Carolyn Strauss

3 Steps to a Love-filled Valentine's Day

2012-02-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

As we enter February, retailers turn our attention to Valentine's Day, (or as many of my friends refer to it as "single awareness day"). The challenge with Valentine's Day is, it's very hard for anyone to meet expectations that are set around that day, unless they're clarified beforehand.

So I'm posting this now at the beginning of February, with the hope of love, joy and peace on that day in place of disappointment and upset. Perhaps Valentine's day is an opportunity to have an expectation conversation about what would really make a difference for each person on Valentine's Day.

Here are the three steps to having a great Valentine's Day. First, let the other person know if this is an important holiday for you. For some people, Valentine's Day means a lot and is very significant around their relationship, and if nothing is said or done to acknowledge the holiday, there can a lot of disappointment that shows up. For others, February 14th is just another day and it doesn't really matter. So please tell your partner what it is that matters to you about Valentine's Day. (If you are one of the millions of single people, take time now to create for yourself an experience on Valentine's Day that will nurture you and let you feel that the universe is on your side).

Second, set your partner up to win. Tell them what would really make you happy to do, see or have on Valentine's Day, and then ask your partner what they need to make that happen for you, and listen. Then ask them for their ideal scenario and come to a wonderful compromise, a compromise where everybody can get some, if not all, of what they want.

Third, and most importantly, Valentine's Day is only one day a year. Your loving relationship and the loving feelings you have for your partner have 364 other opportunities to express themselves. Starting today, find out what it is that makes your partner feel loved and then show them love in their way. If you have any questions or need some coaching around this, I'm always here to be of service. I wish you all a month full of love, joy, romance and peace.

The End of The World 12/21/12?

2011-12-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

What if the Mayans and Nostradamus were right? According to them, one year from today, whatever it is that we are doing, working on, playing with, or accomplishing on this planet will be over. The World as We Know It Ends.

For many of us, New Years is a time for resolutions and planning to stop doing all of the things that we know we shouldn’t have been doing this year anyway! So here’s my thought…what if you don’t make any New Year’s resolutions for 2012, because why waste 1/6 of your potential last year on the planet not doing something you know you may go back to doing anyway (research has shown that New Year’s resolutions rarely last more than 60 days)?

What if we spend 2012 doing all of the things that make us happy, make the people who we spend our time with happy, and doing the things that our soul was put here to do? I’m not saying to give away all of your worldly possessions, blow all of your money and eat every cookie and candy bar that crosses your path. What I’m suggesting is that you stop putting off any of the things that you have always wanted to see, have, do or be and spend 2012 making those happen!

And if per chance the Mayans and Nostradamus were wrong, I’ll start my diet with you on January 1, 2013!

Happy Holidays!

Do you have a "Tim Tebow" fourth quarter move?

2011-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

As we are right in the middle of the fourth quarter of 2011, it seems most employees are skeptical. They are skeptical about their jobs, their companies, their place in the organization and their leaders abilities to take their teams to a successful conclusion to 2011 and set them up for a "winning" 2012.

Great leaders have a skill set they can rely on, and a team that knows what those skills are and where the support is needed to surround the leader and bring the whole organization success. However, many leaders are covert in letting the team know where they may need help.

Here's the thing: No one knows everything, no one is good at everything, no one great has ever achieved success alone.

Take Tim Tebow, not only was/ is his team skeptical, the whole Colorado community has been skeptical of his ability to create wins. We know what his skill set is (he is a fabulous running back who happens to play quarterback), and he can throw.. and will continue to get better. His team knows this and is supporting him in doing what it is he does well and allowing him to grow in other areas. And, as of late, he has been winning.

Does your team know where your brilliance lies? Do they know where they can use their talents to help the organization succeed. Do you? And even more, do you have a fourth quarter move that if you shared that with your team now, it would take you over the top before the end of 2011? It may be time to make your move, and trust your team to have your back to get it done.

Who is the "Drew Rosenhaus" of your world?

2011-10-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

After watching 60 Minutes, with their piece on Drew Rosenhaus, the super agent of the NFL, I was thinking - Where is the super agent in your business? I see these football players, all very talented athletes, and they don't have to tell people how good they are. They go out, do what they do, and someone else negotiates for them. Someone else has their back. Someone else understands the game they are playing and convinces the people who hire this talent, how much money they are worth.

Where is the Drew Rosenhaus in your industry? In my industry, the speaking industry, I know many speakers who are really good. I mean brilliantly talented and yet most off them/us are out negotiating our own fees. You don't see the top football players doing that. They have Drew.

Isn't time that each of us find that "super advocate/ agent" who can spot the best of the best in any industry and start becoming an advocate/agent/mouthpiece for the people who are the best of best in what they do? I challenge someone to step up, get yourself on the cover of Ink Magazine, of Fortune Magazine, of the New York Times Sunday Parade Magazine as the super agent of what ever industry they are the expert in... Any takers? Also, if you do follow Drew's model, it seems quite lucrative.. he made over $18 Million last year.

An HSN Birthday Poem

2011-07-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

An HSN Poem to Celebrate the 34th Birthday:

34 years have come and gone, the changes have been drastic.

As women we have grown a lot and the opportunities have been fantastic.

To be moms and wives and colleagues and friends, we support everyone around us

Who come to us for advice and love and the mystery of life astounds us.

So together we celebrate this birthday month with the selections that keep on popping.

We're grateful for HSN in our lives and the convenience and joy of home shopping.

How your Front Line Affects your Bottom Line

2011-06-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

In most business publications and media assessments, the focus on companies is put on the CEO, the President, and the executive team of the company. But how important is it to your clients and customers what the CEO or executive team is thinking?

What's much more important to your client or customer is the attitude, outlook and service of the front line person that they deal with the first time or every time they do business with you. I was recently in a grocery store and I heard one checkout person say to another, "Oh my God, if this day doesn't end soon, I'm going to kill myself." Now, perhaps that had nothing to do with her job, but my guess is, if her job were some place that supported her in some way, other than just financially, she probably wouldn't feel that way.

I was also recently in a hotel and there was a gentleman restocking the towels on the housekeeping cart. I smiled at him on my way downstairs and said, "How are you today?" He said, "Ask me again at 4:30 and I'll let you know." I'm assuming that he gets off work at 4:30.

