- If Oprah ran for President, it would take approximately 2 years for America to conquer the world. (The untrue thing about this is that Oprah doesn't need to be president, she already runs the world!!! Insert Beyonce singing, "Run the World(Oprah)")
- The average person can only count to the number 27 without getting bored.
- If you had enough water to fill 1 million gold fish bowls, you could fill an entire stadium.
- America hasn't lost a war when donkeys were in use during battle.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
RUF's
Today, I want to share with you guys just some random untrue facts(solely for the reason that I hope this makes you laugh).
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Let's Move Mountains Today
I am currently siting in Panera, and the rain is pouring. As I am looking out the window, people are rushing from their cars to the safe indoors.
Most interestingly, though, is the older woman who just left. She was hobbling out (hobbling because of her broken right leg) when she told me, "I won't forget how I broke this leg. I was watching my son coach football when I slipped on the bleachers. Oh, it hurt bad. But I also pulled two muscles in my left hip. It's kinda hard to walk. Oh, I told God I was really a nice person and I didn't deserve this. I guess we are going to have another talk."
As I looked at her striking blue eyes, I came to realize, it can rain in some peoples lives. Now outside, it was pouring, I mean pouring, like if you were outside for more than 5 seconds, you would be soaked. But, for her, the storms of life were worse. I couldn't imagine having 1 broken leg and 1 leg with two pulled muscles.
I decided to bring some sunshine to break through the clouds. I smiled at her and laughed. I treated her like an individual who needs some sunshine, not some cranky old lady.
Steve Jobs said this, “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Here is something simple:
Love.
Love can move mountains. Let's move some mountains today.
Most interestingly, though, is the older woman who just left. She was hobbling out (hobbling because of her broken right leg) when she told me, "I won't forget how I broke this leg. I was watching my son coach football when I slipped on the bleachers. Oh, it hurt bad. But I also pulled two muscles in my left hip. It's kinda hard to walk. Oh, I told God I was really a nice person and I didn't deserve this. I guess we are going to have another talk."
As I looked at her striking blue eyes, I came to realize, it can rain in some peoples lives. Now outside, it was pouring, I mean pouring, like if you were outside for more than 5 seconds, you would be soaked. But, for her, the storms of life were worse. I couldn't imagine having 1 broken leg and 1 leg with two pulled muscles.
I decided to bring some sunshine to break through the clouds. I smiled at her and laughed. I treated her like an individual who needs some sunshine, not some cranky old lady.
Steve Jobs said this, “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Here is something simple:
Love.
Love can move mountains. Let's move some mountains today.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Take A Step
Take a step. That's all. Take 1 step.
Most people know what their dreams are, some even believe they can attain them, but only a few actually take a step towards their dreams.
Now, if you worry about the quality of your first step, let me just tell you something. Not taking a step, doing nothing, absolutely zero work, will make what you do perfect and you won't mess anything up. It's safe. Not reaching for your goals, not impacting the world, not changing lives, doing nothing is safe and perfect. You won't ever mess up anything if you do nothing.
Or you can take a step. You won't be perfect and it won't be easy. But you don't need to accomplish all of your dreams on your first step, just take a small step into the direction you want to go.
Take 1 step and you will have accomplished more than all those that are "perfect and safe". They did nothing, perfectly. Join us, take a step.
Most people know what their dreams are, some even believe they can attain them, but only a few actually take a step towards their dreams.
Now, if you worry about the quality of your first step, let me just tell you something. Not taking a step, doing nothing, absolutely zero work, will make what you do perfect and you won't mess anything up. It's safe. Not reaching for your goals, not impacting the world, not changing lives, doing nothing is safe and perfect. You won't ever mess up anything if you do nothing.
Or you can take a step. You won't be perfect and it won't be easy. But you don't need to accomplish all of your dreams on your first step, just take a small step into the direction you want to go.
Take 1 step and you will have accomplished more than all those that are "perfect and safe". They did nothing, perfectly. Join us, take a step.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Awaken Your Soul
Let's Awaken our Souls.
Let's live passionately.
Let's give freely.
Let's bring joy endlessly.
Let's spread smiles ceaselessly.
Because we care about those in need.
Because we long to give rest to the weary.
Because we desire to help the helpless.
Because we yearn to give water to those who thirst.
Because we love our community.
Because our hearts break for those without water.
Thank you for all those that are part of our movement, whose souls are alive and whose lives are passionately spreading love and appreciation to their communities, and whose actions have given clean water to those who would have died without it.
If you desire to have your soul awakened, if you long to spread love and apprecaiton to your communiy, if you yearn to give life to those without a chance, the simple truth is, you can. Join us. Join our movement.
Let's live passionately.
Let's give freely.
Let's bring joy endlessly.
Let's spread smiles ceaselessly.
Because we care about those in need.
Because we long to give rest to the weary.
Because we desire to help the helpless.
Because we yearn to give water to those who thirst.
Because we love our community.
Because our hearts break for those without water.
Thank you for all those that are part of our movement, whose souls are alive and whose lives are passionately spreading love and appreciation to their communities, and whose actions have given clean water to those who would have died without it.
If you desire to have your soul awakened, if you long to spread love and apprecaiton to your communiy, if you yearn to give life to those without a chance, the simple truth is, you can. Join us. Join our movement.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Good News!!
