Fresh

A few weeks ago, I did an exercise meant to help me get in touch with my core values. Right there, alongside "adventurous spirit" and "commitment to family and community" were lots of words about lifestyle: elegant, mannered, inspired, creative and ...gracious. Or, as my friends might say, Grace-ish.

A lot of us yearn for a world that respects dignity, values politeness, and behaves decently. Lately, we've seen less of that in our day to day lives. We may feel it's time for a change, an adventure, a new vista. Something fresh that renews our spirits, like white daisies in a field, or clothes dancing on a line.

We need a break, but we "put off" taking one, thinking of what we need to do, rather than what we're here to experience. Every time we choose to ignore that voice inside that tells us we need to make a change, we're missing the opportunity to fully live the meaningful life we're here to explore.

Just for today, notice the times that you push away the things you desire most in order to spend more time with the things that mean least. Then multiply that by the number of days, weeks, and years that lie ahead. 

Think you can wait that long to live your life?

Grace

You are a Star...

If your life were a movie, how would it play out? 

You already do it.  You recreate your day every night while you try to drift into sleep.  Sometimes it’s even hard to turn the movie off.  Do you like what you see?  More often than not, you are very critical of your performance of the day. 

Perhaps you should approach this differently.  What if you started your day with a movie of how you want your day to go?  What if you remembered that you have a clean slate and the world you live in is your very own?  What if you decided every nuance of your day before it happens?  What would it be like?

As always, you have to know where you are going.  You have to know what it is you want to accomplish.  Now, open your thoughts to the unlimited potential in creating your day.  You are the star of your life.  Look for and act upon the opportunities that will unfold as you play out your day.

Will it be perfect?  Probably not in the beginning and you may never reach perfection.  But I would say, striving for perfection is pretty good stuff.  You may need to do several retakes to get it right.  But that’s ok.  The beauty is, you get to!  You are a Star!

Grace

As a child....

I love to hear the trains rumbling over the tracks as it breaks through the still of the night.  And then the horn blares loudly in warning as it approaches a crossing road.  It comforts me.  It reminds me, as a little girl, I could hear the sound of the railroad cars rolling through our town, less than a mile away

as a crow flies.

Being a child...how wonderful...how wonderful to have everything as a possibility, when your biggest challenge was, "which one," or better yet, "I want it all," having not yet been convinced of the world's "can't dos", starting out with a clean slate, no baggage.  Baggage.  That's the culprit.  That's what trips us up as adults.

So here's the thing.  Everyday truly is a clean slate.  In fact, every moment of every day is a clean slate.  That's your starting point.  Right now.  Forget about last week when you didn't live up to, not only your own expectations, but also the ones others placed on you.  Forget about yesterday when you decided to do nothing constructive on a Sunday afternoon and now you feel guilty.  Forget about ten minutes ago when you realized you hadn't made a plan for your day, much less your week.  Let it go.

Frankly, the guilt of not living up to your expectations and those you "think" others have are holding you back.  Focus on right now.  What can you do right now?  "Give every man more in use value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction," Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich.  Start there.  When you screw up, and you will, let it go and move on.  The worry over of what you didn't do or what you haven't done will only keep you down.

Focus on this moment and what you are doing right now.  Decide what you want.  Believe.  Believe as a child that you can do it!  You are going to get so many things right!  Now get out there and do something!

Grace

Gratitude...

Gratitude...
I've learn that the first rule to having more...more joy, more love, more time, more things...is to be grateful for what I already have.  Truly be grateful.  I believe it's more than just saying the words, either out loud or in my head.  It's the feelings I generate when I am being grateful.  And how am I demonstrating that gratefulness.  For example, I would love to have a new car.  But am I really grateful for the one I have?  Am I taking care of it?  Does it get the recommended oil changes?  Do I get it washed as often as I should?  And what about the trash in the floor board? How can I expect "more" when I'm not taking care of what I have?