One more example, I called the customer service phone number of an online retailer and asked how to return an item without paying shipping and handling to send it back, as I had received the wrong item in the first place (this situation will have to appear in a different article!) The person who represented that company did not apologize for the mix-up, did not have a solution for me, and was annoyed when I asked her if I could speak with someone else who could resolve this situation. Whether or not the next person could or could not resolve my challenge, the damage had already been done and a negative association to that company now exists.

So here is my question, are the people who are coming in contact with your customers or clients happy? Are they empowered to handle the challenges that will come up? Do they know what the CEO would do if the situation ended up in their lap?

Does the attitude and vision and intention of the executive team translate throughout the organization and land successfully on the front line? Remember, it is often ONLY your front line employees that your customers or clients see. Are you SURE they are representing the message of the executive team? With the amount of choice your customers have at their fingertips...literally, now, we can lose customers very quickly, and sometimes not know why.

Think about it. Does your company have a strategic communication plan that runs throughout your organization? And I don't mean just a sign over the door telling employees "You're the best", "Our customers are the best", "We're #1". Talking about appreciation and having your people feel they're genuinely appreciated, empowered and important can make all of the difference in the world.. to them and your bottom line.

Hotspot Technology gets Personal

2011-04-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

I recently got a new android phone which has this very cool feature. When turned on, this phone can become a "universal hotspot" through which other people/phones can connect to me, and through me. This got me thinking, aren't we all "universal hotspots"?

When we are turned on, we send out a signal that other people pick up on and connect to or through to each other, and to us. I just saw a movie called I Am. This movie by Director, Tom Shadyac, takes a concept that I have always suspected, which is that we/ humans are all connected and picking up each other's vibrations. In fact this movie goes beyond people, and shows the science behind how every living thing on the plan is connected.

So, my question to you is; What signal, what vibrations are you sending out? What type of universal "hot spot" are you? You can choose to send out a signal of positivity and love and that will influence everyone in your realm. Your being "tuned on", may turn on their "universal hotspot" of positivity, which will turn on other people's "hotspots" to put out a positive signal and so on, and so on.... If we do this positively and consistently, we could create a planet of "hotspots" that connect us all to our higher good and make the world a better place. Now that's technology that makes the world go 'round.

But it's only a GAME.....

2011-03-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

I discovered a new game this week, which by the way is not sold in the game area at a large retailer, it is actually sold in the puzzle area. That said, I found a new game. It's called Bananagrams.

Bananagrams is sold in a yellow banana shaped pouch. All you need to play is the yellow banana pouch and a table. Simple. You don't need dice. You don't need cards. You don't need to keep score. You don't need a pencil. All you need is the banana with the 144 letter tiles in it. It's a game where you make crosswords. If you're a fan of Scrabble, you're really going to like Bananagrams, but here's the thing about Bananagrams that I learned, Bananagrams is not just a game. It is an exercise in flexibility.

I was playing with my aunt, my uncle, my 94-year-old grandmother, my mother, and her friend. We were all playing together, and at one point, I took all of my letters; after forming all of the words I could and I had two letters left over. Right in the middle of a round, I scrapped the whole thing, mixed them all up, and decided to start again. My aunt looked at me and said "what are you doing? How can you do that?" I said, that it wasn't working so I decided I would just try it a whole different way. She looked at me and said, "that would make me so nervous, but hey, I guess that's what you do in your life, isn't it? When things aren't working, you try to fix it and then you just start again."

How many of us are stuck with circumstances being the way we think they have to be and the way that's been set up, and even if it doesn't fit, we stay and contort ourselves to the situation? How many of us are comfortable scrapping everything we've done and starting again with an idea and a plan of how things could be better?

I want to invite you to try the game, Bananagrams, and from there, take a look and see how flexible you're being in your real life. Maybe taking risks and being flexible in a game where there is nothing to lose will help us all to realize that in life, there really isn't any losing. There's just learning and possibly making things better by shaking them up. I wish you lots of fun on game night.

The 5-15 Barrier to Exercise

2011-03-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

It happened again. I was on my spin bike for a class that started at noon. I looked at the clock and it was 12:06 and the conversation had already begun. My legs started saying, "Oh my gosh, I'm tired, I don't want to do this, in a conversation with my brain, who agreed, "I know, you guys seem tired, why are we doing this?" Then, another voice - I think it's my higher consciousness - showed up and said, "just keep going."

Two minutes later, my legs started really complaining and saying, "I did not want to keep doing this. Why are we doing this? I'm tired. I hurt. I'm achy. This is stupid, we are moving fast, and no one is chasing us!" My brain then responded with, "And do know how many other things we could be doing right now? We could be working, we could be having lunch, we could be watching a movie. There are a million other things we could be doing."

My higher consciousness watched the two parts conspiring to stop me from exercising, and it said, "just keep going."

Three minutes later, it happened. That magic moment where all of a sudden, my legs started being quiet and happy. My brain started smiling to itself, thinking, this is great. And my higher consciousness said, "See? I told you. Just keep going and it will all get better."

I've talked to many people and almost everyone I talk to has the same experience. I call it the 5-15 barrier to exercise. Physiologically, it takes energy, oxygen and blood flow to get to the muscles to make them exert, to make them put out effort. Anywhere between five minutes and twelve minutes, there is an oxygen and blood deficit in those muscles, so doing any type of aerobic activity gets hard to do during that deficit.

However, what I've learned is that when you allow your higher self to win, the part of you that knows and remembers what it feels like after you push yourself through that five-to-fifteen minute barrier to exercise, the 15 to 45, or 15 to 90 minutes that follow will be wonderful. Your muscles will adapt to the amount of oxygen and blood flow required to keep going, you'll pass over the barrier, and the following 30 to 90 minutes will be a wonderful experience for your brain (thank you endorphin release!), your legs, your heart and your whole self. Treat yourself to a great workout.

Economic Optimism in Fashion

2011-03-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Did you know that fashion trends mirror the economy? The economy is showing signs of new life and an optimism that is reflected in spring fashions.

The stock market is coming back to life, the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.4% during each of the past two months (the largest back to back gains in two years) and thanks to the Middle East, oil prices are rising, which drives up other prices but also increases wages, which is a goal of the US Federal Reserve (they want inflation of about 1.5-2.0% each year). US manufacturing is increasing for high value items, and American companies are hiring again. US Unemployment fell below 9% for the first time in almost two years, across almost all sectors except state and local governments.

As a result and fingers crossed by retailers, consumers are spending. Maybe people are just tired of bad news, but fashion spending is trending toward cheerful purchases of bright colors, happy patterns, and hopeful combinations.

What is in for Spring?

