Abundantly Yours...

A New Beginning

2011-03-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

My greatest wish today is for everyone to KNOW that in life second chances are sooooo minuscule. We get 365 chances each year to begin again, make new choices, drop old baggage, forgive old hurts and step into a new level of personal power. Every morning when I awaken, I have the following sentiment on the opposite wall:

Everyday is a gift from God

It reminds me that I have the choice of choosing new goals, new friends, new paths and new ways to show my appreciation for being given another day to live. I LOVE mornings because they are new beginnings. Shift your thoughts and see your morning shower as rinsing off more than dirt and the last remnants of sleep. Choose to see it as rinsing off all of the things for the day before that did not serve your purpose of living your best life. Step out of the shower as a new and invigorated You. One who is ready to take on new challenges and who is determined to make today better than yesterday in every way.

WOW with that kind of daily momentum, look out world!

Having a Bad Day...NOT

2011-03-10T05:20:00.000-08:00

During a workshop recently, I mentioned that I could not remember the last time I had a bad day. The quizzical looks on the faces around me caused me to question myself. In questioning myself, I realized that it is true. I cannot remember when I last had a bad day and examined why.

My days are made up of moments that I choose to string together or not. Like everyone else, I have bad moments when I am angry, shocked, hurt or just downright bewildered by the insensitivity of others. But I choose to replace the feelings of anger, hurt, shock or disbelief with other feelings like love and empathy.

I move from moment to moment and choose not to carry those bad emotions into my next moment. You can do that too. The next time that you feel angry, hurt, shocked or bewildered - move on. Feel the bad, identify it, choose a feel-good emotion, send love and move into your next life experience. Considering what we now know about the effect of emotions on our bodies, feeling good is the highest form of self-love. There is no value for your life experience or your day in taking bad feelings with you. Live, laugh, love - good advice.

Abundantly yours
Sherry

New Life Changes

2011-01-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

As we slide into month two of the New Year, a lot of you are already regretting making resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, save more money etc. The regrets come on the heels of the realization that you might not be able to effectively keep your promises. And nothing stings more than breaking promises to one's self.

I have a solution in hand. I do not make New Year's Resolution, instead I make New Life Resolutions. Each year, I survey my life and make choices that will affect the quality of my life based on changes that I undertake in a wholistic way. What is the difference?

New Year’s Resolutions typically focus on the aspects of our unacceptable behavior and are rarely a part of a bigger vision for who we are and who we are here to serve. I find them to be limited; fear based; habit replacing; past focused and unforgiving of failure. How does that feel in the spirit as you are reading this?

New Life Resolutions are unlimited; self-affirming; open-ended; loving; present focused and forgiving. They change our lives in productive and nurturing ways and are based on life assessments that encompass a bigger picture. What do New Life Resolutions look like?

“What do I need to do to support achieving my best life?”

“What do I really want to do with my life?”

“Who can I serve with my talents and love?”

“What thoughts, feelings and actions should I take to align with my visions and dreams?”

Answering these life affirming questions and others like them will still lead you to stop smoking, lose weight or exercise more. The difference being that failure is an option and if one falters, self-love and vision replace self-loathing as we try again. How does that feel in your spirit?

Join me in abandoning New Year’s Resolutions and their limitations. I choose to reaffirm life by living in the now and adjusting my behavior and life choices to fit my vision of living my best life and serving more people along the way. My spirit soars at the thoughts of the marvelous journey that lies ahead.

Abundantly yours,

Life is Good!

2010-10-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

"Most victories show up first as temporary defeats." Napoleon Hill

This quote is a perfect fit for my life in the past six months. I have dealt with the unreality of loss and separation on all fronts. It 'appeared' that I was losing a job that I loved. It 'appeared' that the community was losing a needed outreach program. It 'appeared' that money was no longer a magical asset in my life. It 'appeared' that my job was my money source and not God. This list could go on for much longer but lets stop here.