Is there anybody here today that needs to hear good news? Is there anybody here today, who has been beating themselves up, dragging your own past around everywhere you go? Is there anybody here today whose heads are filled with negative message and whose hearts have been beaten down with negative words about who we are and what we’ve done and how we are going to mess it up in the future?
Sometimes we come here limping, sometimes we crawl, pulling ourselves along by our fingertips, and sometimes we are flat-out carried because we are so enchained to the idea that we cannot offer anything. But know this about our movement:
As we send out cards to those who need refreshing, life-giving words of love and appreciation, sometimes we do this to remind ourselves of who we truly are. Sometimes sending cards is an action that we do to remind ourselves of who we are in spite of how we feel, what we think, or what we’ve been told.
Is there anybody here today that came here limping, crawling, or was carried? That’s ok. That’s what we are here for. These cards have been a sustenance and a strength and a joy for thousands and thousands of people.
Perhaps that’s you today.
Or perhaps you just need to hear inspiring words of love and appreciation. Perhaps you have come here with all types of doubts and questions. Perhaps you need the faith of others. Perhaps you need someone to actually believe in you. Perhaps you need to be reminded of who you are. We have that for you too, it's our manifesto.
Perhaps you have come here carrying the burden of despair. Perhaps you question whether anyone is doing something for this broken world, or for your broken life. And in your despair, you need to let the hope of others enter your life. You need to let the hope and love of others breathe life and joy back into you. If you do not have joy and love, just take it from others here. You don’t need to do anything, just take in the love and joy of others here and in our movement.
Perhaps today you don’t have the energy to send a card, but you stand with our movement and let others send out the love for you. Perhaps today you come with confusion about where your life is going and even what direction you need to start looking towards. Right here, these people part of this movement can breathe life into you, hold you up when you start to fall, and bring new meaning and purpose into your life.
Let me tell you something. The Dance Like Zach movement not only comes from the blessings we have been given, but it also comes from what we receive and give to each other. It’s about the community. It’s about people saying, “Here is what I need.” Or, “This week, I need a card of encouragement.” Or, “I need some help training up others to spread the love” Great! There are a bunch of us, and we can help you. Maybe it’s you saying, “I have this! Who needs it? Who I can serve?”
Perhaps you come here, and you don’t leave a comment. You just watch others post comments. You just watch them. Or if you do find yourself leaving a comment or sending a card, that’s great too. You have no idea what your simple act may be doing for somebody else.
Over a year ago, I sent a card to a friend. Something happened that reminded me of her, and I felt prompted to just send her a card. I simply sent her some words of encouragement and love and appreciation. Well, I contacted her the other day, and she told me she still has that card. She said every time she looks at the card, it makes her smile. I couldn’t believe that the card had such an impact on her for such a long time. And as I laid my head on the pillow that night, I went to sleep confident and comforted by the fact that I made an impact on her life. And, she made a tremendous impact on mine.
She enjoyed the gift.
It changed everything for me. I made a simple gesture, I sent a simple message, I crafted a simple card, she appreciated the card, and it meant the world to me.
When we look back on how we get through a tough situation, sometimes it’s the simple things that make all the difference.
Enjoy the gift that others have to offer. And, most importantly, enjoy giving a gift of life, hope, and love. You never know what kind of impact you can have, until you take the first step and spread the love to those who need it.
Perhaps today, you want to become a distributor of joy. We all have a community. Where we go workout, where we go to school, where we shop, where we get our groceries, where we get our coffee, where we work, where we live, where we play, where we party, where we eat. We have a sphere of our life. Perhaps today, you want to enrich that community with love and joy and appreciation.
Perhaps today you are bored and you want your life to be enriched by purpose and meaning.
Perhaps there is something in you calling you to go to a place you never thought you would go. You wouldn’t know what to do when you got there, but something is calling you to be in that place. Something is calling you to give life to the lifeless. Something is calling you to restore hope for the hopeless. Something is calling you to be a light in that darkness.
Perhaps today, you are totally terrified and scared of that something that is pulling you, but you know that you are up for it. You know that it’s hard and scary, but you will do everything in you to be that light in the darkness.
Sometimes we come here limping, sometimes we crawl, pulling ourselves along by our fingertips, and sometimes we are flat-out carried because we are so enchained to the idea that we cannot offer anything. But know this about our movement:
As we send out cards to those who need refreshing, life-giving words of love and appreciation, sometimes we do this to remind ourselves of who we truly are. Sometimes sending cards is an action that we do to remind ourselves of who we are in spite of how we feel, what we think, or what we’ve been told.
Is there anybody here today that came here limping, crawling, or was carried? That’s ok. That’s what we are here for. These cards have been a sustenance and a strength and a joy for thousands and thousands of people.
Perhaps that’s you today.
Or perhaps you just need to hear inspiring words of love and appreciation. Perhaps you have come here with all types of doubts and questions. Perhaps you need the faith of others. Perhaps you need someone to actually believe in you. Perhaps you need to be reminded of who you are. We have that for you too, it's our manifesto.
Perhaps you have come here carrying the burden of despair. Perhaps you question whether anyone is doing something for this broken world, or for your broken life. And in your despair, you need to let the hope of others enter your life. You need to let the hope and love of others breathe life and joy back into you. If you do not have joy and love, just take it from others here. You don’t need to do anything, just take in the love and joy of others here and in our movement.