Fashion for spring 2011 displays a strong vibrancy. We're seeing people feel confident as they make clothing purchases that reflect a more positive mood and uplift their spirits.

Colors get brighter when the economy improves. We are seeing bright pinks, turqs, reds, greens, purples and even yellow. Platform shoes are in. (Maybe we are finally standing on the platform of an economic recovery?) Skirts are still all lengths, but many moved shorter, in hopeful confidence.

Straight leg and wide leg pants are still very present as people are serious about functionality and ease of movement, paired with bright prints in vibrant enthusiasm.

Enjoy spring fashion and hopefully the upward spiral we are all feeling and yearning for, with happy bright colors will continue. Don't forget to wear yellow. It will stimulate your creativity. And have some fun with prints… go ahead, pair a polka-dot scarf with a floral dress, and invest in yourself and others. According to economists and fashionistas alike, this is the time to do so!

By Carolyn Strauss with Dr Mary C. Kelly

www.carolynstrauss.com

www.productiveleaders.com

10 Ways to Create a Love-filled Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T08:43:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day (or as my friends in NY used to call it "Singles Awareness Day"), comes with all kinds of expectations and societally imposed ideas of how we should feel, what we should get and puts all kinds of pressure on us to have a Valentine. If you remember, some of us in school brought Valentine cards for the kids in our class, everyone was supposed to get one. That didn't always work, and if you didn't get one, it felt as if life were over.

Well, here are some ideas to help us grown-ups be in control of how we feel and what happens for us this Valentine's Day.

1. Wake up happy. Valentine's Day this year is on Monday. Set yourself up this Sunday night and decide that you will be happy when you arise on Monday. It's amazing how a decision like this works.
2. Set aside a few minutes that morning to be grateful for what you have and more grateful for what you haven't got.
3. Wear clothing that makes you feel great. Set yourself up to feel good all day. Today is the day to exude confidence, abundance and peace (or pick your favorite 3 adjectives and dress accordingly).
4. Release endorphins for yourself. (This is not to replace sex, but whether or not sex is available to you, it's always a good idea to take care of yourself first). Do something for at least 20 minutes to move your body so that you are breathing hard, breaking a sweat, and get in touch with your body which is the vehicle which allows you to have your life.
5. Reach out to the people in your world. Call a friend or family member who you really love and tell them. Spend a few minutes connecting with someone who makes your life better just by being in it.
6. Eat something that satisfies your body, your soul or a craving. Chocolate is the food of the day as it releases endorphins and oxytocin, which are the same hormones that being in love releases. Perhaps treat yourself to some very intense dark chocolate and enjoy the sensation.
7. For each of the people in your immediate circle, remind yourself of their love language (words of appreciation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service, quality time) and take a few minutes to show each of them, in their way how they enhance your world.
8. Get a need of yours met. If there is something you need, big or small, take this day and ask for it. You never know, you may not be getting it because someone may not know it is important to you.
9. Schedule something to look forward to. February and March, traditionally are the "darkest" months, so schedule something for yourself that will occur during the next 6 weeks that every time you think of it, it makes you happy and gives you energy.
10. Whether you are happily married, engaged, single, in the middle of a transition, take Valentine's Day and BE LOVE. What I mean by that, you can let go of judgement, self or other, and just look for the good/ or the spirit in everyone you encounter. By doing that, you will guarantee yourself a love-filled Valentine's Day.

Life Cycle of a Business

2011-01-29T13:58:00.000-08:00

Every relationship has a life cycle. When you are really lucky, that life cycle lasts forever.

However, some life cycle end before we are ready to let them go.

A business life cycle is like any other relationship in terms of supporting and enhancing those involved. When you pour your heart and soul into a business, like a personal relationship, it can be devastating when it ends. You spend years of time, money, and resources to create an entity that contributes to the well being of the lives of those around you and those you serve. It is hard to watch your life’s dream overtaken by external circumstances and a changing market. Imagine having all of your investments in 8 track tapes. Markets change.
Truth is, it is wise to know when it is time to close the doors and move on to new opportunities.

However, ending any business means shifting long-term relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, the network of buyers, as well as your trusted friends and partners. Change can be difficult and frightening for many people. But not evolving means certain stagnation. (And who wants that?)

Ending the business or losing a job means “not knowing” in your life. “Not knowing is a state of grace” according to Thich Nhat Hanh. A glass that is already full has no space for anything new.

When you end a personal relationship, people understand that you are lonely, in need of support, and in need of new opportunities to meet other people. Starting a new business or looking for a new job is much the same.

Here are our three suggestions for how to bungee jump to your next great opportunity:

1. Get clear about who you are, what gifts you bring to the table, and the causes that fuel your passion. This is a great time to focus on doing what you really want to do.

2. Engender support. Reach out to your network of friends, colleagues, and associates, and ask them how you can be of help to them and their passions.

3. Be open to exploring new ideas and business options. Think outside of traditional roles and functions. Stretch your competencies by learning a new skill or business application, or by joining groups that stimulate your creative thinking beyond the typical standard for your industry.
Just a note, remember, five years ago, there were no blogs.

By Carolyn Strauss with Mary Kelly, PhD (www.ProductiveLeaders.com)

Living Well for as Long as Possible, now THAT's a Resolution

2011-01-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

Healthy, healthy, healthy, healthy dead. Living long is not the game; to live well...That is the game I hope we're all playing in 2011 and beyond.

Before there was Bob and Jillian, before Gilad, before Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons, there was Jack LaLanne. The man who beginning in the early 1950's hosted the first exercise "reality" work out show when televisions were in black and white and you physically had to get out of the chair to go change the channel, adjust the volume, or adjust the rabbit ears in order to pick up the signal. For more than 35 years with his TV show and with his books and juicer, Jack LaLanne was an inspiration and a role model from the time he was a young man until his passing this past weekend. To me, Jack LaLanne represented living well, living a clean, balanced, healthy life.

During his television program for more than three decades he gave people exercises to move their body, demonstrated each of them, and through the television he gave them the support of someone to do them with. Jack also used each of his shows to promote the ideas of nutritional eating, being happy, being balanced, being supported and most importantly, being loved.

I think in this time of January when many people set resolutions and many have already let them go, I think looking at an example like Jack LaLanne, of someone who did not set new years resolutions but every day chose to live a healthy, balanced, clean life. It was a resolution that I believe he woke up with every morning and lived with until the day he passed. Jack said, "The only way to hurt your body is by not using it." As for me, I will smile every time I see someone either in an orange jumpsuit or getting themselves to the gym. Wishing you all a healthy 2011.

