A little message from me to you…

Take a look at those celebrating in Israel. What a photo. I hope to go back one day…

And sorry… I couldn’t resist…

xoxEDxox

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Welcome back after a nice long Labor Day Weekend. For many of you, this morning marked the beginning of some mommy “me-time” if your kids headed back to school. It’s always a time of mixed emotions… anxiety and nerves coupled with joy and relief that everyone is getting back to the regularly scheduled routine. For me, it just all feels so sudden. Last week, it was 100 degrees in Montreal, and now you can really feel fall in the air. The tree across the street from me has already begun to change colors.

But still, I am coming off an incredibly joyful weekend and as my readers, I wanted to share it with you. My book and The 99 Series launched on The Home Shopping Network in the US this weekend. And after only 3 days, we SOLD OUT! Yes, 70,000 books in our series were sold on HSN this Labor Day Weekend. We were all very excited as this has truly been a labor of love for all of the incredible authors on board. In fact, I got word on Sunday as I was leaving CBC’s studios after recording a radio segment to discuss The Blog, The Book and life in general. With the world launch on September 27th, I’ve been gearing up with lots of press and interviews, as we are the first-ever book series to launch green and digitally. It’s been a whirlwind to say the least.

Me on air!

In fact, with the back to school season, coupled with the book launch, keeping up the Blog, working on opportunities behind the scenes, mommyhood, wifedom, the Jewish Holidays this week, and my babysitter leaving for the next 5 weeks, I have been quite overwhelmed to say the least.  I bumped into an old friend at the grocery store this morning, and she so nicely said to me, “You look so stressed and tired,” to which I replied, “I am, thanks.”

So today was sort of a “I’m depleted and have no mojo” Blog post. It happens to the best of us. I feel like today, I don’t have a lot to give. Like I’m at the end of my rope. Do you ever feel like that? Today was about sharing the joy, and the stress. The feelings of overwhelm which many of you may be experiencing as we speak, or have experienced, or will experience. This is why I blog. Because when I feel isolated and alone, I have this medium to connect. You’re always there, like a loyal friend. I’m very grateful for that.

And if you purchased my book this weekend, I thank you. If you would like to purchase 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before… Starting Their Own Business, click here. If you are waiting for the hard copy, that will come right after the September 27th digital launch.

Finally, to my Jewish readers, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Year. I will be consuming enormous amounts of food this week (which you know I adore), and will be spending quality time with my family. My children will go to synagogue, and I will sit next to them, always a positive role model, but wondering nevertheless if a God truly does exist. Wondering what this religion thing really all means. But that’s a whole other Blog post… one which I started here.

Until next time, my friends,

xoxEDxox

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Ok, today we’re laying the cards out on the table. We’re getting honest today about our perception of money and how we measure success. A week ago, I was with someone, and a contemporary of ours drove by in a fancy new sports car. The person I was with said, “Huh look… he made a lot of money and immediately bought the shiny new sports car.” I sensed a tinge of jealousy in that person’s voice. Like instead of sharing in their success and appreciating their talent, this person was envious.

So… here is the fence question today: If someone works hard, and “makes it,” as some would label it, should they not be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their labor? Is it considered showy if they enjoy fast boats, or fancy cars or big houses? And, do we perceive people with money differently if they are trust fund babies like Paris Hilton, who show up in a pink Bentley convertible (we imagine she has all this because her last name is Hilton)? Or when a self-made humble billionaire like Bill Gates shows up in a fancy car… does it evoke less strong of a reaction because he is humble, self made and un-showy?

And while I did sense jealousy in the person who made that comment, I find there is a point to the “nouveau riche” group as we call them. People who “made it” it recent years and sometimes feel the need to show that they have arrived, and can now keep up with the Jonses. Whereas, people who come from “old money,” another label, tend to live much more below the radar. My father has a friend who is on Canada’s wealthiest list… but he drives a beaten up old car and you would NEVER imagine he has what he does. He is an example of grass-roots success and humility. Do we respect these people more? Do we like these people better because they don’t rub it in our faces?

