Because We Are Women

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed bythe things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sales. EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER.” MARK TWAIN

February is the month of Love. At our February Inspiration Breakfast we talked about giving yourself a Valentine. It seems to be so difficult for us to do nice things for ourselves.

It’s part of our upbringing. We were taught not to focus on ourselves, Why? We are the most important person in our lives, and if we aren’t good to ourselves, who will be?

START THE DAY OFF RIGHT
We are primarily energy. How we think and feel contributes to that energy, and then is transmitted to everyone around us. When we think good things, the energy is positive. When we feel negative, the energy reflects that attitude. The people around us feel our energy and react accordingly. Therefore it is important to always think positively and well of ourselves.

What is the first thing you say to yourself in the morning when you look in the mirror? Is it something good? Here is a poem to help you think about it.

REFLECTIONS by MJ Waldock

When I look into the mirror

I see a funny face

A crooked nose, and eyes too close,

And lines that I can trace.

A body that goes up and down

The scale and dress size too

It’s not what’s in my mouth so much

My head is like a zoo

Sometimes I feel I’m in a cage

A lion with a roar

And other times I’m oh so free

An eagle, I can soar

If only I could fix the flaws

And look like all the rest

Then I could hold my head up high

And feel I’m at my best.

But beauty comes from deep within

It’s not a surface thing

And even with my flaws and such

I have a lot to bring

To feel secure within my soul

All I need to do

Is love myself, for then you see

My beauty will shine through

May 2005


FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF
“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” Oscar Wilde

What makes you, you? To grow you must nurture yourself in every way. If you expect to be loved by someone else, you must love yourself first, in spite of the flaws. What is good about you? Begin by listing the good things about you – physically, personality, skills. Then be thankful every day. This is part of our abundance.

IMPRISONED BY SELF CRITICISM
“I CAN, is 100 times more important than IQ.” Author unknown

The CRITIC WITHIN is our worst enemy. We often berate ourselves over the tiniest things. We do something that we think is stupid or dumb, and then we dwell on it or hours, sometimes days. This self-criticism negatively affects everything that we do, and we miss many opportunities being stuck in our own jail cell.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THAT WAS GOOD? DID YOU PRAISE YOURSELF FOR IT? DO IT NOW!

DON’T BE A WORRY WART
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our own will.” Epictus

CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN – YOU!
We have all heard the saying: “The only thing is life that you can control is yourself and your reactions.” So then, whey do we worry about things for which we have no control? When you worry, you create anxiety which is negative energy, and impedes your ability to be you and live more fulfilled. WHAT DO YOU WORRY ABOUT?


ASK THE UNIVERSE FOR HELP!
Spend your time thinking about what you can do. If you think the situation is out of your control, then ask the Universe for help and then believe that is has already happened.

TRUST AND TRUTH – IN OURSELVES ALWAYS

“Trust Yourself. You know more than you think you do.” Benjamin Spock

IF YOU DON’T TRUST YOURSELF, WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

Do you have confidence in your own abilities? Do you talk to yourself about what you can’t do instead of what you can? What do you want to have happen and why don’t you trust yourself that it will? Visualize it!

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.
Are you truthful and honest with yourself? Loving yourself requires that you be truthful about your feelings. If you are sad, feel bad, are scared, acknowledge it. By acknowledging it, you can change it. What truths are you not acknowledging?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sales. EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER.” MARK TWAIN

YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL, DESERVING BEING. Follow these steps.

1. NURTURE YOUR DREAMS

2. BOOST YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE

3. RELAX

4. HAVE FUN

5. LOOK FOR THE BEAUTY IN EVERYTHING

6. LOOK AFTER YOUR BODY

So What are you going to do for the next 30 days?
Say ” I Love You!” at least once a day.

The Dream,by M.J. Waldock
"A Dream is a possibility waiting to happen. Open your eyes, your future is now!"



Here we are, at the end of another year. And what a year it has been. If you are like most of us, you feel as though you have been on a giant roller-coaster. But then, isn't life just a "Wild ride!" One of the things we often forget is that it is the JOURNEY that is important, not always the destination. Before you get that pencil sharpened to write down all those New Year's resolutions, take a moment to think about these few points.

YOUR MIND IS NOT AN ANTIQUE SHOP

Begin the new year by clearing out the clutter. Not just the clutter in your home or office, but the clutter in your mind. Whenever you write down an idea and the little voice jumps in your head to say things like - "What makes you think you can do that" or "You are not smart enough or you don't have enough money" and so on, write it down. Keep a journal of all these negative thoughts. Then ask yourself this question - is that really true? Do I really own that phrase, or does it belong to someone else. Remember the FOUR AGREEMENTS - Nothing is ever about you. Even if you don't have all the information you need right now, that doesn't mean that you have to abandon the idea.

