Dream … Maker

This is my reality  - for the moment. 

It’s 7:23am.  I’m sitting in my favorite chair, at my favorite place (my porch) with my favorite mug (creamy white) filled with my favorite beverage (cream & French roast coffee).  Next to me on my little stone table is a plate of fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple) and cheese (white cheddar) on my favorite plate (Tuscan red). 

The birds are singing and it’s about 70º.  I have my favorite throw (amber chenille) over my legs and feet with this computer on my lap.  I’m planning to write about another topic straight from my dreams (and it’s a very strange subject for a dream!)

Illusion is the topic, but I’m going to give it a twist.  It’s not about illusion and magic, but illusion in regards to reality.  In fact I’m thinking of these titles - “illusional reality” or “the reality of illusion”.  Let’s see which wins - if either. 

One of the ways I write is to just write and edit later - that way is comes from my heart.  Ok … I’m ready to tackle this … let’s see where it’ll take us. 

When I woke up the other morning - about 3:00am - I wrote down these words … “Illusion - what’s up is down, what’s down is up, what’s here is there, what’s there is here, what’s fast is slow, etc….”  I’ve written about this before - questioning what really IS truth.  And I think (I’m not checking to confirm this) I left it that truth had to do with perspective.  Whether it’s mine, yours, theirs, or other-worldlies. 

For now, let me use an example of Illusion from my World of Furniture - a real place, with a real punishment/reward system — sell furniture (get money to pay my bills - a great reward!) or don’t sell furniture (make no money … work very hard for nothing - a dreary punishment!).   Anyway, more to the point … I must consistently behave a certain way towards my customers, which is to be conversational, friendly, caring, questioning and solutions-oriented - in other words, it’s my JOB to form a relationship with a stranger.  I have to do it well so that they are comfortable with who I am when they leave (so that they will remember me if they return). 

Oh friends, so much of that behavior is simply learned and programmed - it’s the “illusion” or “hat” I put on when I enter the furniture store.  It’s so hard at times, too, because I would love just to be me (really me).  Rather than give a summary of me, just know that what I write in my posts and in my books is really me. 

Here is the application, though.  We all live a public life, a private life and let’s just say an “inner/spiritual life”.  Whatever we choose to reveal in our public and private lives - in other words, whatever reality we put out there there is a choice.  We can choose to be ourselves or not.  That’s the freedom we have that no one can rob us of.  But there’s one place that I suggest that we be true to ourselves - and that’s in our “inner life”.  This is where we make things real anyway - from the Spirit part of us - which (or who) is the Real Us! 

That’s what my books are about - “makeovers for you and your home” have to do with getting in touch with your Real Self so that you can live your dreams, and also be able to live in the home of your dreams. 

For most of the Non-Dreamers in the world … dreams are simply an illusion.  The here and now is the reality.  But to those of use who have relearned, or are in the process of learning, how to embrace our true selves and our dreams - it’s our dreams that we believe will eventually replace the here and now of today, and will one day become our NEW reality. 

Ok which title will win … how interesting, neither wins.  I realized that throughout this post, my  subject is more about believing and dreaming.  That’s reality.  And as we dream it, hopefully we’ll experience it “for real”.   

So … That’s all Folks … Talk to you soon and Love to you all …

Hope …

I woke up from a dream just 30 minutes ago - I quickly got my coffee so that I could write it all down.  I know this dream is a result of two MAJOR things I’ve experienced this week.  Let me tell you about these things and then I’ll explain the dream.

 ♥

1st thing:  After 4 years of writing my books and planning my website, I’m faced with the exciting (and looming) reality of finishing the project … which means - it’s now time to expose my "babies" to the real world … which means either I’ll make it as an author or I won’t … and ultimatley my success or failure will determine whether I’ve created a legitimate 2nd income, or simply established a hobby for myself.   So in preparation for this, I’ve been studying marketing ideas, and realizing how much I don’t know and how much money it takes to ‘do it right", according to the experts. 

 ♥

But there is something I must do, and it doesn’t cost a ¢¢¢ (just lots of sense) … it’s to concisely and confidently be able to explain EXACTLY who I am, what I do, and what makes me different.  In other words, what could possibly set Alie James and her books apart from all her competion in the Healthy & Beauty and Home Furnishings Industry?

So, that’s Reality Check #1. 

