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On a recent trip I watched “He’s Just Not That Into You” on the plane. It’s an entertaining movie with some good knee-slapping scenes and a lot of “oh no he didn’t!” moments. The movie starts off with a scene of a little girl getting knocked over by a boy at a playground. A well meaning parent chides, “It’s okay. He does those things because he likes you,” which sets off the life long challenge of misread signs, dating jerks and tolerating bad behavior. (more…)

This story proves that the power of creating our body image revolution lies in social media! Case in point: I met this wonderful, vibrant , fully alive gynecologist named Dr. Lissa Rankin on Twitter. Dr. Lissa is a gem, and one of those women who has mastered using both the left and right sides of her brain. She is amazing… did I tell you just how great I think she is? :)

Lissa has created a community called Owning Pink. (You may also know Lissa from her work with Betty Confidential.com and College Candy.com. )

She contacted me because she felt we were sisters of PINKY POWER - both dedicated to helping women learn to love and own their bodies. We simply fell in love and a lifelong friendship has begun - from one single Twitter post! Yes, Twitter!

Lissa is a huge OnePinky fan, and she and I will be holding a workshop in September in Northern CA (you cannot miss it) called “Owning Your Body” and we want all of our Owning Pink and OnePinky sisters to join us!

Listen to what Owning Pink and OnePinky gals have to say about these programs:

“The past year has been a journey of discovery for me. I learned more about who I am and how I want to live my life than I ever imagined was possible. Never had I dreamt that there was so much depth to the universe and so much simplicity all the same. I go through each day with the philosophy that ‘thoughts become things.’ Therefore I simply have to imagine what it is that I want for myself and my life, visualize it, feel it, put an action in place that corresponds with my desires and anything I want is truly possible.”
–Megan of Owning Pink

“The big mental shift I have had since the joining OnePinky.com is the glorious realization that my body is a temple. It is loving, efficient vessel that holds all that is me. After that, health is pretty much a given. Prior to OnePinky.com or attending one of free Laura’s teleclasses on the phone, I took everything about my body for granted. Now it is simply a priority and feel today that it always will be, even though I am still young. I am back to working out regularly because regular exercise and conscious eating are important to and for my temple. Emotionally, there has been an awakening of the knowing that I am beautiful just as I am. NOW. Period. All the time. This prompts me to continually affirm this in my mind and heart. As a result, I AM more Free, Open, Peaceful and happy about my body. There is less judgment, pressure and comparing myself to other women. Whatever path my body is currently on is the right one for me. The time for my heart and body is NOW. Thank you Laura. You are a love.”
–Jennifer of OnePinky

Body Love, Pinky Power… Body Image Revolution… a Love Fest… I am blessed… to live in a time when we can connect at such rapid rates… and blend and support and hold one another’s work and movements.

If you’d like to help get the word out about OnePinky on Twitter, please feel free to do so here! Or tweet @LissaRankin …

Pinky Power! Pinky Promise! Owning Pink! YES!

OnePinky sister, Sara, recently wrote this testimony in honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month and I wanted to share it with you all:

I like to say that I’m straight, but not narrow. I’m married to a man, but I can appreciate the curves of a woman just as much as I can the broad torso of a man. I might have a crush on Will Smith—but I’ve also had a little thing going for Rosario Dawson for a while (yes, Seven Pounds just made my entire year). And while I’m all for getting married if you want to—or not if you don’t!—for straight couples, I’m completely the same for gay and lesbian couples, too.

In other words, I’m straight but not narrow-minded.

My husband and I think we’re pretty warped people. We are completely in love with President Obama (whom our three-year-old is also smitten with; she even has his trading cards). We believe in science over organized religion—but believe that personal faith, as long as it’s separate from the government, is A-OK. We think it’s cool for boys to kiss boys, boys to kiss girls, girls to kiss girls, and kids to kiss dogs. (But kids shouldn’t kiss turtles. I hear there’s a salmonella risk.)

Why does this have to be “warped,” though? (Besides the fact that it’s a cool word.)

Why do we have to feel so out of place smack in the middle of the Bible belt, attending family reunions filled with country-music crooning and hillbilly hollering and glares and jeers at our bumper stickers and offhand remarks about anyone who isn’t white, straight and a follower of Jesus?