I recently met with a women about the TV Show idea we have. She told me that I needed to get the show on the internet to build up a viewing audience. Other than putting a video up on U-tube, I know nothing about how to put a TV Show on the Internet. So, one of the first things I will do in this new year, is to gather all the information I need to put the TV Show up on the internet. NEVER DISMISS YOUR IDEA JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION OR SOMEONE ELSE THINKS YOU CAN'T DO IT!

The Critic within is always with us, nagging at us and trying to sabotage our forward progression. A friend of mine who attended the November breakfast said - " The Critic is the Devil trying to destroy your success, because he knows that you will be successful."

BE IN THE MOMENT!!!!!

Have you ever stopped to think about why life seems to rush by so fast? Maybe it's because we are so busy looking at the finish line that we forget to live today. BE IN THE MOMENT. Savor what is happening every step of the way. BE IN IT - That's the journey. You will eventually get to the destination, but think about what you will have enjoyed along the way.

A couple of years ago when I was producing the Because We Are Women one day symposiums, I would experience overwhelming anxiety because I was focusing on the end. It wasn't that I didn't need to be aware of what had to happen to make the event successful, but focusing on an outcome that hadn't happened yet was causing all the anxiety. When I decided to just focus on what had to be done each day, I got into the moment and got rid of the anxiety. In the end, the event of a huge success and I was a lot more relaxed.

BE IN THE MOMENT and LIVE each day to the fullest and all your dreams will definitely come true.

DREAM BIG - REALLY BIG!

"Don t just see the magic, engage it! Challenge it! Dare it! Dream big, with every expectation that your dreams will manifest."

When you see someone get were you are, do you ask yourself the question - " Why Them and Why not Me?" Maybe they just had a bigger dream than you did. People who make it to the top of their game and realize all their dreams and goals, do so because they do two distinct things:

1. THEY DREAM REALLY BIG.

2. THEY BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES.

In Don Miguel Ruiz's book - The Fifth Agreement - he says that we are born into truth. We learn not to trust ourselves and believe other people. We certainly need to believe what other people tell us when it comes to things that can truly help or harm us. But we don't need to believe other people when they try to "Rain on Our Parade." We need to live in in our own truths. Dream the Big Dream. I remember when I was younger saying, "If I shoot for the moon I may land on a star along the way." How bad is that? If I shoot for nothing, I will always remain right where I am.

Close your eyes and dream it Big! I am closing mine and envisioning myself in the homes of millions of women and some men, helping to empower and inspire them.

NOW! - BELIEVE in YOU!

You are the most important person in your life and you deserve everything. Give yourself permission. I know that I have said that many time, but do it now. And then believe in you. What you may not realize is that when you begin to believe, lots of things will happen. People will show up to help you. And, they will not only feel your passion, but they will join you in it. There is something magical that happens when you begin to believe. You exude a certain confidence that attracts other people. Learn the Laws of Attraction. Believing is the first step.

I CAN By MJ Waldock

There is a plaque upon my wall
That says how great I am.
I read it each and every day
Just so I know I can

Go out into the world to seek
The fortune and the fame,
Or maybe just acquire the grace
And learn to play the game,

For life is like sports event,
With dreams, and goals, and teams.
And only those who play it well

In the end succeed.
It’s not about how sure or swift
You reach the finish line
But more about how much you cared
And how you spent your time.

To be aware and give a smile
To all who pass you by,
With fortunes less and little hope,
But for the grace go I.

So on the plaque upon my wall
That says how great I am
It reads. “You won the game of life.”
Because you said, I Can!

BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE!

“I am thankful for the overflowing abundance in my life”

List all the things that you are thankful for each day and they will multiply.

If the rich get richer it’s because they live in a state of financial abundance. Think what you can do when you too live in ABUNDANCE! Be thankful for what you have, and if you don't have it yet, write it down as though you do. Envision that it is already there, and then start moving forward.

ACTION/ATTITUDE

Action changes attitude. Take an action any action. You have to keep moving forward - one step at a time. Don't wait for your attitude to change, act, act, act!

A TINY STEP M.J.WALDOCK

It only takes a tiny step

To change a life

To have no regrets

First is the idea, for which we toy

The fear and the doubt

Then the rush of joy

To laugh and cry

To Say Goodby

To ideas that halt us so

Open our eyes and our heart

To a day renewed

Is just the start

A life that’s yours

Forever more

A tiny step to help you soar

One step at a time.

MAKE IT A WONDERFUL YEAR AND REMEMBER - life is yours for the taking - do it all and make it big.

During the fall I participated in a writers circle, designed to provide the quiet time needed to get in touch with your creative side. The method used is the Amhurst Method of writing, which creates a safe haven for anyone wanting to put words on a page. There are rigid guidelines followed to ensure safety of the writer such as:

All work is treated as fiction to minimize the personal vulnerability of the writer. When the writer is ready and wants suggestions for revision, he or she hands out manuscript copies and receives intensive and encouraging help from the group and the leader.

It is spontaneous writing, no editing, you are writing from the heart about anything you choose. Each week the facilitator provides prompts to help you create something new. The prompts can be anything, a line from a poem or book, a situation, or just a word. One week we wrote about the word Gold - what does it mean to you.

