STRESS!!!!!!

My cell phone dried out and is working. Yup, when you are stressed these stupid things happen, don't give in to the stress that is all around us. Refuse to be stressed and have a great big glass of LEMONADE!

AAUGH!!!!!!!!

In the words of Charlie Brown - "AAUGH!!!!!"  Just dropped my cell phone in a cup of coffee while driving, I hope it recovers.  Lemonade Lesson for today - Always put a cover on your coffee when driving.

RELAUNCH!!!!!!!!

 Sorry it has been sooooo long, but I'm back and determined to post regularly - despite life's interruptions.  My LOSER LEMONADE lesson for today is:  Find a way, or make a way.

Joannie Rochette

If you've been following the Olympics than I am sure you have heard the sad news about Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette and her mother's passing over the weekend. It was amazing to witness her short program Tuesday night, you could see the emotion in her performance and her sadness in her face. Her performance was courageous, inspiring and soulful. I don't know who will win tonight or how Joannie will skate tonight, but her short program will be one of those Olympic moments they talk about for decades. So, to you Ms. Rochette and in honor of your mom here is a pitcher of LEMONADE. For those of you who missed her performance, link in and be awed.

www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=c7605327-2d06-47f3-996a-22ae5bc51bbf.html

Bode Does a 360

What a difference 4 years and a daughter can make. In 2006 Bode Miller was expected to win GOLD, however he performed poorly, and many attributed it to his partying like a champion. 4 years and one daughter later; Bode has won a bronze, silver and GOLD. A great example of how we can change our lives when we have the determination and inspiration to do so. So, Bode Miller this LEMONADE is for you.

Determination

That is the word that may best describe Evan Lysacek, and his winning the Olympic GOLD medal in men's figure skating. Evan defeated Plushenko, the defending champion and odds on favorite to win. While many believed Plushenko was unbeatable; Evan was determined, he was focused and he worked hard and trained harder. Great job Evan - you've shown us all what it takes to succeed - a big glass of LEMONADE for you!

What Makes a Champion? Dedication

I am really enjoying the Olympics; I marvel at their athletic abilities, but I honestly do find many of the athletes inspiring and for different reasons. With some it is the obstacles they have overcome to get there. Others it is the dedication to their dream. Some just have such a great work ethic and commitment. Still others display humility and sportsmanship. I have my favorites; and not all of them are GOLD medal winners, some of them don't even make it to the podium. My favorites all motivate me. Here is one of my favorite Olympic athletes, she possesses many admirable qualities despite never winning the GOLD. A big glass of LEMONADE for Michelle Kwan, World Champion, 2 time Olympic medalist and inspiration to millions.

A Streak is Broken....

A streak is broken....a dream is fulfilled. Tonight at the Olympics the Russian streak of Gold in pairs competition ended, however the Chinese realized a dream fulfilled. China's Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo have won the pairs gold medal, they returned to compete in their 4th Olympics in pursuit of Gold. A glass of LEMONADE for them.

Oh Canada

Congratulations to Alexandre Bilodeau and Canada on the Gold medal in the men's moguls. Canada's first Gold medal at a home Olympics. No Canadian had won Gold at Montreal(1976) or Calgary (1988). The drought is over. A BIG glass of LEMONADE for Bilodeau and all of Canada.

The Olympics

Are you watching the Olympics? I love hearing the inspirational stories of the athletes and what they have overcome to get there. It is also inspiring to see the hard work, sacrifice and dedication it takes to get there. Who will win? Who knows, but there are no LOSERS as they will forever be able to say, 'I was an Olympian' and that is a great accomplishment.

Smart Goals

To achieve success, remember when setting goals to be SMART......

Small/Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Reasonable/Realistic
Timely

Small Steps

OK, so I've been working on my list and although I know over time I'll probably add to the list, I am ready to begin making a plan of action. I don't want to overwhelm myself, as that would be setting myself up for failure. So, I'm going to start off by selecting one or two of my LOSER liabilities to address and then devise a plan of action and set some achievable goals. REMEMBER it is best to start off slowly, taking small steps, with small manageable goals so that you will stay the course. LEMONADE anyone?

Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day and it reminds me of how my friend Pat and I always used to joke about our LOSER lives and how it was like in the movie "Groundhog Day" - you know new day, same s--t. If you've seen the movie you know that the lead character is living the same day over and over again until he gets it right. You know kind of like "if I had it to do over again I would..... " Funny movie and a good lesson about reexamining our lives and learning to get it right. So, keep working on that list and get ready to scale the wall with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_yDWQsrajA

Getting On With Life

OK, so now we know 'Life Isn't Fair', and that some people are going to have it easier than others. So, the question is; where do I fit on that scale? I'm going to make a list of my assets and liabilities - no, not my finances, but finances may be on the list as either an asset or liability. I'm going to take an objective look at who I am and what I have that works as an asset for me in life, and what works as a liability for me in life. I may even ask friends and family to help me with the list. I'm going to take a legal pad and draw a line down the middle, and on the right will be liabilities and on the left assets. This could take some time as I want to make sure I have a fairly accurate and complete list. I think this may be harder than it sounds.

Scaling The Wall

Part of my LOSER mentality is I look around and realize - LIFE ISN'T FAIR! Here is the answer to that, and I found it in of all places a sitcom, a show from the late '70's, early '80's - "One Day at a Time."
The world is a ten foot wall. Some people don't seem to have much trouble getting over it. They've got everything going for them. They're strong, smart, they've got family to help them. Other people don't have it so easy. They're poor, uneducated, the wrong color, the wrong sex. Maybe they don't even know who their parents are, but if they're going to make it in life, they've got to get over that wall somehow. I'm sorry you didn't get many breaks in life. But those are the facts. Nodody is going to lower that wall. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop doing crazy things to get attention. Stop screwing up your life, and figure out a way to get over that wall.
Lemonade Lesson - Life isn't fair, don't ever forget it, but get on with your life!

First Day

I kind of hate this quote - "Today is the first day of the rest of your life.", however sometimes it does fit. I admit it I'm a LOSER, and in the past I would sort of resign myself to the fact that I was a 'Born LOSER', that it was my fate. That is a cop out, an excuse for not taking responsibility for my life. I had become an enabler and contributed to my own repeated failures and missed opportunities. Sooooo, today I start with that first step, I grab some of those LEMONS and start squeezing out some LEMONADE!!!!!!!!! I'm taking that 'one small step' on my journey, join me for this life changing journey and see where it takes us.

History Repeats Itself

Good grief! I realized that I am starting to make the same mistakes I made in the past, the things that kept me in the "LOSERS CLUB". OK, I'll be making almost daily entries as I keep a sort of 'LOSER diary' and this becomes a quasi reality blog as I start my quest to go from L-O-S- E-R to WINNER! Stay tuned, log in and take the journey with me and see how I fare, and if I succeed. Comments and advice are always welcome.

Movies, Movies, Movies

Just as some songs make me smile, inspire or psyche me up, so do some movies. These are movies that I will watch over and ove;r and just like I will tell you about songs and link to them, I am also going to tell you which movies I watch and why. So, get out the popcorn and pour yourself a big, cold glass of LEMONADE.

What Did You Eat Today?

I love music, and different songs affect me in different ways. Some songs make me smile, some inspire me, some get me psyched...I think I'll record a compilation of songs that get me psyched/inspired that I can play when I feel a pessimistic "LOSERS" mood coming on. What songs inspire you?

We tend to get what we expect.

Norman Vincent Peale

Sooooooo, expect good and great things!

You Are What You Eat??????

You may be wondering why I post movies, songs and stuff like that.... well they say you are what you eat and I believe you are what you watch, listen and read. I don't think anyone would dispute that these things have an influence on our thinking. So, keep coming back to LOSER'S LEMONADE and watch, read and listen to my suggestions and see if you don't start to feel differently about whether you are a LOSER

Movie Trailer

Here is the movie trailer for "Tender Mercies", so you can get a sneak preview. Does he look like he is one of us - LOSERS? Watch the film and see what success really is about.

http://www.trailerfan.com/movie/tender_mercies/trailer

Tender Mercies

Have you seen the movie "Tender Mercies" with Robert Duvall? I just saw it last night on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) - great flick. The tag line from it is, " His struggle for fame was over. His fight for respect was just beginning." If you haven't seen it, see if your local library has a copy, or go to Blockbuster, but watch it. Let us know what you think, but my guess is you will like it. See what you think of Mac, is he a LOSER? I think he has made some sweet LEMONADE from his life.

2010- The Year of the Loser

Welcome to 2010-this is going to be a great year, we're going to drink lots of LEMONADE. I'll be posting regularly, so try to check in at least every other day to learn how to take those LOSER LEMONS and make some sweeeeet LEMONADE. Log in and drink up. :^)