Life will teach you some pretty interesting lessons if you let it. Take being a business owner and having two babies back to back... I thought it would be cute to have boys twelve months apart, and IT IS! It's also a lot of work and requires dedication, organization and at least an ounce of hope. Here are some lessons having a family has taught me along the way...


1) Balance is key. In life, there are many daily responsibilities. Learning how to balance it all requires us to really look at what's important. Where do you want to put your time and energy? Some things may have to go, not because you don't care, but because they don't allow you to serve your purpose as easily. There will also be tasks that require you to sink your teeth into... Bring your life into focus and make time for balance. 

2) We need rest. The power of rest is sorely under-rated. When we are tired, we are not able to give our full potential. Our country is filled with busy bodies... Know there is time to rest and rejuvenate. When we allow ourselves time to recharge after a long task, day or week, we are better prepared for progress. Even stretching offers a wonderful release that money can't buy! Take time to relax and find "peace of mind" regularly. 

3) Keep the dream alive. Sometimes, our dreams seem so big and far away, but if we keep believin' before too long we're living what we used to dream of. Of course, it's good to have a healthy dose of reality, so be aware that you have to manifest your dream with passion and drive. Always remember, magical moments can happen in the right timing!

4) You better work it!  If we want results, we gotta' work. Executing a savvy schedule can bring rich rewards. Planning saves time and energy helping you achieve your goals. Checking off those accomplished tasks is rewarding! If you are having a hard time remembering why you're doing what you're doing, refer back to #1. 

Having the ability to balance "the important" to achieve our dreams is the greatest of all skills. When we plan for tomorrow, we can focus on today. 

Recently, my sister's confessed killer was granted a retrial for his sentence on death row. At first, it was a complete shock... Unbelievable, inconceivable. After eighteen years of suffering, the saga was granted to continue? No way! Anger set in. 

Processing the fact that while I had every right to be angry, I began wondering about all the great spiritual lessons and blessings overcoming this experience further could teach me and those around me. See, if we are here to grow spiritually, couldn't this be seen as a blessing? Bizarre concept, of course, but beyond the ego lies wisdom and trust in the unexplained. 

Anger is always an uncomfortable emotion... When you're a genuinely positive person, feeling fiery is not an easy feeling. When anger surfaces, we have to be rational. Recognizing these three truths about anger can change our perception and way of life forever. 

1) Know that anger is natural. In some ways, anger is healthy, it shows you care. While many of us would like to wish away this unsettling emotion, it is there to guide us on what is ideal and acceptable in our lives. 

2) Understand there is power in anger. When we understand that anger is a natural part of our lives, there to help us grow and prosper towards living the ideal experience, we are able to realize it's purpose and power. We can't do anything about what we don't acknowledge. If knowing is half the battle, then understanding and adapting is the other.

3) Transform anger into good. Anger may not feel good, but it has the ability to alter lives in a positive light. If something unfortunate happens, do what you can to recognize and overcome it. If possible, do what you can to avoid it happening in the future. Simple concept, it's true, but very effective.

No one is perfect, and we all have a lot to learn. While we think we have so much control over the elements in our lives, the truth is, many circumstances are completely out of our realm of understanding and control. The more flexible we are in understanding that anger is a natural emotion meant to be overcome, the more we will be able to transform that pesky emotion into what it was intended for, good.

Amy O'Pry Massey
www.opryconsulting.com

In the silence of your own spirit, what do you dream of?

There comes a point and time that where we come from, and the challenges we have encountered
in our past, no longer have a stronghold on our future.  In every successful person's life, they've taken what good they could from their past to push them forward into fulfilling their life's true purpose.  

What seperates dreamers from achievers? Courage...  The courage to overcome the past, the courage to overcome the fear, the courage to overcome obstacles, the courage to truly walk in faith and believe in the unseen.

Remember, we are always evolving.  Today, I encourage you to dream big, live with passion and have the courage to be who you were born to be!

Amy O'Pry

??Truth is, life happens to us all. Everybody has a story, some more sensational than others, but we all have pain from the past. Tragedies, letdowns, slaps in the faces... We've all got 'em. So how do you stay positive in a world full of setbacks? You decide to get over it.

Check out these steps for moving forward:

1) Acknowledge the problem. Knowing the root of any problem is key. Identify what you think and feel are holding you back. 

2) Take responsibility. We all play a part in our own well-being. To be forgiving of a situation doesn't mean what happened is okay, it just means you are not willing to spend any more of your energy re-living the pain. Recognize how your own perception is holding you back.

3) Imagine the ideal. Where would you like to go from this moment forward? Boundaries aside, what is the best case scenario? By painting the ideal picture, we are able to begin projecting possibility into our life.

4) Be ready and willing. Let's face it, people are not always eager for change. Sometimes we'd rather feel victimized than just getting over it, after all, we know how being miserable feels, but we don't necessarily know how delightful the future could be. When you are ready to move on, you'll find yourself looking for ways to be more understanding, more considerate of yourself and others, and you'll be filled with a desire to create a better life.

