LIMITLESS EMPOWERMENT WITH BARBARA H. MARYNOWSKI

Inspired To Be Inspired

2010-03-07T18:15:00.000-05:00

"Often we get lost in our daily have-to’s like work and family responsibilities. Before we know it months of living on auto pilot have gone by and we find ourselves in a drone-like state with our stress and dissatisfaction continuing to mount. What to do? How do we break out of this cycle and inject some happiness and energy back in our life?"

To view this article in its entirety, please visit the Michigan Women's Forum HERE.

Silence Is The Enemy

2009-07-19T12:48:00.005-04:00

"Do you know that millions of women around the world look up to you? Okay, maybe not so specifically, but to us, as American women. Violence against women is a global issue – one that each of us has the opportunity to take positive action in..."

"Ask yourself – as a woman living in the US, are you honoring your potential to help set a precedent? Regardless of how we actually view our reality as Americans, the truth remains that there is a starry-eyed ideal often held on to by women from other countries about how life must be for us here or maybe more accurately, how life may be for them if they were here..."

"We think abuse is something that happens to other people; to women in lesser developed nations or low income environments... "

"The truth is that abuse does happen to all of us – if it is allowed to continue anywhere, then it continues to be a threat to our health, happiness and safety as well as to those we love, regardless of where we live or may come from..."

For this complete article, please visit my Inspired column on the Michigan Women's Forum.

I welcome your thoughts - feel free to post a comment or drop me a message!

Juko Kai Demonstration On Fox Sports Science

2009-04-22T12:13:00.002-04:00

For the full press release and show details, click here:

Hear No Evil, See No Evil - How Absolutely Disgusting

2009-04-04T23:13:00.006-04:00

Bravo to Keira Knightly for being a part of the Women's Aid ad campaign to help raise awareness about domestic violence.

Amazingly, the video is receiving criticism for going "too far" and being "ugly" and "violent". Um, hello?! What the hell do these genius critics think domestic violence is? Pretty?

Part of the problem with our society, in my opinion, is the fact that so many people choose to ignore the truth and would rather not be upset by such images.

You should be upset. It should piss you off immensely that there is probably a woman in your neighborhood, school, work, church or even family that is being hit, yelled at, threatened, living in constant fear, stress and uncertainty and yet still this topic is shunned as seemingly "too disturbing to acknowledge" by so many, maybe even you.

The most disturbing and "ugly" decision is the one that chooses not to listen, see or speak the truth about an epidemic we can work together to overcome. Domestic violence really happens to real women - this video is no where near an exaggeration - it's just that most women are too scared and ashamed to admit it and most suspecting "friends" would rather not be "disturbed"... how very sad and frankly, sickening.

Silence, ignorance and inaction are disgusting, not a video raising awareness.

A Time To Yell Louder

2009-04-03T19:10:00.009-04:00

What are you doing to help stop violence against women and support female empowerment?

Are you living as a positive example?

Each one of us has the opportunity and potential to be a part of the solution.

In my full Inspired article A Time To Mourn, A Time To Heal, A Time To Yell Louder I address this idea as well as the idea that there is a dire need to usher in some higher quality role-model starlets - Hollywood needs an overhaul.

*Artwork by Detroit's own Niagara.

Reaching For Starpower

2009-02-24T14:31:00.002-05:00

I am pleased to announce the debut of my column Reaching For Starpower in The National Networker.

My first article, "It's Not What You Know..." introduces the idea of networking with celebrities and overcoming the mental and emotional challenges involved.

While you're there, be sure to take advantage of the other resources found on TNNW!

To your success,
Barbara

Inner Revolution

2009-01-19T13:41:00.002-05:00

"...I came home, grabbed the potato chips, got naked and sat in bed with all of the lights on in front of my lover, took a deep breath and felt like a goddess."

For this latest Inspired article in it's entirety, click HERE.

103 Years Young (Healthy and Happy, Too!)

2009-01-05T15:34:00.005-05:00

My great-grandma, Helena Janusz, is an amazing woman.

At 103 years old (yes, you read that correctly!) she continues to be an inspiration.

At a mere four foot something, she still enjoys overall good health, living by herself and being of sound mind. She keeps up with the current happenings in the world, can converse on any subject and still enjoys a nice glass of wine. Despite her delicate frame, I've heard her astound grown men with the strength in her handshake.

I've asked her many times what her secret is, to which she usually just chuckles and wisely mentions the fact that as long as you are happy, everything else will follow.

She could choose to dwell on the hardships in her life, including being a survivor of Holocaust work camps or losing her husband, son and other beloved family members over the years, but she doesn't. Her focus tends to be on the positive, and not of the past, but of the present.

One of the key things I've observed over the years is that Great-Grandma has a positive attitude in just about any situation and has continued to evolve her ideas instead of becoming victim to a stagnant mind and attitude.

Unfortunately we've all seen the negative effects of age, namely the phenomenon of becoming "stuck in your ways". This tends to go hand in hand with a negative world view and overall grumpy attitude, don't you agree?

Great-Grandma, while being traditional in many ways, has often amazed me by being accepting of more modern thoughts. For example, we recently discussed the joys of dating and the choice of living with someone without being married. In her young days this was not a socially-acceptable option, but since times have changed, she too has changed and updated her ideas, understanding that 2009 is a different time with both different challenges and breakthroughs for women.

