIUDw4LAKcTQugnp752zN3aI2COycO/s1600-h/eat_ham_turkey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswPwNjQmmGIyWE5cH5vTGcIQ9e4X0OSAs7-BOdmTCNXOWdAEkuvCwEYy-JmWiBZDfOXhvpeDxTNVHWVgVVLFFLHIRTEEccDvQUZuFAUHIUDw4LAKcTQugnp752zN3aI2COycO/s200/eat_ham_turkey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135715721917885714" border="0" /></a><br />I talked to my coach yesterday, and she asked me what my plans are for Thanksgiving. I said, "Well, my parents and in-laws are overseas, and my sister and cousins all seem to be too busy this year to get together. So, we (the four of us) are basically on our own this year." <br /><br />Her response was, "Oh, I am SO envious of you! I'm going to my mom's for Thanksgiving tomorrow, and I'm SO not looking forward to it!"<br /><br />Sounds like my coach has a serious case of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Turkey Day Blue</span>.<br /><br />I guess we are lucky. My husband and I are so laid back this year. In fact, he suggested going to an all-you-can-eat Japanese seafood buffet for Thanksgiving dinner. We figured, none of us are huge fans of turkey. Honestly, I'm not interested in laboring for hours to cook something I'm not so crazy about, and the kids probably wouldn't miss it. Well, we were wrong. My son protested, when I mentioned that there won't be a turkey dinner this Thanksgiving. So, this was 9:30pm Monday night, 2 days before Thanksgiving, and DH and I were going online & calling up nearby grocery stores, trying to order a Thanksgiving dinner for four.<br /><br />Of course, most of the places had either sold out their Thanksgiving dinners, or they required a big order like a party of 10 or more.<br /><br />It's kind of funny, when you think about it. All I wanted was a very small turkey (so we won't be stuck, or I should say, stuffed, with turkey leftovers for weeks!) but my son wanted the mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and the whole 9 yards. Well, he is always the one in our family with the most "American stomach".<br /><br />Did we find our turkey dinner? Yes, we finally found it on Tuesday, so yes, we will be having a traditional turkey dinner tonight, instead of Japanese sushi & seafood.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I'm very grateful for whatever dinner we have, and most of all, for my very beautiful, happy & healthy family who will be sitting at the dinner table together.</span><br /><br />As for my poor coach (and anyone reading this) who's got the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Turkey Day Blue</span>, I send my sympathy and blessings. <br /><br />I asked my coach this question, and if you also have the <b>Turkey Day Blue</b>, this would be a good question for you to ponder. <br /><br />This is what I said to her: <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Here is a coaching question for you: If your goal is to have more peace & joy and less stress, what would you commit to do <i>differently</i> this holiday season?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">P.S. If you can't answer that question, maybe you can benefit from my upcoming Teleclass "Joyful and Stress-less Holidays". <a href="http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/joyfulholidaysteleclass.html">Sign up here</a>.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I wish you and your family <br />a very happy<br />(and hopefully relaxing)<br />Thanksgiving holiday!</span></span><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-73922653996474302422007-11-20T12:16:00.000-05:002007-11-22T12:18:34.547-05:00THE Shortcut to Joy<strong><span style="font-size:85%;">© copyright 2007 Hueina Su, <a href="http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/">Beyond Horizon Coaching</a></span></strong><br /><br />The other day, I was presenting a workshop called "<a href="http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/services/workshops.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">C.P.R. for a Balanced Life</span></a>". One of the principles I shared was "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional</span>." This principle always seems to strike a chord in the audience, and they often ask "How can you not suffer when bad things happen?"<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Happiness is a Choice</span><br /><br />Do you believe that life is supposed to be joyful and happiness is a <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">choice</span></span>?<br /><br />Some people believe that life is <i>all</i> about pain and suffering. Some even act like the more they suffer, and/or <a href="http://blog.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/2006/10/from-self-sacrifice-to-self-love.html">self-sacrifice</a> (think martyr), they will be able to collect some kind of reward at the end of life. Since our thoughts & beliefs create our reality, if you buy into that kind of beliefs, I think the only reward you will get is a self-fulfilling prophecy of a life full of suffering.<br /><br />Sure, it's much easier to be happy when your life is all wine and roses. However, as you must have experienced, most of the times, things don't necessarily go our way. Sometimes, bad things do happen to good people, including you and me. That's when your free will and choice come into play.<br /><br />Do you choose to see the glass as half-full or half-empty?