5) Commit to small changes. Make decisions that you can live with. Step by step we are creating our own reality. Little by little does the trick. By committing to take smalls steps in the right direction, we are able to create a preferred way of life for ourselves and those around us.

6) Understand, it's a process. Keep in mind, there will always be ups and down, no matter who you are or how good you live. How well we handle life is our testimony.

7) Accept health and happiness. Sounds funny, but it's not always easy to let go and feel joy. Some folks are so full of hang ups that they'd rather remember something bad that happened decades ago instead of doing their best to get over it. If you are still longing for inner peace, you must first accept that you are willing and able to be happy.

8) Reprogram you thoughts. If you have a difficult time with silencing the mind, you are not alone. Practicing self-control enhances our ability to maintain control over our emotions and thought process. When a less than desirable thought or image pops up in your mind, stop and replace it with something else... Whether it be gratitude, silence or positivity.  

9) Listen to yourself. Be your own best friend, rather than your own worst enemy. Think about it, an ideal friend would listen and support your need to be authentic to yourself and your need to be happy. We are given the power of instincts... Listening to ourselves allows room for guidance and purpose.

If knowing is half the battle, now all we need to do is act. Only by acknowledging our hang ups and doing what we can to get over them, are we able to live life more fully. Regardless of what has happened... Our happiness and well-being are worth moving forward.

Amy O'Pry Massey
www.opryconsulting.com

It's funny how we want something so bad, then one day, we have it. Goals can be equated to simply taking the initiative to move forward. Have you ever wondered if what you daydream about could really be your ideal balance? Here are some tips for "living the dream"... 

How To Get What You Want Out Of Life:


1) Listen to yourself - When we are in tune with our own happiness it shows. Sometimes, what we want can seem so far away, yet somehow, it's possible. Allow yourself to have fun brainstorming ideas of ways you can enrich your life both short and long term. 

2) Put it on paper - Acknowledging what we want by writing it down on a piece of paper can really set the intent. Whether we put the paper away or building a dream board, the energy of the universe begins to work in our favor. Don't be afraid to set your dream into motion!

3) Take small steps - We all know having what we want is usually earned. Patiently working little by little to strategically take steps in the right direction is key. Wisdom is gained when we are able to balance our present happiness and contentment while working on the future.

Getting want you want out of life is really not as hard as it seems. When we listen to ourselves, set our own happiness into motion and are open to achieve it, we can truly have what we really want.

Amy O'Pry Massey
www.opryconsulting.com

We all know the popular phrase, "The truth hurts"... Let's face it; Keeping honest without hurting someone can be tricky.  You know that "foot in the mouth" feeling when you wish you weren't still talking?  Yep, it happens to the best of us.

Utilize this one tip for telling the truth without Spilling the Beans:


- How much do they really need to know?  See, the way we communicate is the bedrock of who we are and how we impact others.  Sometimes, "the devil IS in the details".  When dealing with any subject, we must allow kindness to be our guide.  By pausing to consider our best possible reply, we can be comforted that it doesn't usually require much.  In these times, less is more, so by keeping it simple, we can stay honest without regret.

Remember, “it's the carefully edited truth".

Amy O'Pry Massey
O'Pry Consulting
www.opryconsulting.com
Public Relations and Business Development

Have you ever wondered how positive people make happiness look so easy?  Of course, we all know through experience that continually living in gratitude isn't easy, however with a little effort here and there, it can be done! 

Apply these 4 universal truths for growing an attitude of gratitude -

1) Take Inventory:  What good do you have in your life right now?  There are so many things to be grateful for, yet it takes ongoing work to see and appreciate blessings.  By taking a tally of how fortunate we are on a daily basis, we can make a huge difference in how our seeds of gratitude and happiness grow. 

2) Build Your Dream:  All too often, people get so caught up in the outside world that they fail to nourish the beauty from within.  "Keeping the dream alive" takes focus!  Getting to know ourselves and what we have to offer the world is one of the greatest blessings we'll ever provide.  By writing down our dreams and wishes, without judgment, we are that much closer to filling our life's purpose.

3) Encourage Others:  If you'll notice, there are a lot of people in the world who need lifting up, and we're included!  By continually providing value to ourselves and others through kindness and acceptance, we begin to feel better, automatically! 

4) Keep Going: Contrary to popular belief, no one is happy all the time.  Even the highest spiritual leaders have moments of discouragement.  Like a roller coaster, life is full of ups and down, twists and turns...  Sometimes all it takes is talking with a trusted friend or mentor, researching solutions, or simply jotting down our thoughts and feeling to take the load off.  As my momma likes to say, "this too shall pass".

Let us remember, gratitude is a daily, thought by thought process, and appreciating the small blessing in our life adds up quick! 

Amy O'Pry
O'Pry Consulting
www.opryconsulting.com
Public Relations and Business Development

When we are passionate, it shows!  People start to take notice when you are living through what you love.  Okay, so not everything we do in life overflows our "cup of joy" even though to be happy we must do it.  Do you ever secretly wonder how you could live with more passion? 

