Monday Morning Mantra - 12/28

Happy Monday!

I'm back from our annual trip up to Connecticut for Christmas (Naya, our 4-month-old, did very well. Nerissa, our 10-YEAR-OLD, ahhhhh... not so much), and it's really starting to hit me that we're about to usher in 2010. I thought this week's Mantra should get us thinking about how we want to live each day of the new year:

"Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again.' Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again." -- Og Mandino

This week, as we say goodbye to 2009, let's think about how we will live each day of the new year.

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Have a great week and happy new year!

Nicole

How to Make Good Decisions

Last week Goldie Hawn had some advice for us on how to make good decisions. I asked you guys if you had any, and here's some of what you had to say:

"Pros and cons lists, never make [a decision] in [the] heat of emotion, take all of your family into consideration when making the decision... [and] WWJD?" -- Hazel Coleman

"If the rush to buy suddenly overwhelms you, walk out!" -- Joseph Edward Brimmer

Both of these great pieces of advice were posted to my Facebook profile ("Nicole Lynn Lewis"). Thanks for your words of wisdom guys!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 12/21

Happy Monday all!

Relaxation was the name of the game this weekend! We were snowed in with nearly 3 feet of snow, and we had no choice but to kick up our feet and relax. Movies. UNO games. Football. Popcorn. It was grrrreat! The whole experience made me think of the importance of relaxation in our lives, and how often we overlook it.

"Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work, your judgement will be surer." -- Leonardo da Vinci

This week, set aside some time to relax. You will breathe new life into your personal and professional lives!

To receive our Mantra in your inbox every Monday, please click here!

Have a great week!

Nicole

Advice on Teamwork

Last week's Mantra was on the importance of teamwork in reaching our goals. I asked for your tips on teamwork at home or at work, and here is what I got back:

Find what you're good at .. and stick with it! I'm not a good cook, the Mr. is and that's where he helps out a lot. If he cooks, I usually clean the kitchen or load the dishwasher. I pay the bills (online), run errands and PLAN. That's my thing! I feel that once you find your strength, THAT's where you help your family most. -- Marina Sue Hancock Mathews (via Facebook)

Great advice! Have any more words of wisdom? Share them with us!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 12/14

Good morning all!

Ever feel like you don't know which way to go when it comes to certain decisions? This week's Mantra gives us a great strategy:

"Listen to everyone, refrain from reacting, go to your quiet corner and make your own decision." -- Goldie Hawn

This week, listen to others but also take time to think about the best decision for YOU.

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Have a great week!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra 12/7

Good morning all!

This weekend was a whirlwind. Donte and I attended a wedding, took the girls to the Baltimore Aquarium and went to Rissa's basketball game. After it was all said and done, Donte and I were exhausted, and I wondered how on earth we could have pulled it off without great teamwork. So this week's Mantra emphasizes the importance of working as a team:

"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." -- Isaac Newton

This week, remember the value and the advantages of teamwork when it comes to achieving your goals!

To receive our Mantras in your inbox every Monday morning, please click here!

Have a GREAT week!

Nicole