<br /><br />Do you choose to play victim and drown in self-pity, or do you choose to take 100% responsibility and take charge to find solutions?<br /><br />Can you choose to see the positive side in everything, and be at peace no matter what?<br /><br />Sometimes we have no control over the circumstances or events that happen in our life. If we were to change how we feel, the only thing we could change is how we interpret and respond to the events. There is always more than one way of looking at things. It really depends on from which angle you look at it.<br /><br />I believe that everything happens for a reason. We may or may not see it, or appreciate it, but whatever happens in our lives is meant to help us grow into who we are meant to be, or help us move forward on our journey. When you choose to take on this belief, it would be easier to accept and be at peace with whatever you perceive as negative circumstances that you cannot change.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Uncommon Blessings</span><br /><br />Sometimes when you are going through a particularly challenging time of your life, it might not be so easy to find the blessings. Can you recall something from your past that you thought was THE worst thing that could happen to you, and yet years later you realized that was actually a blessing in disguise? We all have this type of experience. What does it tell you? If you believe in a Higher Power and a Master Plan, it would be a little easier for you to trust that everything will work out eventually for your best interest. So, instead of suffering through it, why not choose to believe that it's a blessing in disguise, and choose to find the positive and/or the lesson presented to you.<br /><br />Years ago I came to US for graduate school. I was very excited about the opportunity to live in a new country and pursue a graduate degree. However, within the first month, I had to have an emergency surgery, and ended up having to withdraw from all classes for the entire semester. I was devastated. The doctor came to congratulate me when he was about to discharge me and noticed that I seemed depressed. He couldn't understand why, since the surgery was very successful and it probably saved my life. I told him that I was very disappointed that I had to withdraw from all classes and waste the whole semester. It seemed like such a huge disaster back then. However, years later when I look back, all I feel is gratitude. I'm so grateful for those friends who took me to the ER in the middle of the night, and everyone who took care of me after the surgery. I'm grateful for the skillful doctor who cured a painful condition that had plagued me for years. I'm also grateful for those 3 months I got to spend in recovery. It took me a <i>long</i> time to realize that, that was the only 3 months in my adult life that I did not have a job, or school, or family. Hey, I didn't even have a boyfriend. I didn't have to take care of anything, or anyone. The only task I had in those 3 months was to focus on healing myself, and doing whatever I enjoyed doing. Coming out of a demanding nursing job and a challenging relationship, that was just the break I needed, before jumping into a new chapter in my life. It was, indeed, a blessing in disguise.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >THE Shortcut to Joy</span><br /><br />If all else fails, and you can't get out of a foul mood, I highly recommend that you take THE shortcut to joy -- count your blessings. I'm sure it's not difficult to find plenty of people and things that you are grateful for in your life. Bring them into your mind's eyes, and say thank-you silently to each one of them. Better yet, call or write to some of the people you are grateful for, and let them know how much you appreciate them. Trust me, you will feel better almost instantly.<br /><br />So, here's my <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Rx for Joy"</span> for you: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Count your blessings. Stat. Repeat as necessary.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>"Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."<br />-- Charles Dickens</blockquote></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-6155395512083702482007-11-15T12:11:00.000-05:002007-11-22T12:13:59.967-05:00"The Balancing Act": my radio interviewI was interviewed on the radio show "<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=1790">Protect Your American Dream</a></span>" on November 13, 2007. The topic was "<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Balancing Act</span>". This radio show is mostly about financial issues, however, Jaynee Sasso, the host, invited me because she has seen the negative impact of poor time management in work-life balance, as well as in financial success.<br /><br />As a professional life & business coach, I help my clients prioritize and re-design their lives, to create more work-life balance, reduce stress, improve self-care, achieve personal & career goals, and live the life they truly desire. These days, work-life balance seems to have become an impossible dream for most people. We all wear multiple hats, which comes with multitudes of responsibilities and obligations. Combining that with the need to please (or the inability to say NO) and poor time management skills, and you easily get side-tracked from your priorities and long-term goals, not to mention the possibility of burnout, depression, or even dis-ease.