Lori Bruton

Author, Writer, Speaker

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

A Day of Celebration

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As I write this, today is my son’s birthday. Joseph David born November 8th. He and his brother were the best gifts I ever received. He is destined for greatness.

I am talking about one of the 7 F’s of Oola–Family.

Family is of high value to me. I am thankful I got to spend time with my son and daughter-in-law today. They add so much meaning to my life. I am blessed.

What’s Oola?  It’s a state of awesomeness when your life is balanced and growing in 7 key areas of life (Fitness, Finance, Family, Field, Faith, Friends, and Fun).

Today’s birthday celebration added another “F” of Oola–Fun. It’s important to take time for fun. Fun with family was a double blessing. In fact, it was a beautiful fall day beaming with sunshine and we cooked on the grill. I love the taste of food cooked on charcoal. It was completed with a sweet treat. What a lovely day!

The number 8 is significant. It’s the meaning of new beginnings and renewal. What new things are happening in your life? Or what new beginnings are you hoping to see? What’s important to you?

The flow of number 8 represents the infinity symbol. Let your life flow naturally in the direction you desire. It won’t be a straight line, but a path with some detours. See the detours as adventures that bring you to unexpected places. Those places are just where you are meant to be. Take the risk of doing new things. You never know what you may discover about yourself.

When you look at the 7 key areas of your life that I mentioned above, how are you doing? Which areas are flowing and growing, and which ones are unbalanced and slowing you down? We all have struggles and challenges. Together, we can help each other get in a better place.

Think of each “F” as a spoke on a wheel. Some may be broken or have a hitch right now. Your wheel doesn’t roll smoothly, does it? I have a framework I can guide you through. It starts with where you are now and shows you how to get where you want to be.

It will get you rolling down your desired path.

Ready, Set, Go! Here is a free gift to start your transformation adventure:  http://bit.ly/3stepTransform

When you’re ready to shift into a higher gear, go here:  https://www.liveoola.com/?ref=4e7de7 Let’s ride down the highway together.

I celebrate you. Remember, you have greatness in you. Do what you came here to do. Let me know how things are going and how I can help. Keep in touch.

Much Love,

Lori

Check the Expiration Date

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Les Brown said:  Are you holding on to a part of your life that has long expired? Each season in life comes with an expiration date, so life is about releasing and surrendering.

Give yourself permission to let go…of past regrets, failures, or mistakes; unresolved pain and disappointments; or actions that you should have, would have, or could have taken ~ but did not.

Choose to give in and surrender to your dream, your passion, and your calling. Marion White said…”In life when you don’t have enough courage and insight to know that you have outgrown a situation and it’s time to move on…life will move on you.” Let go or be dragged. It is your choice. You have GREATNESS within you!

Life has moved on me and was dragging me, because I didn’t see a way to keep pursuing my passion as the bills and debts pile up and my car got a terminal diagnosis. Not knowing how to dig out of all those holes. It looked hopeless. I felt defeated and discouraged.

As I sit here today, I ask myself if the things I’ve been doing have expired. Thinking I needed to get a temp job and work outside the home only to have stuff keep happening to sabotage it every time. I don’t belong there, but because of a cash flow challenge, I kept going back to what is familiar and listening to people telling me, “get a job”.

Remember that song by Uncle Kracker that says, “Something is wrong here; I don’t belong here.” For me, that would be in a corporate cube. There must be other options, right?

Guess what? My job is to write. God gave me the gift of words. I am a STORYTELLER and SPEAKER. It’s my time to tell my stories and use my voice to impact people, give them hope, and show them how to live their dream. The people who read my books and hear my voice in the written or spoken word will not only know my struggles and the obstacles I overcame, but their lives will transform and as they overcome too.

I am the Queen of Hope. I must not lose hope. The Good Book says, the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. The enemy doesn’t want me to live my destiny, pursue my passion, and impact lives. He doesn’t want any of us to live our purpose on purpose.

I almost fell back and got off track and paused my own dreams. No! God is the Waymaker, Miracle worker, and Promise Keeper.

Do you have a dream you gave up on, because you didn’t see a way to make it happen? No matter where you are now, it’s just where you are, not who you are, as the Oola Guys say.

Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes, another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

Let’s promise each other to pursue our dreams, impact lives, and love life. You were created to create by The Creator.

A great place to start is read what I created and let it inspire you. My book is endorsed by The Oola Guys, Dr. David Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl. (Thanks for believing in me, Oola Seeker & Oola Guru). Click here to get your copy of Hole to Whole:  Journey To Hope And Transformation

Journey on. Your Oola Path awaits. (What does that mean?) Leave a comment or message me to find out.

DO YOU FEEL THREATENED?

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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’.