5 Desires Of Every Heart

January 17, 2015January 19, 2015 / Donna George / 3 Comments

We all have desires in our heart that keep us pressing forward to the next day. For some of us, they are upfront for all the world to see, screaming through our body language, waiting to be embraced by others. And for others, it might be buried in the clutter, long forgotten and removed.

Most of the treasures in our heart are not so different from others. In fact, I think we all are similar in our needs to be satisfied and feel validated. The physical conditions of the heart is known by medical experts, but the desires of the heart can only be felt and are more complex to understand. There are thousands of metaphors about this epic organ that have stood the test of time. You have probably heard many of them and wrestled with them first hand. Some of my favorites spoken to me during my hard decision-making times and the ones I still ask myself are:

Should I follow my heart or my head?

Oh, but they have a big heart.
Home is where the heart is.
My heart feels so heavy.
I should speak from the heart.
I poured out my heart to someone.
I have a weak spot in my heart for that person or a cause that draws me.
My head is saying this, but my heart says something else.

We’ve all heard these clichés and use them when the situations seems right to make us feel better about our decisions, as if our brain operates out of our heart. We all know the brain is where we make decisions, but the “happy place” dwells in the heart. So we strive to continue to keep the connection between the two places in alignment through agreement.

Any list of “heart” expression can quickly highlight aspects of human relationships and personalities: attitudes, social behavior, fear, love, acceptance, rejection, and the list goes on and on. The messages of the heart are not yet understood by leading top professionals today, but there is agreement among the group that the HEAD & HEART work together in unity for a persons well-being. This is clear in the damage that stress, anxiety, depression can do to the human heart. The pharmaceutical world is getting rich on this factoid, just look at the millions of people who are taking drugs daily for heart sickness that’s not physical.

The great news is that just as the negative in our life beats up our heart, the positive emotions repairs it and keeps it healthy. We are humans not robots! The heart feels stuff, intangible things like love, kindness, laughter and joy. Did you know that when you are laughing and happy your arteries respond more productively as compared to being stressed out where the arteries constrict? This is a great reason to laugh more and look for funny movies and upbeat influencers to be around in your life. When the heart is at peace and happy, the body seems to regulate at a higher endurance. Scheduling stress free time is necessary and proven that we need it.

Since I began my journey writing, I have discovered many things about myself and about others. Having the time to stop and listen to the trials of others, I have noticed patterns that seems to bother everyone on some level. Every heart has deep needs and probably not so different from some of your very own. I decided to make a list, here is the top 5 desires.

1. The need to feel loved by someone. To be happy and fulfilled with healthy relationships.

2. Approval and acceptance by others, at least someone. Trying to escape loneliness.

3. Recognition or acknowledgment of moving in the right direction for improvement. A positive encourager or friend.

4. The idea of HOPE and the belief it exists for them, no matter how small the amount.

5. The belief that there is a God up there who can hear their prayers and watch over them. Faith.

I believe Helen Keller understood the heart matter and she left us this quote.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt by the heart”

What are the desires of your heart? Do you know anymore; are you living them out loud?

February, the month of love is on the horizon, how will you share the love?

Love

Donna George 🙂

Dear Readers, 3 Surprising Ways To Be Happier Everyday

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 / Donna George

It’s Winter, gloomy, cold outside and the sky turns dark way too early. This is not exactly the kind of stuff that propels you toward the “pursuit of happiness”. I can share three simple tips that can help brighten your day, by offering you something to try. I promise, its super easy.

1. Wake up and be grateful, you’re alive, breathing and able to start over. Renew anything you desire, just by acknowledging it. Say it out loud so your ears can hear what your mind is declaring.

2. Find a quote about life you love, one that will inspire you to think bigger than yourself. Place it somewhere you will see it right away when you wake up. After you read the quote a few times, it will become a sticky note in your head. Make a decision to commit to work towards the goal of your quote. You can choose a quote for different specific life applications, like a quote that relates to work, fashion, friendships or family, but get started with a general one. This is one of my personal favorites…

3. Woe girl, ease up on your expectations! When your expectations are too high, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. And when this happens we can’t enjoy the good surprises life brings. There are only 24 hours in a day. Worrying about the “What If’s” of tomorrow, takes the fun out of today. Just do more of what makes you happy!