Perhaps today you don’t have the energy to send a card, but you stand with our movement and let others send out the love for you. Perhaps today you come with confusion about where your life is going and even what direction you need to start looking towards. Right here, these people part of this movement can breathe life into you, hold you up when you start to fall, and bring new meaning and purpose into your life.
Let me tell you something. The Dance Like Zach movement not only comes from the blessings we have been given, but it also comes from what we receive and give to each other. It’s about the community. It’s about people saying, “Here is what I need.” Or, “This week, I need a card of encouragement.” Or, “I need some help training up others to spread the love” Great! There are a bunch of us, and we can help you. Maybe it’s you saying, “I have this! Who needs it? Who I can serve?”
Perhaps you come here, and you don’t leave a comment. You just watch others post comments. You just watch them. Or if you do find yourself leaving a comment or sending a card, that’s great too. You have no idea what your simple act may be doing for somebody else.
Over a year ago, I sent a card to a friend. Something happened that reminded me of her, and I felt prompted to just send her a card. I simply sent her some words of encouragement and love and appreciation. Well, I contacted her the other day, and she told me she still has that card. She said every time she looks at the card, it makes her smile. I couldn’t believe that the card had such an impact on her for such a long time. And as I laid my head on the pillow that night, I went to sleep confident and comforted by the fact that I made an impact on her life. And, she made a tremendous impact on mine.
She enjoyed the gift.
It changed everything for me. I made a simple gesture, I sent a simple message, I crafted a simple card, she appreciated the card, and it meant the world to me.
When we look back on how we get through a tough situation, sometimes it’s the simple things that make all the difference.
Enjoy the gift that others have to offer. And, most importantly, enjoy giving a gift of life, hope, and love. You never know what kind of impact you can have, until you take the first step and spread the love to those who need it.
Perhaps today, you want to become a distributor of joy. We all have a community. Where we go workout, where we go to school, where we shop, where we get our groceries, where we get our coffee, where we work, where we live, where we play, where we party, where we eat. We have a sphere of our life. Perhaps today, you want to enrich that community with love and joy and appreciation.
Perhaps today you are bored and you want your life to be enriched by purpose and meaning.
Perhaps there is something in you calling you to go to a place you never thought you would go. You wouldn’t know what to do when you got there, but something is calling you to be in that place. Something is calling you to give life to the lifeless. Something is calling you to restore hope for the hopeless. Something is calling you to be a light in that darkness.
Perhaps today, you are totally terrified and scared of that something that is pulling you, but you know that you are up for it. You know that it’s hard and scary, but you will do everything in you to be that light in the darkness.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
This Is What I Know
This movement cannot be stopped
From Americans to the Taliban,
From Israel to Pakistan,
From the Politicians to the Poor,
From the dripping showers of wealthy to those who need clean water just to survive,
This movement will spread to the very corners of the earth.
You will take it there. You have the power inside of you.
You may lose your ability to see. You may lose your ability to hear. You may lose your ability to walk. You may even lose your ability to talk. You may grow old and wrinkly and forgetful. But you will never lose your ability to love and appreciate others, as well as your ability to love and appreciate the gift of life we have been given. You will always have the ability to love and spread your love to others. That is power.
Let me warn you. With spreading love and joy and appreciation to others, with witnessing our movement, comes risk. There is a possibility that someone might reject you. There is a possibility that you might fail at one time or another. But let me tell you this:
You are the greatest success this earth has ever known. If you are alive, if are breathing in and out, you are a success. When you have the fear of failure, or maybe you have just failed, or maybe you believe that you are a failure, understand, that is all a lie. You are not defined by your past. You are not defined by your fears and failures. The truth is you are the greatest success that the creator has ever made. That is good news.
You have the ability to reach out with love to your community. You can use kind words and appreciation to change the lives of those around you. You can passionately serve with love and respect those that cannot attain clean water without you. You can invite others and show them how to make a difference in the local community and the global community. You can lead with love and appreciation.
You have the power inside you, to be empowered by Love, to go out and spread that love to the ends of the earth.
From Americans to the Taliban,
From Israel to Pakistan,
From the Politicians to the Poor,
From the dripping showers of wealthy to those who need clean water just to survive,
This movement will spread to the very corners of the earth.
You will take it there. You have the power inside of you.
You may lose your ability to see. You may lose your ability to hear. You may lose your ability to walk. You may even lose your ability to talk. You may grow old and wrinkly and forgetful. But you will never lose your ability to love and appreciate others, as well as your ability to love and appreciate the gift of life we have been given. You will always have the ability to love and spread your love to others. That is power.
Let me warn you. With spreading love and joy and appreciation to others, with witnessing our movement, comes risk. There is a possibility that someone might reject you. There is a possibility that you might fail at one time or another. But let me tell you this:
You are the greatest success this earth has ever known. If you are alive, if are breathing in and out, you are a success. When you have the fear of failure, or maybe you have just failed, or maybe you believe that you are a failure, understand, that is all a lie. You are not defined by your past. You are not defined by your fears and failures. The truth is you are the greatest success that the creator has ever made. That is good news.