Often, when we measure success, our egos get in the way… and we compare our very worst to someone’s very best. And our feelings of entitlement get in the way…. But the truth is, everyone is entitled to their own dance, no matter what that looks like, and no one has the right to judge. I think if there is anything I hope you’ll take away from this Blog post, it’s that it’s NOT our right to judge the way other people conduct their lives. And that old cliche rings true… you cannot judge someone until you have walked in their shoes.

So how should one measure success?

Well think about our professors and scientists who are teaching our children, and who are fighting every day to find a cure for cancer, for example? Aren’t these people exceptionally successful? I think they take success to a whole new level. And what defines success? You can’t measure success by a car or a house or a diamond bracelet. That’s not a measure of success. When I think back to my childhood, I have the fondest memories of sitting with my grandfather, as he sewed name labels on my clothes, or was making my grandmother a beautiful scarf. While he was a man of humble means, to me, there was no bigger success than him. He was a gentle, kind and caring man, and for me, this WAS success.  In fact, he could do exactly what the man in the amazing children’s book, Something From Nothing, by Phoebe Gilman could do. If you don’t own this book, I suggest you buy it for your children. It will teach them amazing life lessons.

So today, the point of the Blog is to say, no matter what your perception of success is, I think we are ALL successful in our own way.  We all make this world go around… every single one of us. And you will meet all types as you proceed through your journey… nice, kind, evil, snobby, showy, humble, caring, selfish, loving. But it is YOUR duty to make your time on earth count, and enjoy what you DO have to the fullest, without letting your emotions get in the way. So the next time someone drives by in that fancy car, regardless if they got it because it was handed to them, or if they worked their butt off for it, honor their achievements. The true perception of success is to honor your own talent and beauty and to never compare.

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone. If you’re around, tune into CBC Radio this Sunday morning at 8:40am. I’ll be talking book, blog and life in general! FM 88.5 or www.CBC.ca/allinaweekend.

And tell us, how do YOU measure success? What is your perception of money and success? We’d love to know.

xoxEDxox

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Does this Wordless Wednesday really require any explanation? I think not.

This was the picture on the cover of the Arts and Life section of today’s Montreal Gazette

Aaaah… the joys of back to school!

I have pulled my hair out 50 times over school lunches, and I’m only one week into school!

My son’s lunch box comes home heavier than it was sent. He eats pretty much nothing all day long. I’m done.

So today, for all lunch mother warriors like me, can you PLEASE suggest some easy, healthy and fun snacks and lunches your kids are enjoying.

Misery loves company.

xoxEDxox

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By Guest Blogger Dr. Matthew Edlund

I bet you never thought of resting up on the job! I bet some of you think you require little rest to function. Or even still, some of you acknowledge the importance of rest, but can’t seem the find the time to do so. I’m here to tell you…NONSENSE!  Rest is the original transformative technology.  Rest is like food; without it you can’t rebuild and renew your body, absolutely required for your energy, health, and productivity.  And like food, you want to dine, not feed!

Which is what you do when you actively rest.  Unlike the passive rest of vegging out or sleeping, active rest is conscious, directed, and entirely under your control.  Active rest allows you, in as little as 30-60 seconds, to revive yourself when exhausted or relax when you’re under stress.  In fact, I’ve even written a book on the The Power of Rest, and it has dozens of active rest techniques you can use to enjoy and prosper throughout the days (and nights – oh yes, sex too is a form of social rest).

But first, here’s a couple of tips before you start your work day – First, pace your life, don’t race.  Biological clocks not only decree when you get up and when you sleep, they also control overall alertness and mood. People often ask me why we love music so much – it’s because music is in our genes.  Rhythm is a large part of how our nervous system works.  So you want to set a rhythm to the day that feels like music.