The stories were fascinating - some great writers. Of course, we are not permitted to say - "You are a good writer." It is amazing what happens when there are no restrictions.

On the last day the prompt was - I have/had a___________in/on__________. What came to mind for me was a Friend I have had in life. Many years ago, a woman with whom I worked supported me through a very difficult time. She showed up at my home one day and said, " I know that I can't change the situation, but I can sit here with you and be supportive." And sit she did, for as long as it took. She has been my friend for years. And even though we no longer live in the same state, she never forgets to send cards for every occasion.

I haven't seen her in about 15 years. Last year she suffered a mild stroke, and had to leave her home in Florida to live with her daughter in the Midwest. She has always been a very active person, and wasn't happy to leave her home, friends, and her weekly card game.

On that dreadful day when she showed up at my home, she taught me compassion, and an understanding that sometimes just showing up is what counts.

If we have one really good friend in life, we are extremely fortunate. I have a couple good friends and many Angels. I give thanks for this abundance, every day.

There was a poem that I had framed and hung on my wall. I hope you enjoy it.

“Oh, the comfort, the inexplicable comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.”-Dinak Craig

I wrote my own poem about what my friends have meant to me.

A TRUE FRIEND by M. J. Waldock

A friend is one who understands

That all they need to do,

Is be there when they're needed most

And stay the whole day through.

They never judge or criticize

Perfection's not a must,

They always look with caring eyes,

Beyond the outer crust.

A friend is one whose ear you bend

When you need to vent.

They sit and listen quietly,

With that, they are content.

They laugh with you at everything

And join in on the fun.

And when the days get dark and blue

They never try to run.

A friend is one who takes your side

And always does defend,

When others say some nasty things,

On that, you can depend.

And, sometimes when it's late at night

You sit beside the fire,

With glass in hand, you sip some wine

And ponder life's desires.

I am so happy to announce

I feel so very blessed,

That you are one I call my friend,

You've more than passed the test

I go through life with confidence,

However near or far,

That you are there no matter what

My friend, that's what you are.

Do you have a really good friend? Tell us about them. Have a wonderful day.

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination for success is great enough.” Og Mandino

Wow, what a summer this has been! Who would expect the northeast to be this hot? Since staying cool was the order of the day, it is certainly a good time to continue “Clearing out the Clutter.” In my last post, I talked about how good it felt to give away some clothes that I no longer wore to women who needed a fresh start. It was a win-win for everyone. But clearing out the clutter is not just about closets and stuff, it is also about clearing the clutter in our minds to help us get off the MERRY-GO-ROUND and the EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER.

Last week as I was backing my car out of the garage when I noticed a tote bag, which had been sitting in my garage for the last four years. I had carried it around in my car for the longest time and then one day, decided to move it to another place. Although I was vaguely familiar with what was in it, I was certainly surprised to go through the contents and find a binder filled with goals and dreams that I had written about ten years ago. I could hardly believe that this much time had elapsed and I am still on the same Merry-Go-Round. In the year 2000, I was focusing on providing Marketing strategies and public relations. Then of course, a year later it was 9/11 and everything changed. We all had to take a hard look and decide how to re-invent ourselves.

As did many people after 9/11, I too decided to look at what I really liked to do and what I was good at, and decided to focus on empowering women. I read a variety of books, one of which was the Og Mandino “The Greatest Salesman.” If you have never read the book, which is only 100 pages, I suggest that you do so, you won’t regret. The book is a easy to read guideline to self-fulfillment and achievement.

In the book he lists 10 things that we all need to do, which are:

GET OFF THE MERRY-GO-ROUND

1. Form GOOD habits and become a slave to them. When we do something for 30 days it becomes a habit. For example, let’s talk about those 10 lbs. we want to lose, what are we doing about it? When we, and I do mean we, just chose a couple of things that are important to do each day to get (and stay) on track to lose the weight, and then make a commitment to do the action for 30 days, we will be successful. How about not eating bread for a month, how difficult is that? Or maybe we decide to workout three times a week. We have to make that commitment to ourselves and not break the promise. Make the time to do what is important.

2. Greet the day with LOVE in your heart. When you walk over to the mirror in the morning to get ready for the day, do you look in the mirror and say, “Wow, you are wonderful!” Or, do you look at yourself disappointed and say “Oh, you look terrible!” For far too many of us, the latter is the most common because Loving ourselves isn’t something we do on a regular basis. For the next month, try looking in that mirror and saying “You are fabulous – I love you just the way you are.” Then see what happens. If we are what we think, then loving thoughts are certainly the order of the day.

3. Set goals – today I will multiply my value a hundred fold. A goal is just a benchmark to a greater vision. Envision yourself doing whatever you truly want because you deserve it. Vision gives you focus, and with focus you can set goals to help you achieve success on every level. Make the goal measurable and achievable, but don’t aim low. In the book “Think and Grow Rich” there is a poem about believing and acting. It begins with: “If you think you are beaten you are…………..YOU HAVE TO THINK HIGH TO RISE! And it goes on. Give yourself an “A” for whatever you are doing before you do it, after all, it is already done. And then just do it - every day, one step at a time.