<br /><br />So, what can you do to effectively manage your time so that you can achieve your goals, take care of your priorities, nurture yourself and avoid burnout? How do you prioritize your tasks? How do you avoid "busy-ness" and improve productivity? How do you say NO so that you can free up time for yourself and what's important for you? In this radio interview I offered many practical tips and strategies that you can apply to your life.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/images/Hueina_Su_The_Balancing_Act_Radio_Interview.mp3">Click here</a> to listen to the interview recording. Visit <a href="http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/">my website</a> for more information about my coaching programs and FREE Teleclass series. While you are there, don't forget to sign up to download your <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/freegifts/intensiveselfcarekit.html">FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit</a></span>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-49754758796614606172007-10-18T01:21:00.000-04:002007-10-20T01:22:26.379-04:00Life Lessons: The Girl with 4 BoyfriendsA good friend of mine sent this story to me. It provides a fresh perspective on what truly matters.<br />=============================<br /><br /><br />Once upon a time there was this girl who had four boyfriends. <br /><br />She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adored him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. <br /><br />She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. <br /><br />She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her.<br /> <br />Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. <br /><br />The girls 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him. <br /><br />One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone'.<br /><br />Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' <br /><br />'No way!', replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. <br /><br />His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart. <br /><br />The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend,'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' <br /><br />'No!', replied the 3rd boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' <br /><br />Her heart sank and turned cold. <br /><br />She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and<br />you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' <br /><br />'I'm sorry , I can't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' <br /><br />His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated. <br /><br />Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' <br /><br />The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as<br />he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. <br /><br />Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when<br />I had the chance!'<br /><br />In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your lives: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Your 4th boyfriend is your body.</span> No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth</span>. When you die, it will all go to others. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends.</span> No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul.</span> Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. <br /><br />However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go.<br /> <br />Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of Heaven and continue with you throughout Eternity. <br /><br /><blockquote>"Being happy doesn't mean every thing's perfect.<br />It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."</blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-16266601397095439732007-09-28T19:58:00.000-04:002007-09-28T21:26:10.335-04:00William Tell Overture for Moms<b>If you are a mom, you've got to watch this!!!</b><br /><br />Several of my mom friends sent this to me. OMG, I laughed, and laughed, until tears came out!!! Hey, some say a good belly laugh equals crunches. This definitely counts -- all 2 minutes and 55 seconds of it! LOL!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w_oc1j5NakY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w_oc1j5NakY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Your Action Challenge: After you're done laughing, pass it on!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-70130238032254688312007-09-26T20:06:00.000-04:002007-09-28T21:24:59.182-04:00I'm Back!Sorry I've been MIA from this blog for sooooo long. I still write regularly on my other blog <a href="http://blog.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com">Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul</a>, though. If you have not read it, you should check it out!<br /><br />I thought nobody was really reading this blog any more, but something happened last weekend that made me re-consider. As soon I walked into my <a href="http://echoes-of-cold-moon.blogspot.com/2006/07/wudang-tai-chi-sword.html">Tai Chi Sword</a> class last weekend, a guy I've never met before immediately shouted out: "Hey, you're the lady with the Echoes of Cold Moon blog!!!" I'm NOT kidding.<br /><br />I was a little shocked how he even recognized me. He told me he was looking for a Tai Chi class and found my blog because of my <a href="http://echoes-of-cold-moon.blogspot.com/2006/07/wudang-tai-chi-sword.html">Wudang Tai Chi Sword</a> post. Wow, you never know.