You have the ability to reach out with love to your community. You can use kind words and appreciation to change the lives of those around you. You can passionately serve with love and respect those that cannot attain clean water without you. You can invite others and show them how to make a difference in the local community and the global community. You can lead with love and appreciation.
You have the power inside you, to be empowered by Love, to go out and spread that love to the ends of the earth.
You are Changing the World!!!
It is a pleasure to be working with you all, helping make this world a better place. Thank you for changing the world.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
20/80 Rule
Let's make 100% of what we do change lives. Let's make 100% of what we do generate positive, passionate experiences. Let's make 100% of what we do have an impact in our lives, in our families, in our communities, and in the global community.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
135 lbs.
135 lbs. That's how much weight I wanted to be able to bench this month. I know it isn't that much. It looks a lot cooler because 135 lbs. means you add the big 45 pound weights on each side.
Well, I benched that!!! That was my goal for this month, and I totally rocked it! I benched 135 lbs., with 3 sets of 3.
Like I said in my post about the 180 Project, I am taking my goals and my dreams seriously. And I am just so excited that I accomplished one of them. And I had to share that with you. Not to brag, because the other guys at the gym, some are literally doing twice what I do, and then some. I am just telling you this because I am sharing with my friends how I took my goal seriously and I accomplished it. I have been working out consistently for the last month, biking, swimming, running, and lifting. And it's just great that I could accomplish my goal.
Now my dream is to bench 155 lbs., which is 15 lbs more than I way, and to swim 1000 yards. Right now I can only bench, obviously 135, and swim 600 yards, but I am getting closer. Like I said, I just wanted to share with my friends...I did it!!!
P.S. I also want to share with you...saw Contagion last night (Demitri Martin is in that movie-Awesome) and I thought it was great
Well, I benched that!!! That was my goal for this month, and I totally rocked it! I benched 135 lbs., with 3 sets of 3.
Like I said in my post about the 180 Project, I am taking my goals and my dreams seriously. And I am just so excited that I accomplished one of them. And I had to share that with you. Not to brag, because the other guys at the gym, some are literally doing twice what I do, and then some. I am just telling you this because I am sharing with my friends how I took my goal seriously and I accomplished it. I have been working out consistently for the last month, biking, swimming, running, and lifting. And it's just great that I could accomplish my goal.
Now my dream is to bench 155 lbs., which is 15 lbs more than I way, and to swim 1000 yards. Right now I can only bench, obviously 135, and swim 600 yards, but I am getting closer. Like I said, I just wanted to share with my friends...I did it!!!
P.S. I also want to share with you...saw Contagion last night (Demitri Martin is in that movie-Awesome) and I thought it was great
Bringing it On Campus
Hey everybody!
I'm Jenna. I am a freshman at Palm Beach Atlantic. I am starting up the Dance Like Zach movement here in Florida at my school. I asked Zach if I could share my vision for how Dance Like Zach could grow at my school, and he loved it. I am sharing with you my vision because, while I do not always comment on every post, I feel like this is an encouraging place. Here is my vision:
First, I want to throw a “You Are Loved” party at my school. I want people to understand the need our country has right now for love and encouragement (and it’s also really fun). And second, I want to start a Dance Like Zach club at my school. I want my generation to be a part of the movement. I believe that we can help give clean water to those who thirst. I am just sick of hearing professor tell me, “Read these books. Write these papers. This will help you in the real world.” AHHH!!!! I AM living in the real world. These papers aren’t solving the real worlds problems. People in the real world are dying because they aren’t getting clean water! Wake up Professor’s!!! Wake up students!! Sure, a paper can help me better understand some subject material. But I already understand one of the most important things that they will never teach in class. I AM ALIVE! The tide has not come. I also understand that there are people in desperate need of help, and I will do all that I can to help them. That is why 3rd we are joining the 180 Project. At Palm Beach Atlantic, I will help others turn a complete 180. We will help 180 people get clean water.
I cannot do it alone, though. I will need your wisdom and support. If you guys have any great ideas on how to successful run a club, I would love to hear them. I already have a few ideas, but I know that you guys are great and super supportive. I will also be touching base with you guys throughout the year to tell you how it is going. Can’t wait to see the 180 turnaround that I can bring to my school!!!
Friday, September 16, 2011
180 Project
Hey peeps, something that I have been wanting to talk to you guys about for a couple of days now is the 180 Project. On the side of my blog you may have noticed that I am, for the rest of my life, taking my dreams seriously. The 180 Project is one of my dreams that I am going to be taking very very seriously, and you will see why.
Now the other day, I was thinking how I do not want it to become cold. When the fall comes, one of the only joy's I have is knowing that Christmas is coming. And during the holiday time, all people give gifts and say that they are giving to each other just people they want to give (when in fact, I think I get most of my gifts because it's "what you're supposed to do"). Well, I realized that I wanted to go into the holidays knowing that, I am not just giving because it's the giving time of the year.
I also came to understand that, this could be hard. I had lived so much of my life focusing on myself and how I could get better (and strangely, I still wasn't taking my dreams seriously living this way). I grew up going to school (like everybody) where the goal is to focus on myself and how I can get the best grades in the class. And frankly, I don't like that. I don't want to focus just on myself, I want to change.
I am going to turn my life around. Do a complete 180. And to represent the complete 180, I am going to help 180 people have access to clean water.
