TEN THINGS TO SERIOUSLY QUIT

This is your life. Life is short. (Photo credit: pragmatic_pete)

Ever heard of Holstee? They are a design and production company focusing on offering "mindful shoppers, meaningful products." They began with a few young men creating recycled Tee Shirts. But, while Holstee has great products, it was their mission statement known as the Holstee Manifesto that resounded with millions and millions of people, myself included.

There is one line that says, "If you don't like your job, quit." Now most people would say that is easier said than done but I believe it is a practical and empowering statement. Yes, you must have a means to pay your bills but in reality a job is one thing you can choose. You may not always be able to change other circumstances in your life like your health or your age but you can make choices about your job and I submit perhaps quitting many things could actually improve our lives and make our situations more positive and thriving. 

So for some, Holstee's admonishment to "just quit" might relate to your job but I also think we should quit the following:

1) Quit comparing ourselves to someone else. Hands down this is not only destructive behavior but downright ridiculous. We were made to be unique. We have unique footprints, unique DNA, we need to realize we were meant to be just ourselves and not some cloned "wannabee".

If you're tired of drama in your life, just quit being the actor. (Photo credit: deeplifequotes)

2)Quit making excuses. Own your behavior. If you procrastinate or have a temper or are quick to judge; own it. Once you own it you can change it but as long as you keep making excuses you will always be owned by your behavior  rather than the other way around.

3) Quit adding to your regrets. There will always be baggage, mistakes, missed opportunities...learn and move on. Quit being held hostage by the past.

4) Quit listening to everyone else. Yes, there might be some great advice you miss. But if you can't hear your own heart due to everyone else's opinion, it is time to shut out the din and go discover what you love.

5) Quit saying you don't need help. No man is an island. Be a giver and a receiver. No one can do it alone.

6) Quit saying you wish you had and start saying you're glad you did.

7) Quit living someone else's dream.

8) Quit spending time with people who bring you down or sabotage your life.If you don't enjoy the time you spend with people, quit sharing a commodity you can't replace(time). 

9) Quit saying something is your passion and start acting as though it is. If you want to write, start a blog, if you want to design, make cards or costumes or whatever you love to make, if you want to teach something, develop a webinar online, if you say your passionate about animals, rescue one,if you feel passionate about victims develop a strategy or campaign to help someone in need but a passion is only an idea unless you really act on it.

Holstee says, "Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion."

I say, 10)"Don't quit your mission, quit the things that prevent you from achieving it.

Adult Swim

Remember when you were younger, having a great time in the pool and suddenly the lifeguard blew a whistle and informed you and your friends that you needed to vacate the pool for a period of time and let the adults have their fun.
"Adult swim," would be announced and the pool would be reserved for just "grown ups."

There is nothing wrong with adult swims and personally, I look forward to hearing that whistle blow now and getting to spend some time enjoying quiet time in the pool without dodging belly smackers, noodles and loud screams of "Marco Polo", but most children dreaded those eternal minutes of "adult swim" when they did nothing more than countdown the moments until the "old guys' got out of their territory and they could resume the horse play and  raucaus interaction they began before the lifeguard blew that whistle. They didn't mind the noise and the crowds. The kids were there to just enjoy the moment.

Sometimes I think the very thing we hated as a child, becomes our security as an adult. We want someone to blow a whistle and tell us it's time to start working on our goals or our passions; time to move into a territory cleared of unpleasantries and offering a safe haven to make our passions happen. Like that whistle indicating adults were guaranteed of  a less obstructive time in the water, thinking you will get an obvious indicator of that perfect time when you are meant to take a leap of faith is hoping for something that may never happen.

It's good to be cautious when treading into new territory, but often waiting for what you think is an indicator you can participate without unnecessary interference is futile. Maybe it doesn't seem like the perfect time for you to sample the waters or even just jump in and go for it but you might never get in the water waiting to hear that whistle and what good is a day at the pool without at least enjoying the refreshing opportunity to sample the water?

Maybe you will be fortunate and the whistle will blow, and all the things imperfect about where you are about to venture will be removed but if you refuse to wade in while the pool is a bit more crowded and noisy you might end up stranded waiting on the sideline missing a chance to perfect the strokes that could never be practiced without the water and missing an opportunity to seize the moment.

