When we were new moms, we all heard it said at least once, "Babies don't come with instruction manuals, you know"

But that didn't stop us!  We STILL bought every baby book, hoping for a magic manual, or combination of manuals, to help us get motherhood right, and demystify the learning process of that first year.

As our kids grew, we never stopped reading those parenting books, searching for solutions...

And if you are 'domestically challenged' like me,  you probably also kept reading books and magazines, trying to figure out how to keep your home neat, clean and clutter free.  

If you grew up with household help, like I did, you may have also  assumed, that one person should handle pretty much everything related to housekeeping -- and never got your husband to help or taught your kids to pick up after themselves.

And if you're anything like me, you ended up hating the housework and, yes, a little bit resentful of your family (Even though it wasn't their fault -- they were behaving the way YOU trained them to.)

If you're anything like me, you kept searching and searching for "solutions" that "magic bullet" to make managing it all (almost) effortless! You kept looking for the "Missing Mom Manual"  You watched videos, joined flylady, read books on housekeeping and organizing -- and not much changed. You were seeking something that would make homekeeping so simple that it would just "CLICK" into your life (and maybe you could even get your kids and hubby on board)...

And nothing ever "Clicked"

Until now...

Ladies, I started to tell you about this the last time I posted...

And I am still doing a bit of work on it...

But I am so excited that I just wanted to tell you...

Relax Mom. The search is over. I think that I have FOUND "The Missing Mom Manual"   That ONE book, that ONE system, that we should ALL be handed the day our chilldren are born.

You all know how I love to find and share solutions -- and  I don't take that job lightly either.   When I say I have found something this good...I really mean it!

This is  NOT another baby book.  Rather it will help us manage our home and familes, much more easily  THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE LIVES.

And I am PROUD to bring it to you...

In my next post!

I recently wrote an organized outline of The Secret, because I wanted to get clear about what it was saying. Here is my conclusion:

 In the end, I have become what I am calling “a loving secret  skeptic.”   I have a healthy skepticism about the ‘science’ behind The Secret. I think there is some truth there, but I don’t know if the evidence is as strong as the makers of the movie would like you to believe.  .  I think there is some truth there, but I don’t know if the evidence is as strong as the makers of the movie would like you to believe, but then again I am not a scientist and would have no way of determining the validity of the evidence and how it supports their conclusion.  Therefore, I will remain open but somewhat skeptical about the evidence that is presented in the movie. 

Likewise, I’m not so sure that this “Law of Attraction” is actually a Divine, Universal, Immutable Law. I’m sure that G-d does want us to have lives full of joy and good things, materially and spiritually, but I have trouble believing (among other things) that He wants every one of our  daydreams for money, gadgets, fame or power to be fulfilled. I don’t  think  He set up the universe so we can automatically fulfill our every wish any more than I believe it is my job as a parent to give my child every toy or piece of candy that he desires.   In other words, there are parts to the philosophy behind The Secret that are not in line with my personal and religious beliefs.

Regardless of those issues, however,  I still think that, on the whole, it is a very positive and useful movie.  Now that I have looked at the movie up close, and as a whole, I can see the tools in The Secret (the steps and techniques) as a very practical way of creating your own success. Granted, the language I use (i.e. “creating your own success”) is a more active idea than that of  passively “attracting” success to you, but regardless of the language, the tools remain the same -- and I think the tools  and techniques that the movie the provides are both positive and useful.

In interviews, James Arthur Ray says that instead of describing the steps as “Ask, Believe, Receive.” He likes to describe the steps as “Think, Feel, Act.”  I prefer those words as well. 

“You've got to have your thoughts, your feelings and your actions all firing and in alignment...You look at anybody who's not creating what they desire and deserve, and they're missing one of those components. You've got to go three for three.” - James Arthur Ray on Larry King Live

It makes sense. When you actively achieving a goal by getting crystal clear about what you want and believing that you can achieve it; then you prepare  yourself mentally to follow through on ideas or opportunities to get what you want. Sometimes that thing just falls in your lap because you are ready to see them in the environment around you. Most of the time you have to take action. Regardless, using the steps in The Secret, you can begin to take control of your life by “training your brain” for success. There doesn’t have to be anything mystical  or scientific about it. It makes sense to me. I’m just not going to make a religion out of it.  (I’ve got one religion already and believe me - that’s enough!)

In short, I think The Secret is a beautifully made work of art and inspiration and I will keep my DVD and use it as a reminder to:

*Get clear about what I want to achieve with my life.
* Visualize myself enjoying the thing I want to achieve.
* Believe that (with G-d’s help) I can achieve it (or something even better!)
* Remember that, (if my goal is truly appropriate for me) G-d will take care of “how” I will get it.  I have to trust Him.
* Be ready to act on “inspired ideas” or “opportunities” that come me.
* Reframe bad situations in a positive light.
* Be grateful for what I have every day.
* Enjoy my life as it is right now, and know that more good things are coming!
 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment. 