180 Project
To do this, 23 people need to join the Dance Like Zach movement by December. Now, I already have personally, 7 distributors, but that doesn't count. I need to help 180 more people get clean water by December. If you want to help make this happen, visit here. If you want to join the 180 Project, and you personally want to help 180 people have access to clean water, join our movement and once you do that, give me a call or email and I will be happy to help. Here's my number-815-575-0952 and here is my email-zach@dancelikezach.com
This is my dream, I am taking it seriously.
Now the other day, I was thinking how I do not want it to become cold. When the fall comes, one of the only joy's I have is knowing that Christmas is coming. And during the holiday time, all people give gifts and say that they are giving to each other just people they want to give (when in fact, I think I get most of my gifts because it's "what you're supposed to do"). Well, I realized that I wanted to go into the holidays knowing that, I am not just giving because it's the giving time of the year.
I also came to understand that, this could be hard. I had lived so much of my life focusing on myself and how I could get better (and strangely, I still wasn't taking my dreams seriously living this way). I grew up going to school (like everybody) where the goal is to focus on myself and how I can get the best grades in the class. And frankly, I don't like that. I don't want to focus just on myself, I want to change.
I am going to turn my life around. Do a complete 180. And to represent the complete 180, I am going to help 180 people have access to clean water.
180 Project
To do this, 23 people need to join the Dance Like Zach movement by December. Now, I already have personally, 7 distributors, but that doesn't count. I need to help 180 more people get clean water by December. If you want to help make this happen, visit here. If you want to join the 180 Project, and you personally want to help 180 people have access to clean water, join our movement and once you do that, give me a call or email and I will be happy to help. Here's my number-815-575-0952 and here is my email-zach@dancelikezach.com
This is my dream, I am taking it seriously.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Where's The Director?
One of the things that I do to fill up my cup is ride my bike. I love going fast. And when I ride my bike and the wind rushes across my face, and I feel that sense of speed...I LOVE IT!!! Well, I think about and pray for you guys a lot, and I do that often when riding my bike. And today, when I was riding my bike, something happened to me that made me 1)think of all of you and 2)need to share it with you.
As I was riding my bike, I saw police cars lined up on the street. There was also a huge fire truck. People were coming out of their houses and were looking at something...
A car ran into a house
It looked like something that would happen in a movie. A car drove into a house. Now, let me set the record straight, the house was more than 30 feet away from the street! Since there were so many people checking out what was going on, and so many policemen and firemen, I thought they were filming a movie. It must be a movie, no way would a car run into a house. But, there was no director or film crew. There were no big lights or actor's trailers.
I don't know if there is anything to learn from this story (except maybe, don't drive into a house), I just wanted to share this with you.
P.S. here are some ruf's(random untrue fact)
The average nail-biter eats 5lbs of human nail a year
George Clooney is obsessed with Japanese women's household slippers. He wears them everywhere, even to bed.
If you eat 20 twinkies, you'll go blind. The twinkies have a chemical component...well...let's just say, you were blinded by science (by Thomas Dolby-that's right, obscure 80's reference).
As I was riding my bike, I saw police cars lined up on the street. There was also a huge fire truck. People were coming out of their houses and were looking at something...
A car ran into a house
It looked like something that would happen in a movie. A car drove into a house. Now, let me set the record straight, the house was more than 30 feet away from the street! Since there were so many people checking out what was going on, and so many policemen and firemen, I thought they were filming a movie. It must be a movie, no way would a car run into a house. But, there was no director or film crew. There were no big lights or actor's trailers.
I don't know if there is anything to learn from this story (except maybe, don't drive into a house), I just wanted to share this with you.
P.S. here are some ruf's(random untrue fact)
The average nail-biter eats 5lbs of human nail a year
George Clooney is obsessed with Japanese women's household slippers. He wears them everywhere, even to bed.
If you eat 20 twinkies, you'll go blind. The twinkies have a chemical component...well...let's just say, you were blinded by science (by Thomas Dolby-that's right, obscure 80's reference).
Fill Up Your Cup
Today, I was thinking of you guys during my quiet time in the morning. As givers, we obviously love to give. To give our time, our ideas, and our hearts to those things we find most valuable. When we give, a little bit is taken out of the cup that makes us who we are. When all we do is give and give and give, there comes a point when we have given so much of ourselves, that there is nothing left to give. So we must fill ourselves up. We must surround ourselves with things, ideas, and people that energize us, so that we can give our very best.
I encourage you, today, to do something that fills you up. Whether it is to go out for ice cream, read a book, have some quiet time, or have a party, fill yourself up. Don't forget that you are important and that you need to fill yourself up so that you can make the most impact you possibly can.
P.S. I am super proud of all of you for being willing to make a change in the world. Thank You!!!
I encourage you, today, to do something that fills you up. Whether it is to go out for ice cream, read a book, have some quiet time, or have a party, fill yourself up. Don't forget that you are important and that you need to fill yourself up so that you can make the most impact you possibly can.
P.S. I am super proud of all of you for being willing to make a change in the world. Thank You!!!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Magic
I think we can all agree, the gift of human connection is magical. We are given the ability to see, to hear, to run, to swim, and to play. And as we get older, our physical bodies wear away.
