Here We Are...with Luci

Chick Flick Chat: It's Oscar Time! Winners, Losers, Movies, & Men

CLICK HERE to listen to the Chick Flick Chat episode, "It's Oscar Time! Winners, Losers, Movies, & Men."

It's time to talk about this year's Oscar winning performances and the female roles that garnered gold for the actresses who brought them to life. In light of The Blind Side surprise Sandra Bullock received (from her booby prize of a husband) after accepting her award, we had to discuss the so called Oscar Curse. Is it real or are these issues bound to happen in life?

This episode of Chick Flick Chat is not a gossip-fest. It is meant to explore the pinnacles and pitfalls of relationships that successful women face, celebrity and non-celebrity alike. Join us as we first dish about the award winners and losers in movies like Precious and Up In The Air. Then we tackle the issues for all women raised when Sandra Bullock, Hillary Swank, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Winslet, Julia Roberts, live out the real life drama of going from the ultimate high to the deepest of lows. 

Life imitates art for golden girl, Sandra, who earned the most coveted honor in her profession for portraying Leigh Anne Tuohy, a tough, determined, driven woman with grace and nerves of steel; the very qualities Sandra needs to get through this tough time. While we all share in her public heartbreak, what can women in all walks of life learn? Does anyone really ever have your back? And does the so-called "Oscar Curse" send a hidden message to women - making them less inclined to strive for success - because it seems like you can't have your cake and eat it, too?

Listen and let us know what you think.

The Butterfly Effect

Shades of Chartreuse - Freshly Green Tips

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Last week, a good friend gave me a card with this saying simply because she saw it and remembered that I like butterflies. The gesture was such a sweet one that it made me feel happy all day which motivated me to encounter others with extra courtesy. On Earth Day, the idea is to focus on what we can do to help the environment as a whole by exploring ways to live greener in an effort to aid Mother Nature's burdensome task. Unfortunately, the message is getting clouded by commercialism; it may be time to begin again in our own backyard.

On the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, I'd offer the idea of acting kinder toward each other and ourselves. We can continue to reduce, reuse, and recycle our tangible output, but expending positive, vibrant energy toward others will have an immediate effect on our personal "environment." It is easy to be the Butterfly Effect in another person's life; any gesture of kindness mimics the flapping wings of a butterfly to represent, "a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events." 

How will you flap your colorful wings and brighten someone's day? Today? Tomorrow? Has someone caused a Butterfly Effect in your life?
 

"I'll Try" Means Nothing, "Do" Gets It Done

Part 4 of the Here We Are series, Live Your Life Out Loud 

How many times a week do you hear yourself telling someone, "I'll try to ____?" If you aren't saying it, you're probably making a mental note of it. Each time you entertain the insidious phrase, "I'll try," you apply extra pressure upon yourself to fulfill something that, in most cases, you deep down do not want to do. 

The things we say and think about carry energy, often weighing us down. "I'll try" clouds your intentions; it means nothing and doesn't move you forward or free up your time. Simply removing "try" and swapping in the word "do" will render immediate results.

"Do" gets it done, making you proactive and clearing away mental clutter. Once you surrender to the "do," the action becomes easier because "try" is no longer lingering among all the other things that you have on your mind or on your list.

Not sure what I am referring to? Next time you catch yourself using this phrase, note the "tug" you feel in your gut or mental hesitation that accompanies the words as they roll off your tongue.

Here are three easy ways to conquer this pesky three letter word:

1. Think about all the events you say you'll "try to make," knowing you can't or won't attend. Then when the day arrives you feel bad or guilty for not attending. This doesn't help the host, it hurts your reputation, and adds to your stress level. Next time, say no thank you right away; you'll save face, and maybe your relationship with the host. If attending isn't "do-able" the day you are asked, chances are it won't be a month from now.

