Revolving Doors

Revolving doors are in constant motion.  Although the doors go around in circles, there is an opening for people to enter and exit the building.  When you hear the phrase "going around in circles", you may think that no progress is being made.  That is not necessarily true.  As long as you recognize where the opening is, you can move past the barrier of the door.  This works for a physical door as well as a mental block, or obstacle.  Look for open minds, open hearts, and open communication to help you identify the right spots to step into the place you want to be.

Open minds are able to process what they receive with objectivity and patience.  As information revolves through the doors of your mind, you must decide how to interpret it.  Take your time and determine how you can use what you read and hear to your advantage. While you may have preconceived notions about some things, consider that there may be room for you to discover a fresh perspective.

Open hearts allow you to connect with others that can help you reach your destination.  Be aware that as people revolve through the doors of your life, they may also need your assistance.  When they leave something of value with you, make sure that you are not causing a void, or deficit, for them.  Deposit your wisdom, grace, and optimism into those around you in order to enrich their lives.

Open communication is necessary for you to make informed decisions regarding where you are going and how you will get there.  When you ask questions, make sure that you pause to really listen to the answers.  Pay attention when people are talking to you, so that you can learn and grow from the interaction.  When you are providing an answer to a question, remember that others may not comprehend things the way that you do.  Strive to present information in a way that makes sense to the person that needs to grasp it.

Leave a comment and share how you will open your mind, heart, and communication to achieve your goals.

Greeting Cards

Do you like giving and receiving greeting cards? They commemorate special occasions and let people know that you are thinking of them.  The cards can usually be grouped according to whether they are referencing a past, present, or future event.  Examples include thank you, birthday, and shower cards.  Your thought process to select cards for others can help you encourage yourself.

Thank you cards are given to express appreciation for something that has been done.  Maybe someone showed you hospitality or gave you a gift.  It is appropriate to thank them for a past act.  However, what do you do when you want to thank yourself?  If you do yourself a favor by keeping your cool when someone tries to push your buttons, write a note to yourself to express gratitude for exhibiting grace under pressure.  When you make healthy eating choices in a restaurant or wise spending choices at the mall, call and leave yourself a voice mail to say thank you for taking good care of your body and finances.

Birthday cards celebrate you and the date of your birth.  The focus is on the present.  They make you feel special on that particular day.  When you receive a birthday card, you might also get cake or balloons.  It is usually a festive atmosphere.  You can also acknowledge other births, or beginnings when they occur.  Each day you have the opportunity for a fresh start.  You can give birth to ideas that will change your life.  Each slice of your creativity cake differentiates you from others.  Keep a journal (birthday card) to record your thoughts regarding the new goals that you set for yourself as well as the daily progress towards meeting them. 

Cards for baby and bridal showers are given for events that will occur in the future.  The anticipation of what is to come provides a reason for people to come together to offer kind words and gifts.  Have a shower for yourself as you near the completion of a significant achievement.  It is customary to have a party after a graduation or athletic competition.  However, you can encourage yourself to keep going if you reward yourself along the way.

Leave a comment and share what greeting cards you will get for yourself this week.

Baskets

Baskets are containers that hold all sorts of things for you.  They come in different colors, shapes, and sizes.  What they contain is what defines them.  Think about how the contents can positively impact you.  It is just as important to empty them as it is to fill them in order to always have a fresh supply of what you need.  Consider the symbolism of laundry, fruit. and bread baskets.

Laundry baskets hold the dirty clothes that need to be washed and the clean clothes that have dried.  It is important to maintain a balance between issues that need to be addressed (washed) and situations that should be put away (dried). 

Fruit baskets have different edible treats.  They provide healthy snack options.  As you juggle the many responsibilities that you have in your busy life, remember to allow time for breaks (snacks).  Your fruit, or treat, basket should contain things that fit your taste.  You do so much for everyone else, make your much needed leisure time about you.

Bread baskets might be on the table at the beginning of a meal.  You may have toast, rolls, biscuits, muffins, or other varieties of bread.  Hopefully the contents of the basket will be warm and fresh.  Those are two characteristics that can also be used to describe your attitude as you begin new journeys.  Your warm interaction with others and fresh ideas will work to your advantage.

Leave a comment and share how your laundry, fruit, or bread basket can help you this week.

BOGO

The term "BOGO" is commonly used in retail adverstisements to indicate that if you buy one product, you could get another one free or for half price.  Often the product involved is shoes, but it could also be grocery items, clothing, eyeglasses, or other consumer goods.  The attraction is that it is better to have two of something, especially if you can get the second one for free or at a reduced cost.  BOGO can be used as an acronym for other things.  Apply your own meaning to the letters to make them applicable to you.  You can think of BOGO as one of the following:

• Back Off Get On
• Back off of habits that continue to get you off track.  Decide where you want to go and plan the route to get there.  Get on the path that is marked with landmarks to let you know you are going in the right direction.
• Break Out Get Over
• Break out of your shell, or comfort zone, to explore new opportunities.  Change can be a good thing.  Get over self-imposed hurdles that can hinder you.
• Be Objective Grade Options
• Be objective when presented with alternatives for your next move.  Grade options based on how they can contribute to your long term goals, not just on the immediate impact.

Leave a comment and share which of the BOGO meanings above is most relevant to you this week.