Just For Today, Create A Memory
by Anne Warfield

I live in the frozen tundra. For all of you in the warm climates, let me share what I mean by cold. Today it was in the low teens with a biting wind that caused you to curl up in your jacket with the collar pulled so high up you looked like the headless horseman. With the biting wind people looked like cockroaches scurrying from their cars to buildings.

I had to escape but how? I couldn't just hop on a plane as I have two small children at home and I just didn't think my husband would appreciate the whimsy of it all. And I knew I needed a break, a change of pace to liven my spirit and remind me that spring will come.

So I did the next best thing… I created a memory.

Have you ever created one of those for your family? It is a way to bring the sunshine and warmth of radiance right in to your own home.

Yes, that night right after dinner we went to Florida in our basement. Ambiance was of prime importance. So our palm tree had my son's stuffed parrot in the tree. Our blue tablecloth became the ocean filled with crabs, octopus, fish (you know that obnoxious one on a plaque that sings "don't worry, be happy"), shells and even, a mermaid.

Beach activities abounded. My son, Rory, made a paper surfboard as well as a pair of jet skies. You should have seen the waves we road in to the beach on our surfboard. Just staying on your board while the fish in the water sang "Don't worry, be happy" became a contest for us all.

Besides the water activities sand activities were quite the hit. Our indoor soccer net became our volleyball court. It was some intense games of two on two. Dad was handicapped since he had to hold on to Ce'Anna while trying to play volleyball with only one hand free. I am not sure how Rory scored the game but somehow he and I won so I didn't complain. In the background we had our closest to a beach movie-Disney's Tarzan- playing.

I can't forget the most important ingredient --proper beachwear.

We dressed in sandals, shorts, swimsuits and sunglasses. We had a blanket for the beach and a picnic basket. As the night drew to a close, we turned off the lights, took out our Lego campfire and roasted mini-marshmallows around the campfire while we told ghost stories.

The night ended with smiles on all of our faces. I knew it was a memory night when Rory turned his face splitting with a big smile and said, "Can we do this every night, Mama?"

We never did get to Florida that night but it was one of my best vacation nights I have ever had. It truly is a memory I will cherish as each day goes by.

You know so often we become frustrated with our circumstances and what life has dealt us. Yet it is within our power to change that frustration to inspiration and move to a whole new level. Whether it is in creating a memory night with your family, driving a creative idea at your work or inspiring yourself to achieve a goal, I encourage you to reach in to your imagination and unleash all the power it holds. Who knows, you may just surprise yourself.

As the leading Outcome Strategist, Anne Warfield shows people how to present their ideas, products and services so people WANT to listen to you. Her communication formula is easy to apply and produces proven results. Fortune 500 companies around the world have utilized her expertise and her work is published around the world. She has been published in Business Week, Good Housekeeping, Forbes Publications and has been featured on ABC, NBC and CBS. Anne speaks around the world about Outcome Focus™ Communication. To book Anne, contact her at 888-imp-9421 or check out her web site at www.impressionmanagement.com. Check out her website to take the communication quiz for yourself! Books can be purchased from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. You can also email us at contact@impressionmanagement.com.

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