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Lori Bruton

Author | Writer | Lifestyle Blogger |Speaker

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Hi, I'm Lori.
Author, Speaker, Coach, Ghostwriter

7 Ways to K I S S

March 31, 2019 by Lori 2 Comments

KISS – Keep It Simple, Sweetie

A kiss is sweet. If you want more love, give more love, especially to yourself. It sounds simple, right? To love and be loved is in our nature. Most of us desire to live a happy, fulfilling, simple life.

Living a simplified life in today’s world can be challenging. We are bombarded with information overload, distractions, cramming too much into our schedules, giving attention to digital devices that suck our time and energy.

Maybe you feel that you haven’t accomplished enough each day. Or, maybe you accomplished a lot, but you are exhausted. Is what you’re spending time doing worth it? Will it matter in the long run? If the answer is YES; keep doing it. You’re on the right track. If the answer is NO, take a moment to decide what does matter to you and your future that will leave a lasting legacy.

Maybe you’re not busy enough and each day slips by leaving you in a state of defeat and disillusionment. Could it be that you are overwhelmed? Overwhelmed just means you don’t know what to do next, which can be coupled with overthinking. What can you do to overcome this dilemma?

7 Ways to KISS:

  1. Stop pursuing perfection and pursue PEACE.
  2. Change your physical state by standing up or going outside; breathe deeply.

  3. Break down big tasks into smaller ones; set a timer. If you like variety, spend small chunks of time alternating activities.

  4. Instead of go, go, go until you collapse; take breaks and rest.

  5. On the flip side, too many breaks or long breaks may paralyze you and keep you stuck. Find the balance that works for you.

  6. Get help. Maybe you think you have to do it all alone and figure everything out by yourself. Who is willing and able to collaborate with you? The right help will empower you and them.

  7. Be present. Enjoy each “NOW” moment. Past and future thoughts can rob our present moments. Of course, treasure the past and learn from it. Pursue and plan for the future. Mostly, enjoy what you are doing this moment.

I am enjoying writing this blog for you. Let me be totally transparent. I admit I was consumed with overthinking mode. It’s important that I write words that add value and help you. I realized I wasn’t keeping it simple. How silly, right?

A complicated, bittersweet KISS may feel like this:  Knotted, Isolated, Self-Sabotage, Stuck.

Emotional Knots are tied to emotional wounds that rob your freedom and ability to grow. Staying Isolated can keep you separated from where you long to go and what you plan to achieve. Self-Sabotage conflicts with our thoughts and behaviors causing procrastination. This is a block to our success. When we are blocked, we are Stuck and cannot move forward. This type of KISS doesn’t sound enjoyable, does it?

Pucker up, Baby. This is the kind of KISS that will make you soar and you’ll want more. Kindness, Inspiration, Smile, Spontaneity.

Kindness is warm and tender, which is a welcoming relief in this harsh, cold world. Fill your heart and soul with Inspiration and motivation so you have enough for yourself and give inspiration to others. Put a Smile on your face to brighten your countenance. It makes you feel better and blesses others. Spontaneity is freeing and removes inhibitions. Some of the best experiences are unplanned and spontaneous.




Much Love,
Lori

Allow yourself to lighten up, enjoy life, and Keep It Simple, Sweetie. As my Grandpa used to say, “Apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.” Eat the cheese and embrace the sweet life. May you receive the best Hugs and KISSES.

 

Thanks for sharing this intimate, authentic time with me. Please share ways you KISS (aka Keep your life simplified.) Did I make you SMILE?

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: abundance, analysisparalysis, authentic, balance, behavior, blocks, blog, business, busy, communicate, community, decisions, defeat, delegate, desire, dilemma, distractions, entrepreneur, exhausted, freedom, fulfillment, fun, help, hug, inspiration, intimate, isolated, isolation, keepitsimple, kindness, kiss, knots, legacy, lonely, love, motivation, overanalyzing, overthinking, overwhelmed, peace, perfection, perfectionist, procrastination, productivity, purpose, relationships, relief, rest, schedules, selfsabotage, separation, simplify, spontaneity, spontaneous, stress, stuck, success, team, transparent, wellness

DO YOU FEEL THREATENED?

February 22, 2019 by Lori Leave a Comment

As I write this, many emotions emerge.  I recently got off a call with a group of people I believe I was destined to meet.  I am excited to see where this journey takes me.

Every task and direction given to me, I have done and delivered with excellence ahead of schedule.  It’s important to me to follow through, follow up, and stay connected.  What if other parties do not respond or return messages, especially when they did initially?  What if you are hired to do a project, but the person who hired you keeps blowing off your messages and questions?  I know people are “busy”.  (Don’t get me started on that word–It says, “You’re not important enough for my time.”)

