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Rollerblades, Friendship and Fun...
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Today I saw a man, dressed in a helmet, short shorts, kneepads and roller blades dancing on the corner of Fred Waring and Portola. I was stopped at the light and found myself mesmerized as he spun and danced to what I hope was music through earbuds and not some imaginary voices in his head.
He was on the opposite corner from where I sat, so the view was pretty clear. I smiled as I watched him, spinning, one arm in the air, sliding on his roller blades, then spinning again each time throwing his arm up like a matador taunting a bull.
And then I felt a small twinge of envy; envy that he could be so free from others' opinions and that he could dance there on the sidewalk, in the sunshine, with cars passing him by and with what appeared to be nary a care. He looked like he was totally enjoying himself.
Think about that -- total uninhibited fun and joy. Wouldn't that be amazing? When was the last time you were able to just have fun? Are you able to let go like that? Without regard to what someone else might think?
I believe we oftentimes get so caught up in the drudgery of day-to-day work, family responsibilities and life in general that we forget the only truly important thing in life is to enjoy it. We need to make time to build and nurture relationships with the people who mean something to us and to make time for pure, uninhibited fun and joy.
You know, when you think back, how many people have moved through your experience? They all do so for a reason -- either to teach us a lesson or for us to share one in return. I think about that a lot. Whatever happens to those people with whom we were once inseparable? Those so close we knew each other's secrets?
Why do we let them slip away? Is it because we don't want to reach out? Is it because we are 'too busy'? I know my sister, for one, will rarely call me -- I tease her that her fingers must be broken because she is unable to dial a phone. It isn't that she doesn't want to talk with me -- it's just that she is not the kind of person to reach out.
So if I want to continue a relationship with her, I must be the one to make the effort; otherwise our relationship will just fade away. This happens all too often for too many people. I've seen it in my own life -- close friends who suddenly disappear because our lives took a new path and one or the other of us are distracted and forgot to make the effort.
Don't let this happen in your life. Look through your address book or your Facebook friends list or your newsletter distribution and reach out to someone you haven't talked with in a while. Touch base. Catch up. See if you can rebuild the relationship you once had.
Just don't be discouraged if you both have changed so much you've lost whatever connection you once had. That's okay. Like I said, people come in and out of our lives for a reason and if they have served their purpose in our life or we in theirs, then say a little mental thank you for whatever the lesson and move on to the next person.
Memorial Day is this coming weekend and while it is a day of remembrance for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we may enjoy our freedoms; it is probably ok to also be a remembrance of the friends we once held dear.
Maybe if we rekindle a friendship or two, we'll also find the time to have some fun with them, eh? Infuse our busy lives with some joy? Wouldn't that be something....
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Weekly Facebook Live Broadcast
I keep forgetting to let you all know that I do a weekly Facebook Live broadcast on Wednesdays. This show, called X's & O's, The Game of Small Business is shown on my Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page and usually goes live at 3pm PST each Wednesday.
I share business tips and solutions to common entrepreneurial issues in an attempt to help other business owners grow their companies and be more profitable. After what seems to be a lifetime in corporate America, as a former business consultant to aerospace companies, and now as a serial entrepreneur, there is just so much to share! AND, it is so fun to do! Helping other businesses is my passion!
This coming Wednesday, May 24, we'll be live at 2pm PST (rather than 3pm) because we have a new business opportunity later in the afternoon (and we can't miss that!). Our topic for this broadcast is 'The #1 Marketing Tip to Grow Your Business!'
As a part of the broadcast, we also offer a free downloadable recap you can get just by clicking the link on the page.
Our Facebook Live broadcast is held on the Concierge Business Solutions® Facebook page
and this is also where all our previous videos are posted. Hope to see you there!
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It's Summer!
Despite the fact we've had the weirdest Spring (109 degrees one day and 75 the next), summer is finally here!
And that means more fun than ever -- the beach, picnics, camping, a little vacay....right? So before you leave your home for any length of time, be sure to get a free copy of our new booklet, Old Wives' Tales, Facts or Fiction - Prepping Your Home for Summer.
And let us get your home in shape too, including the following:
-- It is time (actually past time) to do your HVAC maintenance for summer so if you haven't yet one it, let's get it scheduled!
-- Planning to heat up your pool or just finished heating your pool over the winter -- let's schedule a tuneup to make sure the burners are working properly.
-- Are you spraying for pests? If not, cricket season is right around the corner so time to get it started!
-- And if you're going to be gone for any amount of time, set up an account with us to do absentee home checks. Your account hours never expire and there are no monthly minimums! We set up a four hour block and you use us as you need us! What better way to help you relax and have fun over the summer without worrying about your home here?
Summer is a time for fun, friends, laughter and joy. Let us help you by allowing us to take care of the home -- it will be one less thing to do!
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A Summer Salad for Your Next Potluck or Picnic
This is by far my most favorite potluck recipe. I was originally introduced to it by one of my daughters' mother-in-law and it is truly delicious. It is super easy to make but it's all about the prep! Make sure to cut up everything in similar sized pieces, mix together and chill. Give it a try, you will love it!
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup sugar (may use less to taste)
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 (15 ounces) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounces) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 ounces) can sweet corn, drained (not cream corn)
1 red onion, diced
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup chopped cilantro (1 bunch)
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Remember how we used to put our kids in a timeout as a disciplinary action? It was a time that they hopefully would spend in quiet reflection or at least to quiet down. Not so sure how much 'quiet reflection' a two year old might do, but I do know as adults we can benefit from some quiet time.
What if we started planning our own timeouts? I know it won't be easy -- we're all so conditioned to work every minute of every day. But what if we actually delegated some of our workload, if only for one afternoon? And what if we blocked out a chunk of time on our calendar -- made an appointment with ourselves to go get a massage or meditate or go to a movie or do whatever else might soothe our soul and rejuvenate our spirit?
If you're anything like me, you will need to make this not only a priority but an actual scheduled event that you can treat like any other appointment or meeting because when it is on our calendar, it becomes sacred.
And I know for a fact that even the busiest professional will find time for fun if he or she schedules it in. (Yes I know, that takes the spontaneity out of it, but we must do what we must do to enjoy our lives, eh?)
If you need someone to whom to delegate tasks, you know we here at Executive Errands® are available to lighten your load. This also gives us great joy -- to free up your time so you can have more time for yourself.
There is nothing wrong with taking time for you! Even one hour a week can make a huge, positive impact in your life and your psyche.
Try it! Do it! Maybe you too will lace up a pair of rollerblades and dance your way down the street. Have fun! Wear sunglasses! No one will know it's you!
Until next time, make time for fun, rekindle a friendship and say a prayer of gratitude for the lost souls of our armed forces....
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!
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Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands®
CL#944447
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For a list of our most popular services, please see our brochure here:
Last year, after traveling to Cuba (another beautiful country!), I wrote a travel guide! To download our
American in Cuba e-book travel guide, please
click here.
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