The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive but in finding something to live for.

– Fyodor Dostoyevsky

A 2010 study published in Applied Psychology found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—which involves having a sense of purpose along with a sense of control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that well-being might be protective of health maintenance.

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Identifying your Purpose for Living

If you have already determined your purpose, be sure that you get to devote time to it regularly especially if your purpose is something other than what you do day in and day out.

If you haven’t already determined your purpose, jot down thoughts about why you want to keep living.

What would you not be able to live without? I’m not talking about things like food, water, or your cocktail choice. I’m talking about why do you want to keep living? It can be as simple as I want to keep living so I can read OR paint OR learn OR be here when my children need me OR work on my boat OR…anything at all.

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The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive but in finding something to live for.

– Fyodor Dostoyevsky

A 2010 study published in Applied Psychology found that individuals with high levels of eudemonic well-being—which involves having a sense of purpose along with a sense of control and a feeling like what you do is worthwhile—tend to live longer. Other researchers found that well-being might be protective of health maintenance.

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Identifying your Purpose for Living

If you have already determined your purpose, be sure that you get to devote time to it regularly especially if your purpose is something other than what you do day in and day out.

If you haven’t already determined your purpose, jot down thoughts about why you want to keep living.

What would you not be able to live without? I’m not talking about things like food, water, or your cocktail choice. I’m talking about why do you want to keep living? It can be as simple as I want to keep living so I can read OR paint OR learn OR be here when my children need me OR work on my boat OR…anything at all.

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“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”

– Tim Ferriss

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Productivity

In my coaching with business owners and key executives, I’ve watched them get tons more accomplished when they use my system that began with Stephen Covey’s Habit #2 in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It works! Try it at home AND at work: Begin With The End In Mind! Before you dive in decide clearly where you want to end up—with the project, the day, the week. See how much time you gain. See how much more time you have left for the things that enhance your life so you can LIVE VIBRANTLY!

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“At any moment in your life, you have a choice to focus on the pain or open your thinking and look for the good in spite of the bad.”

– Joel Weldon

GOOD MORNING!

Would you like a solution? You might ask, “A solution to what?” Actually it is a solution to almost anything that is upsetting, dark, painful or just not good.

You can even make it a game, like Joel Weldon talks about in his talk (video link below)—The Glad Game—How to Find The Glad In Spite of the Bad. His rules for the Glad Game are in this week’s tip. Over and over, you hear me say that seeing the good eventually becomes automatic and changes your life and your level of success in your life and even your business. It’s a matter of focus. The bad or negative things don’t vanish, they just take their seat in the background and slowly fade when we focus on the good in the situation or in the person.

Just like Joel says in his talk, “Life is filled with imperfections, but when you play Joel’s Glad Game and you focus on finding something positive about everything in your life, you will see solutions you never imagined existed before and then the world will never notice the imperfections!” And neither will YOU!

You might even say, “This sounds too Pollyannaish.” It IS!

Here is the dictionary definition of Pollyanna: “An excessively cheerful or optimistic person.” Would you rather be an excessively cynical or pessimistic person? It’s a choice you get to make. Just know that part of living vibrantly is authentic optimism and joyfulness!

So here’s the tip:

Here it is: Joel Weldon’s 2-step rule for The Glad Game:

  1. When anything bad happens, PAUSE
  2. Find the good in the bad: Focus on finding the positive things in your life.


Please play this game starting today. Every moment can be a new beginning for you. At any moment in your life, you have a choice to focus on the pain or open your thinking and look for the good in spite of the bad.

Remember: The choice is to Live Vibrantly or to Live Sluggishly and Fearfully

FINAL TIP: Watch Joel’s talk. It will make you laugh while you learn.

 

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“Getting into great shape is fun and wonderful if you’re healthy, but it’s essential if you’re not.”

– Henry S. Lodge, M.D.

GOOD MORNING!

You can improve your life dramatically with regular exercise, even after a serious illness. Maybe you fell off of your exercise routine sometime during the pandemic with gyms closing and opening and closing again, but don’t let yourself use that as an excuse. Here’s why:

Every day you’re not exercising, you’re allowing your body to decay—literally! It’s just a chemical fact. When your body notices a “shut down” like not exercising (or not eating), it “helps” you by tearing down fiber or muscle so that you can “survive” the situation that caused the shut down. The body is very efficient. If you’re not using a muscle it gets rid of the muscle as quickly as possible so that your body doesn’t need to support it with blood, nutrients, etc. So, the less active you are, the more “fit” fiber you lose. The more active you are, the more “fit” fiber you build.

