The OVL Project ~ Day 23

What are you putting out there?

This is one of those expressions I use often (much to the chagrin of my family and friends).

Of course, they put it right back at me when I comment on things in an unflattering or negative way. 

In each moment we have a choice about how we choose to respond in any given situation. Sometimes

it's as easy as going on a word diet. Remove negative words from your vocabulary like no, don't, loser,  

stupid or yucky;)  Be easy on yourself. Start slowly by choosing one word at a time. Each time #@! 

pops out of your mouth, change it to a more positive word. 

Also, catch yourself if you are commiserating, gossipping or grumpy. You can only change yourself in 

the present moment. Make a different choice. Choose not to participate, redirect the conversation or

 smile. Ask yourself: "How do I wish to respond?" And go there.  Now!

It's as easy as flipping a switch. It does take some practise but the rewards are worth it.

                1.Jump into the pit  2. Say nothing or walk away  3. Look for the good and verbalize it

I believe that what you focus upon expands. If you choose to focus upon the negative, you get more 

negative. Conversely, if you choose to focus on the good, you will get more  good. Choose wisely.

So, what are you putting out there?

I'm sending you good vibes...

:)Francine

The OVL Project ~ Day 22

Be Open To Your Joy

In my last post I talked about how sometimes people choose to be

unhappy because they are stuck in traffic. Today, I was stuck in

 traffic. Go figure! I was listening to the radio and enjoying the

 music. It was a glorious day. I was feeling particularly grateful.

 A new song came on the radio by one of my favourite artists- 

Van The Man- Van Morrison. "Open The Door" is a sweet soulful song 

about opening the door to your heart to see and let  in the beauty 

that surrounds you. It is found in the song on the radio, the bird 

that just flew by or the smile from a stranger.

  

 

      

That is just how I felt. Allowing myself to feel the joy in my 

heart through that beautiful music. What brings you joy? 

Will you open the door, let it in and feel it? 

My heart is open for you.

:)Francine

The OVL Project ~ Day 21

"Make It a Great Day!"-Candice

Choices, choices, choices...

We are bombarded by them all day long yet we often hear people

saying: "I didn't have a choice". "I'm in a bad mood because there

 was traffic, the weather is awful, my alarm didn't go off or the

 kids are sick." You always have a choice as to how you choose to

 feel in any given moment. Happiness and contentment are an inside 

job. When your choices include gratitude and appreciation for

 whatever comes your way, it is easy to see the gift in a situation.

Thank you Candice for giving me today's title. 

In appreciation,

:)Francine

The OVL Project ~ Day 20

Help is on It's Way

Today take notice of all of the people who make your life better. Be

 aware of them, appreciate them whole heartily and see the effect

 your expression of gratitude has on them.



"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." 

             -Leo Buscaglia

At this moment, I am feeling gratitude for my internet provider.

and of course, for you!

:)Francine

The OVL Project ~ Day 19

Change is something you do

I often use the phrase: "Love is an action word."

I could just as well substitute the word "change" for "love".

I keep this quote posted by my desk for inspiration:


"You will never change your life 
until you change something you do daily.
The secret to your success is found in your daily routine."
-John C. Maxwell

Through this blog, I have endeavoured to get you to ponder and act

 upon this simple yet profound concept of gratitude. Today is Day 19 

of 21 Days to heartfelt gratitude. Is your daily practice feeling

 more natural and flowing? Do you feel different? 

With love and gratitude,

:)Francine

The OVL Project -Day 18

Winking at The Moon

Flying high above Toronto, I saw the moon peeking in through the

 plane window. It reminded me of Neil Armstrong, the first man to

 walk on the moon, who just passed away.

His family's statement was so beautiful: "The next time you walk 

outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think 

of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."


Just as Neil Armstrong sent out waves of wonder and possibility to a

 generation, so too does your participation in The OVL Project send

 out waves of love and kindness throughout the world. 

Just envision the Universe smiling down upon you.