I am so happy and grateful
to wake up to this beautiful
view each day.

3 easy steps to help you show gratitude:

• Identify what you are grateful for.
• Feel the feelings of gratitude.  Dig deep.
• Demonstrate your gratefulness by taking care of what you already have.

I found it extremely rewarding to start a Gratitude Journal in which I write each day the things I am grateful for.  The best time for me is in the mornings when I'm fresh and have a whole marvelous day ahead filled with endless possibilities.  I encourage you begin your own Gratitude Journal.  I'd love to hear how it's working for you. 

Grace

Account*Ability

My PR Manager, Sherri McLendon, www.sherrimclendon.com, encouraged me to start an Accountability Journal. She provides five questions that I answer each week. 

Some weeks, those answers are easier than others.

 
Is this not where it begins, answering the tough questions and looking at yourself more critically than you have?

Yes, it can be frightening to take responsibility and open yourself up to possibility. But you can do it.

We can do it.

Start here, today. View it as an opportunity to allow for new growth, new commitment and new rewards.  

And here's the thing.  You can choose to commit anew everyday.  Give yourself permission to forget failures and disappointments of yesterday and start anew everyday!

I encourage you to start your own Account*Ability Journal.  What are the 5 questions that you need to answer every week to reach your goals?

Has someone challenged you to be more, to stand up and say, "This is what I've done and here's where I'm going"?  I'd love to hear about your journey.

Grace

Motivated

Amazing! That's what she is. Here I am with Elizabeth McCormick, Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, back in 2014. She really inspired me.

Grace Carter and Elizabeth McCormick

Right off the bat, she reminded me that all in the world that stops me from being all I ever dream of is me. 

She motivated me immediately with The Belief Zone and The Comfort Zone. 

"You can't be in both places at once," she said. 

Wow! 

According to Elizabeth, The Belief Zone is where all the magic happens. I tend to agree and so must you.

This year, my search for magic led me to Athens, Georgia, a town that I love, where I've embarked on a new career that I also love as a realtor.

When was the last time you had a little magic in your life? I'd love to hear about your magic.

Grace

On the Money

Grace Carter and Terry Laxton

I first met Terry Laxton, author of "The Better Money Method," way back in 2014. 

Since then, I have had the privilege of hearing him speak and have enjoyed numerous conversations with Terry about retirement planning and asset building.

Like a well-built home, having a solid investment in the future is like catching all green lights on your way into work - every day.

What have you done this week to put yourself in a better position for the life and home you deserve? I'd love to know your thoughts.

Grace

Grace-ful Living In Georgia

Welcome to Grace-ful Living in Georgia. My name is Grace Carter, and I'm so grateful you've chosen to become part of my world.  

On these pages, I'll share my own adventures at home and afar. Recently relocating from Jacksonville, Florida, I'm starting out in a new career as a realtor in Athens, Georgia, where I purchased a sweet home with awesome neighbors.

I love it here.

Together, we'll share the joy of the journey - whether full of grace, or ungainliness. 

Grace-ful Living in Georgia

Meanwhile, this is me. 

In this photo, I'm indulging two of my favorite adventures: wine and travel. 

What have you done this week to reward yourself with a little "me" and infuse your home and life with meaning?

Respond below, I'd love to know.

Grace

Beautiful People

Nadirah Shakoor and Grace Carter

When I was growing up, my parents always placed great importance of my association with others. As an adult, I understand that the company we keep has a lasting effect on our own personality. We pick up characteristics and mannerisms that shape us.  

I just love to be around people who are happy and laugh with abandon. 

Meeting American singer-songwriter Nadirah Shakoor reminded me that we all have music within us. She calls herself a Soul-Singer. It's a term that resonates. 

Who do we know that can dance like they don't care whose watching? Where are the optimists who have a positive outlook on the future?

Beautiful people; beautiful on the inside.  I want to generate positive energy like that.  I hope that I can be that someone for someone else.

Grace