What is the Cooperation Factor?

I recently read something about the Cooperation Factor, as applied to the new economy. Not much out there on the subject. What I found, according to Wikipedia, is that cooperation factor originally has to do with a facsimile machines scanning length and density, both in compatible units. That really meant nothing to me, since I am not that technical. It did occur to me though, that to fully embrace this new economy, and the challenges our world continually faces, we need to focus more on the global cooperation factor, where our leaders release the focus on “me” and “mine” and begin to truly embrace the concept of we. Yes, it sounds a lot like working together for the same goal, doesn’t it? We can start embracing the Cooperation Factor with small steps, in our own life, especially in our businesses.

Some time ago I made a commitment to myself to ONLY work with those individuals and organizations that supported my belief system, my values. In essence, that supported me helping my fellow man in whatever capacity I can. Today, I work with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known; my husband and partner, Jeff Williams, Judy Davids,  Joan Feldman, Leah Arnold, Anne Keeble, Jill Jack, and Self Love Diva - Christine Arylo, just to name a few. I also have the great honor of working with Linda Joy of Aspire Magazine. Linda Joy is on a mission to “Inspire 100,000 women” by gifting free subscriptions to her magazine as well as some pretty incredible bonus gifts. You’ll even get a gift from me. Of course, you have to get the free subscription to see what your gift from me is!

We all have a mission, a platform, a purpose. In order to have our voices heard, our businesses succeed, our purpose fulfilled we need to let go of our ego’s need to be on top. Instead, we need to start rebuilding our community with cooperation at the forefront. The businesses and individuals I work with support that mission and truly work together to create The Cooperation Factor. "When we commit to cooperating with each other, conflict is dissolved and opportunities are created to combine energies and focus on manifesting better circumstances for all." In my world, it creates the Bliss Effect – a community working together with joy, where everyone can learn, live, and build from our unique platform of support.

I urge each and every one of you to let go of the need to constantly be in control. The truth is, as most of you know, we control very little. Begin a mindset of cooperation. Ask yourself and your colleagues, “How can we effectively build our businesses, our lives, through cooperating with those that support our mission?” My mission is very simple, to create a more blissful environment and remind people that “Bliss is a choice.” There are many tools available to create happiness in your life. First you need to make the choice to be happy then fully commit to that choice.

Please visit my newly created Events page and see what’s happening around town that can empower your life. If you have an event that you’d like posted, send it on. Send me your logo’s and links, too, and I’ll post them on my Bliss Networkers page. I’m looking forward to the future success of Michigan, and the globe, through our cooperative efforts. We have what it takes, we’ve done it before and we will thrive!

Bliss ON!

Blisstory Question: What’s your favorite way to spend a “snow day?”

Yesterday, Terry Bean of Networked Inc. and Motor City Connect fame posted that Michigan hadn’t had a snow day yet since winter began. Not coincidentally, to honor him, my Blisstory Journal question today is, “What’s your favorite way to spend a snow day?”

When my kids were way younger, we lived within walking distance to Forrest Lake Country Club. We would get up early, hike over to the golf course and sled for hours. Everyone in the neighborhood would be there. A group of kids (and adults) would then head back to my house for the only thing that mattered – hot chocolate. We’d all change into dry clothes, sit in front of the fire warming up and get ready to head back out.

Fast forward years later! Now my husband and I love to get up early, before the birds even start singing, to walk. We love the peace and quiet and the way the snow, without any footprints, glistens with the moonlight. Jeff, being a photographer, loves to bring the camera. He’s taken some truly amazing photos over the years. After we walk, we start shoveling, OK, he starts shoveling, not just our walk, but many of the neighborhoods. As maturity sets in, we still like to sled with the kids – it’s just so blissful before everyone wakes up.

Like Terry said, we have not had one snow day yet in Michigan. My mantra for the week: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Blisstory Question - What's your favorite color?

My favorite color changes with my mood and also with what I’m doing. Overall, I’d have to say my favorite color is Red. It’s the color of love, courage, strength, passion, and physical energy. Somewhere I even saw a post indicating that the color red is balancing. Of course I will have to ask the Balance Chic, Tamara Stone, that question.