What I have observed from great-grandma in terms of being happy and healthy as we grow older can be summarized in a few key points:

Keep active - physically and mentally

Be good to your body - "everything in moderation"

Choose a positive perspective

Focus on the present and future - don't dwell on the past

Allow growth and change in your ideas and beliefs

Some of these are, of course, easier said than done. And the question of, "where do I start?" often arises.

Just think of the last time you heard the infamous copout, "we all have to die of something eventually," or "that's too much work". I agree that all of us are destined for an exit eventually, but why make it ugly and uncomfortable on the way out? Why have we accepted this as our fate?

No matter your age or health, this should be your next step to a healthier and happier you. It just could be the best investment you've ever made for yourself.

Pause, Smile, Shine. Repeat As Needed.

2008-09-23T13:42:00.000-04:00

When was the last time you allowed yourself to take credit for a job well done?

How long did you allow yourself to enjoy that moment?

Our lives have become so fast paced that it seems we barely finish something and already we're rushing off to the next project.

Progress is progress, don't get me wrong. In order to move ahead it's important to keep driving forward.

But does that mean sacrificing being able to smile at our accomplishments for a moment?

Just the other night I found myself thinking how much work I had left to go to meet a particular goal I'd already been working on for quite some time. And then I looked at my progress - I looked at where I was just a year ago and all that I have accomplished toward my goal in that time. And when I looked back even further (5 years, 10 years) it was even more profound. No longer did I feel so overwhelmed or impatient. It put many things in perspective and also gave me a renewed sense of energy toward the project!

Try it for yourself and see what happens.

I've also explored this topic further in this month's Inspired column. You may find it HERE.

2008-08-19T17:35:00.006-04:00

Take a close look at this image. It is half fire and half water - a perfect balance of hot and cold.

How is the balance between these two ideas in your life?

Are you fired up a lot or are you nice and chill?

Ideally, it seems that it would be most productive to be balanced at all times, but is that really true?

I think there may be times when it benefits us to turn up the heat and equally, to increase our cool, depending on the situation.

Here are some simple EXERCISES and TIPS that may help you in this endeavor - give them a try.

Best wishes,
Barb Marynowski

Independence

2008-07-07T12:50:00.011-04:00

On July 4, 2008, my mom celebrated arriving in America 45 years ago!

When my dad came here the first American thing he saw was the Statue of Liberty. How's that for an impression!

The story they have is pretty amazing, I think. I can only imagine how they must have felt being kids in a new country and having to start a new life.

The closest I've come is moving to a new city and that was challenging enough!

Independence means many things - her story highlights the physical aspect of being able to leave an oppressive government and begin a life with new opportunities. A huge level of bravery is required for this sort of thing, I believe. Any time we make the decision to free ourselves from a situation and attempt a better life, it can be a major emotional experience full of new stress and struggles, but also the potential reward of a life we only dreamed possible.

If you could have the life of your dreams, what would it be?

What does independence mean to you?

This month's Inspired column explores this idea. Be sure to check it out HERE.

Best wishes,
Barb

Ready, Set, Grow!

2008-05-14T16:55:00.001-04:00

What are you doing to help improve yourself and grow right now?

When I looked up the definition for "grow" I found some key phrases: "To increase. To arise. To expand. To come to be. To become mature. To become experienced."

How do you want to grow?

The opposite of growing is dying. The key phrases there were: "To cease to live. To lose force, strength or active qualities. To become indifferent. To become weaker, fainter and then cease."

Are you allowing yourself to die off unnecessarily?

Do the people in your life help you feel alive and happy or are you allowing them to keep you from reaching your potential?

Growing and dying are not just physical concepts. Are you taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally or are you, as the definition said, "indifferent"?

It's easy to become complacent. After all, change and growth require dedication and work. I suppose it comes down to making a decision about the quality of life you desire; getting by vs. THRIVING.

Life is all about questions and answers. I believe the key to living fully is constantly seeking knowledge, learning from what we find and then applying what we learn. After all, knowing something or having an idea isn't actually anything until we DO something with it.

How many great ideas have you let go because you never pursued them? What could have happened if you did?

Inner growth and change is the same way. We can have thoughts and ideas about what we'd like to improve, but until we actually take action, not much happens. Actually, not taking action may even make our current state worse.

This month's column features simple exercises and techniques that can help you with your self-improvement goals. Don't wait... click HERE to get started.

May you always grow, live and thrive.

Best wishes,

Barb

New Article Published

2008-02-06T11:53:00.000-05:00

We're already into the second month of this new year... can you believe it? Seems like time is really flying by again! Before we know it Spring will be here again. If you're like me and over this winter weather, it can't come soon enough.

Getting back to topic, however: in the beginning of the year, traditionally, we are asked to make our list of resolutions. But what about the rest of the time? (Or what happens if you got off-track or never got started in the first place?)

Are you interested in improving your goal setting and achievement skills? I recently had an article published on this topic at SelfGrowth.com. To view the article directly click HERE.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

Go ahead and start 2008 with something good for you... the new Inspired column is up at http://www.forum-online.info/inspired.html.

Best wishes,
Barb