Although somehow our ability to give, to love, and to connect, these things will always be a part of us. I think it is what sustains us. Our bodies may grow old, but instead of giving in to wasting away, we live on.
When we see others connecting, whether in business or friendship, we are drawn to them. When we see or hear people laughing, we want to look. There is a joy blossoming between the two. There is magic in the connection and that magic draws us in.
Now let me tell you something. Your connection to others, your relationship with others, that is magical. You are born with the ability to make magic, and that ability will never go away. Sometimes we need that bit of encouragement to inspire us to take action, so...
I encourage you to wave your wand at some people this week. Spread your magic around. Send an extra smile to someone who needs it. Invite someone out to lunch. Send a card to someone you care about.
Make Magic
Although somehow our ability to give, to love, and to connect, these things will always be a part of us. I think it is what sustains us. Our bodies may grow old, but instead of giving in to wasting away, we live on.
When we see others connecting, whether in business or friendship, we are drawn to them. When we see or hear people laughing, we want to look. There is a joy blossoming between the two. There is magic in the connection and that magic draws us in.
Now let me tell you something. Your connection to others, your relationship with others, that is magical. You are born with the ability to make magic, and that ability will never go away. Sometimes we need that bit of encouragement to inspire us to take action, so...
I encourage you to wave your wand at some people this week. Spread your magic around. Send an extra smile to someone who needs it. Invite someone out to lunch. Send a card to someone you care about.
Make Magic
Monday, September 12, 2011
How old are you?
So I am often encouraging you guys about giving, being creative, and doing what you love. And though I truly believe it, sometimes this road is really, really tough. Many of you know how much I love dancing (as you probably have seen by the title of the blog and my videos), and you might also know that I find a lot of joy teaching dance. Well, today, I was going to start teaching a new class when I discovered, literally 5 minutes before the class, that I was going to be teaching 3-5 year olds-I thought they were going to be 7-10 year olds. There were only 4 of them (Thank God!!!), but 2 of them seemed like they were younger than 3- after class, a mother specifically told me her daughter was going to be 3 soon, so I guess that's fine? One of them couldn't say her name, so I didn't know what to call her the entire class. When she tried to say her name, I asked the girl sitting next to her if she heard anything, and she said "..."? What? Why aren't they communicating? Though I love kids-I swear I do- these kids were crazy!!! For an hour, the only thing I taught these 4 girls was how to hold their arms up in a circle, down in a circle, and in the middle in a circle. That doesn't even make sense, which is exactly my point.
Although, it wasn't all terrible. We did learn how to make butterflies on the ground, which was great. This started because I was trying to have them sit in a circle and tell me their names, and one girl just fell back and started saying, "I am a butterfly". So, I hopped on board and told all the kids, "Let's make butterflies". As you can tell, I was thrown for a huge loop.
Sometimes life throws us for a loop. We really do try to give all that we can, and somehow we get into a situation we had no idea was coming. There is no way to prepare. There is no way to avoid. All you can do is...make butterflies. Now, I am going to tell you, I was pretty mad that this happened to me. I didn't want to be teaching this age group. I didn't want to be running around after 2 year olds. They honestly didn't learn anything. If I would have put in a video of Dora the Explorer, they would have been better prepared for a dance class. But, you know what, I did it. Life is hard. We all can attest to that.
Somehow though, in the midst of all the craziness, I knew one thing, these kids were having fun. They might not be doing anything I am telling them. They might be tripping over their own feet(and then crying because they fell...then crying because they hurt their eye wiping it too much). But hey, they are enjoying life. The joy that they have is incredible. I learned so much from watching them not pay attention to me. You know the biggest thing I learned? They were mesmerized by life.
I want to do that. I want to be mesmerized by life. And you know what? I think I am sometimes. When I dance and celebrate, whether at a "You Are Loved" party or making a video to thank you wonderful supporters, I often feel mesmerized by life. I feel the joy and the excitement these kids do, maybe more. And my joy isn't coming from making a butterfly on the ground, though that is surprisingly fun. My joy comes from seeing you people make a difference.
Now, I have posted the Dance Like Zach manifesto here(it's free, YEAH FREE THINGS!!). It is all about making a difference. And if you haven't signed up to be a part of our Dance Like Zach movement, I strongly recommend that you do. It will change your life.
My final words to you...if life throws you a loop, make butterflies. Be mesmerized by life.
Although, it wasn't all terrible. We did learn how to make butterflies on the ground, which was great. This started because I was trying to have them sit in a circle and tell me their names, and one girl just fell back and started saying, "I am a butterfly". So, I hopped on board and told all the kids, "Let's make butterflies". As you can tell, I was thrown for a huge loop.
Sometimes life throws us for a loop. We really do try to give all that we can, and somehow we get into a situation we had no idea was coming. There is no way to prepare. There is no way to avoid. All you can do is...make butterflies. Now, I am going to tell you, I was pretty mad that this happened to me. I didn't want to be teaching this age group. I didn't want to be running around after 2 year olds. They honestly didn't learn anything. If I would have put in a video of Dora the Explorer, they would have been better prepared for a dance class. But, you know what, I did it. Life is hard. We all can attest to that.
