Are You Sinking Your own Ship?

Hello again!

I have been pondering what to share with you today as I struggle with one of my two online courses. My major is psychology, but I have a couple Gen Ed’s to finish. One of my current courses is Elementary Statistics. Ok, who knew this would not be so elementary. It is daunting to say the least. I was feeling so defeated last week, until one day our professor posted a story about a crew on a sinking ship. They fought until the end, but many still survived. Therefore, our moral was that we all felt exactly the way we should be during this class; we were riding a turbulent ship. Are we survivors or are we quitters? It is difficult and we must have strong study habits to survive this course.

I had to make the conscious decision not to ‘give up’ sub-consciously. Does that make sense? I was entertaining the thoughts of – I just want to pass that is all that matters. AND I do not care if I get a D as long as I pass. Are these thoughts OK? My own words about this were very self-defeating and once I made the decision to do my best, it got better. I am feeling so much better about it and during my schoolwork. The dread is 80% better. Yes, I admit I still have some dread left, but it is a lot lighter!

Now, what changed was not the simplicity of this course it was MY attitude. I had to first realize how I was sinking my own ship without even knowing it. Everyday my thoughts were how much I hated this class. Now, I see the challenge and I take that challenge! I am taking a slower approach, and doing well. Wow! Is it ever a GREAT feeling to be doing well and not so defeated.

This is where Pocket of Pearls can help you feel better in your life, while guiding you daily. Often, we are not ‘consciously’ aware of what is going on inside of us. We are use to hearing our own voice. However, remember this is your daily fuel towards life. Don’t you deserve it to be made of gold? The Pocket of Pearls journey will take you to a healthier relationship with self.

Have a great Sunday!

Merna

Soylent Green

Happy Sunday!

What a beautiful day! I was not sure if it would be or not since it was raining cats and dogs last evening. In fact, I was hoping for a break from mowing, but getting outside in the sunshine is what the doctor ordered for me after a full week of coaching, school, and working with my book.

Last evening I took the time for myself to enjoy an older movie. On one of the classic movie channels Soylent Green was on and I haven’t seen this movie in many, many years. It is a futuristic movie made in 1973 starring Charleston Heston. As a kid, when I first saw this movie it frightened me of the future. The movies plot takes place in the year 2022 and they are living in the full greenhouse effect of darkness and heat. I found it very interesting that in the 70s that they fully understood the dangers in front of us and how the future might be. The year 2022 does not seem so far away any longer does it?

The movie had a strange revelation for my life when watching it. The very things we take for granted everyday were relished and wore a high price tag in this movie. A jar of strawberries was $150 per jar. Can you imagine? No, we do not want to go there, do we! For instance, they lacked sunshine, plant life, animals, fresh fruits, and vegetables, etc. Yes, this is a movie, but when they talked about what we know as Global Warming and it was alarming. Watching this movie brought me to my gratitude list in my heart. Do we look around daily enough to see what our gifts are?

Pocket of Pearls starts you on this journey of looking within and brings you to task to document what that inner voice is saying, while challenging you to be kinder. Are you continually telling yourself you do not have enough? If so, you will never have enough. If you are telling yourself you are not enough, you will never feel enough. See where I am going? Once we start changing this inner dialogue the sun starts shining – inside!

I will leave you with this thought today. Do you want a kinder voice? Do you want more in your life? If so, take this first step to start implementing Pocket of Pearls in your life daily. This journey of self-awareness is incredible and life changing for YOU! After all, you are the one who is starring in your own life… so start living it!

Love,

Merna

Is Your Roof Leaking?

Hello!

It is a gorgeous July day here in Northern Iowa and I plan to be outside working on my acreage. It does not really seem like work since I will be outside enjoying the summer. I have 5.5 acres to mow and tend to, but when I am finished ‘I’ think it is breathtaking here. I LOVE my home and do my best to take care of it. After all, if I do not tend to it this place it will fall apart and it would not take long for it to start showing on the surface.

With that said, let us use this visual with our relationship with self. Without work, sweat, and attention it will start to fade. It will not be long before the lack of attention starts showing visually, let alone what is happening below it. For instance, when you have a leak in your roof you keep putting off the repairs that are needed. Let us say you take months and months to get the roof looked at. By the time, you have a professional look at it the repairs are beyond a few nails and shingles. The rotting of the frame of the roof, attic boards, ceiling in your house and the sheet rock that has rotted from staying wet… and so on… Any homeowner knows the consequences of ‘putting off’ repairs.

Now, back to us! :) Using these thoughts on our mind, heart, and soul. If we do not tend to our personal spirit, it will wither and need more repair. Now of course, this does not mean you will ‘rot’ at your core as if the roof did, but it could feel that way. This feeling would take on many faces like despair, passionless, lack of motivation, and so on. Where did your dreams go in life? Our dreams and goals in life are necessary to a confident feeling. We should all ask this great question to ourselves. I dream a lot! I believe in the world of “The Secret” it is called manifesting. However, once I learned the law of attraction I utilize this skill in a more powerful way by fully understanding it and NOT killing my own hopes. Dreaming alone will not attract more, but adding the necessary tools will help you live your dreams. As in the law of attraction, what you feel you will attract! If you are feeling bad about yourself, or your voice is harsh – this is what you attract. Therefore, the first place to start ‘attracting abundance’ is where the magnet lives, which is in your personal spirit. The Pocket of Pearls workbook will start you on this path of abundant living, while keeping you on your toes daily.