It was all an 'appearance' as none of it was real. In the face of temporary defeat, my imagination spun a web of 'lies.' Times of temporary defeat are times of growth and learning. Defeat like life is always temporary if you look for the lessons and take heed. At that point, the miracles and coincidences begin to show up and you find yourself smiling and knowing that LIFE IS GOOD.

Having It All

2010-10-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

I was reminded today that 'having it all' is truly about perspective. It is dependant on your worldview, your personal view, your perspective on the opinions of others, and your level of gratitude for what you have now. As I coach others on the unlimited abundance of the universe, I do it from a pedestal of what we in America label as middle class. I am very happy and grateful with my material status. I love my home, my car, my backyard, my clothing etc. I am happy and grateful for these things because they speak to where I am now in life. Knowing that abundance is unlimited, I also know that when and if I change my perspective on what I want in my life that it is just a wish away.

Today, my daughter spoke to me about her gratefulness for all that she has. She is happier than she has been in years. Her statements go against the grain of the capitalist belief that happiness is irrevocably tied to wanting and having more. When she lived in Austin, she had a spacious home with beautiful furniture, a relaxing and inviting backyard, a luxury model car and more clothing than closet space in a three bedroom home and she was unhappy to her core. In her move to Chicago, she now has a 550 square foot apartment, one very small closet and walks to work, shopping, dinners and fun. Her living space is so limited that she can only allow the things that really mater to her. She no longer owns anything because it matches the world's expectations. I am seeing her for the first time in a month and she is radiantly beautiful with self-acceptance and joy.

Having it all is not about going home with the most marbles, it is about finding your center of joy and living there happily for awhile. Life is totally about change and trust me your life circumstances will change. If you feel the need to move forward or upward and want to claim more marbles - it is your choice. Just take a quick self assessment to ensure that what you want is not based on how you want others to perceive your level of success. What you have in your life should reflect what YOU want in your life as you look forward knowing that abundance is unlimited and you don't need to have the world's perception of 'all' at this moment. When you are looking at your life through the world's eyeglasses, you will always come up short.

Look around you and decide what works toward your happiness and what doesn't. Make a plan to replace what doesn't and give God thanks for the pieces of your life you plan to keep. Make a plan, live your plan and be happy. You really are in control of your own destiny.

Abundantly yours,
Sherry

Simply Allowing

2010-08-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Recent life struggles always point out a flaw in our thinking. I just learned (1) that I need to focus on the blessings that I can see NOW and pull in the reins on the things that I would like to see. (2) I cannot force intentions, no matter how well meaning, on another person. That sounds contradictory for a person who teaches intentional living, but peering too intently into the future causes you to not see what simply is.

My only daughter is moving to Chicago soon and in the planning of the move, I became so focused on what I wanted to see for her (a large apartment overlooking the lake; free parking; perfect commute to work etc) that I ended up taking away her joy in finding a small apartment in a great neighborhood that she liked with a 1/2 mile walk to work. These were all things that she wanted. I acted as if I were moving and chose the things that I would like to have and failed to see that I was ruining her vision for herself.

I have now recovered and stopped to take a deep breath (all realizations start with a deep breath) cleared my future focus and thanked God for the blessings she has (a wonderful new job; a new life; a great neighborhood; friends; and hope). Thank you, God for another life lesson.

Love and light!

Choosing Your Possibilities

2010-08-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

We have all become adept at multi-tasking. A term that did not even exist 20 years ago. However, life is designed to move forward one moment at a time. Consider this:

You can only take one breath at a time.
You can only take one step at a time.
You can only have one thought at a time.
and most importantly, you can only make one choice at a time.

Your life is always one choice away from creating your life possibilities. One choice will lead you toward the life you want and another will lead you away from the life you want.

A succesion of choices have led you to where you are right now (whether you like it or not). Look carefully at the next set of choices that you make one at a time. Will they take you closer to your best life or ..........

Love and light,
Sherry

I Believe I Can Fly!