4. Persist until you succeed. It’s easy to get discouraged when we don’t see things happening quickly. But, perseverance is key. I receive messages from the Universe each day, (go to tut.com and sign up). The consistent message is: Act as though it is already done, and just keep showing up! So if losing ten pounds is what you want, think about it as already done, and stick to your promise. Believing in ourselves is very difficult, but to be able to persist and persevere, we must believe. Believe in you, believe that it is happening, believe that there are forces around you that are supporting everything you do. Then take one step at a time until you get there.

5. Be yourself – you are nature’s greatest miracle. I launched Because We Are Women after sitting in the audience of an Oprah Winfrey Live Your Best Life event. She said, “You can’t be anyone else, just yourself.” Who is better than you? When you look in that mirror and say good things to yourself, you are acknowledging “YOU!” You are a wonderful person, let everyone know who is the real you. This will cause you to begin to reflect on what you really want for YOU! AND, you are absolutely allowed to do that. You deserve everything you desire and more. Miracles are all around.

6. Live each day as though it were your last - Be in the present. It is so easy to put off for tomorrow what we can do today. But what if tomorrow never happens? Do what is important for you today! For example, if losing weight is important, then you must schedule the time to follow whatever regimen you have chosen. If telling someone that you care about them is important, do it. Being in the present allows you to experience what is truly happening, you become aware. You won’t miss the opportunities as they present themselves. "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That’s why it's called the Present" (author unknown)

GET OFF THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER

7. Be the master of your emotions - Weak is she/he who permits her thoughts to control her actions, strong is she who forces her actions to control her thoughts. There is a misconception that attitude drives actions. It is actually the other way around. When you decide on an action and do it over and over again, your attitude will change. Maybe you really don’t want to go to the gym everyday and you are waiting for your attitude about it to change. Your attitude won’t change until you change the action. Make a commitment to do something, anything, and then watch your attitude change. It is like those people who have to make “cold calls” and hate it. Once they actually being making the calls and having fun with it, their attitude changes. You will control that EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER by being in the present, and living each day doing what is important.

8. Laugh at the world. Life is toooooo short, so have some fun. Try not to take it all so seriously. Most of it is out of our control anyway.


9. SEEK GUIDANCE – pray and ask for the guidance you need and deserve. Pray, meditate, assemble strategic kith (a board of advisors), you are not alone. Take time each day to reflect, ask for the answers, put together a monthly or bi-weekly breakfast with people who not only bring to the table strengths you don’t have, but who will also be your support team and encourage you. You/we are never alone. There are forces around us that will always help - we just need to acknowledge that the Universe is working for us to realize our goals and dreams. We may even get off the Merry-go-round and the emotional roller-coaster.

10. ACT NOW! Action is the food and drink that nourishes my success! You/we can’t wait for all things to be perfect before we take an action. Any action is better than no action. Do it now, whatever it is. Remember, the action will change your attitude and keep you moving forward. ACT NOW!

Okay, enough said, hope you enjoy this. Look forward to your responses. I am taking an action - I am OFF TO THE GYM.

And, by the way, pick up the book – The Greatest Salesman. You won’t regret it.

Until next time - you are a wonderful, powerful, magnificent person, and the universe is truly working for you to realize your goals and dreams.

Have you ever wondered why your dreams and goals don’t happen? Maybe there isn’t any room for them!

Feng Shui experts are always showing and telling us the importance of clearing the clutter from our lives to not only make room for new things, but to give us renewed energy. I went searching the net for some information and here is what one expert said:

Clutter makes you “feel exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed. Think of it in terms of practicality: If you need to balance your checkbook but your bank statement is buried under a mountain of old receipts, you’ll waste valuable time looking for what you need. Once you do find it, you’ll be tired and annoyed even before you begin the actual task.

Clutter is low, stagnant, and confusing energy that drains us, causing us to be too tired to do anything. Depending on where the clutter is located, in the home or office, it can also negatively influence, or even completely block, the flow of events in specific areas of our lives. It simply makes us unable to Dream Big.

For months I have looked at my closet, with clothes that I will never wear again, and said to myself, “Get rid of some of this stuff.” So last week I gave myself permission to take a day to “Clear the Closet Clutter.” Well actually, I utilize several closets, so it was an all day event. While I was clearing the clutter, I came across a box of note cards that I had received at the Oprah event I attended several years ago. This was the event that caused me to launch Because We Are Women. The note cards contained beautiful famous quotes, some of which I have used in my inspirational speeches. The first and one that I use most often is by Eleanor Roosevelt:
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

How wonderful is that! We all have dreams and yet we don’t often believe in the dream. In my last blog post I talked about dreaming big and the new TV Pilot we have produced. From an idea in my imagination, we have the pilot, a fabulous trailer to present to prospects, and even a nomination for an award at the Hoboken Film Festival. Now it takes a continued belief that the pilot will be picked up and that millions of women will be inspired and empowered. I know that they want to be empowered; we all want to be empowered and inspired.