Here is your vibrant tip for the week! 

If you want your body to work for you, work it! Little by little you can increase the time and intensity of exercise.

Work it in in several ways:

  1. Cardio (of any kind from elliptical to dancing)
  2. Strength training (of any kind from weights to resistance to toning)
  3. Stretching (lengthening muscles makes your body more limber to move easier)

Make movement a priority in your life and in each and every day. However much or however little you can do each day – just do it! You will not regret it!

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“Start with the end outcome and work backwards…”

– Wayne Dyer

On Sept 14 I introduced you to the vibrant habit of always starting your day with the end in mind.

Click here to review that Monday Minute.

This week I would like you to imbed that habit in your thinking by doing something as you begin each day this week. That is our big tip for the day(s) below.

Have a Wonderful Vibrant week,

Karen

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Working Backward

It is far easier to understand the concept and power of starting with the end in mind than to do it regularly. So here is your assignment for this week. It is going to require just 5 minutes each morning and some reflection during the day.

Each morning: As you begin the day ahead answer this:

  1. What outcomes will make this a successful and satisfying day?
    – – Not activities! Outcomes! – –

  2. Write these outcomes down… As you go through your day answer this simple question:

  3. Is what I am doing right now going to help achieve one of the outcomes I wrote down?

 

This will change your priorities and your focus and ultimately ….. your day!

And, if you keep doing this, you will soon learn to work your day backward as you start with the end in mind.

And guess what? If you consistently do this, you will be doing one of the two critical things that highly successful people do with flying colors!

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“Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.”

– Jacques Prevert


Good Morning!
Have you noticed that the overall feeling in the world during this
difficult time is not as vibrant as it was? That’s why it behooves
us to work extra hard in our lifestyles to seek it out. An uplifting,
vibrant sprit is not only important to both our well-being, but also to our immune systems. Today’s tip is for that very purpose.
Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

Live Vibrantly Attitude
Live Vibrantly Good Vibes Only

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Attitude

Think of ways to elevate your feeling of vibrance—like how you
feel when you drink a large glass of ice water on a hot day. What are the things you can do to achieve that? Make a list—a sign—and post it on your mirror or on your computer screen so you don’t forget them.


Here are a few of mine:

  1. I’m a people person, so I go to the wharf where there are many people social distancing, but enjoying themself.

  2. Another one: The other night I went to the Rose Garden park where people were gathering in small groups for picnics or just socializing. I could almost feel the joy of the people’s hearts gathered together, forgetting all about the pandemic, but remembering social distancing.

For me, just observing happy people can feel uplifting even if I’m not participating.

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“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live..”

― Jim Rohn

FOOD, What the Heck Should I Eat?Good Morning,

Many people tell me they have a lot more time to read during
these difficult times. If you’re one of those people, you might
want to add this one to your reading list:

FOOD, What the Heck Should I Eat
by Mark Hyman, MD.

Dr. Hyman informs us what we need to eat in order to feel good, boost our immune systems, and have life-long health. Who doesn’t want that, right? In today’s tip, I’ll give you a sample of a healthy menu.

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

Live Vibrantly Nutrition-1

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Nutrition

Here it is: Just eat real food. That’s the tip.

But what does that mean? Three simple steps:

  1. Eliminate fast foods completely.
  2. Don’t eat anything with more than 5 ingredients listed on the label.
  3. Shop around the exterior of the store where the fresh food is.

 

Pretty simple, yes? Now, I didn’t say easy, I only said
it was simple. It will take some getting used to, but you will be amazed at how much better you’ll feel and your immune system will thank you.

Live Vibrantly Nutrition

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“Staying connected and getting reconnected feeds the flow of
goodness which empowers our humanity.”

― Susan C. Young

Good Morning,

Isn’t it wonderful that our world has opened up enough during this difficult time to allow us to see each other out in the world (at safe distances)? When we’re with people, the “feel good” chemical that naturally occurs in our systems—serotonin—increases. It’s uplifting to be with people we enjoy, so what safe things can you now do with people that you couldn’t do before?

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

Live Vibrantly Connectedness-1

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Connectedness

Find walking partners and walk and talk six feet apart. You can even set up a schedule that allows you to be with a different one of your friends every week. You can even go swimming with a friend at a safe distance. If you feel safe eating with friends outdoors, meet one for breakfast, and sit at opposite ends of a table for 4. Have a picnic in a circle—six feet apart. You may be surprised how good you feel and may even experience a sense of being “filled up” emotionally!