Somehow though, in the midst of all the craziness, I knew one thing, these kids were having fun. They might not be doing anything I am telling them. They might be tripping over their own feet(and then crying because they fell...then crying because they hurt their eye wiping it too much). But hey, they are enjoying life. The joy that they have is incredible. I learned so much from watching them not pay attention to me. You know the biggest thing I learned? They were mesmerized by life.
I want to do that. I want to be mesmerized by life. And you know what? I think I am sometimes. When I dance and celebrate, whether at a "You Are Loved" party or making a video to thank you wonderful supporters, I often feel mesmerized by life. I feel the joy and the excitement these kids do, maybe more. And my joy isn't coming from making a butterfly on the ground, though that is surprisingly fun. My joy comes from seeing you people make a difference.
Now, I have posted the Dance Like Zach manifesto here(it's free, YEAH FREE THINGS!!). It is all about making a difference. And if you haven't signed up to be a part of our Dance Like Zach movement, I strongly recommend that you do. It will change your life.
My final words to you...if life throws you a loop, make butterflies. Be mesmerized by life.
Friday, September 9, 2011
you make my dreams
This is my thank you to Kristin for the incredibly nice post and for throwing a sweet party.
This is my thank you to Jenna, Elliott, Danny, and Ross for agreeing to throw a You Are Loved Party.
This is my thank you to Sam for the sweet TED video.
This is my thank you to Andi for recently joining us. And thank you to Alise, Kristine, Ross, Sam, Hilary, and Jenna for following me for a while now.
You guys make my dreams come true!!!
This is my thank you to Jenna, Elliott, Danny, and Ross for agreeing to throw a You Are Loved Party.
This is my thank you to Sam for the sweet TED video.
This is my thank you to Andi for recently joining us. And thank you to Alise, Kristine, Ross, Sam, Hilary, and Jenna for following me for a while now.
You guys make my dreams come true!!!
ZP has got it going on...
I received an e-mail from my good old friend ZP and he told me to throw a ‘you are loved’ party. I immediately LOVED the idea and decided to take action. I had already planned to have some ladies over for a Mary Kay make-over, so I decided to combo it with that. It was really cool because we got to love on ourselves a bit during the make-over, then we switched over to the 'you are loved' part of the night and we got to love on others. I had treats and drinks for my guests, and through that I was able to show them love! Everyone, including myself really enjoyed the night and took pleasure in looking through the cards to pick the perfect one for the person they chose.
That night when all was said and done I was very happy with the night. Everyone had a good time and left with a smile on their faces. Not to mention the joy that we brought to all the individuals that we sent cards too. A few of my friends really loved the card website and are looking to send more love and more cards.
I talked to ZP after I threw my party and I was even more encouraged. I want to throw a ‘you are loved’ party every week!
Thanks ZP!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thank You Miss Nelson!!!
Thanks you so much. It means a whole lot to me. It is great to see people throwing "You Are Loved" Party's.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Your Life is WAYYY to Important to waste on a job where you fight change
I am reading the book, "Tribes" by Seth Godin, and I thought I needed to share a piece with you. I highly recommend you check out his work if you haven't already.
"It's four a.m. and I can't sleep. So I'm sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Jamaica, checking my e-mail.
A couple walks by, obviously on their way to bed, having pushed the idea of vacation a little too hard. The woman looks over to me and, in a harsh whisper a little quieter than a yell, says to her friend, 'Isn't that sad? That guy comes here on a vacation and he's stuck checking his e-mail. He can't even enjoy his two weeks off.'
I think the real question-the one they probably wouldn't want to answer-was, 'Isn't it sad that we have a job where we spend two weeks avoiding the stuff we have to do fifty weeks a year?"
This totally impacted my life. I hope it speaks to you.
"It's four a.m. and I can't sleep. So I'm sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Jamaica, checking my e-mail.
A couple walks by, obviously on their way to bed, having pushed the idea of vacation a little too hard. The woman looks over to me and, in a harsh whisper a little quieter than a yell, says to her friend, 'Isn't that sad? That guy comes here on a vacation and he's stuck checking his e-mail. He can't even enjoy his two weeks off.'
I think the real question-the one they probably wouldn't want to answer-was, 'Isn't it sad that we have a job where we spend two weeks avoiding the stuff we have to do fifty weeks a year?"
This totally impacted my life. I hope it speaks to you.
This Is Not For Everybody!!!
This blog is only for those of you who want to give. This is only for people who want to touch others lives. This is only for people that want to make a difference.
If you are not serious about spreading joy, than this is not for you. Seriously, if you do not want to take personally responsibility for your future and if you are satisfied with how the world is, then this is not for you. I am telling you this not because I do not want you to be a part of something that will give you the power to improve others lives as well as your own. But I am telling you this because your life is important and your time is important and what you do with your time is important. So if you are not open to new ideas, you do not want to take personal responsibility for your future, you like how the world is, and you do not want to give to others, this is not for you.
Now for those of us that are serious, let's get down to business. I have already shared with you how you can make a difference with TOMS, or FEED Projects, or Child's Play.
Here is another way that you can spread some love and joy...and it's for free. Just throw a You Are Loved Party.
PS. You do not need to purchase any food or drinks. All you need to do is celebrate that You Are Loved. Celebrate because you have made a difference in someones life. Once you have sent your free cards...just dance like zach. Boogie down. Do the stanky leg. Teach people how to dougie.
