Romy Raves

Sometimes I feel compelled to write a posts that really have impact, make you think and help you to change your lives in a positive ways, this is one of those posts. I was recently invited to an eye opening luncheon hosted by Jessica Gottlieb and MyInfoGuardian. The purpose of this lunch was to inform a group of very influential bloggers about the importance of protecting our online privacy and enlighten us about what a growing problem this is, especially for those of us in social media who live our lives very publicly online. While indulging on a divine meal and exquisite bubbly at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, I got a good dose of reality and how easy it is for someone to access my personal information online if they really want to.

Here’s the scoop: Anytime you do anything publicly online or with a government agency (like register to vote or school registration for example), your personal information becomes public property. People search sites have made a business out of using all these online sources to access, publish and sell your personal information without your knowledge. Basically, the sole purpose of these companies is to make money by publishing your personal information on the Internet and they will sell your personal information to any buyer without your permission and it’s all legal! They often know your name, address, date of birth, personal finances, place of employment and much more. Once someone has access to all of your personal information, it makes tracking you and your family down rather easy. And the more exposed your information is on people search sites, the greater the risk for you and your family.

Allow me to introduce you to MyInfoGuardian, a service that helps protect your privacy and can put your fears at ease because they continually track down and remove your personal information from people search sites. They search all of the sites to find your personal information, remove it and continuously monitor the sites on your behalf. The seasoned trained professionals at MyInfoGuardian are experts in cybersecurity and personal and private security, so basically they know this niche very well and are extremely diligent in their work. The sole mission of this service is give people like us control over our personal information and deciding who has access to it and who doesn’t.

How does MyInfoGuardian work? They let you see for free how many sites sell your information, and then after you subscribe, with one click, they remove your information from these sites (this would take you hours or days to do it on your own.) And they even remove it again if it comes back on these sites or appears on new site. MyInfoGuardian offers affordable plans for individuals as well as families and gift programs too.

It is certainly not pleasant to think about your privacy being at risk, in fact I found it all rather unnerving, but it is important for you to take matters into your own hands and control who has access to your private information, and MyInfoGuardian is an easy and affordable way to do it. I hope you will give this some thought and and consider protecting you and family in the future.

Sorry to get all sappy on you, but every year I use Thanksgiving as reminder of the gifts that I have in my life. It’s my time to appreciate all things big and small, really drink in all the wonderfulness, and take a closer look at the blessings in my life. And I know that I am a lucky girl! I have an amazing family, the best of friends, my health and wellness and this wonderful blog that allows me to live my passion each and every day!

So what are you THANKFUL FOR? What FABULOUSNESS do you have in your life that you tend to overlook??

I wrote This Wonderful Post last year that I think really helps you tap into what you are thankful for and I thought that I would share it again this year, as a gift to my readers who make this dream possible!

Sorry for the lapse in posts loyal followers, but I am taking a much needed summer vacation and with that comes being caught up in the moment, absorbed in the experience and just being.  This is what I love most about going on vacation, taking each moment as it comes, not much planning, going with the flow and being present. So I thought I would share some of my thoughts and observations with you about being present, since it has been awhile since I wrote one of my more psychologically oriented posts. 

If you are anything like me in your day to day life, you are constantly racing around from here to there, filling your day with to do’s, work, errands, socializing, care taking and the list goes on and on. Sometimes I buzz so fast through life or worry about what’s next, I forget to pause and be in the moment in order to observe what is going on around me, how about you?

Being on vacation with no agenda and all that matters is being with my family is showing me that I am missing out on some precious moments, especially with my son. Right now, I have no distractions, no to do’s, no deadlines, no appointments and I am lapping it all up. We are giggling, laughing, playing, snuggling, pillow fighting, firefly and baby frog catching, adventuring and I am really being with him. This focused presence is showing me how much I am really missing, how many subtle and precious moments I am missing out on because I am focused on something else. In the moment these things feel more important, but they really aren’t and that makes me sad.

