Life By Design

Why Are Some People So Bitter? If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...

derrick sorles — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:08:11 GMT

You know the old saying, probably your parents or grandparents used to say,

"If you don't have anything nice to say,
don't say anything at all!"

I was on a blog last night reading an interview with a New York entertainer I like. And another entertainer, left a vicious, biting, nasty comment, for the whole world to see! Why would you do that? Even if you are bitter - why publish a rude remark, that puts somebody down, for the whole world to see?! It only makes you look jealous and bitter.

Is it jealousy? Why are some people so negative and bitter? I was on another blog this morning called Life Improvement Tips by Alexander Marlin, and he said, "Our society is filled with bitter people, but are we to blame society, our boss, our neighbour, or maybe a friend that did you wrong? The answer to that is, I really don’t care who did you wrong or what has happened in the past. I do believe that many bitter people are simply seeking attention. They walk around as if they are mad at the world and seldom listen to anyone. No reasoning will make them understand what has turned them so bitter."

Read his full article about dealing with bitter people.

Does knocking someone down make you feel more superior?

And then there are the hate groups! That's even more alarming! Don't even get me started on that!

What is your opinion or experience?

International Happiness Day July 10th 2008

derrick sorles — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:56:28 GMT

I've recently learned about an incredible event about which I'm pleased to provide some information...

The first ever International
Happiness Day on July 10th!

The goal: Get 1,000,000 people or more to choose to experience deep inner happiness starting on July 10th! More than 194 countries will be participating.

How much happiness and joy are you willing to experience in your life?

Why happiness? People who choose to experience happiness daily enjoy great health, fulfilling relationships and success.

The International Happiness Day Panel have created tools, mp3 audios and live phone events to support people in choosing happiness for themselves...all FREE!

And you can find an example of some of the free tools and checking out the "Happiness Increasing Techniques".

Decide that this monumental day will be the first day of the rest of your happy life! Check out the events, tools and video and the Happiness Panel .

Inform everyone you know and be a part of International Happiness Day on July 10th, 2008!

hapiness happiness day wellness Turbo Tagger

Every Monday Matters - 52 Ways to make a Difference with your Life

derrick sorles — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:57:28 GMT

Every Monday Matters is an uncomplicated, practical guide of things you can do EVERY WEEK...52 ways to make a difference with your life.

Every Monday Matters is an extraordinary concept. Matt Emerzian and Kelly Bozza have written and designed a beautiful book that can change your life for the better.

Did you know..Every week, the average person receives:

682 e-mails
12 text messages
10.8 pieces of junk mail
1.5 personal letters

Feeling appreciated is one of the strongest human desires.
There is warmth in a handwritten note-it instantly makes the message more personal, creates a more intimate feeling, and makes the recipient feel more valued.

With e-mail and instant messaging, a handwritten note is getting rarer and therefore more special.
A handwritten note costs less than a dollar to write and mail, and the relational value is priceless.

The recipient can keep and reread it forever.

BUY THE BOOK TODAY @ Simple Truths

gratitude appreciation every monday matters Turbo Tagger

People Are in Our Life for a Reason, or a Season, or a Lifetime

derrick sorles — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:43:11 GMT

This is another great little slideshow!

I first read this about 5 years ago. I had a really, really good friend that all of a sudden didn't want to be friends any longer. She would not return phone calls and avoided me. With no explanation.

Someone told me about this. That people are in our lives, "For a Reason, or a Season, or a Lifetime," and we have to accept that fact and understand that sometimes the relationship is not permanent. It's not meant to be. People will come and go throughout our life.

I was telling someone about this the other day, and they had never heard of it - so I thought I would share this link, for those unfamiliar with the piece.

Play A REASON, A SEASON OR A LIFETIME

a reason a season a lifetime friendships relationships Turbo Tagger

Happy Gay Pride! What is Gay Pride?

derrick sorles — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:42:27 GMT

June is GAY PRIDE month around the world!

It is traditionally celebrated the last Sunday of June, in most cities. Pride celebrations stemmed from the Stonewall Riots in New York City.

The Stonewall Riots were a series of violent conflicts between LGBT people and New York City police officers that began during a 28 June 1969 police raid, and lasted several days. They were centered at the Stonewall Inn and are widely recognized as the catalyst for the modern-day movement towards LGBT rights.

