No one...
smells a rose like you
dreamt your dream last night
plants a footprint
that dances like yours
casts your reflection
in the pane.

The world awaits
your very next breath
for unto you
a sun
is born

This is only one of the colorful, original, thought-provoking eCard greetings you will find on my best friend Marney's Artella web site.

These eCards cost nothing and will really brighten the day of someone you Love...(maybe even send one to yourself).


P.S. Calling all mantras! Share your TWIGs (Talented, Wise, Illuminating Gifts) with others. I'm collecting your favorite mantras for a new page on my web site. Together we can Be the tree!

What's your mantra this month? Email me with yours.

Love,
Diane

Want an un-cluttered house for the holidays?

Try these handy cleaning tips....

Dirt
Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it an SPF factor of 15 and leave it alone.

Cobwebs
Artfully draped over lampshades reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If someone points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look confused and exclaim "What? And spoil the mood?" (Or just throw glitter on them & call them holiday decorations.)


Pet Hair
Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for underprivileged children. (Also keeps out cold drafts in winter.)

Guests
If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."

Dusting
If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "This is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes."

General Cleaning

1. Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself on the couch and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere."
   
2. Light the oven, throw a teaspoon of cinnamon in a pie pan, turn off oven and explain that you have been baking cookies for a bake sale for a favorite charity and haven't had time to clean...Works every time.
   
3. Always keep several get well cards on the mantle so if unexpected guests arrive, you can say you've been sick and unable to clean.

Give yourself the gift of an uncluttered home for the holidays in 30 easy to fit in daily emails. Enroll in my 30 Days to an Un- Cluttered Castle eCourse today.

If you're still on the fence deciding whether to jump in, I offer a 4 day complementary trial with the option to continue the momentum uninterrupted for only $30 if you like the way it's presented.

If you're ready to go right now, I have that covered too! Click here for more details and to sign up. If you don't feel you received the full value of what you expected, I will cheerfully give you back your purchase price.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Growing a Business

Question of the month...
Is it really important to have reciprocal links with other web sites?

I think so but I didn't know why so I went to Link Building 101on the SearchEngineWatch.com web site to do a little research on the subject. On first glance, I was overwhelmed at all the information on this page. My solution: don't panic, take a deep breath, and start anywhere your eyes fall.

This is how I came up with this article called "What is link Popularity?" by Jill Whalen at HighRankings.com I especially like the tip she gives that mirrors my own instinctive way of doing this Internet business thing.

Jill writes, "My favorite way to get links (but the most time-consuming) is to simply have the best site on the Internet in your specific niche. Interestingly enough, if your site is well written, provides tons of useful information and is constantly updated, you often won't have to seek out links at all. Other sites will link to yours of their own volition.

This has worked for me on my HighRankings.com site for many years. Without actively requesting any links (other than a few major directories), hundreds of highly relevant sites have added HighRankings.com to their list of recommended sites related to SEO. Some people link to my home page, others to the main newsletter page, and still others to my forum. Some will link directly to an article or newsletter they've enjoyed, and some will ask if they can republish some on their site, while also including a link.

This is the ideal, and not every site is going to have the time or inclination to get to this stage. However, I firmly believe that any kind of site in any type of business can use this method if they are willing to work at it. I know of no other method that can even bring links from direct competitors! Personally, I'd rather spend my time creating a link-worthy site than sending out repetitive reciprocal link exchange requests...but maybe that's just me."

Ahhh, I love it when my instincts are validated! Don't you? Time is relative my friends. Especially if you are dedicated to only investing it in ways You Love. I am always open to link up with sites I find valuable, and by osmosis feel you might find useful too. Somehow I have always known that others would be doing the same thing for the same reason.

So , if you feel any one of my pages here at CultivateLife.com may be of value to your circle of influence, link away to your heart's content. I'll be here doing the same thing!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Wisemama Way


For many, the holidays also highlight the physical absence of a loved one who has died. This year marks the first Christmas season my family will celebrate without our patriarch, my husband's father, who suddenly collapsed on Christmas eve last year and died five days later from what turned out to be an aortic aneurysm in his belly.