Instead of warped, shouldn’t our views be the norm? More and more states are ratifying gay marriage (what the heck is up with you, California?), and we finally have a President who believes in stem cell research and does not want to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Yet the only places I can feel really at home with how I feel are online—including www.OnePinky.com.

At OnePinky, my “sisters” all accept everyone no matter their creed, sexuality, color or any other factor. Some of us are Christians; some are rather pagan; some prefer to remain nondenominational. And it’s all okay, because if there’s anything we learn at OnePinky, it’s to love ourselves no matter who we are, just as we are, warts, fat, bi polar, astigmatism and all.

“Live and let live” is what we learn, and that doesn’t apply to just ourselves—it applies to the world at large.

OnePinky.com reinforces the idea of tolerance—and most importantly to ourselves! Acceptance is what we should always strive for, here and now and always.

And we are responsible for owning the loveliness that we are. So it is time that we cease letting anyone make us feel that we are wrong with being who we are.

OnePinky, the community opens the door to talk about religion, politics, and all of the issues that people typically shy away from because of the divisiveness. Why should we fear each other so much? Should we not learn from one another instead, and embrace diversity in all of its beautiful forms?

Let’s celebrate being different. And like we’re learning to love ourselves “one pinky at a time,” perhaps the global community can learn to love each other, one person at a time, one difference at a time, until we reach a climate of peace and acceptance.

How has OnePinky.com impacted your view on tolerance and acceptance? Share your thoughts in the comments.

While I have received pleasure and joy in planning, presenting and hosting for the majority of my life, the truth is, many people do not.  Helping others to experience enhanced connections through hospitality has been my mission through my presentations with Joie de Vivre, and now with Compass.  (more…)

This is the Casales family of Mexico. They spend about $190 on food each week, which is nearly half of what the Melanders of Germany spend—and they have an additional family member!

So far the Casales family has spent the least amount of money during our food study. The two big questions are:

Have they spent this money wisely? (Is it on junk or healthy food—and how does it compare with the families from last week?)

And, have they spent too much—too little—or just enough, and why?

Let us know what you think in the blog comments, and be prepared for the amount spent on food—and the amount of food that people buy for their families—to get less and less over the week. You won’t believe your eyes by Friday!

What would be possible if you were totally confident and comfortable in any social situation, and could easily build the relationships you need to succeed?

About the Expert:
Soni Pitts is the MAP Product Manager for My Life Compass. Soni is a professional writer and web geek with a background in personal development and life coaching. The material for this MAP™ was drawn from Soni’s three-year term as the Assistant Community Coach in the Social Capital and Networking Community at CoachVille, where she helped create and deliver coach training and support on the topic of networking and social skills alongside connectivity guru Kim George and Business Network International founder Dr. Ivan Misner. Learn more about her at www.sonipitts.com.

In this post I am going to explore the type of trips and vacations you may consider as a single who wants to meet other singles for a serious relationship.  In my last tele-gathering we were discussing the relationship question:  Where can I meet singles when I am vacationing this summer?

The one thing I forgot to mention in my last blog post is since it is very obvious to many, but not to all people is that one of the best ways to find out what trips or vacations that are geared for singles is Google.   For example, it may be your interest to search “Christian Singles Travel” and you will be given many companies that organize trips for singles of the Christian Faith.

So there are many different vacations that you can consider that cater to singles.  There are resorts or adult camps that have long weekends such as Club Getaway just north of New York City in Kent, Connecticut.  Or there are all inclusive resorts that promote singles weeks such as Club Med where there are a myriad of activities such as swimming, waterskiing, boating, tennis, golf, and evening entertainment and dancing.  Also, there are dance cruises for every type of dance such as swing, salsa, zydeco and tango that offer lessons by top instructors and have open dancing with live music.

Next, there are sightseeing tours both in the US and abroad.  The US trips tend to be oriented towards the outdoors and national parks such as in Colorado and Alaska.  The international tours provides guided tours where you learn about other cultures and history of the countries when you are visiting Europe, Asia, Africa, India and the Middle East.   You can find more adventurous tours to China, Africa and South America.