Live Vibrantly Connectedness 2

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“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land, there is no other life but this.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Hello again,

Feeling vibrant during difficult times can sometimes be as simple as picking up a new lens to see through. Open mindedness takes much less energy than defensively holding to a single perspective. Being open to hearing other points of view can be very freeing and uplifting even if you don’t agree with the others’ opinions. You might even say that it’s life-giving— vibrant living. Sometimes it is as simple as just laying down your sword. You may say, “that’s not always easy to do.” That’s true. But it becomes easier the more you do it.

Have a Vibrant Day and week,
Karen

Live Vibrant Attitude

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Perspective

Try this: Next time someone starts voicing a perspective that is much different from yours, rather than defending your position, be curious. Ask why he or she feels that way. Be open minded; not judgmental. You will be surprised at how freeing this is, and you might just learn something you didn’t know. Try it. You’ll actually feel the difference.

Live Vibrantly Perspective

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“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Good Morning,

How are you staying engaged with life during this pandemic? Are you able to stay the course with your purpose, your passion? New studies show purpose gives you resilience and we all need resilience during this difficult time, don’t we? Forbes recently reported, “People with a sense of purpose are more engaged … they realize their interests and passions. Passion gives you the fuel to stay the course, and when it may not seem possible, you do it anyway.”

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

Live Vibrantly Purpose and Passion
Live Vibrantly Purpose and Passion 2

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Attitude

You can start or restart your purpose engine by asking yourself these three questions:

  1. What makes me feel like magic has filed the sails of my life?
  2. When does my chest get bigger because I freely breathe deeply?
  3. In the end, will I be able to say that I lived according to my personal values and made a positive impact?

 

This is a great time to be doing those things!

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“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow”

― Hellen Keller

Good Morning,

You may not want to hear this, but you’ll be glad I shared it with
you: Research has shown that even a small amount of
negative brain activity can lead to a weakened immune system,
making you more prone to illness.
Our attitude can be shifted easily based on our environment including the people with whom we spend time. Ever notice how you feel when you’re subjected to the negativity of another person? Then notice how you feel when you’re around a positive, sunny personality. Not only during difficult times but all the time, it is important to limit the amount of time spent with negative
people.

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Lifestyle

To be healthier and happier, surround yourself with positive, uplifting people. Find ways of avoiding negative, complaining people. It is really that simple! It is not always easy to do, but the solution is simple: Just exit negative people from your life as if your life depended on it—because it does!

Live Vibrantly Attutude

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Each day is a gift.  Be sure to open it.

– Anon


Good Morning,

Making the most of your life begins with making the most of every single day. This doesn’t always mean getting many tasks accomplished. Sometimes it means setting aside time to simply relax and be intentional about enjoying your day. Of course, it also means accomplishing things that are priorities as well as the things that just flat need to be done.

Have a Vibrant Day,

Karen

Live Vibrantly Productivity

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Productivity

A simple tip to squeeze the most out of your time is to set a block of uninterrupted time to knock out those important, necessary things that need to be done. (Interruptions rob us of about 50% of our time because of the way our brains work.) Then you have more time to do the high priority tasks and the things you relish doing. That’s important! Try doing one thing that you absolutely LOVE every single day and see if you don’t feel at least a twinge better about your life!

Live Vibrantly Productivity 2

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“To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise.”

– Gene Tunney

Good Morning,

A great birthday card I got on the outside said, “How do you keep looking so fabulous.” On the inside, it said, “And please don’t tell me it’s what I eat and exercise!”

Fortunately or unfortunately, exercise is a giant key to a healthy immune system. “Over the last four decades, many studies have investigated how exercise affects the immune system. It is widely agreed that regular moderate-intensity exercise is beneficial for immunity,” as reported by Science Daily.

Are you saying, “Do I have to? When do I fit it in?

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

P.S. Please forward this to others you think would benefit. There is a button below for people to sign-up. It is absolutely free to all! Thank you!

Live Vibrantly Exercise stairs

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Exercise

I HAVE GREAT NEWS about EXERCISE. You can make exercise part of your regular day when you don’t have a time block to exercise. Here are a few ways you can easily do that. Try making movement part of everything you do like stand up when you take a phone call and march in place while you talk. You can even take a walk around the house or your office while you talk on the phone. I asked myself, “Why do you think you have to sit while you’re on the phone?” If you live or work in a multi-level, go to the next floor to use the facilities or get a drink or water. Just move all day long.