<br /><br />Also, just the other day, someone left a new comment on my last post written back in May. When I went to find <a href="http://wafflers.blogspot.com/">his blog</a>, it was a diary of his recent trip to China, complete with great photos.<br /><br />Guess I'm getting a gentle nudge from the Universe to come back to write on this blog. So, I'm back!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-50507556564917180082007-05-22T22:03:00.000-04:002007-05-23T11:11:18.539-04:00In Praise of Green Beans<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvae64Q-6eUqESFjbPprZXJ4oiJnCrrshD4STJPa6TPkFVfJDljrdTwJS1AM_RAzyqIn3T1zCip8ricUwX1OsZmB-t1kp7K3LH69z0_7ZUhzSsHWoTB8hvS0t0NAWMCctDORf5/s1600-h/Asian+Green+Beans.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067769313539244290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvae64Q-6eUqESFjbPprZXJ4oiJnCrrshD4STJPa6TPkFVfJDljrdTwJS1AM_RAzyqIn3T1zCip8ricUwX1OsZmB-t1kp7K3LH69z0_7ZUhzSsHWoTB8hvS0t0NAWMCctDORf5/s200/Asian+Green+Beans.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tonight's dinner was rice, rotisserie chicken and sauteed green beans. LK and CB love the chicken, but turned their noses up about green beans. That's not a surprise -- in my 10+ years as a mom, I haven't personally met many kids who love green beans or green peas, or any green veggies, for that matter.<br /><br />In order to get them to try different vegetables and to make vegetables a regular part of their diet, I've set a rule since they were little. My rule is, they have to finish whatever vegetables I serve at dinner time (I mean the portion I put on their plate). It's OK if they don't finish their rice/noodles or protein (usually chicken or fish, which they love anyway), but they have to finish their veggies.<br /><br />They both know that's my rule, and there's no way around it.<br /><br />So, they'd complain (or whine) from time to time, but they do finish their veggies, and even learn to love some of them. For example, LK and CB love corns, carrots, snow peas, cabbages, Chinese bean sprouts, celery, cucumber, and spinach. They just don't like green beans and green peas. And broccoli is something they love sometimes and hate sometimes, depending on their moods.<br /><br />Anyway, we had green beans tonight, and, not surprisingly, they both groaned when they saw that on the dinner table. Their mood was quickly lifted by the golden-brown honey rotisserie chicken, and they started to joke about how yucky green beans are. The other day, I shared with them that someone who lives in Indonesia sent me a <a href="http://blog.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/2007/05/acrostic-hueina-su.html">special acrostic made from my name</a>. That must have made an impression on them. Before I knew it, LK started writing an acrostic of beans on a sticky note, right at the dinner table.<br /><br />This is what LK wrote:<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>B</strong></span>oring<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">E</strong></span>w!!!<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A</strong></span>trocious<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">N</strong></span>ever will eat<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">S</strong></span>alty</blockquote><br /> <br />She even took out a dictionary to look up "atrocious", just to make sure she got the right word she was looking for. Then she read it out loud for us:<br /><br />"Atrocious, adjective, very bad, outrageously cruel".<br /><br />"Yup, that's the word", LK said, satisfied with her choice of word.<br /><br />How can innocent little green beans be "outrageously cruel"? Beats me!<br /><br />Now, CB always loves to follow his big sister's footprints. Of course, he'd <i>have to</i> write an acrostic too! So this is what CB came up with:<br /><br /><blockquote><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">B</span></strong>lack souls<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">E</span></strong>wwww!<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A</span></strong>stonishingly gross<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">N</span></strong>ever'll eat, ever<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>S</strong></span>ardine-like taste</blockquote><br /><br />We were all cracking up!!! LK exclaimed, "You don't even know what sardines taste like!!!"<br /><br />CB shouted back, "I imagine they would taste as gross as green beans!"<br /><br />We laughed until tears came out!<br /><br />"OK, guys, now it's time to finish your green beans!!!" I hate to break up a party, but we had to finish dinner and move on to other tasks before bedtime.<br /><br />Much to my delight, this time, the kids finished their green beans without further complaints. :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-38350220608434885212007-05-18T21:06:00.000-04:002007-05-21T02:31:53.646-04:003 Men Who Walked on Water<P>Do you really know your theology?<br /><br />3 MEN IN HISTORY WALKED ON WATER<br /><br />The 1st one was Christ ...<br /><br />The 2nd one was the apostle, Peter ...<br /><br />Then there was this guy, Jose ...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSutVgFij1c063m_CfY8QbKztO0uCkTRSKJOCS5aZB4ycSWrZoPGLCM9itUzqwKYVW8IkTPj41aogOYLjhFv_F7pTdYQ8N4EvZHwgNHFIc1aKOw6v5vqeA7y9ZkLYpFDpsl6Zj/s1600-h/walk+on+water.