I have hosted a couple of Inspiration breakfasts, and I am always so pleased when the women say – “I really needed that.” Life is tough, particularly today. We are consistently bombarded with negative information - the economy, the war, and terrorists - and it goes on and on. The inspiration breakfasts, much like the TV Show, are to bring positive thoughts and energy into our lives. We need positive, lots of it.

At the annual BWAW events, one of the exercises we do is called CEAR YOUR PATH. The guests are first asked to write down their vision for themselves – their dreams. Once that is completed, we pose the question, “What is in your way? What do you need to remove so that you can realize your dream?” Then we give the guests small pieces of paper upon which they are instructed to write down what they want to throw away so that they can clear their path. The anonymous slips of paper are then thrown in to a box and destroyed. The path is then cleared of all obstacles. Try it and see what happens. We surveyed the women to see what they had thrown away and most often it was Negative thoughts, Negative friends, fear of trusting people, fear of change, self doubt and those nagging negative voices in our head.

What do you need to throw away? Not just clothes, or old papers, or stuff, but in your heard and heart? Clearing the path means that something is going to change. And change is the most difficult thing we have to do. We try to change the world around us, and the people, but there is only one thing that we can change, ourselves. There was another quote on the note cards by Mahatma Gandhi:
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

No matter what you want to see happen, you must do it first - be the change. One tiny step is all it takes to see things change. Clear the clutter! It is easy, however time consuming, to throw out old clothes or destroy unnecessary and outdated papers and stuff. It is not so easy to clear the thoughts in our mind. This is a poem that I wrote several years ago that might help to clear the clutter.

I THINK AND THINK -
By M. J. Waldock

I think and think the whole day long,
About the things that can go wrong.
I think I've failed before I start
Which takes away the very spark,
To do the things I want to do
That haunts my sleep the whole night through.

What can I do to clear the path
Of obstacles that cause such wrath?
The boulders in my mind that make
The journey that my soul will take
A long and rugged road that winds
Forever twisting in my mind.

Where will it end, this bumpy road
When will I shed this heavy load?
Of always thinking of the worst,
I know I'm surely not that cursed.
I think I'll step upon the path,
And meet the boulder with a laugh.


I can succeed, I know I can
Just think of where it all began.
A simple phrase from long ago
From one I thought was in the know.
Some tiny word so negative,
Is this the way we really live?
With other peoples doubts and fears
that stop us from our goals so near?


I think I will relieve my mind
Of thoughts, that merely waste my time.
I will begin the day anew
And take a very different view,
Of life that's far above the road
And see myself without the load.


I think I'll think the whole day long
Of how I'll meet the cheering throngs
Of those who honor my success
For clearing out this ugly mess
Of thoughts, that made my day so dim
And made my dreams of life so grim

I think I'll think and think again
About the ways I'm going to win.
And when those ugly thoughts arise
Which cause my dreams to be disguised,
I'll take a step upon the road
And start to move, however slow
Until I reach the finish line.
And then, I'll know, it was my mind
That made me think the whole day long,
About the things that could go wrong.


Hope you enjoyed it.

Okay time to start clearing the clutter in your life today and make way for all your wildest dreams to come true. Get in the closet, or the boxes, get rid of old papers and magazines, anything that drains your energy. Now take the sheet of paper and write down the negatives things you are thinking. Throw the paper away or burn it and let it float into the atmosphere releasing everything negative.

Can’t wait to hear from you.

Next time we will talk more about change –

Here is another quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson - “Do not go where the path my lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

BWAW TV PILOT RECEIVES RECOGNITION AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

Several months ago when I launched this blog, my goal was to use the list of “Marlene’s B’s” to success as a basis for the discussions. To date, the entries focused primarily on being “Authentic,” which is very important to realizing any dream or goal. Many of you have responded with the great comments and fabulous stories.

Now it is time to BE A RISK TAKER AND DREAM BIG!

Over the last several months I have been involved in a project to take the BWAW initiative to a new level – A TV TALK SHOW. With the help of some amazing, talented women, we now have a pilot, a fabulous 5-minute Teaser video, and a nomination for Best TV Pilot from the 2010 Hoboken International Film Festival. WOW!

We have all heard, or read about the “Law of Attraction” as there are many books and certainly blogs that talk about this topic. The idea is if you think and talk about something you really want, you will eventually attract it. This is indeed what happened with the BWAW TV Pilot. As a five-year host of a TV Talk show on a statewide NJ station News 12, I had the opportunity to interview many notable people, and I loved every minute of it. Couple that with my desire to empower women through the Because We Are Women initiative, and we have a powerful combination. So I consistently talked about how I wanted to be back on TV with a show about women. Like all the messages we receive about attraction, it is already done, you just must keep showing up, so I kept talking about it.