 ♥

The 2nd thing was Reality Check #2, and it was much more serious than the first … 

As you know, I work in the Home Furnishings Industry (in a Furniture Store).  I’ve made a living from this Industry and it’s been a very rewarding experience.  All of us in this industry have been experiencing very difficult times, as we are so closely tied to the economy - especially to consumer confidence, housing, the presidential election and GAS prices  - those things always affect it positively or negatively. 

 ♥

So ……………  we were visited this week from our reginal manager (Dan), whose mission was to bring us a Reality Check - a "state of the union" kind of speech.  And his message — the union just "ain’t so great".  But Dan also delivered a little bit more than the required "Reality Check".  He delivered "Hope" (at least I received hope from his message).  

 ♥

After his meeting, I realized that I didn’t feel too bad because I was hopeful that everything would turn out alright - I had "caught" his optimism.  But later, after I was speaking with some others, I found out that there were two very opposite points of view, and that perhaps I was being naive by adopting such hope.  

Ok - pretty emotionally draining week, don’t you think?  Well, here’s my dream:

The dream was about meeting a very old friend who was asking me to explain to her exactly what I was trying to accomplish with my books.  I was fumbling along, saying this and saying that, and she kept saying "no … they don’t need this", "no, … they don’t need that".  Finally, just a few seconds before I woke up, I said …

"I guess my books are about Hope" … 

 ♥

And then she reminded me that not everyone needed a message of Hope, only women who were very much like me (Diane).   When I woke up, I realized that there is so much energy and power in Hope.  Personally, it’s been "Hope" that gives me the enthusiasm, the optimism, the drive to get up every morning and give my best - to my friends, my family and my customers.  And now, more than ever, with such BAD NEWS, it’ll be hope that gets me going and through these challenging times. 

So, here are some of the things that I HOPE for:  I hope to maintain (and make even better) what I still have - my health, my youthful appearance, and thank goodness, my sexuality.   Also, I want to make the home I have my Dream Home.  And of course, I hope that I’ll continue working in the Home Furnishings Industry for a while longer.  

Here’s the bottom line - the Marketing Message from Alie James is … Hope … 
Hope that life can truly be Simple, Beautiful and Complete!

 ♥

In regards to Dream Homes … The Dream Home Profile™ has made it possible for everyone to have a Dream Home - because a Dream Home isn’t dependent on the amount of money or things you have - rather it’s about knowing exactly what you need to make "the place you live" (your home) "feel just like home". 

In regards to Health & Beauty, the market’s a little more defined - probably Alie James relates best to women between 39 - 69 years old.  "My hope" is to give hope to women who need it - who want to look and feel as young and beautiful as long as possible.  We women are transitioning between our "second season" and "third season"  (i.e., we’re starting to end "Summer" and begin "Fall"). 

So, to all my friends … use your Wings … 
And let’s hope for the Best Years of our Lives … Alie

 

 

My Wish … for You

My Wish    Have a Listen

“Look at them boots, she’s gone country”  That’s Cindy, Christina’s and my newest friend, (Karen’s “bestest” friend).  She gave this toast at the wedding and it choked us all up.  So, I wanted to pass it on to you, my friends … along with one of my favorite songs, by Rascal Flats.  

Just a little thought to make your life  … simple, beautiful and complete!

Never Lie, Steal, Cheat or Drink….

But… if you must lie - lie in the arms of the one you love

If you must steal - steal away from bad company

If you must cheat - cheat death

And if you must drink — drink in all the moments that take your breath away!

River … Dance

The River, and its Dance …  a Tribute to Karen & Richard

August 2, 2008 … Karen & Richard’s wedding day, and a day that ended up becoming one of My Favorite Days!  After you read "Secrets …" and "The Ugly Duck Makeover", you’ll become quite familiar with the expression, "Favorite Days" - they’re life’s little treats that stay with you a lifetime.  The beauty of the scenery, the people, the music, the ceremony - "merged" together to create a majestic moment that I’ll never forget. 

Christina & I certainly didn’t know what to expect - we just followed the directions to their Cabin in the Mountains.  We parked, and as we were walking up the road there was their cabin with our American flag blowing in the wind (along with the Union Jack, too since Richard is English.)  Then we looked down the hill … omg …I had no idea we’d be next to a river … it was breath taking!

As they say … a picture is worth a THOUSAND words, so I thought I’d share a bit of this special day with you through these pictures rather than my words. 

Rock Me Mama.wma