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSutVgFij1c063m_CfY8QbKztO0uCkTRSKJOCS5aZB4ycSWrZoPGLCM9itUzqwKYVW8IkTPj41aogOYLjhFv_F7pTdYQ8N4EvZHwgNHFIc1aKOw6v5vqeA7y9ZkLYpFDpsl6Zj/s400/walk+on+water.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066816986145734898" /></a><br />Need I say more? :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-87504604277423488412007-05-13T11:48:00.000-04:002007-05-13T23:52:50.412-04:00Journey into Love<p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP4JnYmFsJ7v_7Oj1aSmrgS0W5aFDrF7fyk3vM9PzZgjPIq8btz87T3OfVSa3VqawLdF55XyP9wI_OgblVlHVa-F5qOrAQO98m__v6llQar6HGR-YCOV6cSTufQJu3F9KdBqK_Q/s1600-h/Hueina,+Mom+and+sisters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064054834357431794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP4JnYmFsJ7v_7Oj1aSmrgS0W5aFDrF7fyk3vM9PzZgjPIq8btz87T3OfVSa3VqawLdF55XyP9wI_OgblVlHVa-F5qOrAQO98m__v6llQar6HGR-YCOV6cSTufQJu3F9KdBqK_Q/s320/Hueina,+Mom+and+sisters.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong><em>Happy Mother's Day!!!</em></strong></span><br /><br /><p align="left">As I woke up to this beautiful sunny day this morning, having just returned from a whole day of empowering experience at the Morristown Women's Festival yesterday, I felt totally at peace and joyful. I felt loved. And, above all, I felt grateful.<br /><br />It's been an absolutely amazing journey for me as a mother. My daughter is 11 and my son is 9 this year. I feel blessed to have my Mom and sisters (pictured, I was 3 months pregnant with my daughter in that picture), and so many wonderful girlfriends with me on this journey.<br /><br />Just as we are growing our children, our children are growing us! I've learned so much about myself, and grown so much as a woman.<br /><br />I hope you celebrate today, knowing that you are the perfect mom for your child(ren).<br /><br />I hope you enjoy this day, knowing that no matter where you are on your life's journey, you are on the right path to become the woman you are meant to be.<br /><br />I hope you trust and surrender to your Self, and relax into it.<br /><br />I hope you let your Inner Goddess come out and play, even just for a day!<br /><br />I hope you savor today, knowing that you are loved.<br /><br />You hold within you the love you are seeking.<br /><br />You are LOVE.<br /></p><p align="left"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Written by Hueina Su on Mother's Day, May 13, 2007</span> </p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-59653522686029679222007-05-07T16:27:00.000-04:002007-05-08T16:43:50.127-04:00Carnival of Family Life 1-Year Anniversity Edition<p><a href="http://blogcarnival.com/bc/cprof_294.html"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1778/3322/400/carnival%20of%20family%20life%20button.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p>The <a href="http://islandlife808.com/family-topics/carnival-of-family-life-3">Carnival of Family Life </a>is celebrating its 1-year Anniversary at its founder <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kailani's</span> blog <a href="http://islandlife808.com/family-topics/carnival-of-family-life-3">An Island Life </a>this week. There are a whopping 61 submissions this week!</p><p>I have participated in <em>a lot</em> of blog carnivals, and I can honestly say that the Carnival of Family Life is one of those that consistently host high-quality articles. I'm very happy to be part of this 1-Year <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Anniversary</span> edition this week. Make sure you go over there to check out those wonderful (and some downright hilarious) articles at the <a href="http://islandlife808.com/family-topics/carnival-of-family-life-3">Carnival of Family Life </a>this week!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-8551489258701774242007-05-05T23:01:00.000-04:002007-05-05T23:03:44.092-04:00Pennies in the ShoesIt's such a beautiful day today. Sunny, warm, white fluffy clouds. So even though I felt a little sleepy from staying up till 2:30am this morning making my new business cards & brochures, I urged "the crew" to move outdoors instead of sitting in front of the TV. Don't want to waste a gorgeous day like today.<br /><br />We decided to go to Hedden Park, one of our favorite local parks with a lake (with peddle boats in the summer), nice playground, soccer field, large pavilion for BBQ & parties, trails, and lots of grass to roam around. Our favorite part of that park, however, is the small creek hidden in the woods behind the playground. I love walking along the creek. No matter which season we go there, it's always beautiful and makes me want to slow down & just enjoy the moment.<br /><br />However, that's not why my family loves that creek. <br /><br />There is a trail along the creek, but, we prefer to walk on the rocks in the creek. DH, LK and CB LOVE to walk across the creek on those rocks, zig-zagging their way all the way to the little waterfall at the end of the trail. I join them sometimes, trying to capture the Kodak moments with my camera. It's fun & exciting when you can find the right rocks to step on to go across the creek. The water is very shallow (less than knee height), so there's no worry of drowning. Although, you do have to watch your footing, because some of the rocks could be very slippery.