We Will Advance and We Will Backslide. What's Most Important is Staying in the Game and Putting One Foot In Front of the Other!

I'm in a really good place right now in my life! Such a big change from just 2 years ago when I was quite sick. 

It was 2 years ago that I had what felt like a heart attack in the middle of one of our worst snow storms of the winter - and that experience seemed to reset my heart condition that was completely crippling my life. 

I believe it was through the power of positive thinking and prayers of others that carried me through! How is it one day you are speaking with your internist about going off on permanent disability and having to find a way to improve your quality of life, to sharing that conversation with your inner-circle and close faith based friends, to within a week having a wickedly terrifying heart experience, to starting a new road to recovery and realizing your new normal ... and now being able to work full time and then some.

I'm thankful for my family, friends, career and professional network, volunteer network, faith network, and so much more.

I'm sharing this because 2 years ago, I was grieving a lot of loss in my life as a result of the illness ... heck ... I was grieving even just a year ago and was not sure of my direction. I vividly recall attending the PEI Business Women's Association's Symposium last year thinking 'What am I even doing here!" ... I actually felt at an all time low because I knew what it was like to build up a fairly successful business then due to circumstances beyond my control becoming way out of the loop of the women's business community ... so much had changed and I felt old and washed up! Now ... a year later I'm sitting on the Board of Directors helping to lead the organization. So much has changed in one year.

It really takes putting one foot in front of the other and having the ability to look to higher ground, press in and believe there's something more than what you see before you. It also takes those unexpected awesome encounters when someone speaks into your life - and that actually happened at PEIBWA symposium. A wonderful lady, near the end of the conference, someone I admire and respect and know fairly well, said some pretty profound things to me after I shared honestly with her where I was at in my life. The cool thing is - about 5 years before - she was in one of my programs and I spoke into her life that helped give her direction. Funny how the universe puts the perfect person in our path just at the right time when we need it most. She doesn't know who she is but I will share with her one day because it was her words of inspiration and affirmation that gave me the kick-in-the-butt that I needed.

So to anyone out there struggling to find their way - I say to you please keep going! This too shall pass, and when you breakthrough to higher ground, when you become victorious over your circumstance, you will actually look back and see the life lesson that was given to you, that will help you to bless and speak in to the lives of others.

Life is full of peaks and valleys, we will advance and we will backslide. What's most important is staying in the game, and to always keep putting one foot in front of the other!

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Nancy Beth is the President and Executive Consultant at Sweet Spot Academy.

As an Internet and Digital Marketing veteran, Nancy Beth has vast experience in Internet Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Online Safety and Protecting Your Digital Footprint. Since 2010, Nancy Beth has been highly sought after to share her message on being a Digital Leader, using the Internet & Social Media for good, and how to safely navigate the Social Web. 

Keynote Speaker | Executive Coach | Training Consultant | Founder of Sweet Academy (@sweetspotacadmy) | (@nbguptill)  

To book Nancy Beth for your next event, or to discuss your training needs Visit: http://sweetspotmarketingacademy.ca/contact

Public Discourse, Activism & Avoiding the Spread of Online Hate

I'm attending the "Discourse & Dynamics - Canadian Women as Public Intellectuals" conference.

I've learned that activism means creating a positive dialouge that includes a language that is friendly and comfortable for the publics you are trying to reach ... versus creating an us against them mentality that includes policing & confronting, and becoming a public lynch mob that crucifies others (whether individuals, businesses, organizations or government) when they disagree and don't conform to the activist groups ideals.

Given some of the extreme activism we've seen in Prince Edward Island, its concerning the amount of animosity and hate that's being generated by these activist groups, where they are fostering / cultivating a toxic atmosphere amongst the publics they are engaging. Rather than being a part of the solution, they're creating a major divide that feeds negativity and abuse.

This is being lead by adults which makes it more concerning because many organizations are working with youth to stop the spread of online violence, hate and misinformation that's created by bias.

How do we expect children and youth to behave appropriately online when all around them, there are grown adults fostering online hate against others?

Feeling Depleted From A Relationship? Perhaps It's Time To Establish Personal Boundaries

Post by Live Your Dreams ~ Love Your Life.

People are Not Problems ,,, Problems Are Problems!

Being the mother of a 16 year old daughter  who is entering her final year of high school this fall, I have to say navigating the teen years can be very overwhelming. One thing I have learned, and still learning, it is very important to always put things in proper perspective. Quite often we get lost in the moment, and what appears to be selfish teen behavior, can actually be signs of something else.

I started reading a really great book called "Parenting a Teen Girl" by Lucie Hemmen.  it is full of good advice and I highly recommend the book to any parent or guardian of a teen girl.  Here is an excerpt from the book on re-framing our thoughts from pessimistic to optimistic thinking:

Through my work, it seems many parents, myself included, tend to fall towards negative pessimistic thinking when we experience teen drama. We tend to get lost in the moment and give way to pessimistic thinking.  As parents, we need to learn the skills to help navigate, mentor and guide our teen through adolescence.  A foundation block is having our thoughts in proper perspective and ensuring we take an optimistic mind set to raising our children.

This is much easier said than done. It takes being Mentally Fit!   It requires a significant amount of self control and discipline, being mindful of our own actions and behaviors, and remaining calm even when our teen is having a complete melt down.

Keep in mind, People are not problems ... problems are problems ... we need to focus our attention on the behavior and addressing it.  The behavior is a symptom to the problem. When we discover the problem, we can help our teen overcome it.