We all want to be happier, yet many of us find it challenging to achieve and even harder to maintain. Happiness has little to do with money, but more to do with the way we spend our lives and more to do with people around us.

Ultimately, it’s up to us to focus our attention on the beauty of life instead of the problems. Show a little gratitude, be intentional with your thoughts, and find a peaceful flow. You are smiling already :). I knew you had it in you, why else would you be reading a blog about “Beyond Extraordinary Days”?

Happy Trails,

Donna George

Body Central Retail Headquarters Closes; All Stores Closings

January 11, 2015January 9, 2016 / Donna George

Sharing an updated post from January 2015 to honor the memory of a retail fashion brand we all loved… And miss.

Sad goodbyes at Body Central headquarters

jacksonville.com/business/2015-01-09/story/jacksonville-based-body-central-closing-all-its-265-stores-2500-out-work

The company was started by The Rosenbaum family in 1972 as Body Shop, with its first store in the Rosevelt Mall. After years of success, the company went public in 2010 with 5 million shares at $13 a share. As the company success grew, so did stock prices, rising to $30.69 in 2012.

The company sales began to decrease in 2013 and never recovered from the downward turn, and now the doors are sadly closed.

You may be wondering why I am posting this story on my blog…

I worked for Body Central 30 years, it’s part of my legacy. A position that never felt like a job. Instead, it seemed like an extension of a huge family that will forever impact my life. As a new leadership regime took over, the great fall out began.

For me, it was 2/22/13.

Watching from a distance I saw “the great exodus” of tenure associates followed by declining sales results and a negative atmosphere in the organization. A difficult position for a brand that thrived on integrity and healthy unity.

There are many lessons in this story that could benefit other corporate headquarters, board members and executives. I wish every CEO would investigate for themselves what caused this once successful brand to collapse. There is much to be learned and avoided.

For what it’s worth – my two cents
Board members should periodically seek face time with field executives, especially when sales are declining. Don’t be completely reliant on CEO’s and CFO’s viewpoints, particularly if these executives are new and unproven to the brand. (I could write a book on this subject).
CEO’s could benefit from the same advice. Get out of your offices and get to know the organization! Being constantly surrounded with two or three executives and their influences is deadly. Be proactive and see for yourself. Travel alone occasionally.
CFO’s should keep their focus on margins, profits and bottom lines.

Where there is smoke, rest assured there is a fire

A great company is formed where great workplaces are built through day by day relationships that employees experience. It’s not about programs, checklist or even benefits. The defining principle is TRUST and through these relationships, trust develops.

In a great workplace you will find:

Trust for the people you work for.

A sense of pride and excellence in the work performed.

Enjoy the people they work with and feel part of a team

The Rosenbaum’s were extraordinary role models and I’m grateful for the positive influence they contributed to my life and many others. On the anniversary of Body Central’s closing, I look back and remember a legacy that will live on forever.

Jerrold Rosenbaum, Founder of Body Central

Executive team

awards

bc 4

BC 5

BC 6

mountain house meeting

Body Central 1

Cruise photo

New Store Opening Photo

DMs

Happy Trails
Donna George

Unbelievably Wise Fashion Guide For Everyone To Consider

January 6, 2015January 8, 2015 / Donna George / Leave a comment

1. Leggings As A Pant. They were never designed to be worn alone as a pant. Leggings are unbelievably comfortable and have earned their staple wardrobe value, but nonetheless they are add-ons to your outfit not the main event.

Pair leggings with a long top or sweater that unquestioningly covers your bottom when you are standing. A longer tops will create a modern chic flair to your ensemble.. A good rule of thumb to measure, place your elbow alongside your hip, let your hands fall down by your legs and look for tops that will extend to the area your hands reach.

2. Showing Too Much Skin. Trends like revealing belly V silhouettes tops are often worn by popular celebrities, therefore creating the demand to your favorite brands to stock up on the item. Did you know that many brands have the items on their shelves for you to buy within 3 days after their debut?