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 17

Tommy Hunter Here I Come

I was sitting on the front porch tonight with my aunt Betty, my

 cousin Brenda, my uncle Leo, my son Joel and his girlfriend 

Katie. We were having a lovely time, so were the 

 mosquitoes. Aunt Betty was telling us about her and Brenda's 

trip to London Ontario to see Tommy Hunter at his last concert. 

She has been his #1 fan for over 50 years. I have seen her 

scrapbooks so I can attest to her dedication from a young age.

Because of her life long enjoyment of his music, his manager 

insisted that she attend his last concert all expenses paid along 

with a number of other #1 Fans from across the country. How 

awesome is that?! My aunt Betty is still pinching herself. This 

is what happens when you put your whole self into something you 

love and enjoy.

Where would you be if you had such gratitude and appreciation for

 something that brought you such tremendous joy and pleasure?

Imagine the possibilities!

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 16

The Power of Stick-to-it-ness

Okay, so it's not a word but I bet you get my meaning.

Thinking about and writing your five daily gratitudes in your 

journal as well as your daily thank you card takes effort and 

persistence. For me, so does writing this blog. But when I am

 done each part of my commitment, I feel satisfied and empowered.

 I set out to accomplish something and I did it! Too often we let

 ourselves off too easily. We say we are going to do something

 and we get distracted, we forget, we get too tired... There are

 a multitude of excuses available. Whatever happened to the good

 ol'days of sticking to your word? Meaning what you say and 

saying what you mean. Following through to the end, no matter

 what? This is how thoughts turn into action and action makes you

 a creator.You say something and it happens. You trust yourself,

 you believe in yourself and in turn, so do others.


This morning I decided to go pick some wild blueberries behind my

 parents house in the country. I announced my departure with my

 large plastic container in hand and after turning back for 

mosquito repellent after the first 5 minutes, I was headed out 

into the backwoods to fetch me a pail o' berries. I found a small

 patch of blueberries and started picking and picking and 

picking. Wild blueberries are particularly small and I was hardly

 making a dent in the container. I started looking for new berry

 patches. Time passed. I changed my stance: I knelt on the mossy

 ground, sat, squatted and bent over from a standing position. I 

became one with the patch and got into the flow of picking. All I

 could hear was the wind blowing in the trees and the bees

 buzzing about around me. My bucket was full(the blackberries 

were a bonus passing bush).

 I walked back with great pride not having realised that two 

hours had gone by. I thought about doing it, I said I was going

 to do it and I did it!

I created a full bucket of blueberries where before there were

 none. The OVL Project is much like that - you are filling your

 own bucket as well as others by your daily ritual of picking 

love and gratitude, one small deposit at a time. Before long,

 your bucket overfloweth.

Enjoy!

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 15

The Gift of my Son, my Brother, my Father

My son Joel tells me that the gift of this trip to New Brunswick 

is french, family and kids, not necessarily in that order. He has 

come here a number of times always practicing his french and 

enjoying lobster and crab thanks to his grandmother. But the

 greatest gift is being a part of the family. He gets to

 experience a true French Canadian close knit family: 

grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts and little children.

My brother is rather stoic telling me that coming here at the

 drop of a hat to help out his parents is just "what you do". Of

 course, before he leaves for home tomorrow, he has consulted 

with the nurses and doctors, organized our father's medication,

 changed the water pump filter, washed the car and cleaned up my

 mom's computer as well as downloaded some APPS that that she may

 find useful. He is also grateful for his wife who is holding

 down the farm, caring for all of their horses on her own. As I

 write, he is across the road, sharing some downtime, playing

 guitar with my Uncle Don.

My father answers my question as he chokes up, his voice barely 

audible: "My family loves me, if they would do all of this for 

me, just think what they will do for your Mom. I am so lucky. It

 has changed me."

The gift for me is watching the beauty of it all.