Gay pride or LGBT pride refers to a world wide movement and philosophy asserting that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Heterosexual people have sometimes asked me, "Why do you have to have a pride day? Why are you so proud? We don't have straight pride day?" - It's about not feeling ashamed of who we are. It's about showing people our numbers, that we are in fact EVERYWHERE. We come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Gay pride is about appreciating yourself and other members of our community for being different. GAY PRIDE means accepting yourself and celebrating who you are.

Gay pride advocates work for equal "rights and benefits" for LGBT people. The movement has three main premises:

- that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity,

- that sexual diversity is a gift,

- and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered.

Someone at Cedar Rapids Pride said, "Often the hardest person to come out to is yourself. GAY PRIDE doesn't just happen. It is hard work to overcome the profound effects of abusive religion and cultural abandonment that afflict all minorities. Self-esteem is the greatest achievement that you can reach in life. Your sense of self-worth is so valuable, that you work hard all of your life to find and express it. To reach your goal of self-esteem and happiness requires knowledge and positive experience."

Jed Ryan from Lick The Web says, "So, what is "Gay Pride?" It may not be so important that we find a universal definition. What's more important is that all of us feel positively and lovingly about being who we are-- in our case, definitely including but not limited to being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered-- at least for one moment in our lives and hopefully more. And that can be in June or any other month, at the Parade or any other location, or whether you're 17 or 70. Ultimately, the real and most important meaning of "pride" is in within each one of us."

Marches celebrating Pride (pride parades) are celebrated worldwide, and every year, the number of gay people and their supporters grows bigger and bigger! We're here, we're queer, you'd better get used to it!

Michael Snell
New Gay Travel Guide

gay pride self esteem stonewall riots LGBT Turbo Tagger

Looking for Answers and Explanations About The Journey of Life? Life On The Train

derrick sorles — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:37:18 GMT

Someone sent me this video clip a few years back, and I had always thought it was inspirational and though provoking, so I thought I would share it with you.

It's called "LIFE ON THE TRAIN."

It really gives some thoughts about
friendships and the journey of life.

Watch it...

share it...

and let me know what you think!

life on the train meaning of life life purpose tug of war Turbo Tagger

The Dammann Twins - Designing the Road To Stardom

derrick sorles — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:37:57 GMT

The Dammann Twins - Eric and Todd.

They sing, play guitar, and utilize YouTube and MySpace as their PR agents!

YouTube is an amazing tool that wasn't around when I was a kid! Now anyone with a webcam and some talent have amazing opportunities and in fact, can be discovered through the Internet. Plus artists can build a huge fan base for their work and even can sell online direct to the consumer. It's a whole new world!

The guys covered Brittney's GIMME MORE and it has been viewed by nearly half a million people!

At 21, these two Seattle boys are finishing college, finishing up a demo, packing their bags and heading to sunny California to pursue their dreams!

I caught up with the guys this week in between finals!

"Moving to California is definitely next on our priority list. After we finish up some college work here in Seattle, we will be doing all we can to set up home base somewhere near Los Angeles. With all of the opportunities for performing and promotion down there, it is something we are looking forward to.

We want our fans to know that we are working hard to write and record some great music that is going to be very symbolic of who we are as artists. So many people have reached out to us and given us words of support and encouragement. We appreciate it all so much and everyday are more and more surprised and flattered by the messages and letters our listeners are sending. It is our ultimate hope to someday tour and see all these fans in person!

We don't have a record deal yet. This project is more of a demo than a full fledged album. The record we are working on is about 75% complete. We still have to finish writing and recording a few songs to make sure we have material that is not only work we're proud of, but a collection that is as diverse and well rounded. After that, we will spend some time mastering the tracks and making sure all of the kinks are worked out.

It's our first time really doing something like this by ourselves. Everything from the song writing, recording, and mixing, to the vocals and instrumentals are being done by us alone. It's a big task to undertake but this is something we've always wanted to do. Music is our life, and we couldn't imagine living without it!"

The duo was recently interviewed by Out magazine / PopNography ,
What inspired you to start putting videos up on YouTube?
Eric: YouTube really has become one of the cultural artifacts of this technology dominated/cyber space century. We love to sing and perform, so we figured, why not put it up on a site that would allow all our family and friends see what we're up to? I love the idea of being able to have a digital platform where you can share your creative abilities with anyone who cares to watch.

The guys were asked recently if they have tried out for American Idol before?