In late October of 2009, Corinna Sager of Lifestyle International Productions attended one of my business workshops – How to introduce yourself at a Networking meeting. She shared her experiences and expertise with us of being a film producer working with many international companies and being the co-producer of a documentary – Ferry Tales – that was nominated for an academy award in 2004. How impressive is that? In the course of our conversation I shared my desire to be back on TV and produce a show about women for women. Corinna’s response to me was, “I would like to work on that with you.”

One thing led to another and a couple of weeks later, two other very accomplished women, Mariana Pagliere and Jilayne Murty of Figure 5 Productions, are sitting around a table talking about how they will put this pilot together. Figure 5 Productions works on national/international government projects, with large corporations and national sports figures like Derek Jeter. In 1992, Figure 5 president Mariana Pagliere was part of a production team nominated for an Academy Award for a Documentary Feature.

Is this a good dream or what? The pilot was filmed in late November 2009, and featured 4-time Olympian, Joetta Clark Diggs, NJ largest Woman Owned Business founder Diane Turton of Diane Turton Realtors, and Magazine publisher Gina LaMore of BOHO Magazine. In June of 2010, thanks to Casandra McManus at Figure 5, our pilot was entered in the Hoboken International Film Festival. Of the 12 to 15 TV pilots entered, we were among the five nominated for an award. WOW!

Now it its time to begin pitching the show! Considering the Law Of Attraction, we must all “Dream Big.” If we are what we think, and we are, all of us and especially me, must not think that we have to approach the smallest networks. We must cast the net very wide, believe, and envision.

I was watching a lecture from Dr. Wayne Dyer recently, in which he said the same thing. He said close your eyes, envision yourself in the situation you want to be in, your dream, and then feel the emotion. Stay in that moment and really acknowledge the feeling so that you can remember it. Every time you get that little voice that shouts negative thoughts, go back the feeling you experienced when you saw yourself living your dream.

Back in 2004 when I was launching BWAW, I did just that. I would close my eyes and see the room full, watching myself walk across the stage. There were 150 people at the first BWAW event. It was a great accomplishment, and I had many angels who helped.

So I am closing my eyes and seeing myself on TV. I envision the incredibly talented BWAW Production Team in the state-of-the-art-studio that we will use to produce the shows. I see the purple and teal lights, the accomplished women sharing their stories, the Inner-Circle audience engaged and encouraged, and a viewing audience that is inspired and empowered. I see national sponsors, special events across the country, and some opportunities to reach women on an international stage.

Of course, along with this dream is that emotional rollercoaster and the feeling of anxiety. I must remember the article that I read many years ago in Success Magazine about “Risk.”

It said, “If there is no anxiety then the risk you are taking is not worthy of you because you are not taking any risk at all.”

What that means is that every time you step out of your comfort zone, you will feel some pangs of anxiety. But that is okay! What I have found when that happens is to just stay in the moment, take one step at a time and keep moving forward. Then the anxiety will subside.

DREAM BIG! Be A Risk Taker. What do you have to lose? If you don’t take the risk and follow your dream, you could lose your self-respect, self-esteem, self-confidence and many other things that will erode your ability to be who you really are.

Be smart about the risk you are taking, don’t just jump off the cliff – but dream it big and go for it! You will be surprised what will happen.

Okay, now it is your turn. Tell me your big dream! I can’t wait to hear all about it, and just think, you might attract someone who will help you make it come true.

We all have angels in our midst who come to our rescue when we need them.

I have so many who have helped me over the years.

This is the angel I keep on my shoulder.

Who are your angels? What have they done for you?

Share your angel stories with us.

Be being thankful for the angels who help you and more will show up.

The attraction of abundance is to be thankful for what you already have, every day.

This was a poem I wrote about those angels in my midst.

ANGELS IN OUR MIDST

An unexpected call one day
From a distant friend
A quick hello, a few kind words
A hand they do extend.

A note appears upon your desk
For nothing so we think
Inside it says, “you are the best.”
I hope you are in the pink.

A loving touch, a smiling face,
A brush against your cheek.
It’s warmth renews and lifts us up
So stunned, we hardly speak.

We ponder when and how and why
These wonders just exist.
But then a little voice informs
There’s angels in our midst.

Everyday I receive a quote from the Universe, a website which was referred to me by a friend. www.tut.com. This one struct me as particularly amazing and very close to home. You will see why in a minute.

From the Universe - Time for a little refresher on manifesting change, parking spots, and a new TV Show. MJ:

Think about it as if it were already done. (Note "already done" part.)
Keep showing up, doing all you can, every day, in every way, until already done. (Note "keep" part.)
For complicated cases, like when dealing with invisible, limiting beliefs, negative friends, or staring down adversity: same-same. You've got it made,

The Universe Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ®
© www.tut.com ®

PARKING SPOTS
When I was a little girl going shopping with my mother, finding a parking spot was always a challenge. We lived in a small town where the only parking was on the street. So my mother would say, "Let's see if we lived right this week. If we did, we will get a good parking space." Needless to say, we always got a good spot. Was it truly because we lived right or just because my mother believed it would happen?