A toast to 2011

2010-12-28T11:56:00.001-08:00

A toast to another year where all of us survived

Some people just got by while others of us thrived

We celebrate an ending for another year did pass

We review what we created, and choose things that will last

As we look to the future, and possibilities to be created

I wish you ideas and inspiration that leave you elated

So let’s raise a glass to our experience on earth that is heaven

And look forward to the gifts that lie in 2011.

How (and why) to have a Vision Board Party

2010-12-14T06:10:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited for one of my favorite nights of the year. This is the night that I get together with my close friends and we set ourselves up for a fantastic next year. How we do that is we create for ourselves a visual representation of all we intend to bring into our worlds throughout the coming year. In other words, my annual vision board party. I highly recommend doing this, as it not only bonds you to your friends, but it creates support for each other in having exactly what each person wants to have their lives over the next year. It is also an incredibly fun evening. It's creative and interesting and promotes playing in a world where sometimes we're just too busy to play. So here is my strategy for having a fantastic vision board party. I'd love to hear yours.

1. First, make a list of the people in your life whom you absolutely know want only what's best for you and you want only what's best for them. Invite them to your home, set aside a five-hour window for this project. (I love to do this on an evening between Christmas and New Year's as it is generally when people can get away, and are still in a party mood).

2. Go to a hobby store and pick up blank poster boards, scissors, and glue sticks.

3. Ask each invitee to bring all of the magazines that are lying around their home (the fun of this, is that each person will have different magazine subscriptions and areas of interest) and have them each bring a beverage of their choice and a food item. Note: It is very important to have yummy food for this evening. My favorite are the three food groups; wine, chocolate, and cheese. I will have some of that at my house already and then people will bring what they bring.

4. Have everyone arrive at your house and set up an open space where the poster boards sit, where people can cut out pictures and images and ideas for their vision board. Pretend we are all in grade school and make a mess, cut out stuff, and take up space, it is a great reminder of how our instinct is to play... not work!

5. Share with each other to inspire ideas and bring out what you're looking for in the next year. Cut out pictures and images of words that represent that for yourself and each other. Share pictures and words with each other, have as much fun as possible.

6. ***The most important part; have each person bring a picture, at least one, of themselves to put on their board and in their vision for their life. Be sure that everyone appears in their own vision.

7. Final step: Do this once a year. See how the vision board worked for each person.

One personal thought. Several years ago, I bought a poster frame, and my current vision board is displayed in my office, and it lives on top of the boards from the years before. This way, I can feel the life I've created for myself, and take responsibility and care to envision specifically what I intend for my life going forward.

Wishing you a 2011 beyond your wildest dreams, and the visual representation to make it happen for yourself.

Why Halloween is GOOD for us!

2010-10-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday. It's brilliant. You get to choose who you're going to be, put on a costume to show the world who you are, and then encourage people to give you stuff.

I think Halloween is a great training ground for kids. Why? Well, first, see what costume a child chooses. It will give you a hint into how they see themselves in relation to the world. If their costume is scary, ask them what is it about this character that they may enjoy being? See why they choose what they choose, and this is also an opportunity where they can NOT be wrong!

Next, I think encouraging children to talk to strangers in a controlled environment is a great idea. It's not possible to make new friends without talking to strangers. So the idea of kids going and talking to strangers will give them access and practice of the gut feeling they get from each person. And if a parent is standing 20 feet away, then the child can have the experience and then the parent can take the opportunity to talk to the child about what they felt from that person, helping to fine-tune intuition.

And lastly, Halloween is a holiday that's not "religion" based, and it's all about candy, what could be bad? Once in a while, having some sweets, some candy, is fine... and fun! Anything in moderation is good. So, I wish everyone a Happy, Safe, Fun, Halloween. Go talk to strangers and eat some candy!

The good that can come from Social Media

2010-09-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

As someone who considers herself fairly unsophisticated when it comes to technology and social media, I've invested a lot of time this year "playing" on the various sites. I've been posting events, ideas, thoughts, and articles that I find of interest to me and hopefully to the people that are in my world on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I'm astonished as to how social media has changed and can create positive energy out in the world.

Today is my birthday and to my surprise, delight and awe, I have received more than 150 birthday greetings on Facebook, many of which were much more than a standard "Happy Birthday". I find this fascinating, mostly because of the warm, happy, and loved feeling that seeing this created in my body and my spirit. I used to think that emotion was very hard to convey through e-mail or technology. In fact, I used to warn people to not read emotion into an e-mail because tonality and body language are more than half of communication. But I find myself today thinking about all of the good that can be done in the world by creating positive energy for those with whom we are connected.

So my thought for today is this: when you see something posted by someone that is of interest to you, post a response. Knowing that occasionally, and hopefully often, doing so will create an emotion that will manifest for that person a fabulous day, thereby generating positive energy on the planet.

I want to thank all of my friends and family who took the time to wish me a happy birthday. Whether you posted on a social media site "Happy Birthday" to me, those of you who called, those of you who sent cards, and those of you who I know are so busy today that just a passing thought of love and light was enough. I send you all wishes for a phenomenal year, as I'm sure the upcoming year will be beautiful and wonderful for all of us. Namaste.

It's my honor to work with PBS

2010-07-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

I've grown up on PBS. From Sesame Street to the Electric Company, from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, to Charlie Rose (more recently!) I value the unbiased and indepth reporting on the PBS Newshour, and all of the educational and entertaining programing that comes to my home with no commercials.

With that, I am so excited to have been invited by PBS to be one of the national pledge drive people for the August/ September pledge show: Marvin Hamlisch Presents the 70's, the Way We Were. see the trailer here! I love the opportunity to use my television experience to help raise money for an organization that enriches my life on a daily basis.

Please check you local PBS station for when this entertaining and nostalgic program will air in your home, and I hope you will take a moment to support PBS.

This video was shot as a "behind the scenes" during the shoot for the pledge breaks. I really enjoyed it, and so hope to get to play with PBS again soon. I hope you all enjoy the show! Namaste.

Celebrating the Concept of America the Beautiful

2010-07-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

As I celebrate 4th of July in this beautiful country, my home, America, I begin to think of not only the sacrifices of those who came before, our founding fathers and mothers, and the concepts they had for this country, but I am struck by the current sacrifice that many of our very own men and women are making to assure our freedom today. I find America, as a place, the most beautiful land in the world. There are parts of America that take my breath away like the first snow fall in the Rocky Mountains, Fall in New England, the Redwoods of the Pacific Northwest. All of these things are epic in scale and beauty.

