Jill's Blog

Changes Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

jsgrueter1 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:36:00 +0000

It’s amazing how life helps you along. After my last blog entry, I turned on my iTunes account and what came on? One of the most powerful voices in the self-discovery world — Dr. Wayne Dyer. Dr. Dyer is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development and a man who can instantly put me back to a sense of well-being just by talking about how our thoughts can change our lives. And, how positive thinking is indeed a choice.

Before the holidays, I was practicing this each and every day and the results were amazing. So, my friends, I am back on the wagon of controlling my thoughts. It’s a process, but one that I truly believe is worth pursuing every single day.

My Own Glass Ceiling

jsgrueter1 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:15:45 +0000

A week or so ago, I read many of the Iron Brides’ blogs and was so humbled by what they shared. So personal. So raw. The girls were tasked with writing about their “glass ceilings” and vulnerabilities that they walk through life with. It was an eye opening experience for me. And, I must admit, I had a “feeewwww…it’s not just me” moment.

Since the girls were so gracious and open to digging deep into their souls and baring what many of us try to “hide,” I wanted to return the honesty with jotting down some of my own glass ceilings.

Whoa. This is tough to do. Before I continue, I want to acknowledge again how strong these girls are for opening up to the world. As I begin to write about my own stumbles down life’s path, my heart is beginning to beat a little faster and I swear one of my fingers just slipped off a key from my sweating.

Okay. Throughout much of my life, starting at around 18 or so, I have been consumed with worrying. Some days are better than others. Some days are not. My worries range from anything like “how do I get all this work done in one day?” to “what if I get sick?” and “what if I have a heart attack and just die right here and now?”.

It starts on most mornings after I’ve wiped the “sleepys” from eyes and ends around 10 PM that night. I control it though, or maybe I am just used to it. It has really never stopped me from doing anything. My favorite line to myself is, “do it scared, Jill.”. And, so I do. I do everything a bit scared.

When I open up to people about this glass ceiling of mine, they tell me that I never ‘LOOK’ nervous, that I am so put together, so sharp. That’s what I mean about me being able to control it. When I need to, I shut the worry off and get down to business. But, it’s there waiting for me; like a little bully tapping on my shoulder. Tap, tap, tap.

There are a few places, though, were I don’t feel nervous and I have to admit that one of them is when I am interviewing people. I just LOVE it. It is a time in my life where I am so completely focused on others’ lives and consumed with their own stories, that I completely forget mine. I love that. It is so freeing. I discovered this about myself when I was a reporter for several newspapers. And, when I was so lucky to be picked as host for Iron Brides, I was able to feel it all over again. It’s so freeing. It’s like magic for me. When I am able to interview someone and really get into their life, it is one of the most precious times I have. Magic.

Another place where I cherish my mind’s calmness is on the golf course. Hey, I hear you chuckling. No, it’s not because I fancy wearing plaid and knickers (but, secretly, I do love that part), it’s because when I am on the course it feels like a green heaven to me. The birds, the blue sky, the serenity. Ah, it’s wonderful. This past October, I actually went by myself to the course and played alone. Wow! The peacefulness, the beauty, the three pars! It is a day I will never forget, because I was in harmony with myself. Many times, when I feel that ‘worry bully’ sneaking in on me, I jolt my thoughts back to that day. I remember walking down the first hole and seeing my shadow following behind me. I recreate the feeling of that crisp air tickling me right below my ponytail. Heaven.

So, everyone, Iron Brides in particular, I would have to say that writing this is actually a big relief. It feels nice to not have this ‘worry thing’ harbored. And, I am so happy to be sharing it with you.

I am looking forward to our full week of taping, although traveling is something I worry about! It will be a time of tremendous challenge and growth for all us. And, I am so thankful to be sharing that time with all of you.

With appreciation,

Jill

Happy Holidays!

jsgrueter1 — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:32:30 +0000

The holiday season is upon us and with that comes great opportunity.

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping for the latest fashion or gadget for a loved one and while that is wonderfully important, let’s take some time to think about those who will be spending this season alone, cold, or without.