If you are not serious about spreading joy, than this is not for you. Seriously, if you do not want to take personally responsibility for your future and if you are satisfied with how the world is, then this is not for you. I am telling you this not because I do not want you to be a part of something that will give you the power to improve others lives as well as your own. But I am telling you this because your life is important and your time is important and what you do with your time is important. So if you are not open to new ideas, you do not want to take personal responsibility for your future, you like how the world is, and you do not want to give to others, this is not for you.
Now for those of us that are serious, let's get down to business. I have already shared with you how you can make a difference with TOMS, or FEED Projects, or Child's Play.
Here is another way that you can spread some love and joy...and it's for free. Just throw a You Are Loved Party.
PS. You do not need to purchase any food or drinks. All you need to do is celebrate that You Are Loved. Celebrate because you have made a difference in someones life. Once you have sent your free cards...just dance like zach. Boogie down. Do the stanky leg. Teach people how to dougie.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Fashionably feed the hungry
Lauren Bush, who I totally have a crush on, stepped up in a big way(or should I say bag way). She was a model and also a spokeswomen for the U.N.'s World Food Programme. What she couldn't stand about the World Food Programme was seeing all the hungry students. Especially when it could cost, on average, $25-$50 to feed a student...for an entire school year!!!
In 2004, at the age of 20, she had the idea that she could sell fashionable, re-usable bags(which were starting to become quite popular at the time) to help these students. For every 1 bag sold, 1 student would be able to eat food for an entire school year. It took her a little while, but by 2007, she had launched FEED Projects. They now have sold more than 500,000 bags and provided enough money to feed 60 million school lunches around the world.
Why I am telling you this story is because you do not have to be a successful entrepreneur, multi-millionaire, or the next Albert Einstein to do make a change. To make a difference, you just need to send out some love. Lauren Bush sent food to the hungry. Blake Mycoskie(Founder of TOMS) sent shoes to those who have never had shoes before. I send water to those who thirst.
Spread your ideas. Give your ideas to the world. Make a difference. Stand out. Be a part of something that really matters. Use your one and only life to leave a legacy.
Yesterday is the perfect time to start. But since you might have missed that, today is the next best thing.
If you want to learn more about Lauren Bush, check out feedprojects.com
If you want to learn more about Blake Mycoskie, check out toms.com
If you want to learn more about me...just ask, or check out dancelikezach.com
In 2004, at the age of 20, she had the idea that she could sell fashionable, re-usable bags(which were starting to become quite popular at the time) to help these students. For every 1 bag sold, 1 student would be able to eat food for an entire school year. It took her a little while, but by 2007, she had launched FEED Projects. They now have sold more than 500,000 bags and provided enough money to feed 60 million school lunches around the world.
Why I am telling you this story is because you do not have to be a successful entrepreneur, multi-millionaire, or the next Albert Einstein to do make a change. To make a difference, you just need to send out some love. Lauren Bush sent food to the hungry. Blake Mycoskie(Founder of TOMS) sent shoes to those who have never had shoes before. I send water to those who thirst.
Spread your ideas. Give your ideas to the world. Make a difference. Stand out. Be a part of something that really matters. Use your one and only life to leave a legacy.
Yesterday is the perfect time to start. But since you might have missed that, today is the next best thing.
If you want to learn more about Lauren Bush, check out feedprojects.com
If you want to learn more about Blake Mycoskie, check out toms.com
If you want to learn more about me...just ask, or check out dancelikezach.com
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
ruf of the day
Lots of people are telling me the most random facts. I couldn't believe how many random facts I was hearing. So, I am making it my goal to respond with ruf's. Ruf stands for random untrue fact. You can try using some of these and see if it works.
Speaking of Ian, I hope this brings you some joy.
- There are more people that speak English in the world than there are toes in the United States.
- If you break all the lightbulbs in the world, you can fill 800 million swimming pools.
- The average shark will eat only eat 3lbs. of vegies in its entire life.
- The dog Toto in the Wizard of Oz actaully had no teeth.
- Sir Ian McKellen had to work out for 6 months before they shot his "You Shall Not Pass" scene.
Speaking of Ian, I hope this brings you some joy.
You Complete Me
A problem I have is I am sooo good at "buying in" to sales pitches. How a sales pitch normally goes is intro, you have a problem, here is the solutioin, what your life can be like with this solution. Now, we all know people try to do this to us and I shouldn't believe my life is terrible because I do not have all the things companies are trying to sell me.
But maybe it is because I am bombarded with advertisements(in 2002 people saw on average 600 ads a day-according to consumer reports- while today, the average is 3000) that I have this feeling that I am not complete until...well, it kinda goes like this "I think my life would be bettter if I had this, or lived there, or dated her". And maybe it is because of the 3000 messages that tell me I am incomplete. I saw this and I thought I could apply this to my life. I hope this can also help you too.
But maybe it is because I am bombarded with advertisements(in 2002 people saw on average 600 ads a day-according to consumer reports- while today, the average is 3000) that I have this feeling that I am not complete until...well, it kinda goes like this "I think my life would be bettter if I had this, or lived there, or dated her". And maybe it is because of the 3000 messages that tell me I am incomplete. I saw this and I thought I could apply this to my life. I hope this can also help you too.
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