What I am contemplating this 4th of July is America as a concept. The concept of inclusion, the concept of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people. I think that may be what's missing when we look at how America is currently perceived by much of the rest of the world. Yes, we are blessed with riches and abundance in resources, yes, we, as America, have always shared our resources with the rest of the world. Perhaps, I think what is missing now in perception of the concept of America, is that in "America" we do not judge or are not intending to judge the lives of the rest of the world. We, as "Americans" are here to hold the space for others to be as they are. (As long as their beliefs and actions do not physically endanger our rights to be as we are).

This is not a a point of view that we are better than anyone else, it is that we are all different and we all have different paths and destinies. If we individually, and governmentally could hold the space for each person and nation to have what they have, do what they do, and believe what they believe, and defend all rights to do that, the world may become a more peaceful place.

On this Independence Day weekend, this non-judgemental concept of America is an idea in which I am excited and proud and hopeful to live in. Thank you to everyone, all of our military and our military families, current and past, who hold this idea and are willing to sacrifice their lives for my freedom. I am eternally grateful.

What happens in Vegas, may not happen in Vegas any more.

2010-05-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

I was at the airport in Las Vegas, leaving Las Vegas and I had many extra quarters in my pocket; change from things I bought over the course of the few days I was there. I saw some slot machines and thought, "perfect, I'll gamble, hey, you never know, and I'll travel lighter". I walked to the machine and there was no slot for coins. I asked the woman who was manning the booth for the slot machines, "don't slot machines take quarters? They did last time I was here.(not so long ago)". She said, "change in slot machines are a thing of the past in Vegas". Really?

It's amazing to me how the paradigm has shifted everywhere, including Las Vegas. It seems that when it becomes more expensive to hire a person to count the coins that come out of a machine and put coins into a machine than it is to allow people to put money into a machine to see what happens, is wild. It's an interesting paradigm shift because this is where efficiency becomes more valuable than people. We wonder why there is an employment crisis? Everything has become automatic. The other thing about dollar, five dollar, 10 dollar, 20 dollar and credit card slot machines is that they no longer pay off in change, they use paper slip vouchers which you have to take to a cashier somewhere to get your winnings. YOU have to put in the effort to get your money instead of it coming to you. Therefore, it's actually just easier to let your money ride and keep playing until your money disappears. So, on a psychological level, and on an economic level, Vegas has changed to where the corporations win and the players/ people lose.

Maybe, Vegas isn't what it used to be... but what is? Oh and the $5 buffet ... gone. That's a thing of the past in Vegas as well. Happy gambling.

Why "date night" is crucial to any relationship.

2010-04-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

Relationships, like anything, become comfortable, familiar and even routine, where surprise is rare and excitement is non-existent. What deepens relationships are shared experiences and passion... toward something. Date night can take people out of the "norm" and into something unexpected, and give people something "new" to discuss.

Isn't that why we date in the first place? To see who we are with the other person? If nothing new ever happens, there is no deepening of our relationship with ourselves, therefore not creating new space for an existing relationship to grow.

Date night does not have to apply to only our romantic relationships. Create a date night with each of your children, go explore something new, or try something you've never done together. Do a date night with a colleague at work. Find out the hidden gifts inside people with whom you work.

As for our romantic partners, use date night to get outside your routine conversations and obligations, and use date night to expand who you are and stimulate brain chemistry to stimulate physical reaction.

One idea, take turns, with each partner choosing what to do on date night, and the other goes along willingly. Not only will you learn new things about what your partner likes, but you will play a crucial part in making your partner happy. And isn't that why we are together in the first place. Happy Dating!!!

Using the Olympics to Fuel Your Life

2010-03-01T08:26:00.000-08:00

As we finish the first two months of the new decade, and as the 2010 Winter Olympics come to a close, an opportunity presents itself. We watched as these brilliant, dedicated athletes, who have spent years of their lives... 16, 20, 25 years becoming the best in the world, dedicating themselves to being the best in the world at one thing, got to shine on the global stage, if only for 17 days... or 15 seconds as the case may be.

Their next opportunity to prove to themselves first and to the world that they're the best, comes four years from now.

As I look at that timing, what I see is an opportunity for us, as regular people, to set a vision of goals for ourselves, something that we can be genius at, something we can excel at, something we can share with the world beginning now, culminating four years from now.

Maybe it's to be the absolute best mother and get a gold medal from your children for being the best mom. Maybe it's being the best CEO and having everyone in your company want to stay and play in your world, in your company, in your vision. Maybe it's to achieve a body that allows you to painlessly and effortlessly get through your days with joy and wellness. Or perhaps maybe it's to learn something, to know something so well that you become the expert that people go to when they need information, advice, influence, or help.

Here's how I see it, 4 years will pass anyway, so I invite you to really think about who you can be, how you will use your time, and how you can be in a better place in 2014. I'll see you at the next Olympics.

A Valentine's Month Idea

2010-02-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

As Valentine's Day approaches, we are inundated with ads for jewelry and chocolate. There are pretty cakes in the front of the grocery stores and cards in the front of bookstores, all assisting us in professing our love for others. On this particular Valentine's Day, I'd like to explore love; where if it's missing, nothing else matters.

This Valentine's Day, let's practice the love for ourselves. Sometimes, this love is the most challenging of all. It's much easier to look at other people's stuff or other people and fix them. It's much easier to look at other people and appreciate what's wonderful and lovely and magnificent and powerful and supportive and successful and fulfilled and brave and whole about them. What if we look to ourselves for those things?

Remember, what you look for, you will find. What if we spend this Valentine's Day month exploring ourselves and our gifts? If we look for the grace and the beauty and the generosity and the genius and the energy and the joy and the peace and the power that we bring to everyone around us, we will feel it....and so will they.

Here's an exercise I'd like to suggest. Begin each day before you get out of bed --, practice this for one month -- while lying in bed, pick five adjectives that describe who you are that day. You can say to yourself any variation of, "I am love, I am peace, I am blessed, I am happy, I am joyful, I am lucky, I am smart, I am generous and I hold the space for others to show up and be as magnificent as they can be".

This Valentine's Day, I invite you to show love for others as much as possible, but double that when it comes to you. I believe there can be no war, no stress, no fighting, and the possibility for peace, when people love themselves. Happy Valentine's Day. Namaste.

Tell Your Story for your New Year!