Are you waiting for the Adult Swim signal to jump in to your dream?

Sometimes I Wish...

Thanks for the sweet introduction from Nicole Lacolle. Big shoes to fill following her blog!


Being near the tail end of an amazing blog tag is a distinct disadvantage. I would think about one post I wanted to write which fit in with the theme, "Sometimes I wish___" and then someone would post something similar. After awhile, I realized blogging together with such talented story tellers is humbling to say the least.

But I realize what I really sometimes wish is that there was no need to share the facts I am about to share. I wish injustices such as this were so far removed from our society we need never discuss them again. Sometimes I wish we could stop putting a band aid on a major wound and stop refusing to acknowledge what is going on in our own backyard. 

I am a passionate advocate for stopping domestic minor trafficking. It has been 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation and yet even today over 100,000 children, some as young as 8 years of age are bought and sold in the United States alone as sex slaves to countless individuals! The United States has the second highest rate of trafficking of women and children in the world and this unspeakable crime has invaded not just our inner cities but into our comfortable bedroom communities where children are lured away so innocently it appears invisible. It happens in Columbus, Ohio, Atlanta, Georgia, Houston, Texas, Washington, D.C, Hartford, Connecticut and and every city in between. It is the fastest growing crime in the country and yet few people really believe it is happening at all.

There is hope. Holly Austin Smith is a survivor who bravely shares her story in hopes to stop this epidemic.Organizations like the PolarisProject , Resoultion Hope and Youth-Spark are launching major campaigns to raise the level of awareness about this heinous crime. These are your daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews. These are not willing victims or those who elected to end up in the circumstances they are in. These are not individuals who have crime records or have already been involved in breaking the law. These are the faces of children once playing with dolls or Legos,  trying out for the debate team or dreaming about their wedding day.

Would you help save a child if you knew how little it really takes?

I will be expanding my outreach and forming alliances with groups to raise the awareness in our communities and begin building networks where those trafficked can begin building their lives. There are simply not enough places to address the needs of those trafficked and instead they are often sent to shelters where no real treatment is given to restore a life robbed of innocence and dignity.

 I realize how blessed most of us are and how blind we can be to the injustices in our own backyard. If you always wanted to make a difference in someone's life, there is no better way. I will be keeping you posted in the future about my involvement and hope you will join myself and others in making this crime the one every person can stop. We must stop supporting companies that use exploitation to sell products. We must raise the level of awareness for pilots, cab and bus drivers and anyone involved in transporting a victim. And we truly must fund programs and housing to help re-build lives and futures.

Sometimes I wish there would never be a need to share information such as this but until that day...I will share as long as there is just one child left to rescue. I hope I can count on you to help make this wish come true.

*********************************************************************************
Join me in hopping over to visit Kimly B who shares stories from her soul that will move yours. Love her blog site and her thoughtful inspirations and I am sure you will  think as I do, here is just one more amazing writer in this group! Take it away, Kimly!    


 Related articles

• More girls from Maine and Portland being forced into $32 billion sex trade
• Girls, Human Trafficking, And Modern Slavery In America
• Message from U.S. Congressman Ted Poe
• Sex trafficking a problem in Miami-Dade
• Alicia Keys: Against Our Will: Poetry From Survivors of Human Trafficking

Related articles

LITTLE FISH, BIG POND

Ever feel like you want to make a difference but don't even know where to start"
Have you ever really felt passionately about a cause whether saving the baby seals, getting more funding for a particular group or just making someone aware of an issue dear to your heart?
Does something ignite a passion in you but you don't know where to begin networking to help it grow into something more?

Ever hear of CHANGE.org? There is a place on the site to begin a petition to make an impact about a cause or circumstance you feel moved by. A recent petition helped stop an execution of a young man who killed his abusers. Another rallied supporters to petition for a woman moderator of the Presidential Debates and won! You can search the petition base to see if there are any areas you feel led to support or add one of your own to seek support for something you are particularly passionate about.

