| Are only leprechauns lucky enough to find the pot | | | | been blessed with. Stretch yourself and don't stop |
| of gold? Absolutely not. You have a pot of gold | | | | until you have reached 50. Now, ask several close |
| right there at your fingertips. It's your life. By | | | | family members and friends to add to your list. |
| taking the time to stop and look, you will notice all | | | | Chances are, they will see things in yourself that |
| the riches around you and within you. Let's go on | | | | you don't. Have gratitude for your strengths and |
| a journey to find your pot of gold. | | | | believe that your gifts and talents are just as |
| Finding your Treasures | | | | important as anyone else's. |
| Your treasures are those people, places or things | | | | Creating and Protecting Your Memories |
| that are near and dear to your heart. What's | | | | Everyday, we have the opportunity to create |
| important to you? Certainly your children or a | | | | special memories. We can turn an ordinary day |
| spouse would make this list. Maybe it's a friend | | | | into an extraordinary day just by focusing on |
| that always remembers your birthday, or the | | | | creating memories. The other day, my best friend |
| Starbucks coffee girl that always brightens your | | | | sent me pictures of her three little girls all having a |
| day with a smile. Besides my own family, I love | | | | tea party at home. What did it take to create this |
| my church family. Anyone who shares their heart | | | | memory? It took a little imagination, a lot of love, |
| with me is held close to me. This past weekend I | | | | a few moments of time, and a digital camera. My |
| led a women's retreat, and my heart was filled | | | | five year old loves cars! One day I had an idea |
| from all the wonderful women I met throughout | | | | that delighted him immensely! We separated all his |
| the weekend. What places in your life bring you | | | | cars (and he has a lot of cars) by type of car |
| joy or peace? Maybe it's nature, a special room in | | | | and then took pictures of all the different |
| your home, or a favorite restaurant. For me, | | | | categories...emergency vehicles, pick up trucks, |
| when I lay down in my bed to read and relax, I | | | | sports cars, race cars, etc. Time goes by so fast, |
| feel blessed. My bed is soft, cozy and warm. | | | | and if we are not proactive about creating these |
| What values strike a chord with you? Perhaps it is | | | | special memories, you'll miss them. So get out |
| achievement, trustworthiness, or faith. Or maybe | | | | your creativity, a camera and a journal, and start |
| it is creativity, companionship, or spirituality. | | | | filling your pot of gold. |
| Connect with and protect those ideals in your life | | | | Giving a Voice to Your Dreamer |
| and you will experience richness. | | | | As memories represent the past, your dreams |
| The Precious Moments | | | | represent the future. What do you dream of |
| Everyday, there are moments in time that are | | | | being or doing one day? I talk to so many moms |
| just like pieces of gold. However, most of the | | | | who have lost their ability to connect with what |
| time, we are too busy to capture them. | | | | they are passionate about. It's not that the |
| Yesterday, I had many of those moments. I | | | | passions and dreams are missing - they are just |
| watched my five year old perform silly tricks with | | | | buried. Maybe that critical inner voice has |
| silly names on the bed. I enjoyed moments of | | | | discouraged you from dreaming. Our dreams and |
| relaxation because I gave myself the gift of a | | | | passions give us hope and joy! Don't let that part |
| housecleaner. While shopping for medicine at the | | | | of you die. I dream of becoming a popular |
| drugstore, I realized the Easter candy was out. | | | | speaker and inspiring moms wherever I go. I |
| One of my favorite candies is Robin's eggs. I | | | | dream of owning a motor home one day and |
| indulged and bought a bag - it only happens once | | | | traveling all around the country. I dream of writing |
| a year! I marveled at my teenager's fashion | | | | a book one day. I am passionate about reading, |
| sense. He is picking out his own clothes now, and I | | | | singing, and personal growth. Dig deep and find |
| must admit, he has sharp taste. Gone are the | | | | your dreams and passions that are lying on the |
| days of shorts and t-shirts, and me telling him, | | | | bottom of your pot of gold. |
| "That doesn't match". Now, he meticulously | | | | Did you find your pot of gold at the end of the |
| selects the perfect pair of cargo shorts with a | | | | rainbow or is it right there with you? Focus on |
| matching "Apt. 9" polo shirt. Slow down, take a | | | | and have gratitude for all the important people, |
| look around, and savor those precious moments. | | | | places and things in your life and your life will be |
| Identifying your Gifts and Talents | | | | blessed. Slow down and savor the precious |
| Other pieces of gold in your pot are all the gifts | | | | moments that slip away when you are too busy |
| and talents you have within you. What are your | | | | to see them. Honor your gifts, talents and |
| strengths? Maybe you great at sewing or | | | | strengths by seeing them for what they are. |
| decorating. Perhaps you're a great cook or you | | | | Realize your pot of gold contains all your special |
| have a deep sense of empathy for people. Make | | | | memories, dreams, and passions. Dig deep and pull |
| a list of all the strengths and talents you have | | | | out those pieces of gold so you can live a rich life. |