2010-07-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed this song during a spiritual ceremony two weeks ago and I am still singing it. This song boosts my spirits, imagination and belief like no other.
"I believe I can fly." I am in control as I step off of the cliff of opportunity. I have chosen to make this step through belief in myself and the security of my maker in not wanting me to fail.
"I believe I can touch the sky." The sky is NOT the limit. There is no limit as I touch the sky and move forward.
"I believe I can soar." I am so confident that I can drift into mindless soaring and enjoy the ride knowing that when I want to change directions, I can simply choose to "spread my wings and fly away."
"See me walking through the open door." I need the courage of flying and soaring and touching the limitless sky to walk through the always open door of new opportunities and adventures.

I Believe I can fly!

Reflection on FEAR

2010-07-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

I came across an interesting thought this week - to be in fear is to believe that you are alone. There are many fascinating ways to view fear but this one forces me to examine my daily walk. Am I thinking, walking, planning alone? Do I believe that I am alone in wanting the best life possible for Sherry Ransom? The answer is NO. I am not alone, ever. Every experience, every bump in the road, every victory is shared. When we start to feel alone, that is the time for a return to a more focused meditative prayer life. The Muslim tradition of stopping to pray three times a day would benefit me in remembering to focus on not feeling alone.

Prayer is not about asking for things but it is a time to say thank you for the many bounties of our lives. Our thank yous should outnumber our requests many times over. I am pumping up my prayer life starting NOW.

Just my thoughts for this day.
Love and light to all.

Living in Transition

2010-07-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

Life never stops surprising me. Here I am poised to step into teaching the power of life transitions and I am living in a whirlwind of transition on all career fronts. I am being challenged to question everything that involves how I spend my daily precious hours. I feel blessed that there is no fear in this time because I understand that life transitions are gifts - it is totally our reactions that determine where we land.

I know to stop - take a deep breath- and ask to be shown the glory in this temporary turmoil. It is in knowing that it is temporary that keeps the fear at bay. Life is about change and I welcome the next adventure that is coming my way. I will keep you posted.

Love and light to you all.

Living What I Preach

2010-06-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

I am a firm believer that each new day, we get an opportunity to start all over again. We can choose to take the past with us as baggage that drags along behind us or choose to remember the lessons of the past and step forward more enlightened than before. I choose the latter.

Today is a wonderful new day that kicks off new energy, renewed vision and renewed passion to teach and help all those who cross my path. It is my prayer everyone who crosses my path will feel a little lighter and happier as we part ways.

Love is the answer to every single question on earth whether profound or mundane. We are here to truly learn three things:

1. To love God
2. To love ourselves
3 To love one another

Those are the thoughts that will drive me forward. I hope to cross your path very, very soon.

Coincidence is no Coincidence

2010-01-15T03:18:00.000-08:00

The coincidences are piling up in my life one after another. But of course, the word coincidence is a misnomer because they don't really exist. Coincidences are God's whispers reminding you that he is assisting in your plan. I remember that whenever synchronicity happens - "God is showing his love for my plan and God is showing his approval of my plan." Because God is always on your team and rooting for you, he is always assisting - sometimes with roadblocks when your plan is not in your best interest. How does he know? Because he can see past, present and future in one sweeping vista.

I have BIG plans for this year and I will keep looking for those coincidences (little whispers of love) to know that the path I have chosen is blessed.

Namaste

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-01-02T04:24:00.000-08:00

Although my official birth date is July 26th - the day of my entry on earth, I will have 365 birthdays this year. Everyday is a new beginning and a gift from God. I intend to feel renewed, blessed and flushed with the joy of looking forward to a new year every single day. No need for cake or celebration , just the inner knowledge that today is a special day just as yesterday and tomorrow are special and blessed days of communion with God. Happy birthday to me.... happy birthday to me....

On certain moments during each day I will change the words to that song and instead sing - I'm blessed, yes I am... I'm blessed yes I am.

It is amazing the words fit perfectly! It's a new day. Rejoice!

Avatar

2009-12-29T05:50:00.000-08:00

What a blessing to see a movie like this blossoming before so many. The universal message in this movie are timely, nurturing, love-filled and awesome. I sat in the theater beaming at the thought that thousands of miles away, my two grandsons had seen this movie and absorbed its messages whether they knew it or not. Hurray for James Cameron! Everything in its time - there was a reason that it took so long to mature and happen. The time is now and it is all good.

