Sources of Inspiration

Where do you find your inspiration? Last night, at the 3rd Annual REALiving event in Eau Claire, WI, we had 24 sources of inspiration (at least!) as we recognized 24 women for their REAL inspiring abilities. REALiving recognized women who are exceptional at being balanced (or centered) or who are inspiring, excellent leaders, visionary or beautiful- all of course, in the REALiving definition of those words- REAL / authentic/ down to earth as being essential.

We heard from people in the room who nominated someone for an award, and we heard from award winners. I heard something inspiring from everyone who took the microphone. A few things come to mind. 83 year old Heneritta told us about how in her life span, she's seen a lot of things. Some up, some down. But, all in all, she thinks that we, in this current time and place, have things an awful lot better than we give ourselves credit for. You know what? I think Henrietta is right. Perceptive is a powerful thing, and I'm glad she shared it.

Marni talked about how being honest with someone is her way of showing respect for that person. She said that she feels everyone deserves honesty. Isn't that a great perspective? The next time someone is honest with you, tell them thank you for the gift!

When speaking of vision, Alice said she feels God didn't put people on this earth to sit "in the middle of the bell curve". She feels she was put here (and so were you and I) to achieve! Nicely put, Alice. I think you inspired us all to push past the middle.

Inspiration, in this world, is everywhere. If you open your eyes, ears and mind to finding someone or something to inspire you - you won't look long. I'm feeling very blessed that 125 people came to our event, to inspire all of us.

Thank you REALiving fans!

Keepin' it REAL,

Holly and your friends at REALiving

Spring Clean up the REAL you

Spring! (Maybe?). In Wisconsin, even on a late Easter weekend we are required to be patient for the arrival of spring. That being said, our internal clocks are still telling us that spring is near by- it's the "itch" to spring clean.

You know the familiar feeling. Maybe today, I should wash those windows. Maybe today is time to tackle that closet. Maybe today I will clean up the back yard. What if we took the motivation of "maybe I will clean", and applied it to sprucing up the REAL you?

If you do strive to spring clean the REAL you, the first thing you should polish off are your glasses. You don't wear glasses? I'm talking about the virtual glasses you wear- the ones that taint your view of yourself and the world. Be sure those glasses are clean. Don't allow something or someone to skew the way you see yourself and your potential in your life. You can be and will achieve exactly what you set your mind to. If you are unable to visualize those goals, then start here. Clean off the lens.

The second thing that is important for the REAL you is managing your environment. Be sure that your REAL you has fertile and encouraging soil in which to grow. If you have weeds growing, the ones that spread quickly and strangle off your growth, get rid of them. You don't have to be all controversial about removing the weeds. There's no requirement to loudly proclaim you are removing them or post a sign saying they have to stay out- you can choose to very quietly redirect your energy away from them. It's amazing- once you move your energy and your focus, those weeds can't continue to grow (at least in your garden).

Lastly, to do a good spring clean, you have to assess the well being of you. Have you been taking enough time to just "be"? When is the last time woke up and treated yourself to a to-do list that was empty? Are you feeding your REAL you nourishing, strength based foods? Vitamins and supplements? Fruits and veggies? You don't have to be perfect to be REAL, but you do have to feed your core. Despite what we'd like to believe, our REAL cores crave foods that are healthy (it's my mind that's relentlessly hungry for french fries!). How about feeding your mind? Allowing yourself to be inspired is very important food for your REAL soul. Make a "bucket list", take a step closer to achieving a dream, journal and capture the presents around you (the love, the caring, the laughter) -- your soul will smile with appreciation.

Being REAL is not something you achieve. It's something you strive to maintain. It requires discipline and commitment. Spring is the perfect time to refocus and gear up. It's time- let's do it!

Keepin' it REAL,

Holly and your friends at REALiving

It is a worrisome world

When we first delivered our public speech called "How to Live Worryfree in a Worrisome World" I wasn't sure how well received it would be. I was interested in developing the speech and delivering it to people that are worrisome, because I can relate. I'm not some zen, worryfree expert. I'm REAL and I worry too. It was wildly popular. People loved it. We've gotten emails and letters telling us about how it has changed their lives. So- we have hosted it again, and again.

With the events in our State and around the world, there has been plenty of things for people to "worry about" in the last few weeks. I've noticed that worry on Facebook. People fret about things they fear, ruminate about things they don't know the details about and obsess about situations that haven't become reality yet. That's the nature of worry. If you had more of the details and could fill in the blanks, you'd worry less. Because, you'd know more.

Worrying sucks. It takes up a ton of energy. It competes will all the other activities in your life (you know, the fun ones). It can make you physically feel ill. Like I said, it sucks.

The first step is overcoming worry is taking a step with the intention to overcome it. Overcome the worry. You might not be able to overcome the circumstances that cause you to worry, but you can change how you feel in response to them.

If you live near LaCrosse or are interested in a worryfree vacation, visit us on Thursday, March 24th at the Waterfront in LaCrosse for "How to Live Worryfree in a Worrisome World". You'll learn tips, make friends, enjoy a great meal and have fun. All of those things are guarantees to help beat worry!

Keepin' it REAL,
Holly and your friends at REALiving

Self-Improvement

We are bombarded with messages about how to improve ourselves. Exercise infomercials on how to improve our physique. Advertisements on improvement strategies for our appearance. Retreats on how to improve our marriage. Columns on how to be a better parent. Wow! That's an overwhelming amount of self-improvement.

What if I told you that the best asset you have in being the BEST you can be- best parent, spouse, partner, professional-- is already within you?! It's your authentic, REAL self! You are just great the way you are!

