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2012 Major Funkin’ Ragin’ B’Niz Plan

Here’s my 2012 Business Plan written earlier this year. I got a chuckle from reading it and have no recall of writing it.

If you need help with a Mission Statement or Action Plan, model this. It’ll get you thinking. Feel free to customize, homogenize, harmonize your thoughts with mine. Declare a fresh start for 2013.

But remember, there’s PLENTY of 2012 left. Enjoy every last sunrise, snowflake, and note.

A Major Funkin’ Ragin’ B’niz Plan

By Lindee Brauer And Company

I am the courageous, outrageous, sagacious, and loquacious Lindee Brauer.

I think like a writer and write like a thinker.

I observe, I shape, I question, I dig deeper, I search, I listen for, I recognize, and I celebrate both the diversity and commonality of people.

I share what I’ve learned in a quirky, casual style honoring and giving tribute to the people and obstacles that have made me strong and wise.

I know love, good and wonderful surprises exist in all things and for all people and I tap into the unlimited supply the Universe has to offer me.

I am relaxed, peaceful, and trusting. All things happen for me and to me in Divine Time.

I give praise and thanks daily for my Angel Entourage and embrace their help always and all ways.

When I get stuck or scared I reach out to help others and calm and release myself from all fears in the process.

I write daily with purpose and direction.

My current venues include:

Douche Bag Wisdom

Lindee Brauer blog

Zelda Zingari novel

Doggie Bag Wisdom: What’s Left Over

Training Facebook Marketing is a divine calling and gift. National Seminars is my best client and I do my best to represent them how they would like to be represented. I follow their rules and guidelines and get involved in their discussions.

I do my best to stay current on the latest teachings of Facebook. I embrace their changes and gladly relay them to the seminar participants. I work daily to deliver an educational, entertaining training that meets the needs of all. I make myself available for additional help when they need it.

Facebook training is an ideal part-time job which finances my writing efforts and career. Within the next 3 years, the majority of my income will come from writing projects. I continue to travel and train because I enjoy it and the people.

I have love in my life. And until that lover shows up, I am the love in my life. So there.

Something Wonderful Will Happen to Me

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“I believe something wonderful is going to happen to me today.”

I’ve heard Sandra Smith, motivational comedienne and president of Aspire Seminars, start her seminar day many times with this mantra. On many occasions I joined her in singing it at the top of our lungs:

“I believe something wonderful is going to happen to me today.”

Doesn’t it just make you feel positive, expectant, and hopeful?!

“I believe something wonderful is going to happen to me today.”

Yes, I can just feel it.

And even more, I believe PEOPLE are often the bearers of these wonderful things that are going to happen to me today. A smile from a stranger, an “atta girl” from a colleague, a free piece of cheesecake just because someone felt generous. When something wonderful happens to me, it usually happens through people. Some days, even angels come disguised as people; aka the gentleman who fixed my flat tire. People fill my life with joy.

I’m amending my mantra:

“I believe some ONE wonderful is going to happen to me today.”

Hmmm, I think this will work. Say it with me:

“I believe some ONE wonderful is going to happen to me today. “

“I believe some ONE wonderful is going to happen to me today.”

I believe it.

Do you?

Travel Time Equals Unravel Time

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Ever notice how some people get all worked up over a little travel? Mention “airport” to a friend of mine and she immediately breaks into a sweat. She hates navigating the check-in and security lines. Abhors having to wade through all the people. She’s so intent on getting from Point A to Point B that she misses the sites entirely—including the beautiful artwork and cultural displays that many airports have provided for the entertainment and engagement of passers-by.

I’m the opposite. I love a road-trip. If that trip includes planes, trains, and automobiles, so much the better. The trick to traveling light and carelessly (without a care) is to: 1) take your heart with you, and 2) leave your cares at home.

Take Your Heart

The people you hold dear need to come with you—metaphorically of course (unless you’re lucky enough to have them as your traveling companions). Your partner, your kids, your best friends, your parents… Figure out a way to connect with them while you’re gone. Texting is a great substitute for a live phone conversation—and often it’s easier than trying to hear in a crowd. Even beyond that, talk with them in your head. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Set the point in time when you’ll know you’ll see them again and then vow to enjoy every minute of your adventure until time leads you there. If you keep them fully in your heart and take them with you, you won’t have a driving need to get home. “Home” is with you.

Leave your Cares at Home

It’s amazing what a week away will cure. If it’s a big enough concern, it’ll be waiting for you when you get back, but sometimes “time” works a problem through without you having to do a thing. Being on-the-road is relief from the everyday mundane routine that keeps some people engrossed in their problems and stuck in old thinking. They’re in-a-rut. Travel helps to open up new perspectives. New scenery, unfamiliar streets, unknown restaurants, different faces and places. You just might have a different perspective upon re-entry. What was important before might be insignificant upon your return.

Let go of any preconceived notions on how your trip will go. It’s a stellar day when the weather is fine, the flight is on time, and your rental car has cruise control. But when the challenges set in—delayed flights, turbulent skies, lost reservations, no gps, embrace it and move forward. Your only need is to relax, enjoy the moment, and let your thoughts unravel.