<br /><br />We've been there for many times over the years, and nobody ever fell in the water before. Occasionally, one of the kids stepped into the water by accident. DH slipped & scrapped his knee one time, because he was trying to show off. Being the cautious one, I haven't had any accident (knock on wood) by that creek.<br /><br />Today, we started off with high spirit. It's our first outing of the season. The weather had been so erratic the whole winter & spring here in NJ. I am <em>really</em> ready for some real spring weather. Something like today's weather. Just perfect. I'm amazed & very grateful that my asthma and allergy haven't been bothering me that much, compared to what happened last spring. I'm a little stuffy & can't smell anything, but, I'm <em>not</em> on any medication. Wow, I guess acupuncture really helps.<br /><br />Anyway, we started out by the lake, watching the ducks, geese, and white fluffy clouds. Then the kids said they wanted to "warm up" at the playground. They were gearing up for the hike by the creek. After a few rounds of monkey bars and slides (don't ask me why these have anything to do with "warming up" for hiking or walking across the creek), the kids were ready for the challenge.<br /><br />The kids were very excited for their first hike by the creek, and I think DH was a little too excited. He wanted to dive right in, and took on the very first possible pass across the creek. CB followed his daddy right away, and LK was right behind him. I looked at the set of rocks DH picked out. They are mostly big enough and dry. However, there was a big gap between two rocks that I didn't think the kids could walk across. I quickly voiced my opinion, trying to stop them. The kids were already in the middle of the creek, and, just as I predicted, CB couldn't get across "the gap" even when DH tried to reach out to him to pull him over. OK, gotta turn back. CB and LK turned around and walked back toward me. LK took a wrong step, and stepped into the water with her right foot.<br /><br />"OK, that didn't go so well", she said, stopping to take off her sneaker & let the water out.<br /><br />She shrugged it off, and kept going. I told DH to pick a better pass next time.<br /><br />A moment later, we came to the next possible pass. These rocks were smaller, and some of them were wet. The water was running fast. I was a little concerned, but DH charged ahead, and the kids did not hesitate to follow him. CB was right in front of me, trying to step across a wet rock to DH. He took another step forward, trying to reach for DH's hand, when all of a sudden he slipped and stepped right into the water. When he tried to step back onto the rock, he slipped again and this time he fell right into the creek. It happened so fast -- I was trying to grab him, but he slipped again and fell further away from me. Well, it was only a few feet away from me, but I couldn't reach him in all my panic. DH was on another big rock and couldn't reach his hand either. Luckily, the water was very shallow. CB reacted very quickly and after a few tries climbed back onto a rock.<br /><br />He didn't cry or anything. He joked that "This is why I wanted a stick (to walk with)!!" I was amazed that he was so calm. I, on the other hand, was a little shocked. Of course, you always think about the worst case scenario afterwards. Things could have been MUCH worse. But, of course, I didn't want to show that worry in front of the kids.<br /><br />CB was totally soaked and cold. So, that was the end of our adventure for today. Enough excitement for a day, if you ask me. We wrapped CB in two beach towels and drove home. Despite of what happened, both kids were in a good mood on our way home. I was just so grateful that we are all safe and sound. <br /><br />When we got home, CB took off his sneakers and LK noticed the pennies in CB's sneakers. For some reason, CB started putting one penny in each of his sneakers recently, saying the pennies seemed to bring him good luck. LK said, "Well, your pennies didn't work this time, did they?" CB said, the pennies only work on "smaller" luck. But, I said, "Oh, I think they did. Things could have been worse, you know."<br /><br />Yes, I do believe that CB's lucky pennies worked. He is safe, and that's what matters.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-88762339686732758822007-04-22T02:48:00.000-04:002007-04-23T02:53:16.942-04:00Unhealthy Competition?NEVER HEARD CREATION EXPLAINED THIS WAY BEFORE! FUNNY!<br /><br />In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.<br /><br />Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?"<br /><br />And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds And Satan smiled.<br /><br />And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.<br /><br />So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, b uttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.<br /><br />God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.<br /><br />God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."<br /><br />God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.<br /><br />Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center in to chi ps and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.<br /><br />God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald'sand its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.<br /><br />God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.