In truth, what is really more important than being with my son and family? NOTHING!! Blogging can wait, Blackberry can wait, events can wait, but my son growing up and being a little boy will not wait. I will blink, it will all be over, I will still have the same to do list and nothing to show for it. So this vacation has really helped me see what is really important, to slow down, be present and shrink down the unnecessary to do list and drink it the precious moments before they are gone.

What are your most precious moments? What moments are you missing and what tips can you share that have helped you be more present?

Today is Mother’s Day, and to all of you fabulous mommy’s I wish you an incredible day that fills your heart and soul with joy, love and peace. Today, I celebrate my mom and all the other fabulous mothersout there who have nurtured us, loved us, taught us, shaped us and impacted our lives in beautiful and magical ways.

Make sure you take the time today to honor and celebrate your mother. And if you are a mom, make sure to celebrate and honor yourself for all that you do, all the sacrifices that you make and for the wonderful family that you have created. Being a mother is a gift you give and a gift you get, remember that, today and always. So now I share with you my thoughts about motherhood, and what I love about this treasured role that I celebrate every day of my life:

I love seeing this amazing child everyday, who is a beautiful blend of my hubby and I

I love seeing the magic, wonder and passion my son takes into every day of his life

I love the freedom, laughter, and being in the moment that my child reminds me of each and everyday

I love the unconditional hugs, kisses and love that I constantly get

I love seeing Disneyland through my son’s eyes and feeling like a kid again when we go together

I love being a Room Mom and coordinating various activities at school

I love Mom’s Night Out (MNO)–Cocktails anyone?

I love the amazing friends I have made because motherhood brought us together

I love seeing the joy and adoration in my husband’s eyes when he bonds with our son  

I love our projects and adventures like cooking and encouraging my little foodie

I love that he is mischevious, rough and tumble, active and all boy–and let’s not forget the light saber fights, gotta love those

I love having ‘Date Night’ with my little man, when my big man is out of town

I love being our own family unit, sharing special moments and creating our own traditions

I loved being pregnant and that our deep, life long love created another human being who will carry on our lineage

I love the uncertainity of  being a mom, and that you never know what is around the corner; but it is always a fun adventure, and with love, family and children the world is a much more fun, happier place

I love Spring! To me it symbolizes a season of change, transitions, and new beginnings. I don’t know about you, but for me this is the time of year that I get obsessed with Spring cleaning. I am focused on decluttering, getting rid of the old, unused, too big, too small, outdated crap and I LOVE it! It is so freeing when you let go of the unwanted stuff and make room for new possibilities, and for me this is what Spring is all about.

I challenge you, gorgeous reader, to make a point this Spring season of cleaning, organizing, decluttering and getting rid of the stuff you just don’t have a use for anymore. Try this, and then pay attention to how it makes you feel.  Do you feel lighter, more free, open? Have you created new space for possibilities, growth and change?

In honor of this glorious season (BTW as I write this, I am in Palm Springs in 80 degree weather which certainly encourages this inspired mood), I encourage you to start thinking about new beginnings.  What is it time to let go of? What has been holding you back? What do you need to free yourself of? What have you been reluctant to start and now need to be encouraged to ’spring’ into?

If I gave you a magic wand and anything was possible and nothing could hold you back, what would you do now that you have always wanted to do? If I could give you infinite support, motivation and encouragement, what might you try now that you have never done before?

I want you to take out a piece of paper and make a list of 5 things that you need to get rid of right now or 5 things you need to change in order to open yourself up to possibilities. Spend some time really looking at this list, look for themes and patterns that are obstacles for you. What is your primary block to forward movement? How can you really let go?  Now look a little deeper and  journal on this paper about what really holds you back and gets in your way, and then, drum roll please .  .  .  .  . crumble it in a ball or tear it into small insignifcant pieces and throw it away! Viola! Freedom and openness, the pump is primed and ready. 

Now, make a list of 5 things you want to begin this Spring. Anything is possible, what do you want to do? Take some time to really listen to your soul, quiet your mind and dig deep for what really makes your heart smile. Dive in, take a chance and go for it! If 5 is too much start with 3, but START! Do it! And then post here and let me know what exciting new things all of you fabulous lovelies are up too.

Spring Fever is in the air, can you feel it??