I went to see Avatar last night. Actually my husband and daughters dragged me. It certainly did not look like the kind of movie I wanted to see.
I don't like war, killing, thrill-ride-type movies. But I was overruled, so off we went.
I really can't describe the amazing-ness of this movie. Yes, it was a little over-the-top with the war, good vs evil stuff. But there was so much to love.
The magical forest James Cameron created is magnificent. The fact that his characters are connected to this forest in a way that I have begun to feel connected to the mountains here in Colorado moved me very deeply.
This movie made me want to get outside and look at the trees, stare at the clouds, breathe in the essence of nature.
I am amazed at James Cameron's vision, he wrote and directed Avatar, and I am in awe of the world he created.
I think I might go see it again. It was that great.
Have an amaaaazing day- go get a hug from Mother Nature. Or go see Avatar.
I'm loving this new book by Laura Day. This is the first book I've ever read from Laura, but I loved it so much I went right out and bought "Practical Intuition" too. Check it out. She's on book tour now, so you might be able to catch her live in your city.
In her
book “Body of Knowledge: 8 Rules of Model Behavior”, Heidi Klum shares “I know I've had a lot of success. But it didn't
happen by accident. [it's] all about making the most out of what I
have.”
Chapter
One is called “You have to want it, baby” and it's all about
DESIRE.
Ask
yourself what it is that you want to create in your life right now.
Do you have a clear picture? Did something pop into your mind right
away? Are you fuzzy or crystal clear about your vision for your life?
(for more help getting clear, click here)
When it
comes to success and happiness, DESIRE is a big factor. Are you
going to throw your hands up in the air when the going gets tough?
How bad do you want this? If you are only willing to do what's easy, life will be hard. If you are willing to do what's hard, life will be easy. I believe there are times when it's best
to surrender and times when You've got to want it, baby! Here's an
excerpt from Heidi's book;
10
Compliments You'd Love to Earn
“Boy,
you don't take no for an answer, do you?”
“How'd
you pull that off?”
“You're
glowing!” (Doesn't count if you're pregnant. Or drunk.)
“I'd
be honored to be your wingman.”
“Who
does your wardrobe?” (Especially if the answer is you.)
“I
could learn a lot from you.”
“You're
a human Energizer bunny.”
“You
handled that situation nicely.”
“When
did you have time to do all that?”
“Great
ass!” (double points if from the same sex)
(copyright 2004 by Heidi Klum Company LLC, Three Rivers Press)
Do you
see a theme here? Heide has accomplished some pretty great things,
super model, super Hot Mogul, super hot hubby, mom to four(!), but
from reading her book you can definitely tell that her success is no
accident.
When I
get tired or am feeling like I should be further along, accomplishing
more, blah, blah, blah, I look for inspiration and motivation in
other successful people. Usually it's easy to see that success does
not “just happen”, it's a series of daily choices,
moment-to-moment we are designing our lives.
I have to thank each and every one of you that wrote to me, posted comments on my blog and on Facebook and Twitter about my article last week “Don’t Forget Who You Are”. I was overwhelmed and inspired by your feedback. Many of you shared your own stories of giving away your power and many of you seemed to be in the same place I was last week and told me how much you appreciated the message. I just want you know that I read each email & comment and am so grateful to have YOU in my life.
I also decided to share something very PERSONAL with you – and I am just a little bit nervous about sharing it….
You see, even though I am very "out there" with my public personality as this Hot Mogul building an Empire with B.A.L.L.S. etc,…. well... I am usually reluctant about sharing too much of my private life. Which is why I am a little bit nervous... (illustration Ruben Toledo) But I had such a huge revelation last week that I decided I had to come out and share this with you -
First, I need to give you a little bit of history…..
I met my husband, Rich, in college. He was playing in a band at a fraternity party, we were both nineteen years old. For the first seven or so years of our relationship we both thought we would live this extraordinary life, traveling the world, playing music and hanging out with the rich and famous. He was my Rock Star.
Our lives didn’t turn out that way. We got married, had two babies and made a different kind of life together.
I started writing books and tried to make sense of my own life, always searching for the meaning among the ordinary, chaotic moments of our lives.
It’s funny how it seems everyone in the world will listen to you except your own family, right? I mean, I wonder if Maria Shriver’s husband “The Terminator-Ahhhhnold” pays attention to the extraordinary inspirational messages she brings to the world?
In any case, even though I've helped thousands of people find their passion & purpose and have FUN making money doing work they love... sometimes I thought my advice was falling on deaf ears with my own husband. Little did I know that Rich was actually listening to me (at least some of the time)
Last weekend, after having such an emotional few weeks in my business (and my life), we were sitting around the fire (yes, I turn on the fireplace just about every single day) having a glass of wine with some friends and Rich picked up his guitar and played a song he wrote called “This Ordinary Life”.
