Winning Strategies

Life's Burdens and Struggles

Life is a gift. We unwrap it each day, savouring the gift we've been given. I remind myself of this when I face struggles and life's burdens. We do not have to face them alone. God is there to lighten our load and take the burdens off our shoulders if we allow Him.

You cannot live through life without experiencing trials. People will let you down. Situations will overcome you. Relationships will fail. You will feel like you are breaking. God will not give you more than you can handle. It will feel like it. Stand strong. Rally your support system around you. Review the things that God has helped you through in the past. God loves you and cares about your struggles.

Happy Easter.
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Whether Turbulence or Easy Sailing

I sit in my airline seat, on a very long flight from Singapore to Dallas, pondering life, work, family, and the pursuit of happiness.

Whether life has dished out turbulence or easy sailing, your fortitude and perseverance should not waver. Stick to your path. I think back over the life struggles that I've encountered; major back surgeries, difficult work situations, Jeff's death, crippling pain, and troubles with teenagers-- only to realize that life is a journey.

Whether it is currently easy or hard- or in-between for you now, surround yourself with a helpful and loving support system to see you through.

I have had the great opportunities to coach hundreds of you down a road to success. Know that I as well face struggles and barriers on my journey. Do not give up. Turbulence in life is usually temporary. Know that helping all of you has been one of my greatest life's blessings.

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Singapore Shopping

It is hard to visit the city of Singapore without shopping.  The malls by the St Regis and the Marriott are amazing.  They have been built both under the city as well as atop of the ground, creating a virtual shopping city.  There are several such malls in the Singapore area, but we have enjoyed the ION Plaza  (http://www.ionorchard.com/), providing us every store that anyone could possibly want to shop in, all within walking distance of our hotel.

It is about five stories tall (or more).  It is hard to say since it is both above and below ground.  Michael found an amazing Calvin Klein suit that he bought for special occasions.  I love Calvin Klein suits, but the tailoring here is for the Asian body, and for me, the local cuts here don't work.

Crossing the street here (to get to the mall) could cost one a fortune.  The designer stores carry heavy pricetags.  We window shop a ton, and shop a little.

  

The Fish Spa in Singapore

 Just a short walk from the St Regis Hotel is a 'Fish Spa'.  This 'spa' hosts tanks of various size fish that nibble on the dead skin on your feet to leave your feet smooth and soft.

I realize that the thought of fish nibbling on your feet doesn't initially sound appealing, but it is actually quite relaxing and refreshing.  I thought it was 'laugh out loud' funny when I thought of some of my male executives friends doing this. 

We settled in to allow the fish to eradicate our dead skin on our feet.  We checked in for a 15 minute cleaning/treatment.  I think I could have stayed for another 15 minutes.  I really enjoyed the experience. 

I have seen these fish attached to whales and other fish while snorkeling, but had never thought of them attaching to me (laugh). 

We paid 18 Singapore dollars to feed their fish with our feet , so to speak.  I don't think I've ever seen this practice in any other country that I visited. 

I'm amazed that as I tour various countries, places, and people, I'm continually surprised by the new experiences and new things that I discover on my tours.

Let the exploration continue.  Continue to follow along.

A Breakfast of Champions & Hotel Amenities and Service that Delights

We awoke in Singapore at the St Regis Hotel, well rested and ready for our day. The buffet breakfast here at the hotel is extremely tasty. The staff are helpful and attentive.

Not long ago I visited the spa and enjoyed a relaxing massage by George. It was a dessert to my weary muscles, tired of all the travel.

The hotel amenities are delightful. Our room comes with a butler who assists us with our every need. So far he has: researched restaurant options for us, made a reservation for the spa, found a bottle top and stand for ice for the champagne, brought warm milk, brought cappuccinos, and helped us with a host of other things. I need one of these at home (grin).

The room has a dreamy, extremely comfortable bed. The pillow menu allows you to order the perfect pillow for your sleeping pleasure.

I've enjoyed the television inlaid in the mirror by the tub. I watched the travel channel during a relaxing bath last night.