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 14

All You Need is Love

As my father has been in the hospital this past week, I have been

 visualizing him back home and healthy. My son Joel, his 

girlfriend Katie and I were on our way to New Brunswick tonight

 planning to stay overnight in Bathurst, NB. In the morning,  we 

were going to visit my Dad at the hospital. During our 1 1/2

 hour layover in Montreal, I checked my phone messages. My mother 

had left a message to say that my Dad had been sent home tonight

 and that my brother Denis would pick us up. What a surprise!

We've now arrived. It's late. How lovely to be sitting here at

the kitchen table while my parents are fast asleep upstairs.

It's sure to be a love-ly visit! 

I will keep you posted.

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 13

Twist and Shout

Our friends invited us out to see a production of Backbeat, the birth of The Beatles at The Royal 

Alex Theatre. It tells the back story of how The Beatles started out. It was a rockin' show. What I

realised was that everything has a back story. By writing in your journal the reasons why you are 

grateful for someone or something and how it makes you feel,  allows you to tap into your 

back story. It enhances the feeling of love and appreciation, bringing those emotions into the forefront.

Instead of a trickle of a thank you, the feeling of gratefulness flows out of you with great gusto.

So, go ahead~ Twist and Shout it out!

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 12

More Than Half Way There

Congratulations! You are now more than half way through The OVL

 Project. As you develop this powerful daily habit of heartfelt 

gratitude you may be noticing more and more things to be grateful

 for. Your focus turns into a kaleidoscope of beauty and

 appreciation, growing with each passing day.

Today, I wrote down in my journal how much I appreciated my

husband's efforts in getting us to set up a weekly budget.

For years I have resisted doing this kind of work but now I am

actually embracing it. Coming from a place of appreciation for 

how we choose to spend our money has made me realise that we 

can actually increase our net worth. As you can see my money tree 

is growing!

Don't you just love adopting a new perspective?

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 11

Getting Back to Your Set Point

Do you recall that I believe that our set point is love, joy and 

acceptance? Are you feeling closer to that place or further away?

I came across this quote yesterday on the main Street in small 

town America: "To have change, you must be change."

What do you have to release and what do you have to embrace to 

get closer to your desired state? 

Write it down in your journal and commit to it. Visualise it.

It's your choice. 

Be it.

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 10

Can Gratitude Become Your New Morning Ritual?

As you begin your day, are you feeling grateful or are you feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps

starting off your day being grateful for the things in your life can help you get out of your

head and into your heart.   Not only can it change your morning perspective but it can make

you more aware of what you are choosing to focus on throughout your day.

It can be as simple as being grateful for a butterfly you saw or the flowers that made you stop

smile. Notice how it makes you feel. Choosing to practise  this morning ritual for a few minutes

 can pivot you from feeling overwhelmed  to feeling gratitude.

It's your choice!

Enjoy!

:)Francine



The OVL Project - Day 9

You Can't Get if You Don't Ask


This powerful quote comes from my friend Amy. People simply think 

that others should simply read their minds. The last time I 

checked the mind reading APP was still under construction;) The 

other erroneously held belief is that you should just "suck it 

up" and "it" will go away. Again, this couldn't be further from 

the truth. When you want something, ask for it. If you want 

someone to help you, ask for help. If you need help, ask, ask,

ask until the right person steps up and helps.

Here is my sweet special son Scott in his Nights in White Flannel

pjs that I asked for: pockets and extra tight buttons-Just Right!

As you may be aware from my last couple of blogs, my Dad is in 

the hospital. It turns out that he has angina. He thought that by

first not mentioning it to my mother, she wouldn't be concerned

 and it would just go away. Second error came when he also never

 mentioned chest pains to his doctor...until now. With the right 

interventions, this is a manageable condition.

 Knowing and being able to do something for another human being

 is a beautiful gift. Don't rob another of the connection they

 seek. By being open, honest and heartfelt, you make the world a

better place.

After all, we are all connected in OVL.

Still, you can't get if you don't ask!