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If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”

— Loren Eiseley

Good Morning,

Part of being healthy with a strong immune system is staying hydrated. Water helps to carry oxygen to our body’s cells, which results in systems that function well. It also works to remove toxins, so drinking more of it helps prevent toxin build up which has a negative impact on our immune systems. Since staying hydrated helps to naturally eliminate toxins and other bacteria that may cause illness, water can help keep you healthy!

But how do you know when you need water?

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

live vibrantly nutrition

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Nutrition

Here’s an easy clue. Are you tired?

When I get tired during the day, I’ve learned to ask myself, “Are you thirsty, tired or hungry?” If I can’t answer that, I just drink an entire glass of water and guess what? Eight times out of 10, I’m not tired anymore. Use tired or even hungry as signals to drink a glass of water. It might even help you lose some weight! For sure, it will help you feel more energized while silently boosting your immune system!

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“Life becomes easier and more beautiful when we can see the good …”

― Roy T. Bennett

Good Morning,

Some exciting news for you this morning: Optimism boosts Immune Systems! Research has found that as people become more optimistic, they show stronger cell-mediated immunity, the flood of immune cells that respond to an invasion by foreign viruses or bacteria.

Ever been around a negative person or watched too much news and observed how it made you feel? Just exit left. When I learned that it’s not mandatory to stay around negativity, I felt free.

Have a Vibrant Day,
Karen

P.S. Please forward this to others you think would benefit. There is a button below for people to sign-up. It is absolutely free to all! Thank you!

live vibrantly lifestyle

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Lifestyle

Today, give yourself permission to just walk away from negativity whether it be a person or media. If it is walking away from a negative person, it’s easy to do. Make a polite excuse. Even, “Oops, it’s time for me to have my next glass of water” will do for an excuse for someone who is especially annoying. If it’s media, just turn it off. You’ll be saving the day for yourself—and that’s really important for staying healthy!

live vibrantly lifestyle 2

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“We are like islands in the sea,
separate on the surface but connected in the deep.”

-William James

Good Morning,

Wondering what staying home and social distancing have to do with our happiness? Neurological research shows that we are drawn to one another and automatically shake hands, hug, touch the arm of the person we are meeting because touch produces serotonin, which feels good. We want more of it, and we seek out contact. So what can we do during this difficult time of not being able to touch others and in many cases not even able to see others? That’s one of the reasons websites like Zoom and Facetime have surged in popularity. People are hungry for contact with other human beings. We want to see each other and touch each other. So, what can we do about that?

Have a Vibrant Day,

live vibrantly connection to others

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Connection to Others

Remember the commercial that said, “Reach out and Touch Someone? ”That’s exactly what we can do. Do some Zoom or Facetime breakfasts, coffees, lunches, happy hours or dinners with friends, family and colleagues. Connect and reconnect. You’ll be surprised how good it makes you feel. It fills that empty place within you up because it releases serotonin into your system.

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“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.”

– Doe Zantamata

Good Morning,

When your safety and security needs are unsure or even pulled out from under you, what can you do? No matter how high you are on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, when challenging times like we are experiencing in our world right now, the base or foundation (food, water, safety and security) has been shaken a little or even a lot. What can you do to feel more calm and stable—maybe
even light-hearted?

Have a Vibrant Day,

Karen

P.S. Please forward this to others you think would benefit. There is a button below for people to sign-up. It is absolutely free to all! Thank you!

live vibrantly attitute
Live Vibrantly Attitude

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Attitude

This can change your entire day! When I wake up in the morning, instead of grabbing my phone or turning on the TV to check the news, messages, or emails, I have what’s called a habit stack. That’s a short stack of quick–easy habits that start me off on the right foot. First, I think of 3 things I’m grateful for (some people like to grab their gratitude journal and write them down, some people like to pray their 3 gratefuls). Next, I get up and look in the mirror and SMILE! (Smiling releases “feel good” chemicals.) Then I read something quick and uplifting. There are hundreds of daily inspirational books. You probably have one around your home. Try this morning uplifting habit stack or make your own. It was a life-changer for me and it may be for you too!

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“It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”

– Mae Jemison


Good Morning,

Here’s a great way to boost your immune system and stay healthy during these challenging times. Research has found a strong link between living one’s life with a sense of purpose and enjoying a robust immune system. That’s true especially when our sense of purpose is something we are passionate about. But, what if you have trouble figuring out what you are passionate about?