I would love to host a radio program that discusses this movie. anyone game!

Endless Possibilities

2009-12-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

My radio show last night was over the top! Each week, I spend an hour with the most amazing people on the planet who share their special insights on how life works for our greatest good and potential. I have joined their ranks and see mountains of possibilities, oceans of love and a universe of potential for service and good. What a marvelous time to be alive! 2010 - I am prepared and eager. BRING IT ON!

Confirmation Received

2009-12-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

While facilitating a workshop on yesterday for over thirty people, I truly stepped into my light. The session was informative, fun, and inspiring. There was not enough time to answer all of the questions and the questions were deep and probing, indicating that the audience had been able to leave the dramas of the day behind and truly focus on a bigger picture. I truly love reaching others and opening minds so that hope can enter. I actually watched as tired, withdrawn faces blossomed before my eyes. I love my mission. I am ready for more. Bring it on!

Life is Funny That Way

2009-12-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

Anyone looking from the outside into my life would expect me to be crazed. My mother is in heart failure, my sister just had a spinal operation to remove a tumor, my brother is hospitalized monthly with diabetes failure and my plate is full with two lives. And yet, I am calm. Even I am surprised by the calmness and peace that prevail in my life. I seemed to have learned a valuable lesson in my many studies and that is my life is not tied to the distress of others. I love my family deeply, but instead of spiraling into pity, blame and stress - I have instead turned to prayer, love and emotional support for my family. What a difference. It allows me to focus on NOW and not on a past or a future that I am only imagining. I thank God for my many, many blessings and for the love and support that circulates in my family. Namaste.

Revelations of Joy

2009-11-07T18:42:00.000-08:00

YOU create your own life warts and all! I have spent the last three days creating a space that includes plenty of time to accomplish all tasks; adequate time with friends and family; adequate time for rest and just plain ME time. It has been glorious! How soon I tend to forget - when life is spinning in the wrong direction, I am in control.

You see we acknowledge control during times of plenty and fail to acknowledge that same control in times of lack. I am back on track. As the well-known poem "Invictus" states

I am the Master of my Fate
I am the Captain of my Soul

Onward and upward.

Pouring Love into Myself

2009-11-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

As I was driving home yesterday, I realized that I was bone tired. So tired that driving home took real effort. Since I tend to analyze my life to its highest and lowest depths - I wanted to know why? I came to the realization that an encounter earlier in the day with my husband had drained me and was continuing to drain me. He wanted me to do something. I did not want to do it and stuck to my guns even after his second phone call to 'push' me over to his way of thinking. For once, disappointing myself trumped disappointing him.

I am bone tired because my life is peopled with those who are constantly pulling my energy to satisfy what they want. They are all so used to me 'giving in' that my desires are not even considered. The list is long and I am tired. I asked myself, "Who is pouring into me?" "Who is looking for ways to make my life easier or to give me the exact comfort that I need?"

The answer was - no one. I resolved at that moment to pour into myself by making firm agreements with me to honor my preferences first and above all. I am committed. I will let you know how it comes out.

Coasting Along

2009-10-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

So happy to report that all is well. I am following my own advice, pushing my dreams forward and loving life more everyday. I have set firm parameters for my time and added needed exercise. I know that miracles and opportunities are lining up to present themselves. I will be ready!

Luck is when opportunity meets preparation!

Put on Your Own Mask First

2009-10-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

I recently spoke at a conference and the morning speaker distributed her book, "Life is a Verb". One of the stories has settled deep within my soul. The story is "Put on Your Own Mask First." It is a story that highlights the need to put your dreams and needs first. Something that I have neglected to do for far too long. The gloves are off - that phrase is ringing in my head - I am unselfishly putting my needs into the equation. I work sixteen hour days for others and somehow my dream projects are left unattended. NO MORE! My dreams are my priority and all that I have dreamed of will come to fruition. My dreams are vivid, specific and wholly mine. Look out world, I've arrived...

