Whether we are looking for our soul mate or we’re already in a committed relationship with him/her, most people don’t know (or they forget) the secrets to finding – and maintaining – lasting love.

Even if you’ve been together for years, do you and your spouse still feel that spark, that deep loving connection that attracted you to each other years ago? Or are you more or less just friends sharing a home these days?

Today’s episode covers all you need to know about how to find – and keep – a loving relationship.

My special guest is Peggy Wolman, a very in-demand dating and matchmaking coach, who has been very happily married for 45 years. She has an amazing track record for helping singles find their soul mate and maintain lasting love.

Why is she so successful? Because she has uncovered the secrets to solid, long-lasting, loving relationships – they’re not necessarily what you think! Or at least, they’re not what we all tend to DO.

Watch today’s video and get this expert’s tips on lasting love! She gives us the low-down on how to find and keep that deep, loving connection and the mistakes we often make that erode it, whether looking for that special someone to share a life with or we’re already in a committed relationship.

Then please leave a comment and tell us YOUR tips for keep the spark alive! The world needs all the love it can get, so please share your ideas!

With love,

Rena

PS – to learn more about how Peggy can help you in the matchmaking and dating arena, go to her website, PeggyWolmanMatchmaking

Even if I’m going through tough times, I focus on the good stuff.

If my mind wanders to my to-do list, I bring it back to focusing on what’s in front of me – the firey glow of the rising sun, the beauty of the misty light coming through the trees, the serenity of this moment.

For soon this precious moment will be gone. Doors will clang open, footsteps will thunder across the hall and down the stairs, and the kitchen will become a loud cafeteria buzzing with busyness and voices as the five of us – my husband, our three kids, and I – prepare for the day ahead. Lunches and snacks will be prepared, homework checked, backpacks filled, and there’s usually a last-minute scramble for something – gym shoes, a library book, or the signed permission slip that’s due today.

But for right now, this moment of solitude is mine. And it is such a powerful gift. It grounds me, centers me, fortifies me for the day ahead. Sure, there’s always other stuff that needs to be done before the work day begins – returning emails, writing my next blog post, folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher.

But that can wait. This “me” time is sacred.

Allowing ourselves to sit still and be alone is not easy. In fact, most people find it very challenging. When was the last time you purposefully sat down alone and did nothing for even 10 minutes?

We may go on a walk alone, or drive alone, or work at our desk alone. But the power of solitude comes from being alone and doing nothing. No distractions, no technology, no multi-tasking (exercising, getting to work, etc).

The benefits of solitude

- You’re more creative. Ideas and solutions have a chance to surface when your external world is quiet.

- Your intuition is heightened. Your 6th sense has a chance to tell you something, and when you’re being instead of doing, you can hear what it’s telling you.

- You hone your emotional intelligence. Studies have shown that it’s your EQ that makes you successful and happy, not your IQ. But you have to hone it.

- You improve your self-awareness, which is key to your fulfillment in relationships, at work, and within you (ie your self-identity and self-esteem).

Today’s episode is all about the power of solitude. The video’s only 4 minutes, and you’ll learn about FOMO (does it affect you?)

Why and when do YOU treasure being alone?

Please leave a comment and share your ideas!

Oh and if you like this topic, please click “like” and share it with your friends – everyone can benefit from a little reminder to take some time for themselves!

Often those who are most likely to miss the message need to hear it the most.

Every year, I spend a great deal of time and money on learning from the masters.

You see, I believe that if we’re not learning and growing, we’re dying.

But since I’m a mother of three kids at home, being away for five or six days has its costs.

No matter how much I benefit from the time away, coming home means facing loads of desk work and plenty of housework to catch up on, not to mention lost time with the family.

We moms already feel overwhelmed, stressed out and exhausted much of the time, whether we work outside the home or not.

So how do we get more balance? How do we get more time to regroup and recharge?

That’s what today’s episode is all about. LIFE BALANCE. Is it really possible?

Watch this 5-minute episode and then please leave a comment.

Do you agree with what I say about life balance? Or not?

Either way, I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below.

Thank you so much for watching!

To your health & happiness,

Rena

I’ve had a huge make-over! Well, renahedeman.com has, that is.

I’m excited to welcome you to my new online home. Come on in, have a look around, and make yourself comfortable!

A FEW PLACES TO CHECK OUT:

What I’m all about – Although this is the Individual Coaching page, you’ll get a feel for how your life can be transformed and where I will take you.

My back story & bio – Some of you may already know about my wake-up call and what prompted me to quit my old job and go back to school to become a coach. The quick-and-easy version of what I do is in my professional bio at the very bottom of the page.