Sometimes thinking too hard gets in the way of great thoughts. Sounds funny, right? Maybe even ridiculous? But it’s true.

Have a Vibrant Day,

Karen

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Passion and Purpose

When I can’t figure something important out, I use a great technique I call Rapid Thought Writing. It’s easy. Here’s how:

Write about this as fast as you can without stopping to think and without ever lifting your pen or pencil off the page: “What would I do if I didn’t have to make money or save money or take care of anyone but myself.” Just start writing. You might even be writing silly things like, “I don’t know what to write about, but I’m supposed to just write fast so I’m doing that.” The more you write, the more will come. Maybe not today, but if you do this rapid thought writing in the morning for several days, you’ll be surprised what will eventually come to you. I did this for seven years straight every morning. It changed my life. I found my passionate purpose.

Follow your passion. It will lead to your purpose.

Live Vibrantly Passion and Purpose

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We could be a thousand miles apart and I’d still know you were there.”

― Pete Hautman

Good Morning,

Since “being part of a pack” is critical for emotional well-being, it is important to find new ways to stay connected during this time of social distancing. True connection is a primal need and is intricately formed in the workings of our brains. Research tells us we pick up signals from facial expressions and body movements. Those visuals are transmitted to our brains so we “see” the other person’s emotions via mirror neurons. Because we see and feel their emotions, they now see and feel our emotions and a true connection is made. I’m just scratching the surface and simplifying it for our purposes.

Have a Vibrant Day,

Karen

Live Vibrantly Connectedness

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Connectedness

It’s especially important to find ways to stay connected during this time of isolation. Zoom gatherings and facetime can help. Someone I know said he is finding it energizing to work with a couple of people on a project to help others during this time—even though they have to work and meet virtually. Some people are driving to parking lots and each sitting in their own respective cars in the driver’s seat (to stay the appropriate distance apart) and talking through their open windows. What can you do to stay closely connected with others?

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“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land, there is no other life but this.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Good Morning,

Do you know anyone who has not been impacted by what has been going on for the past six weeks? Few things are more important to us than our well-being.

If you feel unnerved by being isolated, you are not alone. Not knowing how long this will last can make you feel out of control which adds to the anxiety you and your loved ones may be feeling.

On the plus side, a friend told me that her son misses school. She said that she was sure she would never hear that. Maybe his grades will see some improvement.

Today’s tip will help you deal with the uncertainty of our current circumstances.

Have a Vibrant Day,

Karen

Live Vibrant Attitude

Karen’s Vibrant Tip for Today – Attitude

If this approach sounds naïve and simplistic to you, you are right. It IS simple. You need to shift your tendency to focus on the positive from focusing on what worries you.

How do you do this?

Stop 3 to 5 times every day to see what is good around you. In fact, let’s practice right now. Stop and look around. What you appreciate and enjoy right now? What can you be grateful for? As I look around, there is a beautiful red cardinal sitting in a tree in my backyard. He comes most days. What do you see?

Make it a habit and do it many times each day. After you have done it for a week, see how you feel and let us know.

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My first edition and introduction to Karen's Vibrant Minute

Greetings,

Karen Duncum Live VibrantlyMy name is Karen Duncum. I am a coach and licensed counselor. I am passionate about helping people live their best lives–vibrant, healthy lives.

I have been establishing new ways to help people in addition to my coaching practice like eBooks, webinars and company engagements. Just about the time I was getting ready to launch this newsletter the Coronavirus pandemic was ramping up.

These events have lit a fire under me to get this out even sooner. Rather than simply titling my letter “Living Vibrantly” I am (for now) calling it “ Living Vibrantly in Challenging Times”.

My goals for these brief messages:

  • They will be short – so you can read it in minutes in your busy life.
  • They will be practical and useful – something you can really apply – so that it is a welcome resource
  • They will be based on solid information from the world of science and proven experience.


How often will you receive it?

You’ll find it In your inbox by the time you get up once a week.

My life’s work has been based on my passion for better living – for Vibrant Living. Living that can be vibrant and meaningful in every stage and situation, every season of life, good times and challenges, energy and tiredness, all of it. This is what I want to share with you each week.

Welcome!

Karen

P.S. Please forward this to others you think would benefit. There is a button below for people to sign-up. It is absolutely free to all! Thank you!

Each edition of Karen’s Weekly Minute will focus on one of eight topics.

Live Vibrantly 8 Pillars

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SILVER

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