"We tried out for the last season of American Idol. It was an interesting experience to say the least. Out of the 10,000 contestants trying out in Seattle, we made it to the top 100. We were obviously thrilled, but after continuing on, it became increasingly obvious that this was hardly a singing competition. Just like all "reality" shows, there's very little real anything on the show."

Don't worry guys -

you are well on your way!

Keep striving and don't stop dreaming!

Stop by their MySpace page and listen to their music!

Eric has his own page and so does Todd as well.

dammann twins gay twins todd dammann eric dammann gay singers gimme more Turbo Tagger

BREAKING NEWS - Clinton to Concede Nomination to Obama

derrick sorles — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:53:25 GMT

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., will end her presidential bid Saturday in Washington, D.C., surrounded by supporters, some of whom are devasted and angry that her campaign to become the nation's first woman presidential nominee has ended.

The former first lady is expected to thank supporters, formally endorse Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and urge Democrats to unite behind him in an effort to defeat presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain in November.

It's a dramatic end to one of the longest, most closely fought primary races in recent history, and one that is unbelievable to many of Clinton's most ardent supporters.

READ MORE AT ABC News !

hillary clinton barack obama 2008 election Turbo Tagger

Mid Life Crisis with Marianne Williamson and The Need For Change

derrick sorles — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:54:01 GMT

For about 15 years, I have kept Marianne Williamson's book RETURN TO LOVE, in my nightstand, and use it as a bible. My bible. I have never been big on church or organized religion, but with her book, found comfort - and answers. When I am having a bad day or need answers, I can usually open the book up to any page, and find something to help me.

No matter how many times I read the passages, they seem to help. But lately, I can not seem to find comfort in the section on work - and purpose in life. So I was at her site today and saw 2 pieces of news which help me!

She has a new book out - The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife - which came out this past January. And she says, "Sometimes what we appear to have lost is simply something it was time to leave behind. Perhaps our system just lets something go, your having moved through the experience and now needing it no more. "

The need for change as we get older—an emotional pressure for one phase of our lives to transition into another—is a human phenomenon, neither male nor female. There simply comes a time in our lives—not fundamentally different from the way puberty separates childhood from adulthood—when it’s time for one part of ourselves to die and for something new to be born.

The purpose of this book by best-selling author and lecturer Marianne Williamson is to psychologically and spiritually reframe this transition so that it leads to a wonderful sense of joy and awakening.

In our ability to rethink our lives lies our greatest power to change them. What we have called “middle age” need not be seen as a turning point toward death. It can be viewed as a magical turning point toward life as we’ve never known it, if we allow ourselves the power of an independent imagination—thought-forms that don’t flow in a perfunctory manner from ancient assumptions merely handed down to us, but rather flower into new archetypal images of a humanity just getting started at 45 or 50.

What we’ve learned by that time, from both our failures as well as our successes, tends to have humbled us into purity. When we were young, we had energy but we were clueless about what to do with it. Today, we have less energy, perhaps, but we have far more understanding of what each breath of life is for. And now at last, we have a destiny to fulfill—not a destiny of a life that’s simply over, but rather a destiny of a life that is finally truly lived.

Midlife is not a crisis; it’s a time of rebirth. It’s not a time to accept your death; it’s a time to accept your life—and to finally, truly live it, as you and you alone know deep in your heart it was meant to be lived.

I also discovered, Marianne is making a personal appearance

HERE IN THE CHICAGO AREA, Friday, June 20th

at a benefit for THE PEACE ALLIANCE -

"The Politics of Possibility" -

tickets are $40 - call 815-987-9897 -

that whole weekend in Chicago is the 2008 Midwest Regional Conference for a U.S. Department of Peace - on Saturday and Sunday.

marianne williamson mid life crisis age of miracles return to love a course in miracles Turbo Tagger

4 PLUS 1 = Supermodel Ronnie Kroell Bridging Diversity

derrick sorles — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:47:46 GMT

Ronnie Kroell founded 4 + 1 Productions after he saw the need for someone to address the growing issues created by stereotypes and false assumptions about the differences between people.   Supported by the alarming statistics involving hate crimes and discrimination cases, Ronnie began to engage other members of the community who also shared his passion for positive change. This is a great example of a young person taking charge and doing something positive to create change!

        "With an expanding network of multi-cultural affiliates we are confident that our dream to build a bridge between the diverse backgrounds in Chicago will become a reality. By encouraging individuals to value the unique strengths and differences of each human experience, we will challenge participants to put aside their prejudices and open their minds and hearts to diversity."