Red also reminds me of my favorite fruit, the apple and my favorite vegetable, red peppers. When I wear the color red I feel alive and vibrant. OK, I feel blissful. My favorite stone happens to be ruby. I know, diamonds are supposed to be a girl’s best friend. Red is also the background color for my new logo.

One last thing I’d like to share. I took a peek at the “Colorstrology” book, compliments of my colleague and friend, Tamara Stone. “Colorstrology” lists the color for your life, based upon your birth date. Yeap.. You guessed it. Mine is RED – HIGH RISK RED! LOLOL…Defined as – Eloquent, performer and ambitious, knowing how to communicate effectively, encourage flexibility and inspire others! WOW, I was totally amazed. Pretty accurate description - you should read the whole paragraph. Oh, and FYI…the results for Jeff, my fire fighter husband, are, “hero, idealistic, persuasive”. Another wow! He can be pretty darn persuasive!

Want to know yours? Grab the book or send me an email - I'd be happy to share!

Here's to a blissful week!

Bliss is contagious and so is your smile!

Bopping around Linked In I ran across a post from Steve Martile. Steve lives in Canada and blogs about a lot of stuff. Mainly he blogs about feeling good, happiness, and a more fulfilled life!

Like Steve, I believe happiness is contagious and that one simple positive change in your life can bring a lifetime of joy. He posted, "10 tips to feel good instantly." As someone who quite often signs off with "smile", this totally made my top ten list!

Thanks, Steve!

Here are Steve's 10 tips to feel good instantly:

1. Smile

2. Smile more.

3. Smile even more.

4. Smile even more than that.

5. Smile when you don’t want to.

6. Smile when you do.

7. Smile if you feel good.

8. Smile if you don’t.

9. Smile everyday.

10. Keep Smiling :)

And if you want more evidence that smiling is contagious, check out a study done by Harvard University's Nicholas Christakis, MD, PhD and University of California's James H. Fowler, PhD. Fowler says, "the findings do not mean you should avoid unhappy people, but that you should make an effort whenever you can to spread happiness."

Smiles....The Bliss Lady

Today's Blisstory Question

What has been your favorite birthday?

In my house, I'm the birthday queen. I love birthdays - yours, mine, everyone's. I particularly love my family's birthday's....sweet reminders of how lucky I am to have them all in my life. When my husband and I starting dating, I really knew I'd met my match.

Approximately 7 years ago he started a birthday tradition, the 19 days of Teri. Everyday for the 19 days leading up to my birthday, he gave me a birthday present. Mainly, little mementos or free stuff he collected on the internet. On the big day, he gave me a huge box with a tiny box inside - a ring! Yeap, he proposed to me on my birthday! I have to say I was totally unprepared for that moment. I was expecting a new toaster or something. Obviously, I accepted his offer - only if he continued to celebrate with such style and JOY!

He has maintained that tradition and even started celebrating "the 10 days of birthday bliss" for each of our children. No, he doesn't propose to me every year, although I'd be open to marrying him again and again.

How about you? Share a little birthday bliss....

Today's Blisstory Question

What is your Dream Car?

My "dream car" isn't really a car; it's a Dodge Sprinter extended RV. Oh, I am sooooo looking forward to the day we can jump in the van and take off on endless road trips. Here's to Bob Seger's, "Roll Me Away":


"Stood alone on a mountain top,
Starin' out at the great divide
I could go east, I could go west,
It was all up to me to decide
Just then I saw a young hawk flyin'
And my soul began to rise
And pretty soon
My heart was singin'"

Okay, so he's on a Harley. A girls got to have some of the comforts of home: shower, bed, toilet. LOL Besides, the Friendly Skies are not looking so friendly these days.

I've visited over half of the states in the U.S and Jeff has visited all but 5; from Copper Harbor and the Porcupine Mountains on down to the Keys. We love to travel in our space and our own time frame. Winters in the South and Summers in the North, doesn't matter whether it's East or West, as long as it's mostly sunny skies!

Here's to hitting the road!

What's Your Favorite Movie?

Blisstory Question - What's Your Favorite Movie?