Just what you needed to hear – Nourishment for your soul & mind. Articles & videos on everything from your mother to skinny dipping, and lots of personal development stuff in between.

Group coaching and free webinars & teleseminars schedules will be announced soon. I absolutely LOVE the energy of groups – when like-minded souls like you come together, there’s nothing like it. I’m so excited to start offering these powerful virtual gatherings.

We are all connected (in more ways than we know). I could never have birthed this baby without some amazing people… (you are my angels!)

HUGE THANK-YOU’S TO:

Jen Puckett – a true goddess of design and technology (a rare combo indeed). It is rare to find someone so talented, dedicated AND easy to work with. She is truly a gift from the Universe. And a major rock star of website design and creation. Thank you, Jen, for your hours of hard work, diligence, patience, kindness and warmth. I honestly can’t say enough about you.

Theresa Johnson – my amazingly talented photographer. Her work is gorgeous – and she always makes you relax and feel gorgeous. She knows how to capture a moment – an emotion, and she makes it so easy. A wonderful woman of kindness, warmth and dedication to her craft.That’s why I’ve asked her to photograph my family and me for the past 12 years.

Kimberly Gioioso – a professional fashionista (of Three Haute Mamas) who took me shopping and put together some of the looks you see in the photos and at my live events. She not only made me feel stylish, but she made the whole process very affordable and easy. She’s like having an adoring cool sister take you by the hand and make you feel good (you see, I hate shopping).

Rick Hedeman – my extraordinary husband, video cameraman and editor, and partner in life. Thank you for supporting me in my dreams and for encouraging me to reach for the stars. None of this would ever be possible without your ongoing support, love, and patience (especially on those nights we’re editing my videos at midnight). You’re my rock. You’re my everything.

And YOU, dear reader – thank you for being here, for reading my emails, watching my videos, commenting, sharing, liking, reposting, and inspiring me to try to make a difference by spreading my message of love, empowerment and courage to the world. You encourage and inspire me every day, and I am so humbled and grateful.

In celebration, please share this post with a friend who would benefit from a little message of love and support. Let them know that you’re thinking about them… and that anything is possible!

Oh and please tell me what you think of the new site in the comments below.

With gratitude,

Rena

Fear, anxiety, devastating sadness, unimaginable destruction, and loss.

As a matter of fact, we’ve had to face one senseless tragedy after another in recent months, with…

-the mind-blowing effects of Hurricane Sandy,

-the unimaginable shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School,

-and most recently the heinous bombing in Boston, the tragic explosion in Texas, and the anxiety-producing manhunt for the Boston Marathon bomber.

It is all so horrifying! It is simply beyond comprehension. We can’t wrap our brains around it.

We ask ourselves “Why did this happen? Why would ANYONE ever inflict such evil upon another human being, especially young, innocent children?”

We might even find ourselves questioning our belief in God.

In our quest to find meaning and make sense of how life works, we are left completely stunned, dumbfounded, reeling in shock, grief, and disbelief in the aftermath.

Yet the answer to healing our broken world is not retaliation, revenge, or unbridled anger.

It’s loving kindness and human connection.

As we pick up the pieces of our hearts and begin the healing process, it is so important to focus on the GOOD that springs forth in difficult times like this -

-the compassion of individuals

-the outpouring of love and support from total strangers

-the resilience, unity, and strength of communities – and of our country as a whole.

-the faith and courage to mend, rebuild and move forward.

We feel our emotions collide as we experience opposing feelings simultaneously -

-deepest sadness along with relief and joy

-tears of pain alongside smiles of gratitude

-horror & fear at the same time as courage & faith

-anger & despair alongside love & compassion.

Tough times like this remind us of our strength, individually and collectively. We learn that
yes, we CAN heal and move forward despite such devastation and all these conflicting, jumbled-up emotions.

Instinctively, we know that pain and loss are part of the human experience. But we also begin to see the silver lining – that loving kindness prevails and that life’s low valleys magnify life’s peaks.

We are drawn closer together in spirit and resilience. We have a much greater sense of what’s truly important to us – what our deepest priorities are. And what life is really all about.

We realize that there are so many heroes around us -

-the first responders and civilians who risked and often lost their lives to save others

-the police who worked tirelessly for days without rest

-the hospital staff who tried their best to perform medical miracles.

For all of those heroes, we are all truly grateful.

But perhaps the most beautiful souls in times of crisis are people like YOU…

Those who reach out in small but significant ways – offer a hand, take in strangers, give food, much-needed hugs, a shoulder to cry on, and hope.