You may choose to travel with singles of your faith.  I know there are many Jewish and Catholic travel groups for singles.  (visit www.heartmindconnection.com/resources.html for listings of some groups.) There are also religious groups that have weekends and cruises for the purpose of singles to meet each other for a love relationship such as JDate and Bersherte for the Jewish Community.

Don’t forget your local activity groups that may organize summer trips, as well, such as your ski clubs, biking, hiking or golf groups. In Washington, DC where I live, we have several ski clubs, biking and hiking groups that have trips organized for the summer.  (Visit www.DCDatingInfo.com)

What kind of vacation appeals to you where you have the opportunity to meet serious singles?  What do you plan to follow up on and investigate for your summer vacation?

This inquiring relationship coach wants to know your answers to these questions and any comments you may have on this subject. (Click comment link at the end of this blog post)

Your relationship coach,

Amy

P.S.  Get your relationship questions answered!  Subscribe to my emails to get helpful dating and relationship advice and tips to move you forward towards your goal of meeting a partner for a committed serious relationship or to enhance your existing love relationships at www.heartmindconnection.com .  You can sign up for my next tele-gathering there.   Also, you can download a free chapter of relationship advice from my book, Get It Right This Time-How to Find and Keep Your Ideal Romantic Relationship at www.GetItRightThisTime.com.

P.S.S.  Do you live in the DC metro area?  If so, when you sign up for my calendar of events on www.DCDatingInfo.com , there are more ideas about trips to take for the summer to meet someone for a serious love relationship.

Now is the time to finalize your summer vacation plans.  You say that you have no plans yet!  You are not alone.  In this month’s telegathering (It was a great class with a good turnout) the main relationship question that many had is, “How do I find out what to do for the summer and still have the opportunity to meet other singles?”  You are not unlike many singles that wait until the last minute to make this decision about their summer plans.

First you need to figure out how much time you have.  Do you want to take off a full week or two?  Or would you rather take a couple of long weekends?  The time allotted will determine what kind of vacation or trip you can take.

Second, what is your budget?  How much are you willing to spend?   Do you want to have a long weekend at a posh resort or would you like to take a week’s trip that is packaged for the budget traveler?

Next, check in with your values.  This will give you a sense of what would be a fulfilling vacation for you.  If you are a person who would love to get involved in philanthropic projects (and meet others who share your passion),  I recommend that you look into trips that are organized around doing service such as Steppin Out Adventures.

If you are a person who values a healthy active lifestyle, then there are many resorts and trips that specialize in sports and other physical activities, as well as healthy meals such as Canyon Ranch, Club Getaway and Club Med.   Also there are biking trips such as Backroads and hiking trips as well.

Remember to seek trips or groups that are age appropriate.  An organization such as Elder Hostel (www.elderhostel.org) runs educational and active trips for the over 60 crowd.

If learning about and experiencing other cultures is important to you, then there are many single tour groups that you can find.   You may want to visit my resource page on my www.heartmindconnection.com to learn more about the companies who run trips and the resorts that offer activities for singles.

Many of my clients tell me that they would love to find a love relationship with someone who loves to travel so they can have a traveling companion.  Then my dating advice to you is to travel with the intent of meeting other singles along with finding a vacation that is satisfying to you.

In my next blog post I will explore more types of vacations or trips you may want to consider.

What kind of vacation are you seeking?  Would you like the opportunity to meet singles this summer while you travel?

This inquiring relationship coach wants to know your answers to these questions and any comments you may have on this subject. (Click comment link at the end of this blog post)

Your relationship coach,

Amy

P.S.  Get your relationship questions answered!  Subscribe to my emails to get helpful dating and relationship advice and tips to move you forward towards your goal of meeting a partner for a committed serious relationship or to enhance your existing love relationships at www.heartmindconnection.com .  You can sign up for my next tele-gathering there.   Also, you can download a free chapter of relationship advice from my book, Get It Right This Time-How to Find and Keep Your Ideal Romantic Relationship at www.GetItRightThisTime.com.

PSS.  Do you live in the DC metro area?  If so, when you sign up for my calendar of  events on www.DCDatingInfo.com , there are more ideas about trips to take for the summer to meet someone for a  serious relationship.