There is an old saying that suggests “leaving something for the imagination” is more alluring than showing too much. Call me “old fashion”, but I’m more influenced by the timeless style of #Aubrey Hepburn than anyone in the modern – day culture.

3. Proper Fit. A big mistake of wardrobing, outfitting yourself in clothes that are too big or too small. Nothing accentuates a belly roll like “muffin tops” that are simply too tight and allows no grace for the midsection. In most cases, clothing worn too tight make you appear larger in size not smaller. Don’t get distracted by the number of the size, it’s an inner label, not a blinking billboard. Every brand fits differently and sizes vary. We could go throughout the list someday about this retail trick, but we’ll save it for another post in the future.

Clothing fitting too loose or too baggy is also a fashion blunder. Allow your outfit to show structure, style, and definite lines. Don’t loose your beautiful self in extra fabric and folds.

4. Age Appropriateness. The rules of engagement on “age appropriate clothing” has softened, however they do exist. Women and men are redefining these unwritten notions with good instincts and body conscious awareness boundaries. There are some relevant current blogs available online like glo.com for decade specificity.

As you know, girlfriends are always a great source for an honest option too.

If you can treat yourself occasionally with a stylist it will go a long way in helping you update, especially if you can bring them to check see your clothing. If this isn’t a possibility, subscribe to Elle, Vogue or More magazines and start reading about the trends and how to pick the ones that work best for you. Fashion magazines are packed with “how to wear articles” or you can be creative and shop the novelty racks like T-stands and 4-ways in your favorite stores. Check out the table items and notice what the brands have in stock depth. Keep in mind, fun, trendy stores like Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, and Wet Seal have the fast fashion, but the sizes are junior scaled. A contemporary fashion version of these trend setter brands has Missy sizes available (whole sizes like 2,4,6,8,10 etc.) One of my favorite stores, H&M. They have a nice mix of basics, trends and pieces the working girl can wear to the office.

5. The Color & Fabric, Matter. You don’t have to be a textile major to get this one right, just let the weather guide you. We all know the better the quality, the better the product, so invest in a few great staple pieces you’ll wear often, that will last you keep its original shape. Inexpensive fabrics tend to cling more and reveal every bulge, especially in light colors. Pay attention to the washing instruction on different fabrics and be kind to your delicates like chiffons and silks.

A great pair of black trouser would be a perfect example of where to invest in better quality. Cheap cottons can knot up appear picked and usually shrink. There are exceptions like tanks that are inexpensive and you can afford to buy several.

Color is important to keep your look smart. An easy guide to getting the color right is Pastels in the spring, bold colors in the Summer, warm palettes in the fall and darks in the winter months. I love the fashion exception of wearing pastels around the holidays – just choose a pastel with a winter weight fabric like a soft, fuzzy ice blue sweater and a white jean, perfect chic combo.

6. Don’t Get Stuck In A Lost Decade. Keep your signature style, but don’t get trapped in the past, keep it moving forward. Stay current. Vintage is a fashion route, but keep in mind 20 years is the magic number to qualify. Ask yourself, “how can I outfit this blouse differently than I wore it last year”?

Keep your favorite pieces and enjoy them, but update them with modern options, otherwise you might get stuck in a time vacuum. Oh no.

JANUARY is the perfect month to dig through your closet, purge what you don’t need and discover the look that will define you in the new year. Have fun and let me know how its going.

Happy New Year!

Donna George

Is Your Favorite Color A No Brainer, What Is It?

December 11, 2014April 21, 2021 / Donna George / 2 Comments

It’s Christmastime and your family, friends and associates are running around hoping to pick out the perfect gift for you, hoping to choose a color you’ll love. Is your favorite color obvious, a no brainer or will they be left clueless to spend precious time deciding between 20 neatly stacked color options.

What is your favorite color? You might be interested in knowing what your favorite color could suggest about yourself. Color meaning definitions and comparisons to personalities are no secret to many organizations, furniture manufacturing, clothing industries and professional surveys. Lucky for you, I did some research.

Most people are unaware of how much color impacts their lives, but in fact, they do indeed. The experts have found that color greatly impacts decisions, emotions, memories and mood. Psychologists claim color also reveals our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, mental and physical states, and overall emotional well being.