I grew up with the belief that good parking spaces were always going to be there. Today, I am the queen of getting great parking spaces. I always go to the front, no matter how full the parking lot, and sure enough the space is there. My friends laugh, however who do you think they want to drive when parking is a challenge? It also works if I am just in the car, so now my husband has also become a believer.

Finding a good parking space is something that I subconsciously and consciously believe. There is simply no doubt in my mind that it will happen. And, I don't give up until it does. Sometimes I ride around in circles for a little while, but eventually I find it. One might say, "why not just take a space a little further away and save the time of riding around?" Because I know the spot is there.

I have often asked myself why I don't have the same belief system about other things - all things. The evidence of believing is readily apparent in so many ways. Many of you may have experienced that feeling of absolutely knowing you were going to win. A few years ago I was attending a concert in which there was a 50/50 drawing. As I purchased the ticket, I knew the money was mine. When they pulled my number, my husband was shocked. I won $1400. To believe or not believe, why is it ever a question?

NEW TV SHOW

In late October I met a woman named Corinna Sager from Lifestyle International. She was sent by a friend to attend one of my business workshops. Corinna is an Academy Award nominated producer/director for a Documentary Short entitled "Ferry Tales." While at my workshop she and I began talking about my 5-year TV career on News 12 and how much I loved being on TV. I made the comment that I dreamed of having a TV show to inspire and empower women. And then the amazing happened. She said, "I would like to work on that with you." My first thought was WoW! Before you know it, the team at Figure 5 Productions - Mariana Pagliere and Jilayne Murty, were on board. In late November we turned my home into a TV Studio and filmed the pilot. We are in the final editing stages and getting ready to pitch it to the networks.

A week ago, Casandra McManus, who does much of the editing at Figure 5, came to us with the opportunity to enter the pilot in a film festival. On June 6, 2010 at 2 pm - Because We Are Women, Celebrating Possibilities - will air for the first time in public at the Hoboken International Film Festival. The festival, now in its fifth year, includes a broad range of actors, directors and producers on the judging panel. What an opportunity!

Going back to the original quote of the day - what kind of coincidence could it be - Parking spots and New TV Show? Okay, I already have the parking spot things down pat. Now the New TV Show - I see us on TV, we are already there.

Believing in ourselves is so difficult. At the antique shop in our head we keep dusting off those old beliefs such as: what makes you think you can do that, you're not good enough, you don't deserve it, it will never happen, and the list goes on. Here's what the new state-of the-art "mind" store has in its inventory: what makes you think you can't do it, you are good enough, smart enough, and deserving. All good things will happen when you believe in yourself.

Remember my quote:

"When you believe in possibility, opportunity will find you.

Then you need only to believe in yourself and everything is possible."

Now is the time to have that "fire sale" and clear out the antique shop!!! Do it today! What are you clearing out?

OPEN THE CAGE
M.J.Waldock, 10/09
@ http://www.becausewearewomen.com

Fear, it paralyzes us to the core.
Our central being becomes trapped
in anxiety and doubt.
Caged like the lion we peer through
the bars at the outside.
Frantically pacing to understand
our dilemma and find an answer.
Always reaching through the openings
Grasping at the chance to gain freedom.
Open the cage, please, and let me out.

Several months ago I attended a conference and the woman speaking said something that caused me to think about how we hang onto things in our past. I came up with a phrase - "Your Mind is Not an Antique Shop."

We store too many negative thoughts and feelings that hold us back. We take to heart the things that other people say and do, becoming owners of things that are not ours. Particularly when we are young, innocent, and have no way of combating the other person. Unfortunately, the person making those negative statements is often someone we look up to, hold in high esteem, and think has all the answers.

Even though antiques can be beautiful in your home, in your mind, heart and subconscious, they can be deadly. When we are young we take to heart everything that people say and do. For Example, remember a time when you shared a dream about something you wanted to do in your future and the comment you received was "What makes you think you can do that?" Or maybe they said, "You are not smart enough, pretty enough, you don't have enough money, who would want you," and the list goes on. They weren't talking about you, they were talking about them. It was what they couldn't do, not what you couldn't do. Unfortunately you spent the rest of your life having low-self esteem, no self-confidence, bad self-image, and never pursued your dreams. All because someone else didn't think that they could achieve your dream. You caged yourself because of someone else's inadequacy.

Now, many years later, you are unhappy, unfulfilled, and wondering why you never moved forward to pursue.

If you haven't read the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, I highly recommend it. In the book he says that we should agree to only four things, which are listed below.

Agreement 1
Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Agreement 2
Don't take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Agreement 3
Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Agreement 4
Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

There is a lot more to the book, so get a copy.

The point here is, Let go of thoughts from your past that hold you back, that erode your self-esteem and cause you to think that you are not worthy - You are!!!

Take those "Antiquated" thoughts and identify them, then put a positive spin on them - create a positive affirmation. Look at yourself in the mirror everyday and say out loud three times - I am....(find the most positive word you can think of). For example - I am Fabulous, Talented, beautiful, etc. What ever makes you feel great.