2010-01-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Remember when you were in school, and you took a writing or journalism class, and they said here are the questions you need to answer to tell a great story? Who, what, when, where, why, and how. Why not use this model and tell the story of your new year?

Who? Who are you going to play with in your new year? Who are you inviting to be a part of your story in the next year? For me, I will only play with people, or only have people in my world who support me in having my optimal life and visa versa. In other words, I only want to play with people who want what's best for me, and who also want what's best for themselves.

What? The what is, what do you intend to attract into your life? What will you do, see, have, or be in the next year? Make a list or a vision board and put it somewhere where you see it constantly.

When? There's only one answer to the question when. The answer is now. You plan for the future, but you live in the now. There is only now. So are you playing at 100% in the now?

Where? Where are you? Where do you want to be? Is where you are where you want to be? Is your attitude towards where you are -- let's say you're at work, is your attitude towards where you are good for you? If you are not where you want to be, take steps to move yourself toward your “where”.

Why? This to me is the most important element in a story. Why does the character want what they want? Why do you? Why are you doing what you're doing? The answer to this question, comes back to the core of leading a fulfilling life. The why answers the question; does it matter? If it doesn't matter, don't do it. Either play at 100% with purpose in everything you do and in each moment or stop. Life is too precious to waste it.

How? One of my favorite quotes is “The ‘what’ is your job, the ‘how’ is God’s job”. When you set yourself up with clarity around: who, what, when, where, why, the how will show up by itself.

Enjoy living your story! I wish you a happy, beautiful, blessed, fantastic new year.

My first video blog attempt

2010-01-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2010!

2009-12-31T08:42:00.001-08:00

Take Up The Act of Smoking; a Healthy New Year’s Resolution

2009-12-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

Let’s begin with the obvious, cigarettes are bad for you. Smoking them is unhealthy, harmful, and they make you smell bad. So, I'm not talking about taking up smoking. What I'm recommending is the act of smoking.

The act of smoking has four distinct and beneficial components.

One, you make a decision. It’s a decision to change the attention and focus from what you're currently doing to get up, go outside to do something else. So, your mind and body get a break, a change and a shift.

Two, you then go outside. At this time of year where it gets light at
7:30 in the morning and gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, most people do not see daylight at all. They leave for work in the dark and come home from work in the dark.

Most people, except those who are practicing the act of smoking, don't get outside into the sunlight. Sunlight is like vitamins. You need some sunlight (even on a cloudy day, the rays from the sun pass through the atmosphere, and the effects will be felt) in your body everyday to be happy and healthy. Study after study has proven that exposure to sunlight not only creates Vitamin D in your body, it also boosts mood, serotonin, and can prevent depression. Take up the act of smoking, you get outside.

Thirdly, taking a deep breath; when was the last time you took 10 deep breaths? Really deep breaths, where you filled up your lungs, all six directions of your lungs (top to bottom, side to side and front to back). When do you remember that you took a deep breath, held it for a while, and then let it go and let your shoulders relax and your body come back to neutral. Breathing like this is required in the act of smoking… maybe this is one reason smokers say that smoking relaxes them. Maybe it’s the breathing? Take 10 deep breaths at the top of every hour.

And finally, if others are also outside un-smoking, breathing, regrouping, refocusing, you just might meet new people. You will have new conversations. You will get new perspectives outside of your daily circle of people. Imagine that, a group of people; standing outside, unsmoking, hey, you may even make a new friend or two.

So, taking up the act of smoking could just be the healthiest New Year’s resolution you could make. I wish you a happy, healthy New Year.

My Ideas for Creating an Optimal Holiday Season….With Love….

2009-11-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

Set the stage: First decide who your family is this season. What kind of energy you will have in your home when people come to visit? Choose three words to describe your family this season, post them in your home…even put them on your refrigerator for everyone to see each day, and you’ll be amazed at how those adjectives show up each day during this holiday season. Some adjective ideas: peaceful, joyous, excited, grateful, interesting, interested, funny, playful, intriguing.

Set the intention: Create a sign-in board/ poster for everyone who comes to your home this season. On the top of the board write something like: “The Best Thing That Happened to me between 2000 and 2010”. Keep it next to the front door; Invite everyone that comes in to sign it. This then becomes an incredible energy booster for now, and a family memento from this holiday season.
Create moments: Have each member of your family choose one thing every day, first thing in the morning that will happen before the end of the day that will make them happy and be good for them. Let everyone participate in being sure that happens for that family member.

The Visuals: Decorate your home with the ornaments, candles, pictures, lights, trees, anything that mean something to you. As you are decorating your home, when you pull out your decorations, ask yourself if it still fits who you are, or works with your family. If it no longer applies, put it in a box and donate to charity. This holiday will be set with intention and also, by donating, brings joy to others.

Participation: Ask the people that come to your home for the holidays to participate. First they will participate by signing in on your “best of the decade board”. Next have everyone bring something to your home. If you are the kind of person who wants to control and do everything, try to let that go and see what comes! When people are allowed to bring things and participate, they are more invested in the outcome of everyone having a good time.

Music: Surround yourself with sounds of the season that make you happy. Music is the soundtrack of our lives. Set up your music system in your home to play music that sets the mood for whatever you intend to have happened during that time.

Smells: Scent is the most powerful memory inducer for human beings. As often as possible, through either the use of candles, baking, (which it also works with cookies from a package in the refrigerator section at the supermarket) room sprays or potpourri, surround yourself in your home with smells that make you happy. This is a low cost way to boost the mood of everyone in your home

Gifts: Decide this year what’s important to you as a family in terms of gift giving. One of my favorite families, (my god family, who as a child I spent Christmas with every year) always set a price limit to what it they would spend on each member of the family. The challenge with that is that sometimes you want to get someone something that costs more than the budget. I know it’s unromantic, but you might want to ask the people in your world what they want for the holidays. If it’s something big, everyone can go in on it together. If someone says they want nothing, ask again, and then believe them. One of the best gifts you can give anyone is your love, support and appreciation for everything they have done for you.

Appreciation: Make a list of all of the things that someone has provided for you in your world, and put that on a holiday card. Let people know that their time and attention is appreciated.

The People: Invite people to your home whom you like. Have each member of your family make a list of all of the people that have been most supportive and loving over the past year. Compare that list to a list of the people that are most important to them to have in their world next year. First, invite those people who are on both lists, and then use the holidays as an opportunity to spend time with those who are worthy of your time and attention. When people know they are there because they are wanted, and not by obligation, everyone wins.

