direction Archives - Lori Bruton

Lori’s Story of a Snail

September 21, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

Hey Snail, what’s your story?

What made you show up at my house?

Do you have a message for me?

What can I tell from your attractive spiral shell?

Could it be that I am going in circles?

Am I going too slowly?

A snail’s pace is often an accusation of laziness.

But, what if, it’s a sign to slow down and rest?

You are a gentle creature who comes in peace.

Wherever you go, you are at home.

How do I know? Because you carry your home with you.

You make your own trail and travel at your own pace.

You bring a message of patience and I’m right on time.

No need to get caught up in the ways of harried humans.

I’ll take a clue from you and will not participate in the pressure.

What else may I glean from your visit? Ah, it’s time to pivot.

Look at potential dangers and what’s not working.

With a shell of safety and protection, explore a new direction.

You appeared to me so that I could see your mobility.

I stopped to observe and consider other possibilities.

I ask myself what are my undiscovered talents and abilities?

Speed is not the key to success.

Your colorful, spiral shell reminds me to cherish each season.

Life is fragile. I am here for a reason.

Thank you, Snail, for crossing my path when I have much to handle.

You showed me your mobile home, and how to survive alone.

There is a time to be still and a time to move, help me find my groove.

ARE YOU ENGAGED? RING, RING!

April 12, 2021 by Lori 1 Comment

Did you think I meant engaged to be married? If that’s you, congratulations, you gave or received the ring. Today, I am talking about are you engaged in life?

Engaged or empty? Life is not for the faint-hearted. It can cause you to faint and want to give up. Some say keep pushing and grinding. That works for some people but for others it can literally make them sick, weak, and weary. It could be because when you give and give and give but never give to yourself, you come to a place of emptiness and no energy.

Fulfill your own needs before you fill the needs of others. Fill your cup first and serve others from the overflow. Otherwise, your cup will run dry. When your cup is dry, you thirst.

Without water, you get weak. All dried up with nothing to give leads to giving up and feeling hopeless. Maybe you no longer have the strength to fill your cup. What gives you strength? What rings true for you? Create your own bling and make your heart sing again.

One drop, just one drop can keep you going. Drink that one drop before you plop and pass out. Turn on the faucet and let the water flow. Replenish your supply.

Refresh your body and your mind and soul. You will awaken with new ideas and better ways to live a life that fulfills you. Your phone will ring because you found what excites you and rings your bell.

No more staying in bed. No more dragging yourself through each day. No more staying buried in bills and anything that is weighing you down. Take one more sip, one more step, and know your best days are ahead.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” -Maya Angelou

Ask for help if doing it all yourself is too much. Often you don’t know where to get help or who to ask. Keep seeking. The help will come when you least expect it even if it hasn’t shown up yet.

It may look impossible right now. You may be waiting on promises that were made. You may be waiting on income you thought was on its way. It can seem daunting. The debts are a mountain that look insurmountable. Maybe you question whether or not you should pursue and stay the path that once was a clear direction.

I don’t know. All I know is focus on what brings you joy. Live in the moment. See yourself digging out of where you are now even if you don’t know how. Take time to pamper yourself. Have a date with yourself. Soak in the tub. Go sit by some water. Engage in activities that will spark happiness. Fill up your cup, raise your glass and toast yourself: “Cheers to you.”

You are alive and breathing. You’ve come this far. Keep going. There is more for you to do. Be excited. Even if you don’t know what that looks like, it’s okay. Trust the process. Take one day at a time, or one minute at a time, if one day is too much right now.

Look at a man the way he is and he only becomes worse, but look at him as if he were what he could be, then he becomes what he should be. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Look at yourself the way you could be. You can become that person. Don’t give up on yourself or your dreams.

Rest, read, write, pray. Everything will be okay. Stay engaged. Engage with me about your struggles, your story, your successes. Send me a message. I care. We will survive. We will thrive somehow, some way.

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’.