Give Me a Brake!

“That should solve your braking problem, ma’am,” as he handed me a bill for $260 bucks. I paid the bill and wondered if this would be a permanent fix – yea, right.

Last week, I almost rear-ended another car when my brakes failed. Apparently, the brake pads need to be changed more than say, once in a lifetime.

So this got me thinking about “brakes” and dating. How many times a month, week, day do you consciously (or unconsciously) use your brakes in a relationship? Do you stop short of saying what’s on your mind? Keep yourself from accepting an invitation to trouble? Bring an unhealthy relationship to a dead stand still?

Here is what I know; it has to be your OWN foot that hits the brake – not the other guy. Your brain sends a message to your body to act on the fact that braking is necessary in that moment. If you choose not to respond to that message, you are apt to regret it. When you fail to use your brakes, the police officer doesn’t give you a break on the ticket, right? So why do you expect to get a break when you choose not to brake in a relationship?

After you have been driving for a while, braking is instinctive. How long do you have to date someone before you have a safe braking response that just comes naturally – without a thought?

Thoughts?
Mama j

Mama j moment

Mother's Day Moment

Hmmm…What does your mom want for Mother’s Day?

After careful consideration, there is only one thing I truly want as a mom – for my kids to be safe and healthy. I took care of the healthy part years ago by cooking pot-roast in the crock pot instead of aluminum foil. Now, I only worry about their safety.

It started well before they were born. Prenatal vitamins, safety locks on the cupboards and a crib with rails that was FDA approved. Now, their safety is much less controllable; will my teen driver be safe on the road? Will my teen dater chose someone who will protect her heart, body and soul? Will my son drive recklessly or date recklessly?

The box of Elmo Band-Aids has faded and gathered dust over the years. I remember when a scraped knee or broken bone was my biggest daily concern. Now, there is no box of bandages big enough to patch up the fears we have as moms of teens. All we ask is that our babies travel the safest possible road and guard their lives at every turn.

What does your mom really want for Mother’s Day? The chance to tell you one more time to go slowly and look both ways…

Thoughts?
mama j

Curb Your Emotions

My neighborhood doesn’t have curbs. I’m not sure who decides whether or not to add curbs to the side of the road but regardless, it is pretty easy to tell when you have crossed the line; the feeling is completely different and it’s easy to lose control.

Curb. That is one of those words that sounds weird when you say it more than once. By definition, it means to “restrain, hold back, limit, control.”

If you’ve ever “accidentally” hit a curb, you are familiar with the jolt of the correction. Immediately, you are set back on course. No curb and it’s up to you to get back on course.
When I hear, “Curb your emotions,” I picture a little concrete wall that keeps me from getting out of line. Unfortunately, those little curbs are just that…little. Easy to jump and disregard.

So here’s a question, if you jump the curb and hit a tree, do you blame the city for not installing curbs? Maybe you blame the tree. If you lose your temper and damage a relationship, do you blame your parents for not “curbing your emotions?” Or maybe you just blame the person you damaged. Ouch.

Thoughts?
Mama j

Front End Alignment

My car keeps pulling to the left. If I let go of the wheel on a straight road right now, I will end up in a ditch. I’m guessing I need an adjustment. It is amazing how a little tweak of 1 or 2 degrees can make all the difference in the world.

It’s not just my car that needs the adjustment. More often that not, it’s me. Just a little tiny shift in tone, facial expression or word choice can make or break a relationship. I’m not talking about a radical overhaul – I’m talking about the compounding effects of the small choices over time. Get an oil change or not. Compliment her or not. Check the tires or not. Respect him or not.

Small but mighty, an alignment of positive choices over time will be the determining factors that will point to where you are in years to come - with or without a car, with or without a relationship.

Thoughts?
mama j

Awesome Author and Teen Coach - Justin Sachs

I’d like to introduce you to Justin Sachs who is the author of a new book, Your Mailbox Is Full and is the founder of the Creating Possibilities Coaching Program in which Justin helps teenagers to increase their grades, eliminate procrastination, and create balance in all the areas of their life.

1. What do you do?
I work with teenagers to increase their grades, eliminate procrastination, create balance in their lives, and overcome any obstacles standing in their way of success.
2. Tell us about your new book.
Your Mailbox Is Full is a book for teenagers, that teaches them the tools they need to become successful in school and throughout their lives. They learn things like goal setting, time management, living a healthy lifestyle, and modeling and attracting success.
3. Why did you write it?
When I was 14 years old I went to my first Tony Robbins Seminar and I was in a room full of thousands of adults thinking, “Where’s all the teenagers?” “Why aren’t other youth here getting these powerful tools and strategies?” It was with that realization that I found my passion: Empowering teenagers with life-skills and leadership development tools for success. That’s what my book is all about: Teaching youth the most powerful skills they need to know to create enormous success and fulfillment in life! Now, teenagers don’t have to wait until they are 30 or 40 to get these tools and strategies, they are available to them within Your Mailbox Is Full.
4. What makes you an expert in your field?
After going to Anthony Robbins seminars for 3 years, I began working for his product sales team and non-profit organization at all his events worldwide. I then began working for Mark Victor Hansen, the co-founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul Series, and learned even more about life-skills, writing a book, and supporting people in bringing possibility into their lives. I then read everything I could get my hands on from The Secret, to Jack Canfield, to Stephen Covey, to Eckart Tolle, among many others. I learned everything I possibly could about personal development and transformation such that I can now create transformation in others!
5. What type of people should read your book?

The book is designed for teenagers and young adults, but parents throughout the country are reading the book and loving every page! The contents of the book are limitless, this is the perfect book for anyone looking to take their lives to the next level, especially youth!
6. Are you on any social networks? Eg. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Yes, on www.Twitter.com/JustinSachs or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=511068642
7. Advice for Teens or Parents of Teens
Follow your passions and never give up on your dreams! If you have a goal, a vision, or a hope for the future, hold on to it, focus on it, and take action to make it happen! You’ll be amazed at how quickly your dreams will manifest themselves when energy is focused on them.
8. Favorite Quote
Every day, every week and every month, you must challenge yourself to continue to grow to new heights and to take your standards to higher and higher levels. ~ Justin Sachs
9. Favorite Theme Park
Walt Disney World of course!!!
10. How can we purchase your book? Learn more about you? Do you have a blog?
My book is available on my website: www.YourMailboxIsFullBook.com To learn more about my coaching services visit www.JustinSachsOnline.com and be sure to check out my new radio show at www.MotivationalMindsRadio.com

Full Body Wash Please

High School Prom was last night. Today, thousands of pictures will be posted on Facebook displaying some of the cleanest most well dressed teens money can buy. Prom is once a year; it’s a lot of work but the results are astounding. They are so clean and shiny!

I was so inspired, I paid $5.00 for a car wash today. I didn’t know my car was silver! Thought it was brown. Before the bath, the inside looked like I still have toddlers in tow – gum wrappers, one shoe, and a foreign substance that might be worth patenting as “super-glue.”

I like when my car is clean. I like when my friends are clean. Going without a car wash daily when you live on a dirt road is acceptable but I haven’t found a good reason for people to go without bathing every day. Call me a fussy. Call me controlling. But don’t call me if you haven’t showered this week. I’m not interested. You don’t have to look like you are waiting for Prom to use shampoo and a little soap.

Remember, you make an impression EVERY day, not just on special occasions.

Thoughts?
mama j