The other day, my husband came home with a “star ornament” that he had picked off the Christmas tree at his place of work. On the star contained a holiday wish from a less fortunate child.

And, what is said, completely threw my for a loop:

Sarah, age 9

Christmas wish: leggings to stay warm

This star held the hope for a 9-year-old girl who was not looking for the latest Hannah Montana purse, or High School Musical game, but leggings…to stay WARM.

My heart broke when I read this tiny note. I remember last year’s ornament from the tree was from a 10-year-old boy who asked for underwear for Christmas. UNDERWEAR?

Yes, these children were asking for the bare essentials to get them by. Well, I must confess that boy got more than that as I loaded my small, compact car with a new bike and helmet. And, Sarah, well Sarah, now has more leggings than she probably will every need. Oh, and, a Hannah Montana game, too. What little girl doesn’t want that?

I am not saying this to pat myself on the back by any means. What I did was a small, tiny drop in the bucket compared to what so many, including many of you, do every single day.

With this little story, I wanted to spread awareness and a bit of eye-opening information for all of us to count our blessings this Christmas season.

With great appreciation for all you do,

Jill

The Law of Attraction is as sound as gravity.

jsgrueter1 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:56:15 +0000

Lately, it seems like all we’ve been hearing about is how lousy the economy is and will be for a while.

With this bombardment of gloomy information, it becomes pretty easy to get consumed with negative thoughts and energy. But, have you ever stopped to think about how these negative thoughts may actually be affecting your life even more than the stock market?

You may have heard about the Law of Attraction on Oprah, or read a book by Dr. Wayne Dyer…perhaps you’ve never heard of it at all. In either case, I urge you to research it and consider its usefulness.

The Law of Attraction states that we attract into our experience, that and only that, which we think about — whether wanted or unwanted. Pretty powerful stuff! When I first heard of the Law of Attraction, I was confused. So, does this mean that whatever I think about, I get? That scared me! But, after reading information by inspirational gurus who explained how this law works, I became empowered. I found that I had control over my circumstances. And, that circumstances–eh hem, like the economy–didn’t have control over me!

What a powerful thought.

Over the past year or so, I’ve begun to understand the true importance of helping others, giving back to my community and becoming passionate about my work. Without passion and vision–where’s the positive energy? I started off slowly, and while always a work in process, I started to do something nice for someone every single day. For example, I bought my husband’s favorite dinner and had it ready for him when he entered the door. Then, the following day, I packed up all my clothes that I hadn’t worn in a while and made it a point to personally deliver them to the Good Will store THAT day. The day after that, I started looking at some furniture I was planning on selling and decided to donate it instead.

Eventually, what happened was I started going out of my way to help others and it made me feel GREAT! And, I learned that THAT feeling, that warmness, that tear of happiness in my eye from what I was doing is what PROPELS the Law of Attraction into motion.

During this time, I also created my Vision Board. I took an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper and mapped out all the things I wanted to see happen in my life. The book I want to write, the money I want in savings, the continued health of myself, family, friends, and pets. Everything that I wanted in life, I mapped it out. You can cut pictures out of magazines, draw pictures, or even learn how to do some savvy design work on the computer to create it. Then, I put it in a place where I could look at it every single day.

And, little by little, with my focus on these positive goals and filling my soul by helping others, my visions for my life are taking shape right before my eyes.

The Law of Attraction is so powerful and is available for ANYONE. Yes, anyone, to take advantage of.

So, my fellow readers, I urge you click off the TV news at night and get started on making the Law of Attraction work for you!

Here’s a couple of places to get you started:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Attraction
http://www.law-of-attraction-info.com/
http://www.thesecret.tv/

To positive thoughts and fabulous outcomes!

Jill

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

jsgrueter1 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:54:34 +0000

My hope for this blog is to make you laugh, ponder, cry (sniff, sniff), and feel at home! Enjoy!

Hello world!

jsgrueter1 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:41:42 +0000

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