<br /><br />Then Satan created HMOs.... (and you can guess what happened to Man)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-11054849532180886312007-04-14T10:41:00.000-04:002007-04-15T10:54:15.648-04:00An Poem That Gives You GoosebumpsI received this awesome poem from a friend, and I'd like to share with you. I got goosebumps reading it..... Get your Kleenex ready before you read this.<br /><br /><br />A drunk man in an Oldsmobile<br />They said had run the light<br />That caused the six-car pileup<br />On 109 that night.<br /><br />When broken bodies lay about<br />And blood was everywhere,<br />The sirens screamed out eulogies,<br />For death was in the air.<br /><br />A mother, trapped inside her car,<br />Was heard above the noise;<br />Her plaintive plea near split the air:<br />"Oh, God, please spare my boys!"<br />She fought to loose her pinned hands;<br />She struggled to get free,<br />But mangled metal held her fast<br />In grim captivity.<br />Her frightened eyes then focused<br />On where the back seat once had been,<br />But all she saw was broken glass and<br />Two children's seats crushed in.<br />Her twins were nowhere to be seen;<br />She did not hear them cry,<br />And then she prayed they'd been thrown free,<br />"Oh, God, don't let them die! "<br /><br />Then firemen came and cut her loose,<br />But when they searched the back,<br />They found therein no little boys,<br />But the seat belts were intact.<br />They thought the woman had gone mad<br />And was traveling alone.<br />But when they turned to question her,<br />They discovered she was gone.<br /><br />Policemen saw her running wild<br />And screaming above the noise<br />"In beseeching supplication, Please help me find my boys!<br />They're four years old and wear blue shirts;<br />Their jeans are blue to match."<br /><br />One cop spoke up, "They're in my car,<br />And they don't have a scratch.<br />They said their daddy put them there,<br />And gave them each a cone,<br />Then told them both to wait for Mom<br />To come and take them home.<br />I've searched the area high and low,<br />But I can't find their dad.<br />He must have fled the scene,<br />I guess, and that is very bad."<br /><br />The mother hugged the twins and said,<br />While wiping at a tear,<br />"He could not flee the scene, you see,<br />For he's been dead a year."<br /><br />The cop just looked confused and asked,<br />"Now, how can that be true? " <br /><br />The boys said, "Mommy, Daddy came<br />And left a kiss for you.<br />He told us not to worry<br />And that you would be all right,<br />And then he put us in this car with<br />The pretty, flashing light.<br />We wanted him to stay with us,<br />Because we miss him so,<br />But Mommy, he just hugged us tight<br />And said he had to go.<br />He said someday we'd understand<br />And told us not to fuss,<br />And he said to tell you, Mommy,<br />He's watching over us."<br /><br />The mother knew without a doubt<br />That what they spoke was true,<br />For she recalled their dad's last words,<br />"I will watch over you."<br /><br />The fireman's notes could not explain<br />The twisted, mangled car,<br />And how the three of them escaped<br />Without a single scar.<br />But on the cop's report was scribed,<br />In print so very fine,<br />An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-67686695635620060152007-04-08T21:22:00.000-04:002007-04-16T08:56:57.008-04:00My Little Thomas the Tank Engine<p>I came across <a href="http://godzillachai.blogspot.com/2007/04/toy-frog.html">this post </a>on <a href="http://godzillachai.blogspot.com/">Reflections of Time</a> today, in which a father talks about his 3 1/2 years old son's love for Thomas the Tank Engine. Ah, this brought back so many sweet memories!<br /><br />My son CB used to be a HUGE fan of Thomas the Tank Engine when he was little. I bought him his first Thomas when he was about 1 year old, and he fell madly in love with Thomas at first sight! He would carry his little Thomas the Tank Engine wherever he went. He often quietly played with & stared at Thomas while lying on his tummy on the floor, until he fell asleep. Back then he couldn't tell me what's on his mind, but I often imagined he must be talking to Thomas in his mind and making up all sorts of adventures he and Thomas' friends could go on together.<br /><br />His collection of Thomas & friends quickly grew, as his passion for Thomas and all trains grew with him. He's got so many engines, train tracks, videos, books, outfits, and of course, he had to be Thomas the Tank Engine for Halloween -- 3 years in a row! He could name ALL 100+ engines in the Thomas the Tank Engine series, and their different personalities. He had a big 24-piece floor puzzle of Thomas, and he could put together that puzzle upside down! We took him to <a href="http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/day-out-with-thomas.php">ride the Thomas the Tank Engine </a>(a full-size steam locomotive) at the Strasburg Railroad, TWICE in 3 years. That's how much we loved Thomas!