A Beautiful Girl and Colorful World

The World Is Grey

A poem by Justin Brauer

The words that spilled out of her mouth were colorful, beautiful, inspiring. As they spill from her soft lips they pass through the microphone, out of the speakers and splash out upon the crowd as these colorful words hit the ears of eager listeners. The words pass in one ear as colorful as the next, but as they pass through they come out dull and just words, like the world.

Inside the heads of the eager listeners are seas of color, individuality, creation, creativity. The sea of colors become so large and abrupt that every color leaks out from their eyes, seeping in every combination of colors possible showing the crowds’ true colors. Showing how words can change a person, a crowd, a nation.

The nation explodes of color from one girl’s soft, beautiful, colorful words. Igniting a revolution of color, an eruption of every color possible from every one spilling color back to the dull colorless world.

Words to Live by

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Number 9 of the “24 Interludes of Life” as shared on Telling It Like It Is, a site which promotes “things you need to know about raising children, relationships, marriage and parenting.”

A careless word may kindle a strife
A cruel word may wreck a life
A timely word may level stress
A lovely word may heal and bless

What if all of your words were lovely?

Hope in the Night Sky

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~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life’s gotten a little dark for a lot of folks lately. Many have lost hope, lost in their own troubles. It took a poet to help me get a new perspective, and when I realized that trouble is here to help me see the stars, there was only one thing left to do. Repeat after me:

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight…

And don’t just wish on one, wish on them all!

Spell for Letting Go

Hocus Pocus change the focus,

Clear my head and mind.

Engage my heart, keep it light,

Take a breath, make it right.

Share a smile, give a hug,

Tell a story, feel the love.

Life flow through me, give me peace,

With joy and laughter I do release…

(list your worries then relax, repeat as often as your worries reappear)

Reprinted from Barf Bag Wisdom: When What’s Inside Must Come Out

A Memorial to John Arends: If you loved John Arends…

“If you loved John Arends, you’re going to love this blog.” (A paraphrased quote from John.)

Woodmen Valley Chapel was full as we assembled to say good bye to a pillar of the Colorado Springs real estate community. I’d known him briefly–an associate in Springs Best networking group. Every Thursday morning at 7 over breakfast at The Olive Branch, a family of business associates assembled to support and enrich each others’ businesses. John and I exchanged pleasantries on a number of occasions.

It was a card he sent me, however, that truly endeared him to my heart. I’d had an article in the Gazette–front page of the Sunday Business section. Debbie Kelley had done a wonderful job of relaying my Generational Communication info. Carol Lawrence had snapped a great, sassy picture. I was delighted as my friends called to congratulate me.

John’s congratulations card arrived a few days later. He’d cut out the article, folded it nicely so my picture was on top, popped it into a card with a beautiful butterfly on the outside and a sentimental “perseverance” quote on the inside. Across the bottom he had scribbled, “Lindee, Nice ‘ink’! John”

The message was simple, unpretentious, articulately and artfully written. It was first class all the way–and sooo John Arends. It’s that optimistic, supportive, elegant presence that we will all miss most of all. He touched so many lives.

Thank goodness Pastor Matt Heard gave us all permission to laugh and cry, because that’s what we did for the next two and a half hours as friends and family shared stories of John with us. Stories of achieving greatness within the ranks of ReMax, awesome long-shot putts (“If you love golf, you’re going to love this putt.”), a spiritual quest after the loss of his daughter, dedication to his Girls–wife, daughters, and grand-daughters, and an appreciation of Colorado sunrises and sunsets–God’s reminder that all is right in the world. Even when one of us has slipped beyond it.

The sadness of John’s passing was summed up beautifully for me by his brother, Dale. He read a haiku written by John’s mother years before:

“Happy times are everywhere, it’s up to me to find them.”

Thank you, John Arends, for my renewed appreciation of an orange, pink, and purple sunset…and the legacy of words to live by. Happy times are everywhere…not only will I find them, but share them, and relish them.

The Power of Prayer: Saint Jude is the Dude

Growing up the daughter of a devout Catholic–two actually–I witnessed first hand the power of Saint Jude. Saint Jude, according to legend and belief, is the patron saint of Lost Causes. While other Catholics would pray to Saint Anthony for lost objects, Saint Christopher for safe passage, and bury Saint Whoever upside down in the back yard to sell their house, my Mom went straight to the top–Saint Jude.

I have witnessed my Mom walk into a 40 acre field, at sunset, and find a tractor part the size of a bottle opener. I’ve seen her find misplaced checks, rogue house and car keys, and glasses gone missing. All she does is say a quick prayer, promise a financial reward as gratitude, and go in search of the missing object. Saint Jude comes through–almost always, and almost always immediately.

I, myself, have called on Jude on numerous occasions–like when I threw out an important bottle of medication and had to go dumpster diving to find it. Jude has helped me find countless items, and more importantly, has helped me through times of great stress…times when my moral has been in the toilet and I’m standing alone on one last shredded nerve. To me, Saint Jude represents faith…and the power of prayer. From that very first time in elementary school when I lost my brand new retainer and had to call in the Big Guy, I’ve been a believer.

Today I invoke Saint Jude. There is only one thing on my list, and I need it now. With heartfelt gratitude, I thank you in advance for coming through. Saint Jude, you’re the Dude.

And, as always, I’ll be sending my gratitude check to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.