(repost from June 2010)

I must take a break from the usual “birth” related topics to showcase an amazing personal experience – and something that may interest you.

I am in essence a business woman working her way through all the information on network marketing, social media, etc.  And asking the perennial question: How do I get traffic to my site? All in an effort to get my message out there – essentially to build my business in helpingpregnant women.

Well, promoting my business/message and services on the Internet got as far as my own desk.  One day I checked my stats and was THRILLED to see lots of visitor hits!! Only to discover I had not changed the settings to ignore my visits – just pick up the millions of other people who came to visit my blog – not mine, theirs … .  Bummer…

I actually disliked Facebook (FB)  sometime ago too because of all the applications and such, and it was slow to load … not now though. Because if I still had ny nose up in the air about FB, I would not have discovered what I am about to share with you now.

I have always known that people make the world go round.  The idea you can live a life without people (although I suppose some do like Jeremiah Jones) , or even start and build a business without people is well, ridiculous.

There’s millions of people on the Internet – yet how do you really connect with them to build relationships while getting your message out to them and others in a “warm” manner?   The internet can be a cold place and isolating. Not anymore. You’ll hear why.

Watch …

Learn more  -TSA+ Tribe Syndication Association

Now, I have only been a member for two weeks since the date of this post and already I have seen an increase in traffic and interest in what I do. Yet it’s WAY more than traffic! It’s being part of a HUGE family with the same goal – helping others.  You may be familiar with Zig Ziglar  who says “If you help people get what they want, you get what you want”.

So here are my thoughts about TSA:

• it’s free ( i know you were wondering about that)
• promote/syndicate others, they do the same for you – and WEEKLY
• meet wonderful people
• make outstanding new friendships
• it’s fearless – we’re all in it together
• no more cold “friendship” requests
• you know who you’re talking to
• it’s educational – reading blogs by others is very educational, and enlightening
• helps to keep writing new content on your blog because you know people will be coming and you don’t want to have the same post up
• motivational
• the results are DIRECTLY related to effort
• it’s fun
• a positive experience
• gives hope that your message will get out to “cyber” space
• you are not alone

So. Join us.  Maybe I’ll see you there and read your blog …

When my son was five-years-old, we bought one of those swing sets that had a slide, single swing,  and a wooden platform to climb up to get to the top of the slide to slide down.

My son loved it and it was well used to the point where the swing broke, the slide  – made of plastic- got brittle and started to crack, and the faded tarp “roof” tore – worn from being outside in the backyard.

Well it became an eyesore. The question now was – what are we going to do with this swing set that is no longer used? My son no longer played on it – until this summer.

At fourteen, he’s into the video  games and he wanted a fort to hang out with his buddies in.  So we looked at the dilapidated, lonely swing-set and with a renewed vision – we saw his “fort”!

Talk about implementing one of the 3 “R”s – we reused the swing-set! We resurrected its use and morphed it into a fort fit for a teenager (minus the mini refrigerator, etc. – if you know what I mean). We enclosed it,  attached a door, cut out windows in the planks of wood we nailed to the support beams, enclosed the small space, replaced the tarp roof, removed the slide, and voila! A boy’s dream – a hide-a-way, a secret place, a “club” house to hang out in!

I started to recall when I was a kid I used to make hide-a-ways in my clothing closet. I remembered how much fun it was.  If only I could do that again ….

But why not? Just because we are adults, all grown-up, does that mean we can’t have a hide-a-way? A sanctuary to relax, kick off our shoes, and ponder life? We are kids at heart and for some of us we forget how the simple joys of “play” can rejuvenate and refresh our mindsets about life.

Take this guy, what a great idea. After watching this video I may take over my son’s fort for myself!

My question to you is – do you have a sanctuary? A hide-a-way? If you could have one, what would it be and where…. it’s fun to daydream and then make it a reality.

If you liked this post, I would love to hear your comments. Thank you in advance!