You unsung heroes remind us that TOGETHER we can survive anything and come out stronger.

You unsung heroes remind us that what matters more than great deeds are the small, continued acts of great human kindness.

So I want to personally thank you for that, and to ask that we ALL continue to give our time, our resources, and our unconditional love to those who continue to suffer in the weeks and months to come.

Especially as time marches on and the headlines change, if WE ALL continue to reach out -

If we ask others “How can I help?” and we ask our communities “How can I be of service?” then neither terrorism nor tragedy has won the battle.

Loving kindness wins every time.

If you know someone who might like this message and benefit from it, I hope you’ll share it with them.

This broken world needs our collective healing, and YOU, my dear, are an important part of that process. So thank you.

Please let us know where YOU were at any of these recent tragedies. Share your story in the comments below!

“What personal development books do you recommend?”

My first answer would be a question:

What are you looking for in a personal development book?

Do you want to learn about spiritual growth?

Or self development as it relates to your mind?

Or money and abundance? Leadership? Business?

Do you want something purely motivational and inspirational?

Ok, I’ll give you a few of my favorites in ALL of those areas. Some of these were written recently and others are old time classics – but the underlying message is the same:

Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. Your life experience is up to  YOU and only you – not your parents, not your education, not the economy, not luck.

Your happiness and success is determined by YOU and how you respond to whatever life throws your way.  So pay attention to your own thoughts, beliefs, and self-talk. They affect everything.

Pay attention to your attitude and habits – and the attitudes and habits of those you hang out with. Pay attention to your body and what it’s trying to tell you. Tune in to your own inner wisdom.

Then take action to achieve your dreams and goals.

Dream it, believe it, plan, do it. Feel the fear and do it anyway.  You can do it! Persist.

And don’t you dare give up.

Watch this week’s video below and tell me if YOU have read any of these – and which book or author is YOUR favorite!

If you want to learn more from the masters, here a few of my all-time favorite personal development books:

For SPIRITUALITY personal development, I recommend

A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.

To learn about THE POWER OF THE MIND, a few of my faves are

Your Erroneous Zones by Dr Wayne Dyer

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

For MOTIVATION & FINANCIAL ABUNDANCE, there’s the famous classic

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

For LEADERSHIP & BUSINESS, two of the best books out there are

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by the late Stephen Covey, and

The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss.

I also happen to love Tribes by Seth Godin.

My very favorite category of books deals with COURAGE & CHANGE. If you’re facing any kind of big transition in your life or you need some amazing inspiration to follow your dreams – to feel the fear and do it anyway – three must-read books are

Do the Work  by Steven Pressfield

Daring Greatly by Dr. Brene Brown

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges

Of course there are hundreds of other fabulous personal growth books I love and recommend, including any book by the authors I’ve mentioned already, as well as works by

Paulo Coelho

Byron Katie

Gary Zukov

Brian Tracy

Esther Hicks

Bruce Lipton

Dale Carnegie

John Maxwell

Jim Rohn

Debbie Ford

Rev. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith

James Allen

Neale Donald Walsch

Rabbi Harold Kushner

David Schwarz

Bob Proctor

Oh there are just so many great masters of personal development out there!

Want to know what I’m reading right now? It’s an absolutely amazing book – and oh I just LOVE this author so much! Go ahead – ask me in the comments below. And while you’re there, please tell me what YOU’RE reading and what YOUR favorites are. I’d really love to know!

I’m excited to introduce you to a friend who’s super smart and successful – and so much fun!

She keeps me laughing with her humor and bluntness, even when we’re talking business (I told her to zip the potty mouth for this video, but she only kinda sorta listened, as you’ll see at the end).

Come meet Sue Zimmerman, a social media and online branding expert, who has founded and run 16 businesses since she was a teenager.

… to the tune of $1 million in sales her first year out of college. No MBA, no corporate experience. Just passion and determination, doing what she loves.

This video (below) is a MUST! Sue shares invaluable lessons on what to do – and what NOT to do – to start & run a successful small business, especially if you’ve got kids (she’s got 3).

Running your own business today requires a new set of skills than it did merely five years ago. In addition to having passion, determination, a plan, and the ability to take consistent, focused action, business owners now need one more crucial ingredient in order to succeed:

An outstanding online presence and the ability to engage through social media.

In business, that’s easier said than done. Trust me, I know – I struggle with my online branding and social media marketing plan every day.

But if you’re thinking of starting your own business – or if you already have one – you’ve got to meet Sue B. Zimmerman.

In addition to being a rockstar in retail, she’s the Queen Bee of online branding and all things social media, especially Pinterest and Instagram.