While earning my Certification in Business Development with FocalPoint InternationaI, I was thrust into a whole new world of inspiration that transformed my understanding of success and how to get it.  If you are like me,  you read a lot of books and articles, watch a lot of videos, and even listen to CD's that help you become your most successful self. 

By chance, do you currently write down your goals?  If so, great!  If not... why?  What if I told, right now, you could start accomplishing your dreams by writing down your passions, would you?  Could you break through the fear and be honest with yourself about what it is you truly want?  I have to admit, it takes a lot of nerve!

Although striving for our dreams can be scary, living without passion is much worse.  See, it's when we listen to our intuition, and trust the power of our individual passions, are we able to give back to the world around us... and truly embrace our purpose.  So what drives you?  What gets your motor running?  Chances are, THOSE are your passions!  You know, the beauty about life is that we have options, and the choice is ours!

Happy Weekend!

Amy O'Pry
www.opryconsulting.com
Learn. Grow. Inspire.

Plain and simple, social media is the best way to communicate with the most people at one time.  This interactive platform  allows your company to connect, support and  network with your community by becoming a part of their everyday social media network.

Serving as a powerful branding tool, social media weaves your company presence throughout the online community and allows you to inform others of "who you are and what you believe in" with each post.  Reportedly, 83% of businesses with one hundred employees or more are using social media in 2012; of course, you don't have to be a large company to amplify your professional presence...  From large to small, just about any business can benefit from the power of social media. 

Check out these six reasons social media is good for business:

Customers - Social Media gives a new meaning to the phrase, "people do business with people they like".  By encouraging your current clients to "Like" your company's social media pages opens the door to a continual customer/company line of communication.  They can introduce your company to their social media connections by posting testimonials on your company page, make comments on your posts, and like and share your updates. 

Potential Customers - These days, when people want to know about a product or service they go straight to the internet.  Social Media affects your "online presence" and in turn, how others see your company professionally.  Having an up-to-date company website and active social media pages will communicate the strengths of your company in a positive light. 

Employees - When people feel valued, they get all warm and fuzzy.  Social Media can be a great tool in boosting company morale by sharing company pictures, awards and celebrations.  After team members "Like" your company pages, employees can "Share" posts with their friends and family encouraging their connections to "Like" the page, too.  

Suppliers -  Connecting online with companies you do business with can increase company bonds on and off line.  It's a cool way to let them know you support and appreciate their services. 

Friends and Family - People who love us naturally want to support us.  Asking your friends and family to "Like" your company page expands your connection outside of family functions and special events and allows them to support and share your company with their connections online. 

Community Network - Connecting with community businesses, organizations and nonprofits through social media is a good way of building a positive professional image.  By 'liking'  your local companies and charities, you are supporting your community.

Keeping your company's social media updated requires continual maintenence.  If you'd like to know more about how your business can jump on the social media bandwagon like a pro, feel free to contact me at amyopry@opryconsulting.com. 

When you maximize your company's online presence, people take notice.

Amy O'Pry Massey
www.opryconsulting.com
Public Relations and Business Development



 

These days, we can measure just about anything.  According to the wildly popular "DISC Assessment", we can even measure “how we act".  With a brief questionnaire, you can know all about what makes you tick including your communication style, skill set, and how well you do under pressure on a regular basis. 

The "DISC Assessment" is measured In terms of four dimensions of behavior:

D = Dominance – Challenge:  How you respond to problems and challenges
I = Influence – Contacts:  How you influence others to your point of view
S = Steadiness – Consistency:  How you respond to the pace of the environment
C = Compliance – Constraints:  How you respond to rules and procedures set by others

According to the DISC, all people have both an adapted and natural style.  What's interesting is that your Adapted style can be considerably different from your Natural style, especially when under pressure to change, or “mask” our natural behavior.  If your Natural and Adapted styles are very similar, you feel that your natural approach is what the job needs.  Someone’s Natural style of dealing with problems, people, pace of events, and procedures may not always fit what the work environment needs.  Comparing both style provides important information related to stress and the pressure to adapt primarily to your work environment.

Admittedly, my DISC Assessment was so dead-on, it was scary!  With a greater sense of awareness now, my Adapted style is stronger, more aligned with what the situation actually needs.  After studying the results of my own DISC Assessment fairly regularly, I've discovered the ability to measure areas of progress, as well as the areas where more deliberate focus is needed.

Do you, too, want to be a better communicator?  If so, I encourage you to look into taking a DISC Assessment to boost your communication skills, and create more success and balance in your life. For more info, visit: http://www.fpcoachla.com/behavioral-assessments.html.

Maya Angelou says, "When we know better, we do better".  When opportunity arises, do you seize it?  Remember, it takes a lot of courage to grow...  See, it's when we have the faith to walk "in growth" that we become the person we've always wanted to be.

Amy O'Pry Massey
Learn. Grow. Inspire.
www.opryconsulting.com