I just saw the movie The King's Speech which I thought was fabulous.  By passing the facts -  the acting was amazing, the music gorgeous, Colin Firth - the same, the story fascinating, they were royalty...here is what it brought home to me.

1. Money doesn't equal happiness

2. Money doesn't equal happiness

3. Persevere persevere persevere

4. You have all you need inside you.

Those are my learnings for the day!! I would love to hear thoughts from anyone else who saw the movie.

Love,

Anne-Louise

www.anne-louise.com

We make old family recipes for the holidays, we sing while we cook and we tell stories. These are all part of Christmas with our family. From the oldest to the youngest, we look forward to all the laugher, silliness and the cooking. Oh the cooking...we HAVE to make the Ravioli, the Zeppoli, the Christolen...all the things our grandmothers made.

There is a connection in this, a connection to the past, to the larger family, to the love we share with each other no matter how crazy we may sometimes feel or act! In fact, we call each other across the country with the questions "How did your ravioli dough come out? We are frying the Zeppoli, are you?  Tell me how much salt you used this time."

You think we would know after all these years but part of the fun is the talking on the phone since we can't be together.

This year my 24 year old made the dough for the Zeppoli himself (under his father's direction) while I took my mother to midnight mass. He was so proud of himself and I was so proud of him. And so happy to see the tradition being passed down so when I am not around, my children will do it together.

We also love to share these traditions and foods with our friends. Since our greater family lives across the country, we create our family here with our friends.

So I sing the ravioli song in this show and tell an old Italian story called The Wise Sentence about a man who does NOT like to share. Listen and you will see what happens.

And then write and tell me about YOUR tradition!

On Christmas Night, my family along with my 83 year old mother watched the movie Elf.  I have probably seen it twice before. It is such a funny movie and yes some say predictable and sappy, but I still tear up when the crowd starts singing for Santa.

Watching this time I simply thought YES, this is what I want my life to be like. I want to be like Elf. The character of the Elf has that child like joy that I believe is essential for an Audaciously Joyful Life! One of my favorite lines goes something like “I love to smile, it is my favorite thing!”

Will Ferrel as the Elf must have had a wonderful time playing this role Imagine what it would be like to take delight in everything, not worry about things that in the end don’t really matter, to skip and jump for the pure joy of it…to have the 4 food group be candy, candy canes…I forget the other 2 candy categories but you can make up your own!!!

It sounds so simple and ordinary doesn’t’ it? Plus it goes against everything our society tells us that we ought to be like as ‘grown ups’ and certainly ‘grown ups’ in the business world.

Let’s revolt!!!   Let’s do it where ever and when ever we can. Let’s take delight in escalators and ice skating and colored lights and snow and rain and… and… and…..hugs and kisses and smiles and ourselves!

Yes this is not new news. Yes it may sound silly but the other way isn’t working is it?

So I have decided that today I am going to skip and jump just for the fun of it….I will make smiling my favorite thing, (not sure about the 4 food groups though) I am going to have an ELF day.

For this season of light and hope, I wish us all more Elf Days

I was writing this morning to clear my head. It often needs clearing in the morning! Sometimes as I write, a little voice inside me starts letting me know that perhaps there might be a  some little thing that I need to take care of...some way I have been behaving perhaps that really is not helpful to those around me. Does that ever happen to you?

When that little voice starts.. I have to listen. I did not in the old days or rather my young days but now I know I cannot ignore this. (and no I don't need to be medication!!)

So....as I listened, I remembered a song that I wrote in the persona of my alter ego 'Aunt Lena' quite awhile ago. The song told me that I have a choice I do not have to be a victim - I am in charge of my own happiness. This was just what I needed to hear today - funny how that happens isn't it? Singing it to myself helped me to take the steps I needed to take to change how I was acting (ie like a victim)

Below are the words, the familiar melody and a bit of wisdom from Lena. Sing along and together we will create a life of joy!!!

ps if you don't know this melody I will be putting an audio recording up in a few days. Till then you can even make up your own melody!

Ya know my great niece Anne-Louise who tinks she a star, well it took her a long time ta understand that makin’ gravy and makin’ yer own life are one and the same ting.

So I wrote dis little song ta help her along da way. Youse can sing it while ya makin’ da gravy and well, sing it all da time to keep ya feeling so good. ( Did youse know dat singing raises the feel good hormones? Bitta bing bitta bang… need I say more!)

Ya Gotta Make Your Own Gravy 

Aunt Lena aka Anne-Louise Sterry  September 2003   © lyrics Read more ...

Naseem Rakha is the author of The Crying Tree. I wanted to put her web site up here because her words stay in my mind.

Here also is a video she just posted on her site  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C9-34af8xo

I can't help but agree that we all complicit.

  I spent today at the zoo with a group of medically fragile children. These children are severly handicapped by 'normal' standards. They cannot speak,eat,move on their own. It was an amazing experience. I don't know what they can understand or perceive as they have no way to communicate this. Here is what I do know...the staff - teachers and para educators treat them with love and care and respect. The 8th grade student helpers were wonderful. The sunshine and fresh air was delightful for all. We saw so many animals...and lots of children saw our group. Read more ...

I just have to write for a minute about the weekend in LA about the convention!
It  was fabulous - so many amazing women. I learned so much, made so many wonderful connections, met so many 'sisters'. It truly was life changing for me.
I know there will be more sharing of this conference here on the WIN so follow them! You will not be disappointed.
I LOVE THE WIN

Till we all meet in LA for the International Convention. I can't wait!  (I know it is not considered cool but I do love exclamation points!) Having Been at a WIN event before I know this will be a fabulous day.

Best of all, our daughter who is 30 years old and a school guidance counselor is coming with me. How wonderful that the WIN is here for women of all ages - to help - teach - guide - share. How wonderful that she and I can share this experience together and from it will come ....well who knows what ...the possibilities are endless. Read more ...

Raining outside but cosy inside today. Aunt Lena and I just taped another show. Here is the thing....when I am feeling bad, coming to the WIN lifts me up...taping a show with 'Aunt Lena' who is eternally optimistic lifts me up ....and helps me remember what is true.

Listening to other shows does the same thing. We are connected to each other thru our experiences and  collective wisdom. I just love it. We are at the kitchen table of the world!!!  Hey I like that ...think I will go post about this idea so more people can chat about this together!

I had the good fortune to be asked to perform at a 60th Birthday celebration last week, several hours from my home. Of course Aunt Lena was asked as well. In fact, 'Lena' was who they wanted! 25 women along with one 4 week old baby made up the party. Being with them was wonderful because they clearly loved and cared for each other.There was such warmth and love in the room. (Just like being with the women of the WIN!) They had been friends for a long time...many had grown-up together. Read more ...