Dear Friend,

Happy winter from snowy - and I do mean snowy - Colorado! Welcome back to Sip of Soup, my free bi-monthly E-sip offering a taste of insight, and lessons to help you keep caring while living a more balanced life.

Sip of Soup - January/February 2007

Positivity TM Power Life is a series of decisions. From the moment we get up in the morning, until we plop into bed at night we are deciding how to care for ourselves and others. How do you make decisions in your life? Too often we decide things without considering what's best for us. The same qualities that call us to be caring people, are the same qualities that allow us to shortchange ourselves. Other times, we make decisions on the spur of the moment, under times of stress when adrenaline is pumping. These are not the best circumstances to make any decision, big or small. You've likely been in situations like that. You're in a meeting and somebody calls for help, and they call for help, and they call for help again, and you raise your hand and you are it, and you are in, and you are involved, and you said yes again. That's how I, a novice, became a 4H leader of thirty kids and 100 horses! It took me way too long to learn, never say yes at the moment. Always say, "Let me think about it and I'll call you tomorrow." If it is a good decision today, it will still be a good decision tomorrow. Sometimes decisions are made too quickly by misspoken words. Too often, in the heat of the moment, words are said in haste, without forethought, without peace, and lives are changed forever. Good decisions are made in a place of peace, taking the time, space and solitude to make healthy choices. Try taking deep breaths in a quiet environment to evaluate the facts before you decide. When a decision is big, maybe life-changing, get out of Dodge. Find a quiet place for an overnight stay, unaffected by the stress and turmoil. It is there, in a place of peace, a good decision can be made. In a quiet space, listen to your deep inner voice. You can call it intuition, conscience, Holy Spirit, higher consciousness—whateever fits your belief system. That still small voice is your built-in guide, your Divine guidance. It must be listened to, respected, and followed. We cannot hear it in the chaos. Be still.

Lessons from LeAnn Remember, where you are today is based on decisions you made in the past. Where you will be tomorrow, is based on decisions you make today. Take the time and wisdom to make them good ones. Making better decisions every day makes us better people, and as better people we are recognized and offered better opportunities, which in the end brings better rewards.

Soup for the Day; a healthy quote: Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen - Ralph Waldo Emerson * to have LeAnn speak at your hospital or organization, see her website at NurseRecruitmentandRetention.com or call her toll-free at 877-THIEMAN (877-844-3626) Nurse Recruitment and Retention

Positively yours,

* to order LeAnn's tapes, CDs or DVDs on balancing life and living your priorities, see her online shopping cart. Online Shopping Cart

A Sip of Soup is written by LeAnn Thieman; nurse, certified speaking professional and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul, and also Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Father and Daughter Soul, Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2 and Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul. To have her inspire your team members, or to order her books, CD's and DVD's contact LeAnn at 1-877-THIEMAN or www.LeAnnThieman.com.