Since his fame from MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL, Ronnie has been propelled into the spotlight.
Hopefully, he can keep his mission alive.

ronnie kroell make me a supermodel 4 + 1 gay chicago life by design Turbo Tagger

How Do You Get The Life You Want To Live?

derrick sorles — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:36:13 GMT

You've been putting it off forever —

that secret dream to start a business,
write a book,
run a marathon....
Whatever your desire, ignoring it means denying who you really are.
And don't you deserve better?

I did some research on the topic this week, to see what others had to say. REDBOOK had a great article that said, "Wherever you are on the dream spectrum, your aspiration may be slipping away. "We let our dreams lag because our overcommitted lives make them seem impractical," says life coach Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction. "We're spread so thin that it's hard to be 'selfish' and put your efforts toward something just for you." Plus, going after a goal may be scary: The fear of failure - or of how your life will change if you succeed - can be paralyzing."

You have got to create a plan:

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION
MAKE ROOM FOR YOUR DREAMS
SET A DATE

John Robson at The Happy Guy says, "Choice. It's all about freedom--the freedom to pick one thing over another. Are you choosing what you want from life? "

How do you typically make decisions? Do you do so based on:

"shoulds" – doing what you believe you should do.

pleasing others – doing what others want or expect you to do.

fear – choosing the safe route for fear of doing something different.

habit and reaction – you don't even think about what you're doing--you've always done it this way?

On the other hand, you own your power to choose when you decide on the basis of:

desire – choosing something you want.

need – responding to deeper desires.

authenticity – you know who you are and what you stand for.

creative expression – you strive to be more.

Empowerment arises from the three Cs: choice, courage and change. They are yours to claim. You'll be astounded at how easy it will be to take charge once you've made up your mind to do so. You have the opportunity to create a future that's very different from your past. And remember: not choosing is also a choice.

life by design happiness the life you want design your life career change mid life crisis Turbo Tagger

How to Stand Out in a Crowd and Meet People

derrick sorles — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:57:49 GMT

Do you ever go to party or networking work function and spot people who seem to know everyone and talking to everyone?

Before moving to Chicago full time, my partner and I lived in Michigan and for 18 months, had an apartment in Chicago, before transitioning here full time. It was our "weekend cabin."

After a year of spending weekends here, we were out one Sunday having brunch with a friend who had lived here for 15 years. As we walked down the street and said "hi" to various familiar faces, he could not believe how many people we knew and did not even live here yet! And he questioned how we could possibly know more people than him.

So many people go through life never talking to strangers. Or they are so self-absorbed they have no desire to meet new people. Or maybe someone is just shy and has a hard time stepping out of their comfort zone. We talk to strangers all the time and are always networking.

Here are a few tips to be that friendly, more out-going person...

Stand up straight and look people directly in the eye when talking to them. Self-assurance is very attractive. If you have to fake it, then fake it. It gets easier the more you practice. People will believe that there must be some underlying reason for your self-confidence.

Smile and make eye contact with every person you speak with. But don't stare. Flirt a little. Even if you are passing by a stranger and happen to make eye contact - do you smile at them? or say hi?

Compliment each person you talk to and find out something interesting about them. It's not ALL ABOUT YOU! It's about THEM. Ask questions. People are most interested in themselves. Everyone has something intriguing about them - you just may have to dig a little to find it.

Work the room - if you are at an event or party, Circulate! Don't get trapped with the same people all evening. Break away within ten-fifteen minutes of meeting someone and move on. You can always come back. If someone drones on and on, excuse yourself immediately and walk away.

Exchange cards with people. You know how many times I go out and give someone my card, and they say they didn't bring any with them! ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CARDS! And if you don't use a business card, have a personal card made. VISTA PRINT offers basically free business cards! Create a fun and conversational card. I hate seeing people write down their name and phone numbers on a cocktail napkin! - And make a habit to follow up with people afterwards. Amazingly, 67% of people do not follow up in business.

Introduce people you meet to each other. I know so many people who never do this. This gives you the appearance of being popular and helps you to remember names and faces. - When I meet a stranger who might be new in town and know no one, if they hang out with us for a day they will met at least 10 new people.

Invest a couple hours each week, to your own individual personal and professional development. Never stop learning or designing your life! Stretch your comfort zone and take risks. You only go through this life once - maximize it! Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary?!

life of the party making friends win friends smile Turbo Tagger

The Secret Life? of Siegfried & Roy - How The Tiger Kings Tamed Las Vegas

derrick sorles — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:22:23 GMT

It's here! The so-called "scandalous book" that has been talked about for 6 months.