Turn your holiday “have to’s” into holiday “get to’s”, as in, I get to have the holiday season that works in my world.

I wish you a happy, healthy, beautiful holiday season 2009. Namaste.

My Today's Special poem for September 09

2009-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

As I begin my 24 hour day of my final today's special for this decade, and yes, we have been consistantly on Home Shopping Network through this entire decade, I am aware of how blessed and grateful I am to be able to be invited into the homes of millions of women. I share this with you in print and will share it from my heart on HSN this evening. I hope your first day of Fall is magical!

"This first day of Fall
With the weather getting colder
How lucky for us
Fall colors are bolder
Like leaves on the trees
It’s time for transition
With our 2 piece pant set
An outfit with a mission
for you to look great
and mix and match back
To our 5 other new collections
All easy to pack
We’ve got purples and reds,
Browns and greys
Your find something special to wear
On each of your days
So with our final Todays Special before 2010
I thank you for inviting me
into your homes again."

Quick Criteria for Decision Making

2009-08-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

With all of the demands on our time and attention, I think it is important to have a template through which, to make decisions on where to spend these most valuable resources. Here is mine, and it has worked incredibly well for years:

Will it be good for me?, Will it be fun?, and Does it matter?

If the answer to any of these is yes, you may want to accept the invitation to spend your energy there. If the answer to all 3 is "no", I invite you to find something else to fill that space.

Have fun with these and let me know how they work for you. Happy choosing!

The powerful shift from member of a group to part of the community

2009-07-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the National Speakers Association annual convention in Phoenix. AZ. This is my tenth convention and to have the opportunity to play with a group of people who are amazing and more outgoing than I am, is a blast….and very noisy!

Having attended this convention many times, I have an awareness of what it is to be a full fledged member of this organization, and I participated as such. I have spoken at this convention several times, first in 2005 at the convention in Atlanta, where I got to speak to the youth program. And again, last year, in 2008 I was invited to present a breakout session in NYC. These opportunities came after years of attending these meetings, and getting to know some of the people who make these meetings happen.

This time, however, was different. As an attendee, during the convention and culminating with the CPAE (hall of fame) dinner awards banquet, I noticed a powerful and emotionally moving shift.

How the awards dinner works, is they have someone from the organization who knows the hall of fame recipient, introduced them, give their bio, and then finally announced the name of the recipient. This year there were five.

As I sat in the audience at my table with people, six of whom I knew and 3 who were new to me, I watched Scott McKain and Patricia Fripp, two members of the fall of fame, M.C. the event and bring on stage the people to introduce the inductees. As each of the introducers came out I knew who they were. Over the past 10 or so years, I have had contact with each of the introducers at some point.

Then something even better happened, in their description of the nominee, even before the names were read I knew who they were. I had a connection with each of them at some point during the past many years. To my surprise one of them, Terry Brock, is a good friend of mine and my heart pounded and leapt for joy, seeing him receive this incredible, well-deserved and distinguished honor.

So not only was this a memorable night and a memorable convention for the people on that stage getting that award, I felt as if the “family” and community that NSA prides themselves to be for me become a reality. As an adult I have always said that your friends become the family you choose. It's interesting to me how, after so many years of being a member of an organization, I am now a part of the community. It feels warm, inclusive, an incredibly supportive… and who couldn’t use more of that in the world.

I want to invite you to choose an organization or a group that is in alignment with who you are and what you believe in. Invest the time and energy that it takes to become a part of the community. The gift you will receive is that every time you’re with them, you get to go “home”.

Giving Birth to a New Website

2009-07-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

It may seem strange to position launching a new website: http://www.carolynstrauss.com/ as "giving birth" but when I thought about it, here were some similarities that showed up. First, we (my support team) began discussing creating a new site about a year ago. Next, we "conceived" the template, style and concept about 9 months ago.

The first three months gave me morning sickness, each time I sat at the computer to envision this site, what pages it needed, what styles it should have, what I keep from the old one, how do we upload stuff... (Hey, have I mentioned that one should always know her/ his strengths and weaknesses, and a huge weakness of mine... technology!) so I would feel sick until I figured out a piece.

Then it was about 3 months of just plugging away, not obsessing, just working on it piece by piece. And seeing tiny changes every day.

Then the final and past 3 months I got REALLY uncomfortable. I had to COMMIT to this design, which buttons to keep and which to lose, which quotes and which pictures go where, who's testimonials go on which page, do I even include this blog in the site, and how do we do that? ... on and on. My temper even got short with my "team" as I wanted something and I wanted it "now"....

Until last night, at 10:05 p.m. on July 15th. After the months of agony and joy and fear and excitement.... there it was. Live. On line for the world to see.

OK, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic, maybe I'm overstating things a bit, but I'm excited to see how this new website grows in the world, and changes with time, and has an effect on those who visit. And to that end, I say "Welcome".

The passing of people I honor

2009-06-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

This has been an exceptional week. Beginning with Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and tonight hearing that my personal friend Billy Mays has also left this lifetime, my heart breaks. Not that when anyone leaves it isn't sad, it is, however, these people all touched my life in different ways and each brings a sense of completion of an era to my world.

Each of us touches one another on some level. And, through the experiences we have our memories are tied to people, places and times in our lives. Ed McMahon put me to sleep many nights with his friend Johnny Carson for decades, including many of my years in NYC.

No young woman of my era didn't have the "Farrah" feathered hair, and we all wanted to be that "bright" and glamorous. Her persona defined beauty for an entire generation of young women and young men. I didn't know one boy who didn't have the "Farrah" poster in the red bathing suit on his wall. Legendary.

Michael Jackson defined the 70's and 80's with the most innovative videos, dance moves and albums that have ever influenced a generation. The talent that man possessed is and will most likely be unsurpassed forever. And his personal life gave millions of people hours of interesting conversation. How many other people can be credited with creating a topic of conversation that never got boring?

And then there is my personal friend, Billy Mays. The man was a gentleman, handsome, charming, brilliantly talented as a pitchman and showman. Mostly though, when you asked him about his family, his eyes and face would light up, and that smile would melt anyone's heart.

Tonight my heart breaks at the loss of Billy, mostly for his family who know that they were the light of his life and the motivation for everything he did.

My lesson from all of the "loss" this week is this. Enjoy today, do the best you can do with what you have, aspire to contribute all you can, and be grateful for every moment because you never know when the moments will end. Namaste.