How can I continue to complete projects, especially for others, if they are not as committed as I am?  I step back and do my best to see what may be going on at their end.  Still, no matter what, COMMUNICATION is key and in a timely manner.  Knowing that you have that person’s FULL ATTENTION and that they are actively LISTENING shows honor, respect, and interest.  People want to know they are important, and that you truly care, right?  No longer will I tolerate putting myself last, because I think everyone else is more important.  My time is valuable too.  It is a pleasure to work with people who treat me well; be assured that I will give the same courtesy.

Talk is cheap; ACTION (or lack of) tells the real story.  Unexpected stuff happens to everyone.  Just communicate when it does or at least assign someone to relay the message.  Be honest; be authentic.  It’s okay.  Most of us, at some time, have bitten off more than we can handle and made promises we can’t keep.  Be real; just say so.  Don’t keep me guessing; take time to respond.  I would rather know if anything has changed than to have unrealistic expectations, wouldn’t you?

Maybe $100 or $500 or even $20 is a big investment for some and only pocket change for others.  The fact that you made that investment and trusted certain people was a HUGE risk for you.  Recently, I had an unexpected medical and financial situation that was a game changer.  Despite everything, I keep making investments and taking risks.  Many of those risks almost put me under.  Have you ever been there?  Feeling like you keep getting sucked dry only to be mocked or called crazy.  Even worse, feeling devalued when threatened to be “disowned” if you don’t have the investment required and never to be allowed into that circle again.  Wow, that hurts!!

Know the difference between excuses and people who are giving it their all and doing their part to find a way.  Hopefully, their finding a way and digging a deeper HOLE prevents them from being homeless versus truly achieving success.  Take time to hear their situation.  They are counting on you, because you promised to be there.  They put their TRUST and BELIEF in you.  You have seen their efforts and accomplishments, don’t just laugh it off and take it for granted.

There are people who use and take advantage of people, but most people DO have good intentions who truly help people succeed.  When we break promises or fall short, step up, admit it.  Lead by example.  Again, we all strive to lead by example.  None of us is perfect.  I disappoint myself many times.  Let’s not disappoint each other.  But when we do, forgiveness and understanding go a long way.  Know who really is there for you and who isn’t.  Don’t pretend.  Find the circle who supports and encourages you and helps you reach your destiny.  Remember, what you know and the life you live may be foreign to new people in your circle.  Have mercy and patience.  What comes easy to you, isn’t easy for everyone.  Build them up and teach them how to rise up and help them when they fall; you will be appreciated and rewarded for doing so.

There have been too many people I trusted and who made promises; it didn’t end well.  When similar patterns emerge, it causes me to pause and evaluate if I am in the right circles as I move forward.  Time and actions will reveal the truth.  I am committed to doing my part.

Thank you, Dani Johnson, who taught me, “Nothing becomes dynamic until it becomes SPECIFIC.”  For example, “Honey, when do you want to start a family?” OR “When can you fix the sink?”  OR “When will we schedule our next call?”  If your answer is, “SOMEDAY” or “SOON” those answers are NOT specific.

Is having INTEGRITY important to you?  We all fall out of integrity at times.  Then what do you do?  Own up to it, apologize, and get back into integrity with yourself and others.  Is “image” or good character more important?  Some people use arrogance or ego as a cover.  It reminds me of a man who was often late on purpose to show how important he thought he was so that people should be thankful to get time with him.  Really?

My grandpa always said, “Don’t think you are better than anyone, but know you are just as important.”  Be humble, and respect everyone’s time no matter who you are, from peasant to king.  When people commit to a time to connect, all parties are expected to show up.  Sure, there are glitches and delays and unexpected things that happen; that’s life.  Just communicate that information so you don’t leave people hanging.

Have you been “ghosted”?  What is that?  Ghosting is breaking off a relationship (often an intimate relationship) by ceasing all communication and contact with the former partner without any apparent warning or justification, as well as ignoring the former partner’s attempts to reach out or communicate.

Ghosting can happen in business too or friendships.  One day you are communicating regularly, and everything is great.  Then, poof, it ceases.  What happened?  You may never know.  If it was an intimate relationship, maybe they ran off and got married even if they said you’d always be best friends.  In business, maybe a richer client came along.  Don’t waste your time on people who don’t value you.  Even if it seems like some people put you on the back burner or cut you off, don’t give up on yourself or your dream.  Shake the dust off your feet and keep it movin’.

Filed Under: MY BLOG, Uncategorized Tagged With: action, answer, appointments, arrogant, assignment, attention, author, belief, blog, business, busy, commit, communication, courtesy, danijohnson, deliver, destiny, direction, disowned, dream, effort, ego, encourage, entrepreneur, fake, followthrough, forgiveness, friend, ghosted, grateful, hire, homeless, honesty, humble, humility, integrity, invest, itsyourtime, journey, listen, message, mocked, patterns, project, promises, relationship, respond, risk, schedule, success, task, thankful, threatened, time, trust, value, write

WRITERS ARE READERS

February 15, 2019 by Lori 1 Comment

Some people like amusement parks.  As for me, a library is like an amusement park.  Surrounded by a maze of books full of stories of fact, fiction, and more is a fun ride.  It’s like diving into a sea and being submerged into different worlds full of adventure.