What are your dreams? Does your inner voice encourage you or tell you its silly and not going to happen? I have heard that deflating voice in the past and I stay attentive with my relationship with Merna. Take the Pocket of Pearls journey and learn more about you. Do not be afraid of looking within because you were brought into this world as a sweet, kind soul. You are still in there… we just have some housecleaning to do… Remember, you do not have to go through this journey alone; you have me in your pocket daily.

Have a great Sunday!

Love,

Merna

Too Close to Home?

Hello again!

I am recouping from my busy weekend with family. We had a wonderful time celebrating our parent’s 50^th anniversary and everyone made it home. My mother enjoyed every ‘picture taking minute’ of our time together. It is tough to get all 25+ of us together at one time, so she took as many as she wished. After all, it was her day, so we complied.

Many great memories we talked and laughed about, while making more. I hope you were able to have a wonderful 4^th of July with your family and friends. We here in northern Iowa had amazing weather to enjoy the weekend.

For a few weeks now, I have been thinking about a few responses I have had about my book. To some people, this book hits a little too close to home. What I mean by this is how frightening it is to look in the mirror of self, so I want to talk more about this. My hopes are to support the people who are having trouble reading the book or stopping himself or herself from reading it. You are NOT alone! It is scary to start a journey of looking within, especially when life has been so busy that you have been put on the back burner. This happens slowly over time, and unknowingly in some ways. I, too, have been there!

One of my hopes when writing this book was to support the person who is too scared of looking within and can’t quite verbalize this yet. When any sort of self-discovery journey begins for anyone, you can panic because you do not know what you will see on the inside. I remember this very well in rehab many years ago. I remember saying to myself over and over, “What if I am rotten to the core?” or “What if I am not as good as I hope I am.” And, “What if I just don’t like what I see!” This makes me so sad looking back at myself as a young girl in treatment. I know it was my experiences, and I am so grateful I continued on my life of taking care of me. What a terrible place to be! I will never forget where I came from. I got through it and no longer feel this way, so you can too! However, I am not perfect and still have tough days, but my feelings and fears are not this deep any longer, so this is your pocket of hope.

So this is my olive branch to those of you who are a bit apprehensive to looking within for the first time. Remember, your soul is good, kind, and caring. The ‘stuff’ on top of it is ‘life’s happenings’ and we are going to do some housecleaning. If you feel the need for one on one guidance, this is the perfect time to invest in a personal life coach or counselor. They offer you the strongest unbiased support and tools to a strong inner core. The two go hand in hand and true change happens when both areas have the same attention. Then your life is like ripples in a pond, these strong, loving vibes affect the rest of your life when your core is healing and stronger. Remember, a good coach will never judge you and the investment in yourself is so worth it!

Therefore, here is your challenge for the day. Take one day at a time and start with your Pockets of Pearls journey. You do not have to go through this alone! There are many women and men who are taking this journey with satisfaction, conviction, and are pleased with the improvement on self. Are you ready for some pearls of YOUR personal wisdom!

Have a great Sunday and let me know if you have any questions!

Love,

Merna

Don't Be Afraid to Look in the Mirror of Self...

The fourth of July is fast approaching and giving everyone a 3-day weekend! WooooHooo! I hope you find fireworks in your area. This weekend we are celebrating my parent’s 50^th wedding anniversary! For any couple, it is a fantastic milestone to celebrate with their families. My parents are making the joke that it feels longer! LOL… Really? How can you tell? I think that is a long time and many great stories to keep. They have their 6 children, in laws, significant others, and 12 grandchildren. It will be a great party!

I started my two courses for college last week on my trek to my bachelor degree in psychology. I am taking a statistics class and a psychology ethics class this term. I was a little hesitant at first and didn’t know what to expect. However, the first week in both classes grabbed my attention and I look forward to learning much more. My inner voice was a little shaky as I was overwhelmed with all the new software, navigation, and people I had to learn about with my two new courses. It took a couple days and I am settled in now for the ride!

I wanted to share with you some thoughts I received from one of my readers about Pocket of Pearls. She told me when she first heard the title of the book she got a tear in her eye; it hit a soft spot immediately! I commend her for NOT walking away, but chose to push through the feelings and learn more about it. She signed up for one of my workshops and then purchased 2 extra books for friends. In addition, she wanted to be sure she had future access to additional month’s journals. Yes, they are on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online at $9.95 each. I wanted to keep this a slim and affordable journal for everyone. Don’t forget to keep your monthly journals, so you can look back on your progress!

When I wrote Pocket of Pearls I went out of my way to make sure this was a comforting and inviting book since this is a very personal subject; we are talking about our self worth! It is a very private matter and subject to discuss. I do know this and want to remind you… Do not be afraid of looking in the ‘mirror’ of self – your soul is good, kind, and caring. When the tough gets going, reach out for some guidance~! Send me an email if you would like some avenues of support you can implement into your life. Go to my website for contact information. Also, if you are interested in hosting a Pocket of Pearls WorkShop in your area, send your request in.

Remember, you are not alone and have me in your 'pocket' daily with your Pocket of Pearls workbook in your handbag or by your bed before going to sleep.

See you next week and Happy 4^th!!

Love,

Merna