So as our family is searching for ways to heal in ways that will honor Ernie's memory - and to illustrate how things can appear on our radar screen with perfect timing - I recently heard from my best friend Cynthia (out of the blue I must add) announcing the launch of her web site HealingStonesFromTheHeart.com.

Cynthia and I go way back to 1991 when our daughters were both 3 years old. We met at a Mommy & Me swim class and our friendship evolved in a wonderful partnership. It seemed so simple at the time. We watched each other's daughters on alternating days each week so we would each have uninterrupted time to pursue our dreams without the guilt us moms tend to heap on ourselves about having a life of our own.

At first, all those many years ago, it seemed as if Cynthia was destined to create huge stained glass windows for churches. But as often happens, things took an unexpected turn smack dab in the middle of Everyday Life.

Cynthia created her first Healing Stone as a way to 'do something' for the grieving parents of someone in our community who lost their son. The parents gratefully acknowledged Cynthia's gift, telling her that whenever they looked at the colorful stained glass block infused with a symbol that reminded them of their son, they remembered the happy times. They told her the Healing Stone made them realize that as time went on, the happy memories would heal their grief.

In an instant Cynthia Knew that this-was-what-she-was-being-called-to-Do.

All these years later, though all the stuff of life, Cynthia has pursued her calling by perfecting a memorial that is specifically designed for the healing of individuals who have lost a loved one or pet. Cynthia believes with all her heart that when we are able to focus on the happy memories, we are able to begin healing; no time limit, no if, no have to, just when we are ready.

I agree. It is the happy memories my family has frequently revisited during this past year that have helped us heal the physical space that Ernie no longer occupies in our lives.

If you are at the when space in your grieving process, and feel your healing this holiday season would be helped through happy memories, contact Cynthia, or take a look at her inspiring web site. She truly embodies the Spirit of all that is good in this world.

Books I Love

If you are looking for a new tradition this year, my pick would be to read a story out loud to someone you Love.

Reading to others creates a snuggly connection that I don't think anyone outgrows. In fact my book club meeting this month is going to consist of everyone showing up in their jammies so we can read each other our favorite holiday story.

I'm bringing The Precious Present by Spencer Johnson. This book is a story about a young boy who, after hearing about the most "Precious Present" from an elderly neighbor, makes it his life mission to find out what the Precious Present is.

As the boy grows up, he checks back with his neighbor every so often for more information. The boy enjoys his visits with the old man, and though he often leaves more confused than ever, he also becomes increasingly dedicated to his quest. Finally, after spending a life time searching for the Precious Present, the boy-who-is-now-a-man finally finds it in the most unexpected place.

The perfect time to pull out this book is during a quiet moment by the tree or after a wonderful meal. It's simple parable conveys a very powerful message about Life, and could very well expand the perspective of anyone who holds a jaded view of what gift giving could really be about.

Neat Links

Time saving gift giving ideas for Creative Spirits!

What if...

...up to 27% of each purchase you made throughout the year went to your favorite worthy cause? iGive.com is but one of the sites my best friend Karen Jones founder of BenevolentPlanet.com recommends to help us give within our busy daily lives.

The partner stores on iGive.com donate a portion of every purchase to the charity of your choice. There is a list of thousands already there (Barnes & Noble, EBay, and Harry & David just to name a few) AND you have the opportunity to add additional ones if you like.

You just Gotta Try This!
Find fantastic gifts - FAST - with Artella's interactive Smart Shopper! It's fun, it's incredibly intuitive, and it's a great way to support Creative Spirits just like You!

Speaking of creative spirits, check out this list of awesomely talented women I met at the Creative ManiFestival I spoke at in November.

Imagine if you will, spending four days of doing nothing but focusing on abundance and how to receive MORE! I have been to many retreats in my day and this one was one of the best ever! I am still receiving its influence almost a month later.