The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy: How the Tiger Kings Tamed Las Vegas

I read the book over last weekend. As some of you may know, I worked for S & R for about 7 years, right up until his accident. I have the utmost respect for them. They are inspiring and live by example some of thoughts behind this site. They

D - decided what they wanted to do
E - established goals
S - set yourself up for success
I - internalize the vision
G - go beyond your goals
N - never stop dreaming or designing!

It was an honor to work for them!

Everyone has a personal, private life. Some things they may not want shared with others. VERY FEW people live the life of an "open book." Everyone has "secrets" or things they may not be proud of, that they keep private. So what? A lot of gay people in the media's eye choose to stay in the closet. Look at Liberace! ( a close friend to Siegfried & Roy). He denied he was gay till the end, even on his death bed withering away from AIDS. Eventually, all secrets come out.

The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy reveals the touching, little-known story of how two youngsters founded a friendship, a franchise, and a tempestuous on-and-off love affair that would last a lifetime.

Like most celebrities and very public people, they work very hard to control their image and public perception. In the weeks and months that followed the accident, more coverage was given to Siegfried & Roy than they had ever seen in whole career. In the spotlight as never before, Roy’s mauling triggered the press’ relentless investigation into the secret world of these Las Vegas icons. For the first time ever, author Louis Mydlach, a longtime friend––at Roy’s side throughout his traumatic recovery––describes in detail the agonies of rehabilitating the partially paralyzed performer. - Roy was undergoing strenuous rehabilitation. He wanted to present a stiff upper lip to his adoring fans. People hide things because they are afraid of what others may think. Being a gay man myself, I learned at an early age that is too short to lie! Just be yourself. And if someone will not accept you for who you are, do you really want them in your life?

Siegfried & Roy dazzled audiences’ eyes for decades as they masterfully hid a lifetime of secrets. Key players in the duo’s inner circle––Louis Mydlach, his security chief father Jim Mydlach, and show consultant Jimmy Lavery––finally unravel the untold story: The life of Siegfried & Roy was their ultimate illusion.

Is the book scandalous? Not really. I would not call it scandalous. It gives the reader an inside look into two very private lives of two great men who happened to be gay and involved for numerous years in an on-again off-again love relationship.

The book exposes what happened behind closed doors. THEY ARE HUMAN. They fight. They cry. They have emotions. They are just like you and me. It's the private life we never got to see or read about because they protected their privacy. Unlike Britney!

They are still amazing men who accomplished so many things and changed the face of magic and the face of Las Vegas. Reading the book will not change your feelings about them, but you will probably appreciate them more, by seeing this human side of them.

Guest writer - Michael Snell

The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy: How the Tiger Kings Tamed Las Vegas

siegfried & roy white tigers magicians secret life of las vegas gay men Turbo Tagger

The Celebrity Experience - How Nice Do You Treat People

derrick sorles — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:43:08 GMT

My whole life I have provided customer service. And 99% of the time, I made it outstanding customer service. It's not hard to do! The customer is handing you money for something - and you want to deliver a great experience, so that they keep coming back! It's not rocket science!

But we have all had it happen to us. You are having a great day. You walk into a store or a restaurant and get a bitter, unhappy person to wait on us. Or, maybe YOU are having a really bad day, and it's affecting your mood. And someone tries to provide you good service and you bite off their head for no good reason at all, other than the fact you are having a bad day.

Customer service is in such a bad state right now. I can not tell you how many times I have gotten awful service in the last couple years, yet the person delivering the bad service, thinks nothing of it. It usually has even nothing to do with someone's bad mood. They just don't care. You know how many nightclubs and restaurants I am a "regular" at? The owners know me by face and yet 80% of them never even stop and say "HI" to me.

GREAT customer service can make a mediocre product shine. And BAD customer service can tarnish a great product. Just this past weekend we had brunch at our favorite Chicago Sunday brunch spot - Angelina's. The food is great! The crowd is fun! But you can ALWAYS be assured of mediocre-bad service from the waitstaff! We just accept it because we like the food, a lot of friends eat there. and it's a great location. However if I was Brad Pitt, I can guarantee my waiter at Angelina's would deliver 5 star service!