"The Secret" movie is all the buzz -  and as it is widely used and discussed in the Professional Coaching world, I can't resist bringing it up here.  (You guys do know that I'm a Professional Life & Home Business Coach - right? ;)

While I am uncomfortable with parts of the movie, overall I think it  has the potential be a very positive influence in the world.  

But I want to hear from you - busy moms! This is your chance to sound off about the movie. Has it changed your life? Do you love it?  Do you hate it?   How do you think it can help busy moms?   Please tell us by leaving a comment. I'll have more to say later... 

Look on the nav bar to the left. What do you see? Under the listing for THIS blog is a listing for my NEW blog - Inspiration For Busy Moms.  Check it out HERE to see what it's all about! (There are two entries there now.  The "Welcome" entry is on the bottom.)  I'll get the sign up for the RSS feed and/or email alerts up soon!

As you may know, I'm a big fan of Jon Gordon's "Energy Addict" Series of Books.  I also subscribe to his newletter.  His last newletter was so beautiful, I wanted to share the article with you. Here it is:

I call it the “Disney Test” and it goes something like this. No matter how much you meditate, breathe, pray and practice emotional mastery the real test of whether you are the master of your emotional domain is how you respond when its 100 degrees in the middle of July and your kids are experiencing a category 5 meltdown in front of Cinderella’s castle. Mickey’s smiling, Goofy’s dancing and your child is standing in the middle of the Magic Kingdom crying like he just saw a ghost in the House of Terror.

I’ve seen Dad’s shake their kids and say, “You’re going to have fun whether you like it or not!!” People walk by them shaking their heads thinking, “I sure do remember those days, boy am I glad that’s not me!” I’ve watched parents crying on the floor with their kids. I’ve witnessed families completely lose it. What should be the best of times turns out to be a complete disaster. And, in all honesty, I must admit, I know of all of this from first hand experience. No, that wasn’t a big kid you saw crying as they got off Space Mountain... that was me. :)

So you could imagine that I was completely thrilled when a week before our trip to Sea World I received an email from a wonderful person with the quote “Too Blessed to Be Stressed” in response to a chapter I wrote about gratitude in my book Energy Addict.

There we were, the Gordon Family, walking around Sea World repeating “Too Blessed to Be Stressed” anytime we dealt with a stressful situation. It sounds funny but it really worked! One time the kids were crying in unison because they wanted ice-cream and toys. My wife and I just looked at each other and said, “Too Blessed to Be Stressed” and started laughing. We were holding firm and were not going to let them break us down. By golly we were going to have fun in spite of them. :)

For those who haven’t read my books yet (I explain the neuroscience and positive psychology in The 10-Minute Energy Solution), the reason why this simple, powerful saying works so well is because it is physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. It’s the way our brains our wired. When we focus on gratitude and blessings we can’t be focusing on the stresses in our life. Instead of flooding our body and brains with stress hormones that age and drain us, we fuel our mind and body with emotions that make us feel great and help us overcome the daily challenges that so often sabotage our joy and happiness.

So the next time you are dealing with a stressful situation remember, “Too Blessed to Be Stressed.” When you are focused on your blessings you won’t be thinking about your stress-ings!

When the work is piled high on your desk, think about how thankful you are to even have a job while so many are unemployed. When work is driving you crazy think about the fact that you are healthy enough to work. When you are sitting in traffic be thankful you can drive a car while so many have to walk miles just to get clean water. When the restaurant messes up your meal think about how many unfed mouths there are in the world. And as I told my Dad who lost the love of his life—my mother, “You had the kind of love for so many years that many people spend a lifetime searching for and never find. Let’s be thankful for that.”

Just as the sun is always shining behind the clouds, there is always something to be thankful for in the midst of a stressful-dark moment. When you remember you are blessed you won’t be stressed. When you’re feeling down and blue remember the words “Thank You” and say “I’m Too Blessed to Be Stressed.” This will help you not only find joy and peace in the Magic Kingdom but also experience the magic in every day life.

Jon Gordon is a leading authority on developing positive, engaged people, leaders, businesses and teams. As a bestselling author, speaker and energy coach, Jon's proven solutions are being put to use by organizations worldwide. His tips have been featured on CNN, the NBC Today Show, Men’s Health, Forbes, Positive Thinking Magazine, and more. He is also the co-founder of PEP- The Positive Energy Program, which helps parents and teachers develop healthy, positive kids. Learn more and sign up for Jon’s free weekly energy tip newsletter at www.JonGordon.com

Reprinted with Permission © Copyright 2006 The Jon Gordon Companies

Wait -- Don't go yet! Jon also included: 

Too Blessed to Be Stressed Poster -
Download a free "Too Blessed to Be Stressed" poster that you can print and share. Post it in your office, send it to a friend.