2. Examine your "to-do" list and honestly assess the items that evoke the lackluster feelings of "I'll try." Rank them in order of importance behind the items you actually "want / must / need to do." You will find that many of the "try" items are ones you have no connection to, desire for, or deep need to fulfill. What to do? Tell yourself it's okay and get a pen, then cross them off your list. Done! Ahhh...that just saved you a bunch of time and stress.

3. Of course, there will be times "try" comes up naturally in a conversation. For example, you will catch yourself saying, "I'll try to send you that document by 5:00," or "I'll try to call the restaurant for the reservation," or even, "I'll try to remember to put your Tupperware in my car." STOP in your "trying" tracks and rephrase it to, "I'll ____" and then just do it ASAP. By using the "do it now" approach, you will find the task is off your mind - and doesn't even make it to your "to-do" list - because it is done!

As women, we are innately verbal beings. Vocabulary is one key to unlocking clearer ways to approach life. In Living Our Lives Out Loud, we must examine how we internalize our words and thoughts. Recently, on the Here We Are radio show, we focused on the word, "should," in The "Should" Show: Give Your Shoulders A Rest. We discussed how it delivers pressure, expectations, and control put on us by others as well as ourselves.

With continued awareness, practice, and new word selections, we can make easy, purposeful changes at the core level. Next time, and there will be a next time, don't try, just do! 

Share with us the next time, "TRY became DO - and TaDa - it was done!"

Time Management Equals Self-Care

CLICK HERE to listen to Luci's guest appearance with radio show host, Cynthia Johnston, of Women of A Certain Age with MoonMaid Botanicals, an informative show focusing on women's health and lifestyle issues. It was my pleasure to be her guest and my hope that this discussion will help other women make the most of their valuable time.

If you are a busy woman (and who isn't these days?), Ooops, I Forgot That Appointment, is jam packed with easy-to-do approaches and tips for better time management so that you can live a calmer, healthier, and fuller life. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Missing appointments? Not exercising? Are you stressed when trying to get out the door in the morning? Are your legs looking like Magilla Gorilla's? It's not a faulty memory or laziness, it's poor time management!

You'd be surprised how little adjustments in thoughts and routine can make a big difference in your daily life. Join me for my first radio interview as we explore ways to keep up with it all without sacrificing time for YOU! Ladies, this isn't selfish, it's self-care, and it is important.

NOTE: You may remember Cynthia Johnston from her helpful interview as a guest on the Here We Are radio show, Calling All Women: What You Must Know About Your Body & Synthetic Hormones and How Herbs Can Help. As an herbalist and owner of MoonMaid Botanicals, Cynthia makes personal care products that are good for the body, and good for the environment.

Have a time management tip? Share it on Here We Are, other women will benefit from your ideas.

Girls In My Circle: Share A Lovely Poem That Means A Lot

Recently, I received this poem. Today, I want to share it with the Here We Are readers. It is a sweet, touching, wonderful sentiment to send to the "girls in your circle" to remind them that you care. The writer is unknown, but the words the author wrote in this lovely poem, when shared, mean a lot.

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little,

I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,

And then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,

God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your Mom.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, "Let's cry together,"

Another, "Let's fight together,"

Another, "Let's walk away together."

One friend will meet your spiritual need,

Another your shoe fetish,

Another your love for movies,

Another will be with you in your season of confusion,

Another will be your clarifier,

Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,

On whatever the occasion,

On whatever the day,

Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,

Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself...

Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,

But for many, it's wrapped up in several...

One from 7th grade,

One from High School,

Several from the college years,

A couple from old jobs.

On some days your mother,

On some days your neighbor,

On others, your sisters,

And on some days, your daughters.

So whether they've been your friend for 20 days or 20 years,

Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life

To make a difference. ~ Author Unknown

Which girls in your circle will receive this poem from you? Share it today, she will be touched.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Pleasure for an hour, a bottle of wine; pleasure for a year, marriage; pleasure for a lifetime, a garden. ~ Chinese Proverb

It's official, Spring is here! The sun is shining, the March rain has stopped, and even if you are not having optimal weather, it's time to plan, dream, and ponder this year's garden. How does your garden grow? In pots? Window boxes? Along pathways? Will you plant vegetables, herbs, fruits, or flowers? 