Over the weekend, I met author Donna Cutting at the SOBCon08 blogging conference. In her new book The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service, Donna shares stories about how YOU can do a better job of providing customer service. This book is packed with stories about GREAT customer service from the hotel, food and beverage, airline, and so many other industries that if you have a job that relates to customer service in some way, this book will have something you can relate to.

Combining the best practices of the Hollywood celebrity scene with those of the business world, The Celebrity Experience is the extreme makeover of customer service! Learn how to generate buzz and positive word of mouth about your business by giving your customers the red carpet treatment.

Imagine a world where red carpets were rolled out for you wherever you went and you were always greeted by name and with a smile. Imagine being admired and complimented by strangers on a daily basis. Imagine if those who did business with you always bent over backwards to cater to your personal desires and needs. If that sounds like a fantasyland, it is. And it's called Hollywood! But the principles can be applied to any business.

It all comes down to ATTITUDE. Until you develop the right attitudes in your team, or in yourself, you cannot deliver great customer service. I read a great line at 1000 Ventures that said, YOUR ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE!

Derrick Sorles and Michael Snell - We Help "Pull" New Business To You!
Your Business MD's- Business Blog Consultants -Web 2.0 Consultants and Strategists

donna cutter the celebrity experience gal morale red carpet service customer service Turbo Tagger

May, Mothers Day and Namaste

derrick sorles — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:42:41 GMT

I am on Deepak Chopra's e-newsletter list for NAMASTE, and in it this month he says, "In the magnificent month of May, we bring our awareness to the gifts of creation and motherhood, and we celebrate the loving souls who brought us into this world ― our mothers. Whether we were raised in Papua New Guinea or New York City, the energy of the divine mother made it possible for each of us to emerge from the field of pure potentiality into the manifest world.

This issue of Namasté honors the mother, the earth, and the goddess Shakti, a popular and powerful archetype that embodies the feminine aspect of creation. In Hinduism, Shakti is the divine mother who gives birth to and nurtures new life, whether a newborn baby, a brand-new relationship, a fresh idea, or a magical manifestation."

Mothers Day and Spring is a great time for reflection and a time to give thanks. Gratitude.

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown ~

namaste mothers day gratitude renewal deepak chopra spring time Turbo Tagger

Reaching Out to Help a Fellow Blogger - Bad Evans

derrick sorles — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:18:19 GMT

This is something I came across and wanted to share with all of you. In my work, I read a lot of blogs. And I discovered a GLBT blog called BAD EVANS about a month ago. He writes about news, politics, fashion, entertainment, etc. I think he has been blogging about 8 months and has a pretty popular blog.

At any rate, he has been suffering from Sever Ulcerative Colitis for a couple of years now, I found out. He has been on very high doses of steroids for 2 years now, and they are taking their toll on his body. The side effects are becoming just as bad as the disease. The doctors have said that they can’t keep him on that treatment any longer. It’s time to operate. This week, he is having a complete Colectomy. You know, they go in and take out your entire large intestine, colon and rectum. He is a 26 year old cute gay boy!! You think of someone having major surgery like that when they are much older. Not 26.

Luckily, his surgery and needed medical supplies will be covered. The surgery is a 6 hour procedure and he will be bed ridden at the hospital for 2 weeks. Alone. It’s too far for his family to drive and they really can’t afford to both pay for a hotel room for 2 weeks and take that time off from work. So, people are trying to raise a little money which could be used so that his family can be with him through his hospital stay.

At this site, Life By Design, we try to be inspirational and motivational and it's all about living a positive life, being kind to others, and trying to make a difference. And that's how my partner and I try to live our lives. And when someone is in need, we try to help. We don't have much. And since trying to launch our own business, there are scarey months where we are not even sure we can pay all of our bills. But we do what we can. So I am telling you this story about Evan to share his life drama with you. And if someone finds it in their hearts to help this young man out, he is able to take contributions online through PayPal to paypal @ badevan.com - If you don't have a PAYPAL account, there is a tip jar on the left hand sidebar of this site, you can leave a donation there and we can forward it to thim. This is not a scam. We are just trying to help out a fellow gay blogger.

People like Oprah and Bill Clinton talk about the power of giving. Everyone doing little things can make a difference in this world. No matter what you have, or where you are at in your life, there is always someone worse off and less fortunate. We just try to be grateful every day for what we have and help when we can.

So on that note, you are in our thoughts and prayers, Evan!

Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles

GLBT blogs gay blogs gay bloggers bad evans colitis life by design Turbo Tagger

How Happy Are You?

derrick sorles — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:04:45 GMT

How Happy Are You?

The Happiness Institute created this test -

Please read each of the following group of statements and select the one statement in each group that best describes the way you have been feeling for the past week, including today.

1. (a) I feel miserable almost all the time.
(b) I often feel miserable.
(c) I usually feel neutral.
(d) I usually feel pretty good.
(e) I feel great almost all the time.

2. (a) I find life to be boring all the time.
(b) I’m pretty bored with most aspects of life.
(c) I find life boring at times but at other times, it interests me.
(d) I’m interested in most aspects of life.
(e) I find life and living to be absolutely fascinating.

3. (a) I have no direction or life purpose.
(b) I’m unsure about my life direction and purpose.
(c) Sometimes I feel like I know my life purpose.
(d) I’m pretty clear about my life purpose and direction.
(e) My life purpose and direction is crystal clear.

4. (a) I have no energy and feel tired almost all the time.
(b) I often feel tired and lethargic.
(c) I usually have enough energy to do what I need to do.
(d) Most of the time I feel energetic and enthusiastic.
(e) I’m bursting with energy and enthusiasm almost all the time.

5. (a) I’m extremely pessimistic about the future.
(b) There are times when I feel pessimistic about the future.
(c) I’m not sure about the future, one way or the other.
(d) I’m pretty optimistic about the future.
(e) I’m extremely optimistic and excited about the future.

6. (a) I don’t have any close friends.
(b) I have a few friends but none I really consider close.
(c) I a few good friends and family members with whom I’m close.
(d) I have quite a few good friends.
(e) I have lots of good friends & feel I easily connect with everyone.

7. (a) I don’t think I have any strengths at all.
(b) I’m not sure whether or not I have any strengths.
(c) I’m getting to know my strengths.
(d) I know my strengths and try to use them when I can.
(e) I know exactly what my strengths are and I use them all the time.

8. (a) I never enjoy myself no matter what I’m doing.
(b) I find it difficult to enjoy life in the moment.
(c) I try to enjoy life as much as I can.
(d) I enjoy myself most of the time.
(e) I thoroughly enjoy every moment.

9. (a) I have absolutely nothing for which to be grateful.
(b) There’s not much in my life for which I’m grateful.
(c) I’m grateful for a few things in my life.
(d) I have quite a few things in my life for which I’m grateful.
(e) I’m extremely grateful for so many things in my life.

10. (a) I’ve accomplished nothing.
(b) I’ve not accomplished much in life.
(c) I’ve accomplished about as much as the average person.
(d) I’ve accomplished more in life than most people.
(e) I’ve accomplished a great deal more in life than most people.

Score each question from 1 to 5 where (a) equals 1 and (e) equals 5 (your maximum score, therefore, should be 50).

If you scored 40 or above – you’re doing extremely well. Keep up the great work.

If you scored 30-39 – you’re doing pretty well but might like to review the questions on which you scored 3 or below and consider how you might improve in these areas.

If you scored below 29 – you could be much happier!

If you’re interested in learning how you could be happier then check out the coaching and course options, as well as the products & resources, at The Happiness Institute- they offer a free e-newsletter and lots of free resources at their site.

How satisfied are you with your life? What can you do to improve your happiness level?
Film maker Line Hatland documented a study on happiness in How Happy Can You Be? an educational film.
Among many other things, we learn the three main factors contributing to happiness, including life circumstances, intentional activity (what one chooses to do), and one's genetic makeup.

We all define happiness in different ways. And we all find inner happiness in different ways. I think the real secret is to not get so caught up in the little stuff, that we forget what is important to us.

Design a Life With Random Acts of Kindness

derrick sorles — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:36:45 GMT

Remember when the book Random Acts of Kindness first came out?

It's been 15 years! 10 years ago the foundation was started. The Random Acts of Kindness™ Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. They provide free educational and community ideas, guidance, and other resources to kindness participants through their website.

"Through the dissemination of ideas and the development of materials and programs, we have helped our kindness coordinators – including educators, students, community members, faith groups, service clubs, and others – incorporate kindness into thousands of schools and communities. As people tap into their own generous human spirit and share kindness with one another, they discover for themselves the power of kindness to effect positive change. When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community connections are nourished, and people are inspired to pass kindness on."

Stop by and visit them! They provide a wide variety of materials on our website, including activity ideas, lesson plans, project plans, teacher's guide, project planning guide, publicity guide, and workplace resources all free of charge.