<br /><br />When he was about 2 1/2 years old, we went to my daughter's first piano recital (she was 5). LK did a great job playing her very first recital piece. When she was done, the MC gave her a little trophy that every kid who played in the recital got. LK excitedly ran back to me and DH to show us her trophy. What we did not expect was that CB walked straight up to the piano, while I was busy taking a picture of LK with her first trophy. The audience started giggling when CB walked right to the MC, handed the MC the Thomas the Tank Engine that he was holding, and proceeded to climb up the piano bench as if he was going to give a recital. The MC happened to be LK's piano teacher who, amused by CB's impromptu performance, turned to the audience and said, "I know he is not in the program, but, do you mind?" The audience burst into laughter and applauded for CB. So, in front of the full auditorium, CB performed his "Impromptu Op no. 1", which was about 10 seconds long, I think. The audience was cheering for him when he finished.<br /><br />I had a picture of his very first (although informal) piano recital. He was so little sitting at the concert grand piano. Last winter (he was almost 9) when he was complaining about piano practice and saying he didn't like recitals, I told him about his very first piano recital. Of course, he didn't remember at all. His eyes drew very wide, as if I was telling some kind of fantasy adventure story.<br /><br />Like all parents who wish their babies would never grow up, I thought CB's love affair with Thomas the Tank Engine would last forever. I knew that was my wishful thinking, but I didn't want to face the reality. He was still playing with Thomas when he was in second grade. Then, out of the blue, one day he told me, "Mom, I think I'm too old for Thomas".<br /><br />"What? Too old for Thomas?!! But, but, you love Thomas soooo much!!!" I was in shock!<br /><br />CB calmed explained to me that he liked Bionicles better now, and that I could give away ALL of his Thomas trains.<br /><br />I couldn't believe my ears! My baby Thomas was all grown up!<br /><br />I asked DH to put away all Thomas trains in the attic, and told CB that he could ask us to take them out when he wanted to play with them again. He never did. He has moved on to Bionicles, and he never looked back.<br /><br />We finally decided to sell CB's train table last winter, because it's just sitting there taking up precious space in his little room. On a cold, rainy night, a young couple with a baby boy just over one year old came to look at the train table and bought it. I told them how much CB enjoyed that train table playing his Thomas & friends, and that their son will enjoy the train table for years to come. When they left with the train table, I felt like a part of me left with it.<br /><br />It was the end of an era, a very important chapter of CB's life (and mine too). Somehow, I was the only one feeling sad....<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX_4TnF7xN66bu2tHKySDFXt_wg2BJdBfzz5kk_i1k0SoJdlcmWpiYbs30mYvW-GNiiB98tHzfDQBIesmk1iPDv_Ia3MaJihp9s-roKo0UaicdLtiJWWldVLNEH5AiB8Hn5Yz/s1600-h/2001+Halloween.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051260831119014226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX_4TnF7xN66bu2tHKySDFXt_wg2BJdBfzz5kk_i1k0SoJdlcmWpiYbs30mYvW-GNiiB98tHzfDQBIesmk1iPDv_Ia3MaJihp9s-roKo0UaicdLtiJWWldVLNEH5AiB8Hn5Yz/s400/2001+Halloween.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30899558.post-40710453563906827752007-04-04T15:06:00.000-04:002007-04-04T17:55:01.191-04:00James Ray Teleclass on April 5thFYI: This sounds like a great Teleclass. I've just signed myself up.<br /><br /><strong>James Ray, as you know, is one of the teachers from The Secret.</strong><br /><br />This Teleclass is tomorrow night, April 5th, so make sure you <strong>check it out today</strong>!<br /><br />========================================<br /><strong>Program Your Mind for Certain Success</strong><br /><br />If your mind is holding you back from the success you've always suspected was just beyond your grasp...<br /><br />If your mind is the reason you are held back in a job working for someone you don't like making far less than you are worth...<br /><br />If your mind is keeping you from experiencing the harmony and peace you know heart desires- and deserves…<br /><br />If you are ready to make a major financial change in your own life, may I introduce you to something I feel will create a profound difference in your life?<br /><br />James Ray is a leading expert on the psychology, the science of success and coaching for success. He has devoted his life to helping ordinary people lead extraordinary lives.<br /><br />And now it's your turn to experience this quantum leap forward as you have the opportunity to hear James Ray discuss his Success Certain Coaching Program on a special preview call.<br /><br />Now, you will find all of the detail you need for this special limited space call by clicking on the link below. Make sure to read it all - and note the special bonus you'll receive just by being one the first participants to enroll. They're actually paying you to be on the call with the bonus item!!<br /><br /><strong><< -- Click this <a href="http://www.AskJamesRay.com/cmd.php?af=581571">link</a> for details now -- >></strong><br /><br />Enjoy The Call!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Hueina Su is a Professional Life Coach and the founder
of Beyond Horizon Coaching, specializing in providing solutions for Nurturing
Burnout, Stress Management and Work/Life Balance. Download
your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit & subscribe to her FREE
Newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul" at
www.BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
Copyright 2006-2007 Hueina Su, all rights reserved</div>ZenKittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342388020213906601noreply@blogger.com0