by paula on January 18, 2012
“Live below your means but within your needs.” -Suze Orman
Throughout my life, I’ve just lived. Not thinking about money…well, not too much. In my teens, the focus was gas money…which equaled freedom. In my 20′s, my money was spent on “international dinner nights” with friends and at coffee houses before Starbucks was cool. In my 30′s, I didn’t even think about money…so long as I had enough to pay the mortgage and the bills and stop for a shop at Nordstrom…it was just an after thought. My job, my car, my house…all defined me… Now, venturing into my 40′s, I’m able to hear Suze’s message…and wished I had heard it a long time ago…because the lesson is priceless.
But that’s why hind-sight is 20/20 and even though I know that I am worthy of all good things…good things don’t necessarily come with a price tag attached. Having a great life and being successful doesn’t come from living in the best community, sleeping on 1000 thread count sheets and making a six-figure income. Those things are not required. What IS required is knowing who you are and what makes you happy. Suze tells you to ask yourself, “What are your basic needs?” and “What’s important in my life?”
Once you start looking for the answers, that’s where the “ah-ha” moments live. On your journey, listen to the answers because that’s the magic that makes a great life happen…somewhere between below your means but within your needs.
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by paula on January 14, 2012
Big totes and purses. Fashionable…but I’m not a big bag person. I am resistant to change…this is the reason my Coach saddlebag purse from the 90′s is still a staple in my closet. I’m just not one of those who change their purse…EVER…it’s just too hard. But…OYou and Danielle Nicole have changed me…and I’m venturing into the land of new bags and finding out that I am kinda loving it!
Exclusively designed for the Oprah OYou event this year, this amazing tote is my ABSOLUTE new favorite thing in my wardrobe…and really in my life. It goes with me everywhere…my new sidekick! She’s my girl bag…and if an accessory can make you feel fun, happy and pulled together, THIS would be the one.
Hello world of big bags! Now, all I need is a scarf to pull off my new non-outfit. Have bag…will travel. I love you Danielle Nicole bag. Thank you for changing my life and making me see things in a WHOLE NEW big bag kinda way. You are amazing! O-mazing!
To find your OWN Danielle Nicole bag, check out her website and change your life!
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by paula on December 27, 2011
I am an artist by nature. I didn’t always know it…or embrace it…even though it was right in front of me. Left mind dominates. Emotions rule my life…and when emotions rule your life, it’s like a roller-coaster of waves. Get ready to ride the wave of highs and lows and quick turns and sudden stops. Oprah and Martha Beck at the OYou conference told us the importance of riding the waves in life…and it’s now clear that learning how to balance yourself and staying positive are going to be lifelong lessons.
Martha Beck told us, “It’s the way to navigate the change in your life…ride the wave. Look inside or on the path you have traveled for lessons to teach you how to ride the way without being swept away.” And Oprah told us…”About the wave…you ride the wave…don’t get scared.”
Each day like so many other left minded people, I ride my wave through life and do my best. Sometimes I look for rainbows…sometimes I try to be the rainbow…and sometimes…I just try to stay standing…because when a wave knocks you down…it can be hard to get back up. But, like with everything in life…it gets easier each time and I am worth getting up each time. By the end of the journey, I will be a champion wave rider…this I know for sure. Get up today! Ride your wave with passion and fun and laughter! You too can be a champion wave rider! Let’s enjoy the journey together!
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by paula on December 17, 2011
After OYou this year, I felt like Christmas came early and that I had a treasure chest full of jewels and gifts! It was like I was a kid again…a grown up kind of kid…who loves all of the pampering and the wonderful things that come in pretty packages and make you feel great. A pile of gifts came from L’Oreal who gave us some youth in a bottle and some sparkle for lives. For a few weeks, the pretty pile sat on my dresser…just waiting for me to dive in. Once I did…it was like Christmas all over again.
While I haven’t added up all of the ‘gems’ from OYou, I have taken notice that L’Oreal included over $100 in products…and let me add, in FANTASTIC products. Among the treasures was a set of their Youth Code line of moisturizers and some makeup too! Taking all tips to heart as I enter into my early fortys, the Youth Code trio that was tucked in my bag is just amazing. The day lotion with SPF, the eye and the day and night cream have changed the way that I look! I swear I think that I am looking refreshed and rested…which is not easy to do as we enter into the stressful holiday season. Let me assure you…it has nothing to do with the hours that I keep or the amount of sleep that I don’t get (I’m working on it, Dr. Oz). I am sure that with less stress and more sleep plus plenty of water and daily exercise and some deep breaths and meditation might help if I incorporated them into my life, but the Youth Code is a little bit of a secret weapon when I seem to drop off my OWN personal list. Bob Greene even gives the advice to “find a good day and nighttime moisturizer for your face” as one of the secrets in his “20 Years Younger” book and L’Oreal helped make that happen. It’s like I’ve put myself back on my list to take care of myself…and I didn’t even know it!
