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There are times when we need to be replenished, refreshed and refined in order to shine brightly. Constantly running and trying to keep up with a busy schedule may dull our senses. It also can decrease our capacity to think and react clearly in certain situations. Here are five tips that I follow to get my sparkle back:

1. Relax – After delivering an hour-long keynote speech or conducting workshops, I find that my energy level is lower than before. This is because I transfer some of my energy to my audience. Generally, I seek out a quite place to relax my mind and body after these events. This prepares me to give even more. Make sure you take the time to relax. Whether it is through meditation, naps or just sitting still, relaxation will help add to your light.

2. Refresh – When I’m stuck on an idea or not motivated to complete a project, I may read a book, magazine, or watch an inspirational video on YouTube. It is amazing how this sparks ones imagination and gets the creative electrons flowing in ones mind.

3. Refine – It is easy to fall into bad habits. At least this is what I find happens to me. I tend to lose my luster when I don’t practice my speaking, listening or writing skills. Going to my Toastmasters meeting, delivery impromptu speeches and writing my blogs help keep me focus on refining these skills. Allow yourself time for the refinement of your skills or ideas.

One of my favorite pastimes is sitting on my mom’s porch and listening to the sounds of her garden. I can hear the tinkling of the chimes as the gentle wind blows. I hear the flow of the fishpond, the chirps, the creaks, and the peeps of the birds and insects. I give myself the permission to relax and let my imagination wonder. Then I reflect on events, ideas and advices from different angles. This helps to refresh and refine my plans.

These are simple tips that can be very effective in letting your light shine even brighter! Namaste.

Pick up a a copy of my book Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters on your journey to living life on Purpose!

Diamond Cutters

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“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.” ~ Mae West

Mae West was known for her great one-liners. This one is quite humorous to me. The message I take from this is: Don’t become distracted by the little things in life, keep your eyes on the important ones.

Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose!

Continue reading “Diamonds and Diets”

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The award hanging on the wall of Hallandale Auto Electric reaffirms what I have experienced at this auto shop: “Honest and Best Mechanic.” Last year I was shopping around for a new auto shop to change the brakes on my car because an auto repair guy told me I needed new brakes. As usual I liked looking around for at least three quotes. When I called a few shops, they gave me the price for the brakes and nothing else.

The response from the guy at Hallandale Auto Electric was a little different. The guy on the phone told me a price, but he said it is just an estimate. He would rather take a look to ensure that was what I needed. I told him I would come. He paused and said it would have to be on Monday. He is closing the store early for Thanksgiving. He wanted to give his guys time off with their families and to rest.

That got me hooked. If someone cares about his workers like this; there is a great chance he will care about his clients also. He told me his name is Todd. I told him I would be there Monday morning bright and early. When I drove up to the shop, I was taken aback by the amount of cars on the premise. There was no fancy waiting area. Instead you have a small office that has a few chairs and the owner’s workspace all in one.

What is impressive are the walls. They are covered with years of thank you letters, postcards, and awards! Moshe Bourak open his business, Hallandale Auto Electric, more than 30 years ago. Now his son, Todd, assists with its management. Moshe approached me about what I needed. I told him I needed new brakes. He said he will have someone take a look at them. I asked: “How much?” “Dear,” he said, “my price is $69 for a set of brakes only if you need them. If I put your car on the lift and you don’t need brakes, I charge you nothing. If you need brakes and you don’t want me to fix it, I will charge you a service charge.”

“Fair enough.” I said as I handed him the keys. I went into the office and met Todd. He was very friendly to everyone that entered. As I sat and listened, I learned so much about them. Moshe and Todd are well respected by their workers and their customers. They listen carefully to what everyone has to say. They spend time explaining what needs to be done. They have 3 workers with them for 30 years, 2 with over 20 years, 3 over 10 years and one over 5 years. Amazing!

About 20 minutes later, Moshe called me to go with him to my car. He asked me who told me I needed new brakes. I told him another mechanic. “He doesn’t know what he is talking about. You don’t need new brakes. Let me show you.” Moshe showed me what a set of new brakes look like. He showed me the thickness. Then he took me around to each one of my brakes. He showed me that they are slightly thinner than a new set of brakes!

Then he said: “What you do need is a new tire. You back passenger tire is balding and very dangerous to drive on.” I told him I knew I needed to replace it and possibly the other rear one. I was just very busy driving all over the place. He said I could go, but he doesn’t recommend me driving on the tire. I agreed to have him replace it.

My experience with Moshe, Todd and their workers left me feeling great about doing business with them. I now tell anyone that needs a mechanic about them. My friend, Maria, said she was very pleased with the way they treated her and her car. They worked past closing to get her car fixed. She is happy that I told about them.
Today, I’m back for my routine maintenance. Todd pulled up the manufacturer’s recommendations and show me the info on the computer. As I sat waiting with a few others, a young lady walked in. She seemed apprehensive about being there. I said hello as she sat down. I told her she looked unsure about the place. She said she was. Another customer and I both reassured her she was in the right place.

Just as we said this, Todd called her out to her car to see what she needed. She came back in and I asked her if she learned something. Tears appeared in her eyes. She said she was debating if she should share her experience, but since I asked. She said, “I prayed before I came here, because I was worried how I was going to pay for all the repairs. Todd showed me what I really needed and it is not as much I was worried about.” We, the ladies and the one guy waiting, were all happy for her. Another happy customer of Hallandale Auto Electric. They certainly deserve the award for “Honest and Best Mechanic!”

Live a Diamond Life, Live a Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters

Teachers are Diamond Cutters
Teachers are Diamond Cutters

Teachers play an important part in our lives. They open doors to different worlds for us. They help to shape our critical thinking process. Great teachers ignite the fire to find out more about the world within and outside of us. Some of my best educators have been my main Diamond Cutters. This poem is dedicated to my Educational Diamond Cutters:

You Taught Me

Love of words

Wonderful words

You taught me

Descriptive words

When strung together

Brought me

To places sublime

Through space and time

 

Love of mathematical

And scientific formulas

You fed me

With algebraic

And chemical formulas

You led me

To masters of old

Through equations unfold

 

Crave of histories

Global stories

You educated me

Of war and peace

My knowledge increased

You cultivated me

About people, places

Eras and races

 

Share of knowledge,

Nurturing knowledge

You molded me

Unlocking my illiterate mind

From thoughts that bind

You stimulated me

To think and explore

Worlds beyond my door


Marlene M. Bryan

1-17-14

Happy Teachers Day to all our Teachers, Professors and Educators! Thank you for helping us Live Diamond Lives! 

This poem and others can be found in my book Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters. 

Share how your teachers impacted your life!

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Big, Unique Significant
Big, Unique Significant

In his sermon on January 12, 2014, Pastor Wayne Lomax, spoke about having a Vision that is a B.U.S. This acronym translates into:

Big – put more people on it.

Unique – what God has ordained for you.

Significant – impact others.

Needless to say, the response from the congregants was very positive to his message. It was an encouraging one to help us unlock the limitations we put on our dreams. Pastor Lomax words were right on-time for me. I was able to use it as a reminder as I completed the editing and publishing of my first book to share my vision of Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose with others.

I am sharing Pastor Lomax’s message with you in hopes that it will help you press towards making your vision a B.U.S. in order that you may bless others!

See you at my book launch on Saturday, May 3, 2014, 3-5 p.m., at Jewelry Depot Inc. Oakwood Plaza, 2910 Oakwood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020.

If you cannot make it, buy your copy of the book by clicking Live Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters!

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