Simple Prosperity

I don't usually recommend books before I finish reading them, but this one is too timely not to let everyone know about it. Written in 2007, the book is dedicated "to all who are ready and able to open their hearts and minds to a new era." The author, David Wann, writes clearly and compellingly about ways each of us can find "real wealth in a sustainable lifestyle."

Whether your particular interest lies in saving time, better using your money, improving your health, really enjoying your work, improving your social capital or the benefits of right-sizing, this book is for you. Each chapter can stand alone for someone interested in just one topic. But I guarantee that you won't stop at a single topic because his writing style, an interesting combination of research, facts, stories and personal insights, encourages you to read this little gem from cover to cover.

Fall Fun at the Farm

Fall is here and so is the opportunity to get outside and play! Yesterday, my husband and I took our two youngest grandchildren (ages 5 and 3) to Flax Pond Farm in Carver (MA). We all love cranberries and this is the main product this farm produces. It was the first day of harvesting and we were treated to a tour of the bogs and a demonstration of processing cranberries for sale.

Then we went to their shop to have some fresh cranberry juice and look at all the products they sell that use these delightful berries. The kids loved the dried cranberries and we bought some of these and some of the locally-produced cranberry honey.

Why am I writing about this fall adventure on a joy and prosperity blog? Several reasons. First, it was a truly joyful day for all of us and reminded me how many fall activities offer similar pleasures. Second, it didn't cost us a thing - except for what we bought. Third, I really enjoyed spending time with the woman owner who has lived all her life within a mile of this bog - and has been cranberry farming for 33 years. We are big fans of buying local and this was a good opportunity to do so.

Finally, I wanted to share a picture and two facts with you. I always thought the farmers loaded the berries onto trucks to bring them to the processing areas. Imagine my surprise when I learned that this farm uses helicopters to pick up the cranberries and deliver them to Ocean Spray. I was even more surprised that Ocean Spray gets its cranberries from a cooperative of many, small farms like Flax Pond. As a supporter of local produce, this helps assuage my conscience when I do resort to buying cranberries at the supermarket.

My challenge for you this week is to go online, seek out some fall activity in your area, and go out and play!

An affordable alternative to a gym membership?

Good health, a key component of prosperity for me, requires regular exercise. I created a walking/hiking program that worked for me - until an old foot injury made me realize I needed to do something non-weight bearing for awhile. Swimming was the first thought so I went to price a membership at a local gym with a great pool. It was somewhat affordable, but I hesitated because I don't have a good history of actually using a gym once I join.

Following my own policy of not buying on impulse, I invoked my 48 hour rule (wait for two days to see if I really want to purchase something). In the meanwhile, I found a DVD I had purchased last summer called "Sit Down and Tone Up" from the Chair Dancing Series. I did the program which is more challenging than it first appeared. At the end were promotional blurbs for others in this series. I discovered that I could buy an aerobic one and a Yoga one - none of which required weight bearing.

So here's what I did (after 48 hours, of course). I purchased two new DVD's so I will have access to aerobic exercise, yoga and strength training without any impact of my foot. Together they cost far less than a month at the gym. I plan to use these for the month of August and, if I feel that they provide the exercise I want, skip the gym. If not, then I'll pay the membership fee to the gym and start swimming. Given that I don't want to commit to a monthly expenditure plus the fee, I have great motivation to make the DVD's work for me!

Keep checking back and I'll update you on my progress.

A Roundtable: One Path to Joy and Prosperity

One of the challenges of being an entrepreneur/small business owner can be the lack of a support team to help you have faith in your big dreams - and achieve your goals. More than two years ago, I joined a Roundtable (some call them Mastermind Groups) and discovered the power of a small group of women meeting monthly to focus on their businesses. We get together for coffee and conversation focusing on a specific topic that we all agree is important. We begin with a brief update of what's been happening the past month, focus on the topic, then conclude with each member committing to a specific goal (or goals) to achieve before our next meeting.

Read what some of our members have to say about being in this Roundtable:

"It has been a respectful, safe and friendly group with a variety of experiences and expertise that has helped me round out my business acumen. "

"The meetings force me to look at what I have accomplished and what more I can do. Without this time to reflect on your businesses, you can easily go months without looking at the bigger picture."

" I know if I needed input on something quickly, I could and would feel comfortable sending an email to this group. I have built some great relationships because of this Roundtable."

"Being in a Roundtable is wonderful, with great people, fabulous ideas, good camaraderie, intelligent critiques, new insights - like having best friends and business partners all at the same time, for those of us who work alone!"

For me, being in this Roundtable is a perfect example of joy and prosperity in action - and it doesn't cost a penny! If you want more joy and prosperity in your life by creating a Roundtable, simply reply to this post and I will send you the basic format we used to create ours.