Sue learned the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship at a young age and has had 16 businesses since she was a teenager. Most of them were very successful (as in $1 million in sales her first year and invitations to sell on QVC).

Today she’s here to tell us what she’s learned. What worked and what didn’t. What to do and what to avoid.

As a mother of three, Sue found that having her own businesses gave her what many stay-at-home moms crave:

• a way to express her gifts and talents to the world and make money doing it
• a way to connect and engage with other interesting adults every day, and
• have a flexible work schedule while raising kids.

So check out this week’s episode and learn what it takes to be a successful small business owner!

Then please ask a question or leave a comment below!

Sue and I will answer any questions you may have about starting your own business, and how to balance it all while raising great kids!

Oh, and please keep it clean

Most books and articles on the topic focus on strategic steps to reach your goals and get what you want. And often times, a focused, strategic plan – with consistent action – does work.

(I’ve even created an entire 5-week course for my VIP’s on how to get clarity on exactly what you want, create a detailed road map, and take step-by-step action to achieve your dream.)

But today I’ve got a secret for getting what you want much faster. It’s very simple and straightforward.

And it really works!

Watch this week’s video (3 mins 25 secs) and find out this powerful step to getting more love, more appreciation, more joy, and more money.

I challenge you to try it. Not just once, but over and over again for at least 21 days.

When you put your heart into it, it works like magic!

Then please leave a comment below and tell us if you’ve ever tried this – or if you’re willing to!

Oh, and if you like this video, I hope you’ll share the love by clicking the Facebook “like” button above, as well as the Pinterest, Tweet and other social share buttons.

Also, I’d really appreciate it if you’d subscribe to my YouTube channel – that gives me more “clout” with YouTube (owned by Google) which then ranks the video higher so more people see it and benefit from this little powerful tip!

Just click the YouTube button on the bottom right of the video above, and from there you can subscribe to my channel and “share” it online if you want.

Thanks for watching and commenting! I am honored and proud to have you as part of our community of like-minded go-getters wanting to leave the world a better place than they found it.

With love and gratitude,

Rena

As individuals, we tend to think “our way” is the “right” way – or at least the “better” way – whether it’s how we drive, how we plan things, how we socialize and talk to people, even how we think.

OR maybe we react to our differences in the opposite way – with self-doubt – wondering “oh I should be more organized… less analytical… more outgoing.

Well it’s time to stop judging others (or yourself) and just accept that we’re just wired differently!

This week’s video is on the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator Test. Knowing your personality type can seriously affect your marriage and personal relationships, not to mention your career. Matter of fact, it can make the difference between success and struggle – in ALL areas of your life.

I’m not affiliated with Myers-Briggs in any way; I’m just partial to it because I think it’s one of the reasons my husband and I have such a strong marriage. And I also now understand why I don’t like getting directions from my dad (I tell about both in the video below).

There are many personality tests out there that can teach us a great deal about ourselves. When interpreted correctly, the results can offer insights about our nature that we often don’t see on our own.

So watch the video and find out more about how knowing your personality type can significantly help you in your relationships, work, and your whole life!

Even if you already know your Myers-Briggs four-letter type, do you know what it means and how it can help you? Watch the video and find out!

Then please leave a comment below and share YOUR personality type (if you know it). If you don’t know it, tell us what you think you may be.

And as I say in the video, if you want to know how to take the test for free (it usually costs a lot of money), send me an email by clicking on the Contact page, and I’ll share my resources with you.

I’m an ENFJ – what are YOU?

If you live far from the equator and it’s still kinda cold, grey and dreary outside – or if you spend most of your time indoors – you could be suffering from something called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

Doctors describe this common condition as a mild depression that occurs at a certain time of the year, usually in winter when the nights are longer.

Seasonal affective disorder symptoms include:

• less energy and ability to concentrate
• unhappiness and irritability
• social withdrawal
• weight gain
• even feelings of hopelessness

Fortunately, there ARE a few things you can do to alleviate these symptoms. How do I know? Because I’ve dealt with seasonal affective disorder every winter since I was a teenager.

I’ve got five simple tips to help you feel less sad and sluggish – and more empowered and energized. And yes, one of them is light therapy, which I LOVE.

Watch the video below to find out more (there are captions if you need to turn the sound off).

There are SO many people who silently (or maybe not so silently!) suffer from the winter blues.

Please help them by sharing this video – click the buttons above – on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Google+

They will thank you and so will I!

Then leave a comment below and tell us if YOU tend to get seasonal affective disorder – the winter blues – and how do YOU get through it?

Make your comment specific, as your stories, ideas and experiences help us all.