But…that wasn’t all! Add the One Sweep blusher duo and the Le Gloss lip gloss and the travel size Elnett Satin hairspray and I’m not sure that I’ve ever looked better. OK…maybe when I was 18 but as a grown up, it’s always nice to slow down and pay a little more attention to your OWN self. L’Oreal reminded me of that by putting a little of their OYou magic into my life. Thank you L’Oreal…
So, if you are looking at adding a little something to your OWN stocking this year…or even to someone else in your life that you love, be a little indulgent and give them something that will change their life without them really even knowing it. When you slow down enough to do something nice for yourself or for those you love, it changes the world around you…and sometimes that change can even come from the beauty aisle.
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by paula on December 15, 2011
At OYou 2011 in Atlanta, TFal gave out the most adorable little itty bitty omelet pan…and until recently, it laid on the kitchen counter looking cute while I wondered what I would do with it. A Christmas tree ornament? A ping pong paddle? Well…one day, I broke down and used it and let me say, life hasn’t been the same since! Perfect eggs. Perfect pancakes. Perfect little round omelets. Perfection in a little bitty package! Watch out…I’m thinking of having a baking day of breakfast sandwiches because this little pan makes it so easy and so fun! It’s one thing to eat something that is amazing…but when it LOOKS amazing too…well, the whole experience just gets THAT MUCH better!
AND…like that isn’t enough from the TFal family…they handed out these teeny bags of granola. About 1-2 tablespoons of a perfect mix of nuts, granola and dried fruit. So busy walking the floor, I just kept smiling at the snack pushers and taking their offerings and putting them in my bag. Once home, I used one each morning to add to my oatmeal…turning it from ordinary to extra yummy…without a lot of extra calories! So, happy to report that I’ve figured out the recipe and have added a container to the counter-top.
Thank you TFal for turning any day into an extraordinary day with my little omelet pan and a new recipe for oatmeal pizazz. The perfect OYou gift to walk away with and change my life…seriously, perfect little pancakes people! 
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by paula on November 6, 2011
A great RUME bag was part of the morning giveaway at the OYou conference in Atlanta. As we walked in and found our morning seat, a pretty little bag, all wrapped up with our OYou journal and amazing (erasable) pen was waiting for us. DELIGHT…but I never knew just how wonderful it would really be. I think I love you, RUME.
As soon as the reusable grocery bags were available, I bought them. Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Publix to just name a few…local merchants, breast cancer awareness, humane society fundraisers…I have them all. But I never HAVE them when I NEED them. They almost NEVER make it back into the car…I’m just not THAT organized. But…my life has changed. OYou gave me a RUME bag and now…I think I’m in love.
If you can form a habit in 20 days, I’ve done it. RUME goes in my purse everywhere I go. I just wrap it up and throw it in. When we come home…I empty her, fold her up and get her ready for her next adventure out. RUME, you are amazing. You’ve changed my life. You’ve helped me make my life easier…I’m pretty sure that I love you…but it’s only been a few weeks…and I don’t say the “L” word until at least 60 days into a relationship…but I am changed and better for you in my life…so we are off to a great start.
If you don’t have your own RUME, I suggest that you go an introduce yourself to one. I’m pretty sure you will think you LOVE yours too…
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by paula on October 30, 2011
As we walk through this OWN path that we have found ourselves on, my sister and I keep coming back to our “talking table” and finding ourselves looking at life differently. We are beginning to feel changed. So, it’s with that push in mind that we are looking into the future of what The Daily OWN is growing into for us…and for you, our readers. From our OYou! Boot Camp, to our OYou! experience in Atlanta, to Super Soul Sundays, to Lifeclass…and so much more…we are finding that it’s only natural for us to start seeing some of this amazing inspiration sprout into action in our OWN lives. So, that’s where our new column, “Living the Lessons” is coming from.
As we take our notes and do our best to be the positive change in our OWN lives, this will be an ongoing place where we can share with you the “ah-ha” moments and sparks that we are seeing and we hope to ignite the same spark in you. Now that we have all of these lessons in our lives …and more and more coming…what do we do with them? What are you doing with yours?
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by patricia on October 24, 2011
- We all are the architects of change and have a responsibility to step up.- Lisa Ling
- Every day holds at least one good moment, just be conscious of it.- Gayle King
- Stop obsessing over finding your passion. Do what you love and it will find you.
- If you close your eyes and tell a part of your body to relax, it totally does! – Martha Beck
- My new words for “Pimp” are “slave owner”.- Lisa Ling
- Be picky about what you let cross your threshold. – Nate Berkus
- Genes load the gun and environment pulls the trigger.- Dr. Oz
- It’s important to find a way to ride the wave of change instead of letting it crash in around you.- Martha Beck
- If you focus on the stuff, you will never get organized. Instead focus on what you want from the space.– Peter Walsh
- Be still and the answers will come. Take 30 minutes each morning when it is quiet to just listen. – Oprah
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