2009-10-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Swamped and Gasping for Air

I feel like the plumbers wife whose plumbing is in shambles while her husband repairs the entire town. The difference is that she cannot control his actions only hers. So what is my excuse? I am in work overload on only one part of my life and the part that connects to my dream is crying for attention. Do I really teach seminars on work balance and dream fulfillment? I do. I do. And it is time for me to apply my own magic to my own life and NOW. I declare that I will no longer leave my dream fulfillment as last on the priority list. I will make a calendar TODAY that puts my priorities in perspective. Only I can make my dreams come true and only I am 100% responsible for my life. More to come...

New Opportunities

2009-09-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

I can feel it all around me. Life is shifting and new doors are opening to allow me to live my dream life wholly. Of course, I have my part to do in this equation:

1. Know that I am 100% responsible for everything that happens in my life.
2. Always choose what I prefer in any given situation.
3. See the blessings in every situation.
4. Love, love, love.
5. KNOW that God loves me wholly and completely no matter the circumstance.
6. Love, love, love. more.

What a journey. I'm ready!

Transitions

2009-09-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

I carefully watch for signs of transitions in my life and they always come with a sense of being overwhelmed. I am in that spot now. Life is too full. I have a day job in which I am doing the jobs of at least 2 1/2 people, I am laying the foundation for my real 'heart's desire' career, I have a social life that is waning but still full, I have planned trips on the horizon, I have accepted a working position as an officer in my local Toastmasters club, I have friends that I have not connected with in way too long, I have children who need my guidance and comfort, and my mother has just taken seriously ill which necessitates adding 3 hour trips (one way) to Dallas to the equation and daily checkup phone calls (and she has asked that I accompany her to her appointments to four different doctors). My newly hired publicist is wiating for my lead to my expanded career in professional speaking. This is all the tip of the iceberg.

I would curl up in bed and cry if I did not recognize that this sense of overwhelm is forcing me to choose. 'Who do I want to be?' 'Where do I really want to put my precious time?' The minute I answer these questions, the layers of overwhelm will peel away. I know this because I have been here before. Life always signals a major transition - we just have to pay attention. Stay tuned for my next life chapter.

Everything is Possible

2009-09-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

This is my new mantra. I know that the world speaks 'anything is possible' but that is just not BIG enough. Everything is possible. Every single deepest held desire is possible in every single life. I know this just as surely as I know that breathing is necessary to live. My dreams are possible because I believe that God wants me to have my every desire. Do you believe the same thing for your life? You might as well, because it is true whether you believe it or not. Life is full of possibilities - pick any one - everything is possible!

A Funny Thing About Choices

2009-03-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

I realized that one of my limiting habits is to 'qualify' my choices. One of my goals is to make nationwide radio guest appearances. I was given a list of 87 stations that have a talk format. I immediately began to select and deselect the stations I would contact based on their format. In other words, I wanted to solicit only from stations that agreed with my political viewpoint and my music listening style. Using that criteria, I might have 20 stations left. Lesson learned - ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! I will not decide BEFORE I make contact that I am not a fit or in other words disqualify myself. I will start at the top of the list and contact every station. I am sure some worthwhile lessons await my entry. Carry on!

Revelation

2009-03-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

Today is truly the first day of my life. Today, I begin to lift the huge basket under which I have hidden my light for all of these years. Today, I will send little messages out to the universe that announce my voice. I AM HERE! THANK YOU FOR WAITING!

I will no longer allow anything or anyone to keep me from speaking out to others about the many lessons that I have learned that can lead to peace. YOU can live a life of purpose. Watch me!

Step into Your Light

2009-03-02T18:56:00.000-08:00

We all spend a great part of our lives looking for something we already have. That something is our life purpose. Believe me, you already know what it is and you already have the talent for it. The reason you are searching is because you know within your deepest parts that you are not fulfilling that purpose. Once you know what it is - there still may be a stumbling block. You may have the problem of hiding your light under a bushel. You hesitate to step out and show your talent to the world. Journey with me as I take my steps from the shadows to the lights of the stage that awaits me. Hang on, it may be a bumpy ride.