In that beautiful moment, sitting with my friends and family, listening to my husband sing to us, I realized that it’s moments like these that make up a fabulous life. I wish I could have whipped out the video camera to capture the moment or better yet, transported you to my living room so that you could have shared the love with us.
I can’t do that, but I did put together a video, as a present for Rich, to show him how much I appreciate him.
So now I have a simple favor to ask of you... it won't cost you a penny, just a minute or two of your time. I am going to give this video to Rich next week, and I would love to make it even more special - and you can help me do that if you can spare just a few seconds...
You see, I want reconnect Rich to his Rock Star-ness and show him how much his passion and his talents mean to me. Will you listen to this beautiful song then just type in a simple message to Rich in the comments below. Share some of the Ordinary Moments that make your life extraordinary.
I am hoping to get hundreds (or even thousands) of responses... then I will put them all together for Rich. Can you think of a better gift than hundreds of notes from my readers from all over the world?
Just type a quick note below to send me your thoughts about “This Ordinary Life”... I will take care of the rest.
Here's to the ordinary moments that make your life extraordinary!
Peace, Love and Chocolate Kisses, Sandy
P.S. Thanks for taking the time to read this to the end. I don't usually share this kind of personal stuff in my blog... and I certainly have never asked for anything like this before! But I decided to put myself really ‘out there’ this time!
My friend, Glenn sent me this video. It gives me chills. Glenn is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles, I think I'll contact him about doing our own happy dancing/random public performance. Would you like to join us?
Don't you ever just wish life could be like those old musicals? I grew up watching Gene Kelly & Elvis. Breaking into song & dance mid-sentence feels like the best way to live your life. I think I'll try that today.
I think everyone should have their own special playlist on iTunes. Actually, I think you should have several!
I have my "Sandylicious playlist" of many favorite songs that gets me rockin when I need some energy.
I have a "Writing playlist" that I use when I need to crank out some writing deadlines.
I even have a "Massage Playlist" that I use when I get a massage, because I hate being taken out of that blissful feeling because some crazy music is playing in the background, right?!!
Here's one of my Sandylicious Playlists that I use when I speak at events- it's really fun!
Enjoy~ (then go make your own faaaabulous playlists & share)
What can I say.... I'm such a sucker for random public acts of joy.
My sister sent me this one. "Pass me a napkin please..... I'm crying happy tears" Can someone please invite ME next time you're planning a random public musical performance? Pass it on!
I recently interviewed the most fabulous Josh Pais, actor, writer, director extraordinnaire for my radio show The Road to Fabulous which airs Tuesday's LIVE on LA Talk Radio.
Josh will be in LA this weekend teaching an amazing course. If you are anywhere near the LA area, you should definitely check it out! Weekend of January 30th Register here
He has appeared in over 60 movies and TV shows. He’s got several very exciting projects coming out including…. Leaves of Grass where he stars opposite Edward Norton, Assassination of a High School President with Bruce Willis, Synechdoche (si NEK-duh-kee), New York with Phillip Seymour Hoffman directed by Charlie Kaufman. Josh recently shot a pilot for Comedy Central entitled “Michael and Michael Have Issues”. A few other television appearances include: Rescue Me, Hope & Faith, Law and Order AND Sex and the City. He also wrote and directed the feature film 7th STREET (7thstreetmovie.com). Josh is the creator and sole master teacher of the Committed Impulse Actor Training. He currently teaches at NYU and the Atlantic Theatre Company’s Acting School, and has taught at Yale and The New School. He is teaching a weekend workshop in Los Angeles on Jan 30th: Truth and Presence: The Committed Impulse Approach with Josh Pais. He will be teaching ongoing classes in NYC. Upcoming courses being led in Germany, London, Greece and Australia. His book Committed Impulse, The Next Wave in Actor Training will be released this Spring. You can find out all about Josh and his Hot Mogul Empire by visiting : CommittedImpulse.com
Okay, I don't know that for sure, but I did just get this message:
"Hi sandygrason,
richardbranson (richardbranson) is now following your updates on Twitter."
I KNOW! RIGHT?! He totally loves me! I am *so* excited.
but wait......
just a minute..... This means every time I twitter about avoiding my work, eating brownies, still being in my pajamas at 3pm..... HE will know.
I don't necessarily WANT my friend, Sir Richard, to know about all my twittering. He might lose respect for the Empire I'm creating....... inspired by him, his visionary-ness, his Hot Mogul-liciousness.
Oy! The Pressure!
Now I have to come up with smart, captivating, inspiring and witty twitters ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, FROM NOW ON....am I up for it?
You bet I am!
So, if you're following me on twitter, don't be surprised if, all of a sudden, my twitters get really great.
You might even say; "Hey, that @sandygrason sure is clever, how did she think of that brilliant twitter?"
gotta run.....
I'm off to hire Larry David to twitter for me. Do you think he'll do it?