 

At one time, I worked in a library.  Shelving books was my favorite task, because I discovered new books.  The ones I signed out were treasures to uncover.  I remember the day a book fell from the shelf right at my feet.  The author got my attention; she knew what I liked.  It was that day I got the pleasure of perusing the writings of Helen Steiner Rice.

Reading poems is enjoyable, but writing poems is more so.  When my sons were in school, I wrote a personalized poem for each of their teachers at the end of the year.  The best part was going into the classrooms and reading the poems aloud.  I then presented the framed poem to each teacher as a gift.  Seeing how the words I wrote touched their hearts was a gift to me.  Every teacher said no one had ever given them anything like that before.  It was unique.  I didn’t realize the impact my poems had on their lives.  They told me my poems are proudly hanging on their walls at home even today.  Recently, a friend of mine asked me to write a poem for her family member.  Again, it was a unique, personalized gift written with carefully woven words that spoke to her.  It gave me joy to know that gift brought happy tears to her family member.

I’ve heard you can tell what people like by noticing things in their homes.  In every room of my home you will see books, lots of books.  I read them and write them.  My son asked if I ever read one book at a time from start to finish.  I do finish, but am usually into more than one book at a time.  For me, it all fits perfectly.  It still makes me laugh when I remember my son asking, “Mom, are you reading the dictionary again?”  In addition to books, notebooks, journals, and pens are abundant in my home since I am writing every day. 

When it’s warm and sunny, I even take a book and notebook to read and write in my kayak.  I paddle out to my favorite spot on the creek and float while I soak in the sun.  There I commune with nature reading and writing more words that fill my soul and give me inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, I will leave you with a poem by Helen Steiner Rice from her book, Someone Cares: 

Help Yourself to Happiness

Everybody, everywhere

Seeks happiness, it’s true

But finding it and keeping it

Seems difficult to do,

Difficult because we think

That happiness is found

Only in the places where

Wealth and fame abound.

And so we go on searching

In palaces of pleasure,

Seeking recognition

And monetary treasure,

Unaware that happiness

Is just a state of mind

Within the reach of everyone

Who takes time to be kind,

For in making others happy

We will be happy too,

For the happiness you give away

Returns to shine on you.

“

Filed Under: MY BLOG, Uncategorized Tagged With: adventure, amusementpark, author, blog, boats, books, classroom, dictionary, dreambig, entrepreneur, fullthrottle, fun, gift, helensteinerrice, home, inspiration, journal, library, notebook, pens, pier, poems, poets, publish, readers, reading, sea, shelves, speaking, teachers, words, writers, writing

INVISIBLE NO MORE

February 1, 2019 by Lori 1 Comment

I have been silent long enough.  No more staying in the shadows.  I decided to be brave and vulnerable and share my story with you.

For most of my life I felt invisible.  So, I stayed in my shell and kept quiet.  I was taught it wasn’t okay to speak up or interrupt.  Daring to interrupt was the only way to interject since I often couldn’t get a word in edgewise.  Still, no one heard my voice.  I thought my voice didn’t matter.  Guess what?  That was a LIE!

For a long time, my desire was to write a book.  Writing is my passion.  I asked myself was it possible and how do I make it happen? 

Every voice matters and so does your voice.  I speak mostly from the written page.  Writing is a great way to gather and complete my thoughts without being interrupted, hurried, or being talked over.  Why am I telling you this?

ANNOUNCEMENT: It’s possible and my book is ready!  http://bit.ly/PreOrderBookNow

Let me share an excerpt with you from my book, Hole to Whole:

When I got home from school, Mom was often visiting with the neighbor as they sat at the kitchen table.  I stood silently by her side waiting for permission to speak.  Not being acknowledged, I began to wonder if I really was invisible.  I would then disappear into my room.

People enjoyed my quiet, gentle, caring nature.  Being a good listener and having a nice smile were compliments I received regularly.  That was nice, but I knew I needed to come out of my shell.  Like a turtle, I slowly began to develop better communication skills during my adult years.

The way I was programmed from past experiences required rewiring my thoughts and beliefs.  All I know is I didn’t want to stay that invisible girl any more.

Have you ever felt invisible or that your voice is not heard?  Have you ever wanted to write a book?  You can relate, right?  I appreciate your being here as I share my journey of how I turned the dream of writing a book into reality.  There are many twists and turns to my story; stay tuned.

http://bit.ly/PreOrderBookNow

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: babyboomers, believe, blog, book, encouragement, entrepreneur, faith, inm moment, inspiration, invisible, life, love, motivation, order, passion, plan, preorderbook, purpose, read, story, voice, women, write

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Hi, I'm Lori!

I'm a copywriter, blog writer, and ghostwriter, with a focus in the inspirational and travel niches. Need custom copy that motivates? Learn more about what I do!

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