English: Signature of Susan B. Anthony on 1865 petition (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is just one way, you can do something small but to a large outreach. Take your petition to other social sites and ask others to support it. You don't have to be the one with all the skills and expertise to bring about change, you just have to start the ball rolling with your signature. 

Stop saying there is nothing you can do about something that has been pulling at your heartstrings. Stop looking in the mirror and continuing to tell yourself you can't make a difference.
Stop feeling minimized by what seems to be a huge mountain and remember whatever the issue, however big the problem, however large the stakes, God is bigger than any of it!

You can choose to wonder what you can do or you can effect change by beginning to raise the level of awareness to others, simply by creating a petition and encouraging others to support it. You might get a signature or perhaps several thousand and possibly you might save a life, change a perspective, get a law passed, make the world a better place.

It's not about whether you want a stop sign at the end of your street or a bill to stop human trafficking...it's about the power of beginning. 

I challenge you to work with others on developing a petition to effect change. Yes, you CAN make a difference. You know there is something you want others to be aware of, so jump in that big pond because no matter how small that splash remember that someone has to go first and if I really support your cause, I might sign it as well!

Kathy is an advocate for re-inventing and re-cycling people. Contact her @kathybrunner.com to share your story. She welcomes your follow on twitter, Facebook and  by joining other Trailblazers

Related articles

• Slacktivism or This Generation's Activism: Do Online Petitions Work?

What Jimmy Buffett Can Teach a Trailblazer

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jimmy Buffett is nearly 66 years old and still going strong. Why? I think it's because he always set his direction towards something meaningful to him. He knew he wasn't much to look at and didn't think his  educational pursuits would be his trademark but decided  he would take up the guitar in college to meet women. Who doesn't love a man with a song?

He eventually moved to Nashville to pursue becoming a country singer but when his releases went mostly unnoticed, he realized he preferred living near the sea to fighting the traffic in suburbia and relocated to Key West, where he gradually perfected his beachcomber image while learning to sail and pilot his own plane. He was happier than ever living in his "paradise" and in return grew a large following of fans who loved his casual concerts and laid back style. 

Jimmy hasn't put out a new album in over ten years, but continues to draw sell-out crowds wherever he sings.He owns chains of clubs, clothing and has written several books. (I think he actually is quite a good writer!) Honestly, Jimmy does not have a voice that is unforgettable. It's certainly worthy of good karaoke but hardly will be remembered for its depth. Why then is Jimmy in such demand? 

He knows how to give good customer service and truly loves what he does. He appears to enjoy giving a concert as much today as he did more than three decades ago. He may be one of the few entertainment icons who have had children and grandchildren of the original Parrot Heads enjoy his music. Jimmy has much to teach every entrepreneur whether you like his music or not.

Here's what I learned from Jimmy Buffett:
1) It's critical to find something you love and navigate to that arena. 
It might be your career, but when it can't be, it should be another outlet either an avocation or a hobby. Jimmy loved the sea even more than the guitar and so he moved where he could sail and the beach persona came as a result.

2) Capitalizing on your passion connects others. 
You may be the most skillful professional around but if you don't make your passion part of your persona, you will miss the chance to connect with others who enjoy that same venue. People will always follow a person with passion rather than one who is apathetic at best.

3) Developing you passion can enrich your life.
It's far easier to do something you love long into your life than settle for a career or lifestyle that you dread each day.

 (Photo credit: Just having some fun)

4) There is always a market for every passion.
Some will be larger than others, but whether you make specialty fruitcakes, train dogs, build relationships or build houses, someone will want what you do if you know how to reach your niche' market.

5) You don't have to be the most talented to be the most successful.
The bottom line is not about how skillful, how attractive, how rich, how smart or how famous you are but about how you bring people together to appreciate what you do. 

So, next time you wonder if your idea has any potential ask yourself these questions.
1. What do I really enjoy doing?
2. Where do I really enjoy being?
3. What connects me with those who feel the same?

"...If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane." (From: CHANGES IN LATITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDES by Jimmy Buffett)

And on that note, I would just like to share that the next CALLED WOMAN conference is slated for March 23 2013 in Atlanta. This year's theme is Let's Do Launch and you will learn everything from start to finish to take your passion and make it happen. DETAILS COMING SOON!