Try this one on for size and let me know how it worked for you,

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 8

Gratitude Multiplies Good Feelings

 The first thing that I wrote in my journal today was the gratitude I felt for medical professionals, medical interventions and good hospitals. My Dad has been receiving great care at the hospital and he is in good spirits. They have been running tests to determine the cause of his troubles. 

How wonderful that we have publicly funded medical care and that there is a team of professionals waiting to help you when you need it most. 

When was the last time you thanked someone in the medical profession for their help and expertise? They work tirelessly to bring good health and wellness to their patients. Think of nurses, doctors and lab technicians all on the hunt for the cause of what ails you. Think of them as angels in the wings ready to swoop in when the need arises. 

Here is one of my faves nurse Jan receiving her Masters Degree while working full time and being there for her kids!

 We are so blessed to have them in our lives.

I am forever grateful.
:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 7

Be Grateful for Your Family

Next week I am planning to visit my parents in New Brunswick.

We will surely be enjoying some "down east" hospitality.

This afternoon I received a call from my sister telling me that our father had just been admitted into the hospital. This news is always unexpected and disconcerting. My Dad hates dealing with his health. I imagine that he must truly not be feeling well to agree to go to the hospital. I am sending him lots of love and healing. 

This is our last family trip to N.B. for the Acadian Francophonie Reunion in 2009. We had a fabulous time. I am looking forward to spending some fun times with my parents again soon.

Is there a family member you would like to send a card to? Today could be that day. I know that today is that day for me.

Enjoy your family,
:)Francine

The OVL Project-Day 6

 Focus on Your Desire

 Setting an intention for what you desire the next experience or interaction will be helps to bring you into the present moment.  You can then focus your energy on what  you want now, not on what past experiences have delivered.

Using your gratitude journal to be appreciative of the people and things in your universe helps you to become aware of those experiences. When you notice something you like, take a mental note of it, send yourself a text,  later you can write it down in your journal. What you focus upon expands.

 Sometimes it is the absence of something in your life that makes you take notice. When my son Joel and I visited Peru last summer, clean drinking water was what we focused upon. We were told by our guides not to drink the water and to be wary of anything that might contain water. On the day before we were to depart for our 4 day climb up The Inca Trail, Joel got terribly ill. We surmised that it came from our visit deep in the Amazon where Joel brushed his teeth with the tap water at the open air lodge. I thought we should just be grateful for the mosquito nettings!

 A caring doctor came to our hotel and prescribed some antibiotics. My sweet son kept apologising that  he had ruined our trip. I told him not to worry and that we would see how he felt in the morning. I also quietly focused on our climb up The Inca Trail.  I was grateful for doctors who make hotel calls, bottled water and medication. In the morning, Joel felt up to taking the trip. Day 1 was lots of crackers and bottled water but by Day 2 he was eating with the group and passing me on the trail. We had an amazing trip. We have since been most grateful for clean water and spectacular scenery.

  
 What are you grateful for today that you may be taking for granted?

Have a healthy happy day!
:)Francine

The OVL Project- Day 5

It's All About Connection.

I had an awesome day today. It didn't start out that way. My daughter's cats are visiting for another 2+ weeks and they came into our room meowing at 3:30am and woke me up. I was not able to get back to sleep until past 5:30am. So I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I realise that I chose that mood. I was seeing the world from grey coloured glasses. I was not connected to the present.

I had a number of coaching clients today so I needed to change my set point and fast. Thankfully, I have wonderful clients that I adore. They really want to feel better about where they are in their lives and move forward with courage and determination. If I told you anything more, I'd have to kill you;) We enjoy a beautiful win-win relationship. You can choose to have those anywhere in your life.

Here I am connecting with a new friend at the spa. 

Everyone wants to feel connected and everyone wants to feel that they matter. I connect with my clients and I see them as capable and strong no matter what is going on in their lives. When I choose to see my contribution in uplifting and empowering another human being as worthy, I myself feel worthy. By noticing what is right with the world, we see more of what is right with the world. We are a mirror to each other. 