We can change the world!

Life by Design Presents PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME Customized Self-Help Program

derrick sorles — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:55:46 GMT

Tired? In a rut? Depressed?

Unhappy with what’s going on in your life?

Are you making the right career decisions?

Do you have a plan—what are your goals?

Are relationships draining or energizing you?

One of the things that I have always been passionate about is understanding personality types and utilizing psychological type theories to help people. And someone asked me the other day, if I still did that. YES! Even though blogging and Internet Marketing has taken over a large portion of my life, I still offer this service.

Don’t waste your time on another workshop or seminar that “pumps you up” but doesn’t create any lasting change in key areas of your life. Because life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual, there’s PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME: a one-on-one program guaranteed to clarify your personal values, goals and unique skills and personality characteristics using psychological type theory.

In just 2 sessions, use proven personality type information to first—better understand yourself—and second—better understand others different from you.

Understand what motivates you and what drains you and why

Take charge of your life’s direction and create a plan for the future

Understand and identify your unique gifts and potential areas for growth, while respecting those different from yours Improve the quality of relationships in your life

Better manage and reduce conflict and stress

Improve your ability to communicate and listen

Take your workplace performance and promotibility to the next level Enjoy a greater sense of happiness, purpose and fulfillment daily.

Personalized consultation packages start as low as $295 – pricing includes all professional learning instruments, assessment tools and accompanying text materials.

Derrick Sorles 773-878-5323 e-mail me

please understand me understanding personality types life by design
self-help consultation reduce conflict reduce stress Turbo Tagger

Miss Trixie Deluxe....A Dog's Life

derrick sorles — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:16:16 GMT

We had talked about getting a dog the last couple years, so for Christmas, our best friend bought us a dog. Miss Trixie Deluxe! She is a 4 pound bundle of energy, miniature yorkshire terrier. (She was only 2 pounds when she arrived in December...she seems so HUGE now!)

People often say, "in my next life, I want to come back as a dog!" (or a cat). The thinking is that they (pets) have an easy life....no worries....food when they want, sleep when they want, and lots of lovin'! - Right now Miss Trixie is fast asleep on my lap, without a care in the world! Except to protect me of course...the least little sound will awaken her and get her barking!

If you believe in reincarnation, and I think I do, I once read where our spirit constantly evolves, until it reaches a perfection. A Ghandi-like quality. And I had read we first start as plants, then evolve to animals, and then to humans. You really can't go backwards. - But the thought of coming back as a creature without a care in the world seems kind of appealing! -

This coming saturday she is having a puppy play-day with 29 other Yorkies, at the Chicago Meet-Up for Yorkies. For about 2 hours, she will run and play like crazy, non-stop, with these other dogs, chasing each other like crazy! It's funny to watch!

At this time in my life, where there seems to be lot's of stress, coming back as a dog, sounds like a nice thought, but in reality, I don't know. There is so much I have experienced in this life, that I would not trade it for anything. And hopefully so much more still yet to experience and grow from. But maybe we can stop, take a deep breathe, and live like a dog for a moment. Just enjoy it. The moment. We get so caught up in an avalanche of fear and desires that propel us into a race we can't possibly win.

I read a poem once by Donna Fargo that said,

"Be thankful and look to every day with positive hope.

Take time to pull yourself away
from all the noise and just look around you.
Take inventory.
Appreciate those who enhanced the quality of your life,
and remember that they have been a gift to you.
Also remember that you're a gift to them,too.

Be grateful for the choices you've made, both good and bad.
Accept your mistakes; you can't change them anyway.
Apply what you've learned and go on.
Use these lessons to help you with your decisions in life.
Appreciate yourself and your own uniqueness.

Go outside and look at the sky.
Soak in the atmosphere.
Enjoy the colors of the landscape.
Feel the textures of every place you are that you're thankful for.
Smile at the world.
Don't allow any negative feelings to creep into your consciousness.
Feel the power of your own acceptance.
Put a positive spin on every thought you have.

Make every day special. Own it. Enjoy it. Bask in the glory of life.
Appreciate the gift of your own life."

Just something to think about.

Derrick Sorles and Michael Snell - We Help Bring New Business To You!
Your Business MD's- Business Blog Consultants/Web 2.0 Consultants and Strategists

trixie miniature yorkshire terrier yorkie postive thoughts donna fargo reincarnation Turbo Tagger