I just saved you a lot of money on self-improvement products. Save that money, pat yourself on the back and celebrate just how you are, right now. We think the REAL you, and your confidence in your REAL abilities is the most powerful self improvement product there is!

Keepin' it REAL,
Holly and your friends at REALiving

REALiving coming to LaCrosse, WI

The positive energy and motivation that comes from attending a REALiving presentation is something to see. We have been awestruck as we have watched the power of "REAL" living catch on, and spread like wild fire.

Take for example, LaCrosse, WI. We have been in conversation with a number of business people in LaCrosse who were interested in what REALiving is. As we explain our most popular public presentations such as "How to live Worry-free in a Worrisome World" or "Hooray!", interest would peak and people would ask, "when will you come to LaCrosse?".

LaCrosse is a persistent community. We were asked by different individuals, and then we'd be asked again, and again. As is sometimes the case with REALiving, we worry about hosting a public event in a community for fear of not getting enough participants. And then, we ultimately make a decision based on what "feels right" in our gut.

Well, coming to LaCrosse for a presentation "feels right". So- we are doing it. If you are near LaCrosse, WI or know someone that is, please tell them about our event on March 24th. I will be presenting, "How To Live Worryfree in a Worrisome World". As a group, we will have fun, enjoy each others company and shopping from local vendors, enjoy a great meal at our host location "The Waterfront" and we will all learn how to kick worry to the curb-- and leave it there!

Thank you, LaCrosse for being such great REALiving fans. We are excited to add your community to our REALiving family, and look forward to seeing you all soon. Visit our webpage at www.REALiving.net for information on how to get tickets, be a sponsor or to be a vendor.

Keepin' it REAL,

Holly and your friends at REALiving

New Year Resolutions = Care for the REAL you

Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Was it a challenge to think of one? Really, a New Year's Resolution is an opportunity for you to re-commit to caring for the REAL you.

If you focus your commitment on achieving things that are in your best interest, they become an expression of authentic love for yourself- your REAL self.

This year, I'm making a few special commitments to myself in honor of my 40th year of life, and in anticipation of my most important upcoming birthday, my 41st. For those of you that haven't heard me speak, my Mom died at age 41 (when I was 20). Given her life was cut short, I have been striving to position myself to be living "my best life possible" at age 41. Here are the things I feel I need to do to achieve that (and you'll get my point about self-care in reading them):

Make every effort to be as healthy as possible.
This is multi-faceted.
1. Physically healthy means I need to maintain an optimum weight. I know full well when I weigh too much and I know specifically how I got there and what I need to change. I also need to regularly exercise, be proactive in managing my health risks (ie. follow Dr. recommendations, take medications, and take health supplements). This is all a part of being good to the REAL me.
2. Financially healthy means I need to be responsible with my money, do the greatest good I can with my financial gifts, and be disciplined with the use of my money. Albeit practical, this one is hard for me. I can do a better job in this area (and I'm sure many of you will find "save more, spend less" a familiar mantra).
3. Spiritually healthy, for me, is a holistic perspective. I need to care for my spirit. My spirit needs times of calm and relaxation (super challenging for me!), my spirit needs motivation and encouragement (you know the variety- positive self talk, solution focused reading and positive psychological food!) and my spirit needs to be loved (by my God, my family and my friends- spending time nurturing those relationships results in nurturing of my soul).

Continue to live LIFE in a REAL manner, and move forward always.
For me, being "myself" is important. Being REAL- and working to further develop and share my natural abilities and talents makes me even more authentic. I have a specific list of things I'd like to achieve here, but a few for you-
1. Continue to develop REALiving. Of all the goals we had in starting REALiving, the impact it has had on YOU the fan is the most apparent, and the most powerful. Like everything we do at Aurora Community Services (the REALiving parent organization) the impacts we have on people and their LIFE are the most powerful and the most important. Any other goal is secondary. So, however this medium can be moved forward, it should be. Because our first impression is that it's too good not to. **We'd love to hear your opinion on this one. Post a comment on this blog or email us at info@REALiving.net.
2. Continue to develop and enhance my gifts to share. My ability and reach as a motivational speaker (improve my skills and speak in different locations in the country), and further development of my skills and reach as a writer (more writing, more blogging, more columns and dang it all, a book!).

All in all, making any New Year's resolution should be all about YOU. Taking care of the REAL you, nurturing/growing/developing the REAL you and the all important sharing of the REAL you. All of those things together will achieve the perfect balance of authentic living- and THAT will make you happy and content.

Happy New Year to all of our REALiving fans- those we've never met (but read our blog and materials) and those who have attended our events. We love you all!

Keepin' it REAL,

Holly and your friends at REALiving

Creativity- set your mind on fire!

My favorite part about preparing for a large REALiving event, is the creativity it brings into my life. As all of the staff involved in REALiving at Aurora start prepping for our events, the creative ball starts to be tossed between us, and it literally starts our minds on fire!

Just in the last few weeks before our Holiday Hooray event, to be held in Eau Claire, we have added several creative features. That includes super cute REALiving merchandise we have added and that are priced very effectively! We know- the economy is a drag! We will all exclaim "HOORAY" when we are able to buy a neat item, for less than $10.00!!

We are including some neat giveaways as a part of the evening. Everyone in attendance will walk away with a treat. Isn't that what the holidays are about? Sharing time with your friends? Giving them a little something that shows them how special they are to you? THAT is what Holiday Hooray will be this week- a chance to hang out with our REAL friends and share a collective "HOORAY"!

We can't wait to see you! Hooray!