HSN New Sizing Initiative begins June 1

2009-06-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Today begins the HSN new sizing initiative where HSN has changed the sizing to accomodate sizes 0-18 in Missy sizing. The new size chart for the Missy sizing looks like this:

Missy: XS (0/2); S (4/6); M (8/10); L (12/14); XL (16/18)

Please check the sizing chart to be sure you order your correct size going forward!

As for our June Today's Special which airs tonight beginning at 12 a.m. Eastern, here is the poem... with love, Carolyn

The Today's Special dress and 4 collections for June
How amazing that Summer has shown up so soon
Our colors this month are a rainbow plus black
In styles that look great from the front and the back
With a fly away cardigan in prints so new
You'll spend mere pennies per wear and be your most beautiful you
We resized our patterns to include XLarge and Xsmall
An HSN initiative so we can better serve you all
We're grateful your watching and know you are smart
We invite you and hope you will refer to the new sizing chart

Social Media and Diet

2009-05-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

So I spent today with David Nour www.relationshipeconomics.net at the Rocky Mountain Meeting Planners International (MPI) meeting, learning from him about using Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter to build my business. This is the second time I have taken an intensive training from David... and I HIGHLY recommend it!

I had one huge "aha" moment. That was for me that people are the most valuable element in the universe. Time and Attention are the most valuable assets, but people are the juice, the air and the sustenance. So I ask, are you attracting the people who are healthy, supportive and good for you and your business?

Social networking is like the big cocktail party, you can meet and talk to many people, but who do you want to have call you the next day and thank you for coming? I think that is the game, to find those people who appreciate what you have to offer, and to be open to receiving the "nutrients" they bring to your world. Good luck and happy connecting!

How You Show Up....

2009-04-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

I just got back from BC Canada after presenting to a group on bright, talented, highly acclaimed people who were open, and challenging to the points I presented. How wonderful to be in that space with so much enthusiasm and talent. I was thinking about doing "presentation training" as a follow up with several of the members, and I thought, what is the one secret for being "the speaker" in the room.

What I came up with is this..... Always be the person in the room who wants to be there the most. If you show up with that.... others will want to be there with you.

12th Anniversary on HSN

2009-04-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off to HSN to celebrate 12 years of bringing wonderful, USA made clothing to the women of America. Who would have guessed that my realtionship with one of the most successful corporations in America would last so long... and so it seems, is thriving.

I wish everyone the opportunity to work with people they like and companies they trust. I got really lucky.

See you on April 8, 2009 through out the day on HSN.

Elle B Willson is DYNAMIC at the Highline Ballroom

2009-04-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

On Monday night, I got to be in and experience a DREAM of my friend, Elle B Willson. I was sitting at the Highline Ballroom in NYC with 250 other people, friends, family, fans and music industry people, who all got to share a very special evening with an amazingly talented artist. Elle B's voice, soulful lyrics and range of styles made the 90 minute CD release concert and celebration fly by!

For anyone who wants to hear wonderful music, and support an artist who through hard work and determination made her music dream a reality, I invite you to go to www.ellebwillson.com and check it out. Pick up a copy of her just released CD, "Just Me", and enjoy!

My post to the Rocky Mountain News Blog as the paper disappears

2009-02-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

As we say goodbye to yet another hometown newspaper which has been in business just 55 days short of its 150th birthday, this is a sad day; and we are entering a dangerous age. Television is going digital, meaning should the digital signal become "compromised", access to information will be unavailable, and getting "around the system" to make it work becomes impossible. Newspapers have been the free-market dissemination of information for over 150 years and now the "free" part of that is also being compromised, as choice by readers is being taken away.

I fear with the absence of balanced, competitive journalism, the public will be spoon fed only that which the "powers that be" deem appropriate, and keeping people in the dark is the first step to controlling behaviors, decisions and free will.

This is not the "promise" of the bright future we discussed as kids in the then wonderful public school system.

My heart goes out to all who have spent their careers as print journalists at the News, and I wish you blessings and opportunities that continue to provide you a voice in this city and this world. Namaste.

A story to remind us to stop and breathe

2009-01-10T16:19:00.001-08:00

PEARLS BEFORE BREAKFAST

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million.Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
Adapted from a fuller article by Gene WeingartenWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, April 8, 2007; Page W10(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR200704...)

- Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it?

- Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

December 22, 2008

2008-12-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

12/22/08

Don’t let where you are get in the way of where you want to be.

There are times in each of our lives when we find ourselves in circumstances that we didn’t expect. Sometimes when this happens we feel stuck or incapable of making a change . The mind has an amazing way of justifying where we are and adjusting itself to being fine with it or. Or making it OK and thinking it will get better by itself .

That generally doesn’t happen. Homeostasis is what happens when we get used to a situation and do nothing and just stay there.

There are 3 steps to breaking out from where you are, or to at least create forward momentum. First: see, get a visual or what is possible for you and what could/ can happen. Next: decided what you want to have happen, and the most important step: Take and immediate action. And I mean immediate, one thing you can do within the hour to create forward movement that will begin to change things. It’s like shaking up the snow globe. In a snow globe, the glitter will remain exactly where it is until you shake it up. After it is shaken (and remember how pretty that is, and how magical that seems… it’s the same when we shake up our lives, but sometimes we just can’t see it as we are right in the middle of the mess!) when it lands it is a always in a different place .

As we approach another January 1 with all of our new year’s resolutions and best intentions for ourselves , my wish for you is that you make 2009 the year that by twelve months from now you will have a clear picture and a wonderful story of where you were and how incredibly far you’ve come . That is something no one can ever take from you.

The Big Announcement re: Home Shopping Network (HSN)

2008-12-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends.

What a year it's been . I have met thousands of amazing, talented, brilliant men and women all across the united states and from every one of them I have learned something new . With that new knowlege and renewed energy, I am so excited to announce that I will be returning to the Carolyn Strauss Collection on the Home Shopping Network beginning with our first new collections in February, 2009. I am looking foward to being back with my HSN family to bring everyone what I hoped to be a ideas and inspiration that fit and work in your life, and clothing that does exactly the same .

Please visit this blog often and reply with any ideas, concepts or thoughts you may have to make this new step on my journey valuable for everyone . I wish you a happy, healthy, safe ending to 2008, and a phenomenal, wonderful, healthy, peaceful and happy journey in 2009.

Namaste- Carolyn

http://fashion.hsn.com/carolyn-strauss_c-fa_a-82_xc.aspx?sz=14&cm_re=LN*Brand*CarolynStr&prev=hp!sf&lastbc=!82&ccm=FA