I was recently on my local TV station’s mid day magazine program on the subject of breaking up.  They wanted my relationship advice on a recent Men’s Health article about who is breaking up harder for – men or women?   I started thinking and researching this relationship question and this is what I concluded…

A lot depends on several factors such as the age of the person.  When we are young, we may not have a good sense of self.  We don’t have much experience with love relationships and breakups.  We fall heavily into love and our emotions run strong.  So when we break up in our fragile 20’s, it hits us harder.  One of my client’s son’s girl friend broke up with him.  He was devastated.  He thought she was the one.  It turns out she wasn’t ready for a serious relationship commitment.  He didn’t have the perspective to see that this may have been for the best for both of them at this stage of their life.  In time he will move on and meet someone who wants what he wants.

For those women in the mid to late thirties and early forties, a break up may hit really hard.  I had a client who came to me after a horrible breakup.  She had been dating a guy for two years and was expecting a marriage proposal.  Instead, the boyfriend broke up with her.  Here she had a disappointed dream of happily ever after.  She really wanted a family too and her time was running out.   I think breaking up is very hard for women in this age group, especially if they want to still have a family.

In my next blog post I will explore other factors that make breaking up hard to do!

How have your break ups been?  What has been hard for you about breaking up?  What have you learned from your breakups?

This inquiring relationship coach wants to know your answers to these relationship questions and any comments you may have on this subject.

Your relationship coach,

Amy

P.S. You can join my free tele-class on Monday 5/18 at 9 EST pm on “Summer Travel or Vacation Plans Strategies”.  Sign up at www.heartmindconnection.com/telegatherings.html .

P.S.S.  Get your relationship questions answered!  Subscribe to my email notifications for helpful dating and relationship advice and tips to move you forward towards your goal of meeting a partner for a committed serious relationship or to enhance your existing love relationships at www.heartmindconnection.com .  Sign up for my next tele-gathering at www.heartmindconnection.com/telegatherings.html .   Also, you can download a free chapter of relationship advice from my book, Get It Right This Time-How to Find and Keep Your Ideal Romantic Relationship at www.GetItRightThisTime.com.

My Get Love Right tele-coaching group came to an end this week.  It is always sad because you get to know and love a group of people who really show up and do the work for ten plus weeks.  They are like young birds that have gotten wings and now are able to fly on their own.  (This is a metaphor for venturing out into the dating world.)

They leave more grounded in themselves, with a clear sense of what will work for them and what will not in terms of their dating to find a serious relationship.  The group was four women ranging from 35 to 55 years old.  Three have never married and one was divorced.  All are courageous and smart women.  They
took a risk and decided to try something different to change the outcome of their dating.

So what did they come away with?  As each shared what they have gained from the group, it became apparent that I had taught them well.  They got it.  Sally said, “I am not going to date haphazardly anymore.  I used to date someone and then find out that their life goals were different than mine.  Now I will find out their life goals sooner rather than later!”

Lisa chimed in, “I really have a sense of my values and that my partner would need to share my main core relationship values.”   Jane added, “I will pay attention to my must haves and use that as a screening tool when looking for a love relationship.”

“Yes, I won’t allow myself to get swept away by a cute guy who doesn’t share these important things with me”, shared Tina.   This was all music to my ears!

What choices are you making for yourself when you are out in the dating world?  How can you be more intentional about who you go out on a date with?  What will you use to screen inappropriate people?

This inquiring relationship coach wants to know your answers to these questions and any comments you may have on this subject.

Your relationship coach,

Amy

P.S. You can join my free tele-class on Monday 5/18 at 9 EST pm on “Summer Travel or Vacation Plans Strategies”.  Sign up at www.heartmindconnection.com/telegatherings.html .

P.S.S.  Get your relationship questions answered!  Subscribe to my ezine for helpful dating and relationship advice and tips to move you forward towards your goal of meeting a partner for a committed serious relationship or to enhance your existing love relationships at www.heartmindconnection.com .  Sign up for my next tele-gathering at www.heartmindconnection.com/telegatherings.html .   Also, you can download a free chapter of relationship advice from my book, Get It Right This Time-How to Find and Keep Your Ideal Romantic Relationship at www.GetItRightThisTime.com.