Do you start with bulbs, potted plants, roots, or begin at the beginning with seeds? At a recent writer's conference, author M. Kate Quinn, gave away seed packets to introduce the first book in her "Perennials" series, Summer Iris (available in July).

This lovely and thoughtful gesture made me stop and take notice. Seed packets, with their pretty pictures and simple packaging, always catch my eye. I am intrigued by the possibility and strength hidden inside each tiny seed.

While it might be too soon to plant, the root of the fun is what grows in your imagination before you pick up a shovel. Even if you have had bad luck in the past, start anew this season with a few herb plants. They are inexpensive, easy, and tasty. Try basil and mint; but be sure to plant the mint in a separate area or in its own container, it likes to spread. Put these no fuss kitchen helpers in a sunny spot (indoors or out) and water regularly.

No matter the selection, gardening is not only a fun and healthy hobby - fresh air and mild exercise - it is a chance for meditation and quiet time with nature. Plan today, dig tomorrow, and enjoy how your garden grows!

What will you plant this season? Share your gardening ideas, selection, tips, successes and failures with us.

April Flowers

Announcements, Updates, and Reminders

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Now is the time to allow yourself to blossom into the flower you were meant to be! ~ Luci Weston

From Blossoming to Blogging: If you are thinking of expanding your creative reach with a blog there is a new book to help you begin or continue this journey. I was lucky enough to win a copy of Typepad for Dummies by Melanie Nelson, and Shannon Lowe, who blogs at Rocks In My Dryer. Now that this hot book is in my hands, you may notice some tweaking of HWA in an effort to make it better, brighter, and easier for you to enjoy! Thanks again to Shannon...can't wait to dig in!

Radio Show: It is time to talk about the Oscar winning performances and the female roles that garnered gold for the actresses who brought them to life. In light of The Blind Side surprise sweetheart Sandra Bullock got from her booby prize of a husband, we will also be discussing the "Oscar Curse." Join us at 1:00 EST on Sunday, April 25 for CHICK FLICK CHAT to dish about the winners, losers, their movies, and why so many of these talented ladies struggle with their relationships after their golden moment.

UPDATES

Gifts & COMMENTS, COMMENTS, and more COMMENTS: Oops, I forgot to announce the Here We Are monthly gift for March. Thank you to the HWA email subscribers for your patience, and to Maria for reminding me. Let's blame it on the crazy rain and move into sunny April by celebrating with two giveaways! We are looking to surprise two HWA readers who are Living Their Lives Out Loud by commenting on any article -- share your tips, hints, and experiences -- we want to hear from you.

In honor of Spring, one gift is a Papyrus Eco-friendly, handmade journal in vibrant orange; the other is a Butterfly Garden Kit from Potting Shed Creations. Perfect for the creative and curious HWA readers!

While we wish we could surprise all of our loyal readers with goodies, remember to be eligible you must be or become a subscriber by email (it's free and we never share or sell your info -- see our gift giveaway policy).

Talking Books: Starting to think about your summer reading list? Looking for a great book to enjoy in your beach chair? (That sounds gooooood!) Look no further than one of the 20+ titles by award winning New York Times & USA Today Best-Selling Author, Caridad Pineiro. This very busy woman will be my guest on the Here We Are Radio Show on May 16, to share her insights on writing, work, and juggling it all!

REMINDERS

April Flowers: It is time to fertilize your houseplants. They have been dormant all winter and are probably in need of a little extra TLC. If gardening is on your mind, check out Garden Guides for terrific tips and info on making your indoor and outdoor garden grow year after year.

Spring Shopping: There are lots of beautiful items being shown this spring that can really spruce up a wardrobe. Before you go out to buy, take a little time to reward yourself with a session of Closet Cleaning, Clearing The Way For A Wearable Wardrobe. You and your wallet will be so glad you did when you're in the stores ready to buy.

WELCOME SPRINGTIME!!!!!!!