Cherie's Random Thoughts

What is money really was not issue? Would you be happier? Would life be easier? Would you pursue your true purpose?  The answer to this question is: YES.  If you are fortunate and wise you have long since learn that money does not buy you happiness. There are many wealthy and comfortable people living a life that is a lie. A life that does not reflect their true self. A life that denies them true happiness and makes them simply do things because others do and want them to.  As I have gotten older I have learned that it really doe not matter how much money is in my bank account (although it does sometimes makes things easier), what matters is that I am doing what I was born to do and doing with passion: TEACHING.  Here is a great video by Alan Watts: What If Money Didn't Matter?  http://youtu.be/xaLDRSg6vic

Alicia Key's Brand New Me is my new anthem for life. As I take time to reflect my journey over the past 39 1/2 years I realize that I have gone through and overcome many challenges. I am thankful for all the wonderful adult role models, great parents, and friends who helped me during my journey to a "Brand New Me".  Without them I could never have done the following:  Commit my life works (passion) to something worth doing and will impact many: teaching and help others achieve their goals. The courage to speak up when I disagree with people, yet still respect and love them as human being.  To remain drug free.  Survived school- High School, BA, M.Ed. and PhD-coursework all while having to deal with very challenging circumstances (mother's illnesses and death, my father's Parkinson, challenging bosses, and one step from being truly homeless).  The ability to take ownership for the choices I make about how I live my life and own them. Excuses not allowed...

Tonight I listen to Michael Hyatt's podcast: The Importance of the Leader's Heart and as I listen to it I realized how profound it was. Often as leaders we forget how important our heart is and how we need to protect it. Between 2006-2010 tremendous strain was placed on my heart. I found myself progressively going through cycles of burnout and losing my love for work. I learned three things during this period:  1) My heart is stronger than I thought but it is not invincible. Although during a 5 year period I experience changes in my work, starting and completing a masters degree, dealing with a mother's illnesses, three deaths in 45 day period (boss, friend's mother, and my mother in 2007) I some how survived but had several warning signs that I had to change my outlook on life. During this period, I experienced frequently eye ticks, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and irritability.  2) If my heart is unhealthy my ability to help others is diminish...

By far ONE of the best things I have ever listen to and watched. Reminds me of how important gratitude is and how the power of an open heart can heal almost any ailment or negative attitude we may have. For many the holiday season is tough one but watching this video would most definitely bring joy to your heart. It will  remind you have the opportunity to be blessed and bless others simply by being grateful!

In article by Marc and Angel entitled: 25 Things I would Tell My 20-Year-Old-Self, the authors provide 25 things that most of us wish we knew when we were 20.  As I approach my 40th birthday, I find myself thinking more about what has occurred during the past 20 years of my life. Between 20-40 most adults have to deal with a tremendous amount of change that can impact their mid-life years, positively and negatively. If I could go back in future and talk with my 20-year-old self, I would share the following five thoughts from the article:  Stand up for yourself. Life is full of BULLIES. They can a friend, a family member, or someone in the workplace. Over the past 39 years, I have learned that we must become assertive and this is not negotiable. Otherwise you will be walked over for most of your life.  If you can make a reasonable living doing what you love, DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Never work a job you cannot find joy in doing! Over the past 19 years working as adult I ...

If you continue to look back at your past and use it as an excuse for your present, you have doomed your future. The future is unwritten can be changed but when we become hung up on the storm that preceded up, we cannot see the rainbow that lies head of us. -Cherie Crosby Today was one of the days when you think: Why would we let our past affect our future? It something I have tried not to do for most of my life. Although our past does influence our present, we have to power to change our future. It is critical that we be forward thinking, dialogue thinking, and not allow ourselves to begin our conversations with an excuse. An excuse only purpose is to prevent us from achieving greatness. When we buy into and extend an excuses lifespan, we allow our future to become a little dimmer. 

In an article by Marc and Angel's Hack Life, 30 Simple Ways to Simplify Your life, the author describe 30 sure fire ways you can simplify your life. They provide a short and long list.  From the short list, I find the following essential to simplifying your life:  Identify what’s most important to you . -A must do. How can a person expect simplification in their life if they have no idea what they can live with and without. Often when we start creating this list, if we are honest with ourselves we usually will create a very short list!  From the long list, I find the follow essential to simplifying your life:  Resign from a commitment you’re not passionate about. -Something I have tried to live by for the past 10 years of my life and have found that is something that we should commit to doing. Otherwise, we lead a life of potential misery and will end up chasing a dream but never living it!  Enjoy  life’s simple pleasures .- Definitely self expl...