At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.

Albert Schweitzer

David Drane is a writer for CREATIVE LIFE LINE, an inspirational speaker and story teller. For more information about David and CREATIVE LIFE LINE, go to his web site at www.drane.ca.

What would you say if I told you that you have in your possession right now, the piece of the puzzle that will move your business into its next growth phase?

That’s right. Almost every one of us has the key to our own success. We just don’t recognize it.

We get so wrapped up looking at the new technology, the latest trend in networking, a better web site, improved brochures and a myriad of other things. But what do you have, what do I have that will help my bank account catch up with my success?

Here it is. You’ve heard it before and you probably haven’t really acted on it yet.

What ever the mind believes, the person can do.

When you really believe it, you will achieve it.

Unfortunately, really believing might be the tough part. It takes about a month for the mind to accept a new habit. Make your success a new habit. After your mind accepts it, the rest of you will do what is necessary to catch up.

Here are the steps to convince your mind of what ever it is you want it to believe.

1. Decide in specific terms what it is that you want.
2. Write it down in specific terms in the present tense. Write it as if it is all ready accomplished.
3. Put your written statement some place where you will see it every day.
4. At least twice a day, preferably more often, read the statement out loud. If you miss a day, you will need to start over. (That’s not my rule. That’s your mind’s rule.)
5. If anyone does or says anything to cast doubt on your statement, turn them off and go read your statement out loud.

If you follow these five easy steps, you will be amazed at the results.

I believe it was Samuel Clemens who said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

And I don’t recall who it was who said, “Use it or lose it.”

So now you have the next big thing. Use it and grow.

David Drane is a writer for CREATIVE LIFE LINE, an inspirational speaker and story teller. For more information about David and CREATIVE LIFE LINE, go to his web site at www.drane.ca.

From YouTube to SEO, navigating the web development landscape can be daunting. That’s why our founder, Mike Mann, developed this comprehensive list of best practices for any organization — for profit or not. Scan through this guide to evaluate your current web strategy, for inspiration on how to revamp your plan, or to scout out some new marketing resources.

Read this valuable post via 84 ways to maximize your web strategy | Free Web Services for Nonprofits | Grassroots.org.

Love the look Bring!

I just love what Microsoft has done with it’s newest search engine – BING! 

If you haven’t seen BING lately, check out the AMAZING scenery shot.  Although Google still gets my vote for search, thank you BING (a Microsoft product) for the AMAZING view and inspiration!  What do YOU think of BING?

Any idea where this picture was taken?

Thanks to Seth Godin for sharing this on his blog. Read this run down on this video here… http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/06/guy-3.html

Is your social media campaign unstoppable?

On Friday, March 6, 2009 I attended Let’s Do Lunch at Cullen Gardens. It was so nice to see so many familiar faces and meet a few wonderful people too. The speeches were all geared on how to keep your business healthy and were very inspirational, funny and of course, the lunch was devine.

I’ve uploaded my pictures of the lunch to facebook however I’m really looking forward to seeing the shots Leanne Paty of Reflections Photography took. She usually posts them in her portfolio at http://www.reflectionsphotos.ca/portfolio/lets_do_lunch

Let’s Do Lunch is a great organization that and raises monies for a different charity each lunch – this time it was Lakeridge Health. Does anyone know how much was raised this time?

Inspiration and ideas: on the way to an artful life… and everyone can have an artful life regardless of vocation! 

An Artful Life begins with being happy on the inside… smile at yourself right now, you deserve it!

The 60 Second Pick me up
Go to your Happy Place:

Everyone should find a happy place in their heart that they can go to whenever they want to.  Try this:

• Think of a time when you felt really happy, when you laughed a lot.
• Make an image of this in your mind.
• Think of the sounds that were there at the time. Remember them.
• Think of a picture that makes you think happy thoughts.
• Think of a feeling that makes you happy.
• Smile and remember this moment.
• Give yourself a mental hug.

Ok that’s it. Now doesn’t that give you a lift? You can do that whenever you like and be in your very own Happy Place.

Being happy is something you decide to be.

If you are happy
You will be healthier,
You will be a joy to be around,
You will work more joyfully,
You will overcome obstacles more easily,
You will be wealthy.
Especially in all the things you can’t buy with money,

Money is attracted to happiness, so cultivate it.
You will live longer,
And you will be happy!

Just because something may seem to be disturbing you in any given moment you can bounce back sooner, if you concentrate on being happy most of the time. These things won’t take the lasting, ‘happiness’ out of you. . If you have had a ‘bad’ day, before you go to sleep, tell yourself that you will let that go … and that you decide to wake up happy, It really works!

It is ok, to be sad about something momentarily; but, underlying any given moment, you can decide to be a happy person!

Your inner smile: The Happiness Mantra:

• I am Happy to be me. I am special, worthy and good. I like me!
• I am a happy person, momentary circumstances cannot change that.
• I unfold moment by moment from a great source of happiness.
• I am, I am, I am Happy!

Inspiration and photo printed with permission of Trina Astor-Stewart.

Hats off to Alzheimer Toronto for organizing the 2009 Manulife Financial Walk for Memories on January 31, 2009 at Allen Labert Galleria, Brookfield Place, on Yonge Street, in Toronto, Ontario to raise funds for Alzheimer Society.

Alzheimer Society sure does know how to put on a fun and organized rally filled with super heros, celebrities, jugglers, musicians, magicians, dancers, escape artists, stilt-walkers and more, in addition to the 3/4 hour window-shop through Toronto’s (underground) Path, which connects some of Toronto’s finest high rises.

We enjoyed the continental breakfast and seamless and courteous registration and inspiration an event like this generates.

There were awesome costumes, like first place winners “Biker Grannies from Hell” shown inset.

To experience it from my camera, please do visit my facebook galleries; the Alzheimer Walk and The Path and please add your comments or request higher quality version if you’d like to reprint!

Team aWEBthatWORKS raised $538.00 for Alzheimer Society in it’s inaugral year, thanks to the generosity shown by:

We had a lot of fun, plan to do it again next year, and hope you’ll join us. Click here for more information on joining the aWEBthatWORKS team and/or creating your own team.

Hope to see you in 2010!

Dear Friends and Patrons,

We are excited to announce the first in a series of creative art workshops at Ridge Top Bed & Breakfast in collaboration with, Newcastle artist, Elke Clarke. Spend a relaxing social evening with a group of your friends or meet new people while painting a work of art.

Enjoy learning some basics on the versatility of acrylic paints and composition. Be inspired to come up with your own unique interpretation of an expression of love. Bring personal photos, favourite love poems or “bits and bobs” to personalize your piece if you so desire. Or look to these examples below from several artists for inspiration to build on.

“LOVE IS IN THE AIR AND ART” Evening Art Workshop
Friday, February 6, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m.
$25 per person + GST = $26.25
Includes all art supplies,
Wine and cheese sampling selected by Archibald Estate Winery, Tyrone

To book your spot mail cheque to:
Ridge Top Bed & Breakfast Studio,
2971 Regional Road 20,
R.R.#5, Bowmanville,
Ont. L1C 3K6
Payable to: Chris Stevenson

For more information contact:
Chris Stevenson, Ridge Top B & B (905) 263-1173 or
Elke Clarke, Elke Clarke Fine Art (905) 987-3075

The art project will be flexible enough to accommodate all skill levels. Sorry, no refunds, 4 days before date of course or workshop. We reserve the right to cancel the workshop, with full refund, if fewer than 6 people sign up. See you there!