NOW "Open the Cage" and let yourself out. What are the antiques in your mind? I would like to hear about them. Tell us your story.

A TINY STEP By M.J.Waldock – 4/10
It only takes a tiny step

To cause a change

And have no regrets

First is the idea, for which toy

The fear and the doubt

Then the rush of joy

To laugh and cry

To Say Goodby

To ideas that halt us so

Open your heart

To a day renewed

It is just the start

To a life that’s yours

Forever more

A tiny step to help you soar

©copyright 2010 – MJWaldock

Change is one of he most difficult things we do. We want something to be different, ie:

• Be Thinner • More successful • Have more Fun

• Be Loved • Gain Peace of Mind

And the list goes on.

But why don’t we make these changes? We have the power to do anything we choose, and yet we operate under the umbrella of insanity - “doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome.”

A friend of mine once said, “It is the “RC” factor that stops us – Resistance to change. A fear of the unknown.

Change is good, particularly when we are the initiator. The most common change in today’s environment, particularly for women, is losing weight. It’s everywhere! Pick up any magazine and you will find a headline on the cover, “how to lose 10 lbs in 5 days. “ As we are rapidly approaching summer and bikini season, the weight loss articles are rampant. We are obsessed with our weight and yet we live in a country with skyrocketing obesity.

I was in a conversation about weight with a friend just the other day. She and I have both participated in the “Accu Bead” diet and both lost 25 lbs within two months. Although it is a restricted diet, it is very fast, short-lived, and it works. We both need to drop 15 lbs, and remarked how great we felt and looked. So why don’t we just do it? As the Doctor who administered the program used to say - “Take it one tiny step at a time and one day at a time.

That’s great advice. Just one tiny step!

Last Monday I declared that I was going to go back on the bead diet. I have the beads behind my ears, but I am not truly committed to the diet. For those of you who may not have heard of this diet, tiny acupressure beads are placed behind your ears to help curb your appetite and keep our metabolism from slowing down. In addition to the limited food intake, you rub the beads every two hours. It is certainly not difficult and it does work. It can’t be that I don’t value the outcome, because I really love clothes and getting dressed up. Nor can it be that I just love to eat because I’m not out there eating gourmet meals every night. Maybe it is the fear of success – what a terrible thought.

Change is what I need in my own life, what about you? I need to re-design it. So I ask myself some very hard questions, what do I really want? My life is filled with many wonderful things….good health, a great husband, a loving mother, a beautiful home, friends, opportunity, and great abundance all around. So what is it? What do I really want for me?

I love being on stage and empowering women, and I have thought about re-establishing the Because We Are Women events, or some aspect of them. As successful as they have been, in 2008 when the economy was taking a nosedive, the stress of producing the event was unbearable. I also like to write and started a book several years ago. The question is will I ever finish it? A friend of mine offered to help by making me accountable for her for my progress. She suggested that I just write two hours a day and then send her the copy. For some reason I just can’ t wrap my head around it and put my nose to the grindstone.

My hope is that writing this blog will help me and hopefully you, sort out some of my thoughts to get a clearer picture of the road ahead.

What do you want for you? Have you ever been in this place and if so, what did you do to create a new path?

Can’t wait to hear back from you. I the meantime, I am going to rub the beads, and try to take a harder look at my fear of success. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Have a wonderful day.

This is a poem I wrote as a lead to one of the chapters in my book.

Hope you enjoy it. After you have read it – please be sure to write down the things that are good about you – 2 physical characteristics, 2 personality traits, and 1 skill.

Then, close your eyes and dream about the things you want to see in your life. Open your eyes and write it down. Let the universe begin helping you realize your dream.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS by MJ Waldock

When I grow up

My parent’s talk

Of what they want for me

A doctor or a lawyer

Or a President you see.

My friends of course

Have other plans

Of where I should end up

A lesser goal, no grand desires

No shining winners cup.

But when I dream

I see myself

High above the crowd

A star that shines bright and strong

My parents would be proud

I think about

The hopes and dreams

The care and guiding light

Of those who brought me to this life

It takes me to new heights

How grand or small

The dreams we have

They’re ours to reach each day

The final score is sweetest yet

When we do it all our way.

When you look into the mirror, do you see “YOU” or someone you don’t know? Are you living someone else’s expectations, or yours? Have you sat down and asked yourself what do I really want for me, instead of what does someone expect of me? It is very easy to get got up in someone else’s life and lose ourselves to our children, husbands, parents, or others. To be truly empowered we must become who we really are. If it were the end of your life and you were relating to a friend all the wonderful things that you accomplished - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL THEM? It is your life and you get to choose w ho and what you want to be.

What do you want for you? Don't think about what other people want, just what do you want. You can choose what you want to do with or for them later. Just close your eyes and visualize yourself in the setting you really desire. Do you find it difficult? Most women think that they are not entitled to have the things they want. But you are. So tell us - what would make you feel Authentic?