Second, take breaks or you’ll make mistakes.  Doing the same thing too long leads to errors. Don’t forget that multitasking is an oxymoron – the human brain does only one thing at a time.  We sequentially task, we don’t multi-task. Studies done by Clifford Nass at Stanford showed that prime multitaskers were actually worse at multitasking than people who prefer doing one thing at a time. Now there’s something to ponder and let soak into your brain, multitasking women!

So for those of you who are feeling fatigued or burned out at work, or simply in your every day life, I’ve given you a typical day to try to follow, filled with tips and tricks to bring calm and rest to your body and mind.

So let’s get off the fence… the past is the past. Let’s set a renewing rhythm to your day:

8:45 AM Right before you arrive at work,  hear your favorite, fast paced song in your head or on headphones. Now walk to it, feel it all through your body  – a great way to boost energy as you start the day is to listen to music.

9:00 AM As you sit down at your desk, take thirty seconds to breathe consciously.  Breathe in to the count of four, out to the count of eight – really open up those lungs.  Now think of your first priority of the day – the task you really need to get done.  Figure out a time and place to get that one thing accomplished.

10:30 AM Take your first break.  Get up and move around.  If possible, visit a coworker for a brief chat—short social connections help us switch gears and improve attention, like many active rest techniques.

12:00 PM Walk with a co-worker to lunch. Walking in sunlight for 20-30 minutes can 1. Improve mood – especially if walking in nature 2. Reset immunity 3. Increase alertness for the early to mid afternoon – and work productivity for the rest of the day 4. Increase social rest and support 5. Cause new brain cell growth night during sleep – in memory areas.  All from a simple walk!

1:00 PM The beginning of the biological clock slow zone, which can last until  about 4PM.  So stand up and practice mountain pose: Align your ankle, knee, hip and shoulders along the same imaginary line, breathing in deeply and slowly for five long breaths. Your office or cubicle may seem like an odd place to do this if you’re not working from home, so go to the bathroom if you wish to have the privacy. This will refocus you… promise!

2:00 PM Obviously, in a perfect world, studies show that taking a short nap of 15 minutes or less improves your work performance – often dramatically. But if your employer doesn’t approve, which in many cases they probably won’t, you can try the “UnNap” nap technique (I discuss it in my book) or take a brisk walk to help revitalize attention.

3:15 PM Take a coffee or tea break (drink decaf if you have trouble sleeping at night).  Again, engage your coworkers.  Not only is the social rest important, it improves productivity and community if colleagues have a chance to casually check in with each other and discuss work issues.

5:00 PM Before  leaving work, do deep breathing for 30 seconds and take stock.  Did you accomplish your first work priority?  Think about what you’ve learned that day – and visualize what you want to accomplish that evening and night.

Rest renews and rewires brain and body, a process so fast you essentially get a new heart in three days.  You want to use your power of rest to revive body and mind – physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.  We can use that power to revive body and mind  – to control weight, decrease the risk of serious illness, and increase productivity, passion  and pleasure.   That’s the real power of rest.

Wishing you all, a restful day.

————————————————–

Dr. Matthew Edlund is the author THE POWER OF REST: WHY SLEEP ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH

www.TheRestDoctor.com

Ladies tell us what you think! Do you nap? Is it realistic? Will you now tackle your day with an effort to be less frenetic? For me, this was a wonderful reminder to SLOW THE PACE DOWN. Share your own tips and suggestions on how to beat the afternoon exhaustion.

xoxEDxox

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Due to the demand and hype around the pioneering and revolutionary Book Series I have written for The 99 Series,  The Home Shopping Network is kicking off the launch September 3rd, before the World Launch date of September 27, 2010!

This is great news for all of you who are excited to get reading!! There are a bunch of options, and you can do one, or all… today!!

The Series encompasses a roster of inspiring, personal and business development books that have ninety-nine tips in each book, all in a pocket size format that contains the best ‘need to know’ information. No more reading through hundreds of pages to get that one paragraph that pertains to your particular issue. The ninety-nine concise bullet points make it so easy to get right to the point you need!