Today, notice what is right in your world. Connect to what you know is possible for those you come into contact with and your connections will take on a deeper meaning. 

May you enjoy your wonder-full world today.
 
In gratitude for you, the one and only you!

:)Francine

The OVL Project- Day 4

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial 

into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”- Melody Beattie

Your new daily practice is like taking your new baby out into the world. It is a scary proposition but you know that it is necessary. The love and appreciation that you have in your heart needs to see the light of day.

Take it out for a stroll today. Start small. Verbalise it first to shopkeepers, service people and the teller at the bank then to neighbors,  friends and family. Express your thanks and really mean it. Notice the difference between a polite "thank you" and it's heartfelt cousin. Observe what happens.

Let me know how it worked for you.

In deep appreciation for you,

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 3

"We can do more than lead, we can inspire."

I just finished watching The King's Speech with Colin Firth.
It is a truly amazing movie. It tells the story of King George VI and how he overcame his
stuttering with the help of a Speech Therapist and  commoner Lionel Logue. He became a help as well as a friend to The King.

In 1998 I began a Life Coaching Goal Group which one year later became known as
"The Goal Group". These women, Jane, Janet, Ursula and I have been meeting on a regular basis for the last 13 years. Having this support in my life has been such an amazing gift.
Taking this initiative to bring like minded women together has changed all of our lives for the better. Today, I will be sending them a card.

The OVL Project is much like this group yet it's reach is much greater. You can affectuate change by focusing on what you are grateful for in your life. Your daily Thank You card sends gratitude out in the world to a different person for 21 days. How empowering is that?!

May your connections continue to bear fruit.

In appreciation of your new daily practice,

With Love,

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 2

I truly enjoyed my time this morning writing in my Gratitude Journal.


It was quiet in the house and darker than usual as a storm brewed outside my window. The wind was blowing fiercely and I could hear the waves from the lake crashing against the pier. However, inside I knew that I was warm and safe and loved. I thought of the rock I found on the beach a while ago. It reminds me that I always have a choice about how I choose to feel.

 I knew I was choosing to feel good in this moment and come from a loving place.

  I find that when you endeavor to change something in your life, undoubtedly you face some resistance from yourself or those around you.

  It is choosing from a  fearful place. 

Sometimes, it is fear of the unknown.  It is the storm outside your window. It will not deter you if you are committed to allowing it to flow through you.
 It is only an emotion=Energy in Motion. 






Stepping into new territory is a little scary at first but it is worth the effort. You learn that you can do new things and it won't kill you- There's something to be grateful for!

Notice how you are feeling throughout the day and ask yourself: What am I choosing to feel  in this moment? What else is possible? 

Here's to being aware of your choices!

In gratitude for you,

:)Francine

The OVL Project - Day 1

Today is my inaugural post for The OVL Project: Day 1

I am so excited to share with you the reason I started The OVL Project. I believe that the natural set point for  people is love, joy and acceptance.  OVL stands for the circle of connection. That is where I believe we are meant to dwell.

We have been conditioned through our upbringing and our environment  to look for who and what is "wrong" with the world. 

What if we shifted our perspective to looking for what's right with the world?

 I believe that what you focus upon expands.

What if by looking for what's right makes us notice more of what's right?

 Let's plant the seed of The OVL Project together. Today, begin  by writing in your gratitude  journal 5 things or experiences that you are grateful for, why you are grateful for it and how it makes you feel.  Choose the same time of  day to write in your journal, schedule it and stick to it. 

The second thing to do daily is to send out a Thank You card a day to someone that you feel compelled to say thank you to. Like your gratitude journal, be specific: Tell your recipient what you are grateful for, why you are grateful and how it makes you feel. 
These are daily practices to commit to everyday for 21 days in order to set a habit of heartfelt gratitude. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of the OVL Project. 
Together, we are making a difference in the world.

 Enjoy your new practice,
:)Francine