With a new movie out every week, I have several favorites. One that I always love to see, plus get a strong message from, besides "It's A Wonderful Life" is "Evan Almighty." If you haven't seen it, you need to pick it up at the video store. Steve Carell does a wonderful job of playing a modern day Noah and Morgan Freeman plays God beautifully. (No more details than that). This movie is motivating and inspiring. It's totally sweet and reminds us to live our passion and have a little faith!

Bliss Out!

Do you have a favorite work colleague?

One of the great advantages to working from home is that you don't have to "play favorites" with any one on your team, well, except my husband. From where I sit, I'm the boss, the assistant, the go-getter, etc. Each of my clients represent a different sector of the work force, each one significantly different, yet they have one thing in common: enthusiasm for a life filled with joy. These people treat others with respect and integrity. They create success with a "go-giver" attitude.

Today I have the pleasure of meeting with two of them. Tamara Stone, of
T. Stone Interiors teaches people how to create more balance and harmony in their life, including their homes and offices. Michael Wickett of Michael Wickett International works with people and corporations on empowering their lives through many different techniques, including tailoring individual programs to address specific needs. We are going to brainstorm on how to create more bliss in 2010! What a great job I have!

Sharing my Blisstory

Many of you who have picked up The Blisstory Journal and The Sisstory Journal have emailed me regarding questions and answers from my own Blisstory Journals. I write in my journals daily and encourage you to do so, too. What a great way to leave a legacy for your family and friends.

You wanted to hear more of my answers. So everyday I will be Tweeting one of the Blisstory questions, totally at random. I will answer the questions, briefly, I hope, through this blog! Love to hear more about YOUR Blisstory - send us your answers!

Today's question:

Who set a good example for you as a child?

Easy - my parents. My mom was the "CEO" of the house and my Dad was the "CFO". Back then, most women didn't work outside of the home. It was up to them to manage the household. Men were the "bread winners", bringing home that weekly paycheck.

Mom's were the CEO, financial planners, teachers, plumbers, maids, psychologists, electricians and more. My mom worked her tail off taking care of the 6 of us (and then some) from the time she got out of bed in the morning till way beyond the time we hit the hay. I was very fortunate to have her there everyday when I walked in the door after school to give me a hug and ask about my day. She's still the one I call first, no matter what's going on in my life!


Leaving the house at 6:30 am everyday, my dad brought home the bacon. He took his job at Chrysler very seriously; he had to in order to keep his family fed. He was loyal, dedicated and committed. Just "showing up" was never good enough. He also thrived on helping his fellow man, including strangers, going out of his way to give someone a ride or simply a pat on the back. Too me, they were both larger than life.

As we go through life, it's important to recognize those that have made a difference to us and continue to honor the impact they have had in our lives. Reach out today and share with that someone how much you appreciate the positive effect they made on you!

Bliss out!

It's just stuff!

Nine years ago today I awoke in the middle of the night to a house filled with smoke; my smoke alarms never went off. The Fire Chief from the Bloomfield Township Fire Department said, “Someone up there is looking out for you. The majority of people that experience the kind of fire you all had don’t make it out alive.” Thank God for small miracles.

Running through the house, I woke everyone in the middle of the night, getting them up and out as quick as possible. Years of listening to the fire fighters that visited my children's classroom paid off! Everyone did what they were taught; they headed for the meeting spot in front of the house. The Bloomfield Twp. Fire Department was there in less than two minutes – quick enough to save the structure and our pets! I remember the look on my daughters face when a young fire fighter handed her one of our kittens. Talk about priceless. We lost almost all of our belongings – what does it matter, it’s just stuff. Every one of us made it out alive.

We were fortunate enough to have insurance, (even if you rent, you need insurance) as well as many, many friends, family and a few strangers, who pitched in to help us through the cold and crazy days that followed. To you all, my family is forever grateful. Watching the news the last couple of days, hearing the countless stories of people that experienced the loss a fire creates, made me realize even more how precious life is. Celebrate life, live in the present and help someone, somehow– that’s how I plan to spend the rest of my days! I hope you’ll join me!

Here's to your most blissful years ever! Bliss Out!