You can buy the 10-Pack Gift Set! This is an incredible option if you’re looking for a great deal on some incredible books in ALL AREAS of Women’s Life! This is also a great birthday gift or holiday gift for the special woman in your life. Why not surprise her with an email alert that you sent her 10 books to her Kindle or Ipad?! How fun!!

You can buy the 5-Pack Gift Set: Love and Money Series for Women!

You can buy my book alone! In case you forgot, CLICK HERE to read more about 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before… Starting Their Own Business.

Or you can buy any of the incredible books available by the amazing authors in my Series!

—————————————————————————–

No matter what you choose, you can purchase books TODAY on a Sony E-Reader, Amazon Kindle, Ipad, Kobo, Nook, or Cybook Opus or even upload the pdf to your computer!!

We are proud to say, that we are the FIRST-EVER Series to come out and launch digitally, on a  digital platform… where the future of reading is headed! How GREEN are we?

Our World launch is still September 27, 2010… that hasn’t changed.

For those asking when you can buy the hard copy, that hard copy launch will follow the World Digital Launch! Yes, for all of you who don’t own e-readers and wanna hold a fresh book in your hands, you won’t have to wait much longer!

To Buy books now, click here!

(By the way, ePub is for your Ipad).

Don’t forget to WATCH our launch on The Home Shopping Channel:

Airtimes:

Don’t forget, if you buy a Sony E-Reader from HSN during our launch, you get our 10-Book Bundle for FREEEEEEE!!

We are all excited for you to get cozy with a good cup of coffee, our books,  and learn start learning!

If you enjoy my book, why not leave a comment on Amazon… you can do that right here… http://www.amazon.com/Things-Before-Starting-Business-ebook/dp/B003Z9K5IA/

Thank you, and HAPPY READING!!

I would also like to take a minute and thank you, both my old and new readers for all your loyalty, and spreading the word. I read all your emails, all your comments, and they truly make me smile.  They make my day.

As always, if there is any way I can improve my site, improve the content, or if you just have questions, comments or suggestions, never be afraid to reach out to me!

xoxEDxox

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A found this letter on Twitter today that Terry Fox wrote in October 1979, about his Marathon of Hope, and his fight to end cancer. I found it very apropos, as this weekend is the Weekend to End Breast Cancer Walk here in Montreal. Read this…

The night before my amputation, my former basketball coach brought me a magazine with an article on an amputee who ran in the New York Marathon. It was then I decided to meet this new challenge head on and not only overcome my disability, but conquer it in such a way that I could never look back and say it disabled me.

But I soon realized that that would only be half my quest, for as I went through the 16 months of the physically and emotionally draining ordeal of chemotherapy, I was rudely awakened by the feelings that surrounded and coursed through the cancer clinic. There were faces with the brave smiles, and the ones who had given up smiling. There were feelings of hopeful denial, and the feelings of despair. My quest would not be a selfish one. I could not leave knowing these faces and feelings would still exist, even though I would be set free from mine. Somewhere the hurting must stop… and I was determined to take myself to the limit for this cause.

From the beginning the going was extremely difficult, and I was facing chronic ailments foreign to runners with two legs in addition to the common physical strains felt by all dedicated athletes.

But these problems are now behind me, as I have either out-persisted or learned to deal with them. I feel strong not only physically, but more important, emotionally. Soon I will be adding one full mile a week, and coupled with weight training I have been doing, by next April I will be ready to achieve something that for me was once only a distant dream reserved for the world of miracles – to run across Canada to raise money for the fight against cancer.

The running I can do, even if I have to crawl every last mile.

We need your help. The people in cancer clinics all over the world need people who believe in miracles.

I am not a dreamer, and I am not saying that this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer. But I believe in miracles. I have to.

Terry Fox, October 1979

If we all don’t do our part, no matter how small, in ANY area of life, how will the world change? Everything lies in our own two hands. I say, instead of complaining, DO SOMETHING!

I will leave you on this sunny Sunday with one of my favorite quotes:

“To achieve greatness, start where you are, use what you have, do what you can“

–Arthur Ashe

What are your thoughts?

xoxEDxox

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