The hotel has an excellent workout room, pool, spa, and one of the most beautiful lobbys that I have ever seen. We've been to the St Regis in Rome, and I believe this one is more beautiful.

Next time you are in Singapore, stay at the St Regis.

Let them spoil you! You won't regret it.

 
  

What Does it Take To Hold You Together?

What does it take to hold you together? When you are on the verge of falling apart, what do you do to revive your spirit and your soul? You need to know what it is. You need to be able to call upon this activity, thought, or person to get you back to the real you.

You get caught in the hustle and bustle of life. You are doing 'what you are suppose to do'. Life becomes bland and you simply march forward, afraid of stepping aside along the path. You have but one life. Today is a gift that once spent, you can never have it back.

Are you 'spending' your days wisely? Are you taking moments of your life to revive your spirit? What do you have to lose? You will not lose your job for taking a moment to 'live your best life'. Do something this week to revive your spirit and comfort your heart.
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Little India & Chinatown in Singapore

We launch out to see some of the varied cultures buried within the city of Singapore.  We start in Little India.  The streets are full of activity, shoppers picking up food and supplies for their work week ahead.  We peruse several local temples, watching the activity and people watching.

Little India

   

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Chinatown

We then travel a short distance to Chinatown.  Here we enjoy a cold delicious coconut water and some chicken fried rice.  The weather was a little rainy, so we found the walk cooler than most of the days that we have been in Singapore.

Little stores cover the sides of the streets, Chinese storekeepers are busy selling wares and working to make a living.  The signs are in both english and chinese.  We stop by a temple and watch the events unfolding inside.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Singapore Sightseeing

Attached to the Raffles City Mall is the New Asia Bar. The view from the top is exhilarating. The waterfront is an impressive array of buildings of all shapes and sizes.
We have spent the day tooling around the city, visiting the Singapore History Museum, the Raffles Shops, and a food court for a bowl of noodles.

Stay tuned... more adventures to follow.

 
 
 
 

We Arrive at the St. Regis Hotel in Sinapore

We arrive in Singapore as it entered the dinner hour.  We slip into an airport limousine and travel through Friday night traffic a short distance to arrive at the St. Regis Singapore Hotel.  ( http://www.stregissingapore.com/) 

We check into an Executive Deluxe Room and meet the butler that will assist us for our stay while in Singapore.  (http://www.stregissingapore.com/executivedeluxeroom)  The room is simply amazing.  It is a delight to the senses.  Wow.  It simply takes your breath away.  The butler brings us a cappuccino and explains the amenities of the hotel, the light switches, and all the ways that he can assist us while we are here at the hotel.  Ok- for the record- I'm never leaving.    He brings us ice for our champagne and leaves us to enjoy the splendor of the room.  I'm in awe.  It is really beautiful.  When do we have to go home?  Well, let's not think about that now.

 
Yes, the bathroom has a television inlaid in the mirror.  Maybe I could spend my entire trip in the bathtub watching television (smile).  It is entirely possible that I will not get any writing done while in Singapore.  There is so much here to do.

Follow along, we will update you as we discover Singapore.

  

Breakfast with a View

Today we leave the island of Langkawi and retreat to Singapore where we will spend the remainder of our trip.  We have enjoyed the laid back nature of the island as much as we have enjoyed the scenery.

As we stare out the window of the fabulous Tide Restaurant  where we had breakfast daily, we are silently absorbing the view and reflecting on our fun holiday in Langkawi.

The Westin property is beautiful, the staff is curteous and gracious and the amenities are supurb.  We feel spoiled, relaxed, and content as we check out of the hotel and head to the airport to fly back to Sinapore.  The weather is warm and balmy today.  We have escaped rain the entire time we have been here on the island except for a quick rain shower one night after dark.

The weather cooperated, and the luxurious resort did the rest.  Thank you to the staff and management at the Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa for providing us a fabulous time!

We enjoyed our stay!  We would highly recommend it.

 

Link to the Tide Restaurant:  http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/photos/index.html?propertyID=283#photo_section_5Link