What does your favorite color means:

Red – Aggressive, Passionate, Fire, Determination
Black – Sophisicated, Mysterious, Intimidation
White – Simple, Innocense, Safety, Purity, Positive
Blue – Calm, Content, Depth, Trust, Wisdom
Yellow – Happiness, Optimistic, Energy, Warming
Pink – Inspirational, Playful, Sweet, Feminine
Orange – Creativity, Fascination, Joy, Success
Brown – Gorgeous, Abundance, Perfection
Green – Fresh, Harmonious, Cautious, Renewal
Purple – Royal, Noble, Extravagant

So what was your favorite color, again? Maybe you feel safer choosing a “color palette” instead and feel uncomfortable picking just one. According to the professionals, the base color building your preferred color palette is your favorite color. Would you agree?

Another study reveals the attraction to favorite colors is associated with positive memories or experiences. The common denominator among the group studies of color attraction is that we will usually have three favorite colors in a lifetime, influenced by where we live, our health, and financial circumstances.

Nobody loses, everyone wins, there is no right or wrong color to love. Did the professionals get it right for you? If you are still struggling to decide on your favorite color, look around you and notice what color you have surrounding you. What color is your phone cover, the majority of your closet, or your ink pens?

Let your beloved color shine through, reveal your favorite color. My confession – I love the pinks, but I attracted to greens.

With positive intent,

Donna George

Gratitude

A few thoughts to keep in our hearts as the Christmas Season nears.

Here’s to big belly laughs and simplicity.

Extraordinary Days Ahead,

Donna George

Simplify

November 20, 2014 / Donna George / 2 Comments

It’s a Winter Wonderland in the Smoky Mountains

November 3, 2014 / Donna George / 6 Comments

The beautiful white snow fell this weekend and it was the first snow of the year in the NC mountains! The landscapes changed from the fall palette of oranges, reds, and yellows to a beautiful “Crisp White Winter Wonderland“.

Snow storm blankets the Smoky Mountains

Season’s first snowfall 2014 Smoky Mountains

Christmas Tree in the Smoky Mountains covered in snow

This is one of the Christmas Trees at the entrance to my driveway in the Smoky Mountains. The trees were white, crisp, and beautiful, resembling a postcard you would see at Hallmark.

Snow weighed down the tree limbs

Glistening pristine snow in the woods

Snow in the Smoky Mountains

I am always excited to see the snow and never get tired of it. It’s like a special bonus when we’re visiting our cabin and the snow comes to make everything sparkly and magical looking. Here’s a photo of the cabin nestled in the snow.

Cabin in the Snow

Snowy day at the cabin in the Smoky Mountains

Beautiful view of the cabin in the snow

And finally, the last minute snowman. His mouth is a little sad, but stands happy just the same :)).

It’s me, with my husband Charles – posing the blooming snowman

So the Halloween weekend ushered in the snow, but our best friends, Ernie and Donna made the weekend complete!

A slightly different version of the snowman

Snow in the Smoky Mountains is a treat for your soul, sharing it with friends is a blessing.

Extraordinary days to you ahead,

Donna George

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Gorgeous Colors of Peak Leaf Season Change, in The Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

October 25, 2014December 15, 2014 / Donna George / 2 Comments

Last year I posted photos of the season change in the Smoky Mountains and I was flooded with emails requesting more shots, so I decided to post again this year. The views were majestic and the colors of the landscape were a tapestry of oranges, reds, burgundies, yellows and purples. All under the big beautiful Carolina Blue Sky. Here are some of my favorites.

View from my deck

Blue ridge parkway view

Blue Ridge Parkway Blowing Rock

Sunlight peeks through the woods and treetops

The trails were gorgeous with the sun squeezing in through the tree tops.

A lone green tree in the mix

Woodsy Trail as Linville Trail

Gigantic tree root

Clouds and colors

Trees

The New River winds around western NC, VA and much of WV. With 3120 elevations, it’s one of the nation’s American Heritage Rivers and despite its name – New River, it’s one of the five oldest rivers. Oh, and there is plenty to do on the New River: fly fishing, white water rafting, swimming etc.