And for many (at least for me growing up) family is forever.  No matter what.  And in some ways, that’s just the thing that gets on our nerves.  It’s what makes family members take others for granted ad vice-versa.  They are stuck with you.  And you, them.  No matter what.

The flip side of that (the side I aim to focus on) are the wonderful memories that are created by being with people that know you like the back of their hand.  People that would take a bullet for you.  Literally.  (knock on wood)  Not to be morbid, but that’s just how my family rolls.  I reckon yours might be the same.

And though we’d move mountains for each other, we may not always say it.  So, after being inspired by the video above, here are 5 free suggestions for how you can show those crazy goofballs, called family members, that we appreciate all that they are and have been in our lives.

1. Schedule an e-card.  Send it on their birthday or today for no reason.  Hallmark has some great free ones with a scheduling functionality.  (Free)
2. Scan in an old picture and upload it to their Facebook.  Obviously you are picking a picture in which they look like an adorable kid, and not an angst teen.
3. Take a picture of yourself holding a note card that says “I love you, Sister/Brother/Mom/Dad” and send it to them.  It’s quick, easy an looks WAY sweet.
4. Make a “date” to spend quality time together.  If you are in the same city, go for a walk together and see what’s going on in their life.  If across the miles, a Skype video call can be the next best thing.
5. Mention and link to them on your website, even if the only common thread is the family unit, like this:  Hey!  Check out my family online –>   Ann Knoedl, Rich Knoedl and Jason Knoedl

I’d love to hear how you cherish the people that are closest to you.  How do you go out of your way to treat them just as good (if not better) than the people you meet on the street?  As Momma would say, “Life is but a vapor.  Cherish every moment.”

So, in my Happy New Year post, I mentioned my Betterment Project and now that I have a week under my belt, the video version of the invitation to join me is finally out.  (Yes.  My video editorial scheduling could use some tweaking, I know- but lucky for me, I plan to get better.  And better.  You get the point.)

All that to say- this post is about 24 hours late.  And though the only one expecting it out yesterday was me, I was still kinda bummed I missed my own mark.  It’s like the alarm clock in the morning when I want to wake up early.  Things happen.

Anyway, here’s the worksheet for Week 2 if you’d like to join me, give me suggestions, questions, feedback or ideas.  I’m all ears.

I’ll leave you with a question posed by Tony Robbins…

How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I’m committed to?

If I had to guess, I’d say you’re a lot like me in that you are ready to kick things into high gear.  I mean, the struggles of 2011 have been cute and all, but I’m ready to host my international travel show and I bet you’re ready to *insert your life’s purpose here*.

It’s not for a lack of trying- I definitely have been.  But towards the end of 2011, I started to realize that the metaphorical journey has been just as adventurous as the African safari I’ve been dreaming of… ok, maybe not quite as physically scary, but my path has had lions and tigers of another kind.

The point is- no one ever taught me how to have the life I dreamed of as a little girl.  I’ve never been diligent about setting goals, prioritizing my time or networking effectively.  And I’ve decided that must be the missing link.  ”The Secret”.

As I study people that I admire or are incredibly successful, I keep running into some of the same suggestions for living a good life.  I’ve made a challenging daily checklist for myself, incorporating the ACTIONS that seem essential and achievable.  After all- if I make the list too challenging from the jump, I’ll give up before I start.  I know me.  (If you’d like to follow along with me, you can download the checklist PDF here.)

All that to say, I’m switching gears a little bit.  I’m still going to cover people, places and things in Chicago but I’m also going to host a “Betterment Program” for anyone who is ready for a little accountability, community and guidance.  I’m scheduling group chats, relavant videos and celebratory events.  It’s gonna be a challenge and I love a good challenge.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss a thing, shoot me an email at Jen@JenChicago.com and I will add you to the “Inner Circle” list.  If you think you’d just like to watch- have at it.  We’re all at different places.  My goal in sharing this with you is that it might encourage you to “shine your light” in 2012 and have a community of people to support you.

Lastly- I’ve been on vacation in Texas and I didn’t create the personal video I wanted to accompany this post, BUT DJ Earworm’s video compilation of the top songs of 2011 is a pretty awesome substitute.  (Sometimes you just gotta go for stuff even if it’s not EXACTLY how you’d like it to be, you know?) In the words of Nike’s genius campaign, you gotta “Just do it.”  And so we will.

Okay.  That’s all for this first Monday in January.  Stay tuned.  It’s gonna start coming at us like drinking water from a fire hydrant.  We’re gonna need a bigger straw.

Let me know your thoughts as I build the parameters of the Betterment Project.  What things would you like to see covered?  Have you tried a happiness and goals project before?  Do you have resource suggestions that you’d like to share?

I’m all ears.

PS: If you want to add this song to your playlist- you can get the free download here.

What is sadly different about us, however, is that Stacy lost her mom and 3 aunts to ovarian cancer and I wasn’t even sure what “ovarian cancer” was until I met her.  They call it a “silent killer” because the symptoms are subtle at first and hard to control once it hits an advanced stage.

The good news is that instead of wallowing in fear and self-pity, Stacy, decided to to something positive about it- especially since early detection is the key.

Dance Out Loud is a movement and event benefitting Bright Pink, an organization that empowers young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer by providing them with education and support.  The high-spirited event will be held Friday, November 11 at Brownstone Tavern in Chicago.  Tickets to the events include an open bar, endless appetizers,  costumes, prizes, an event shirt (C9 by Champion) and of course, DANCING to your favorite 80s and 90s tunes!

If you need more information, Dance Out Loud is really responsive on Twitter and Facebook- and I know Bright Pink would welcome your donation even if you can’t make it to the event.

As for me- that costume contest is as good as won.

By me- that is.

PS: Stay in “The Loop” with the #Chicagolicious newsletter!

“…Jen is what Chicago needs on the booming Chicago scene”  ~Chicago Loop News

I was pretty excited when I got the call from Stan Wozniak (The Joynt) telling me that he just saw the article that Kathleen Hartigan wrote about me in Chicago Loop News.  I asked him to send me a picture- thanks Stan!

“A quest for change brought her to the Windy City Chicago… “  ~Chicago Loop News

Kathleen and I met up at Tavern on Rush where she treated me to lunch (yummy ceviche!) as we discussed my tag-line: “Life.  Love.  And all things Chicago”.   Kathleen is a sassy lady with the kind of ambition I like to see in myself.  You know, it’s not every day that someone dedicates their time to promote me and my dream…  I like it!  I love it!  I want some more of it!

“…over 200 videos for businesses throughout the Chicago-land area and has developed a robust and favorable online presence!”  ~Chicago Loop News

The article also gave shout-outs to some of my friends and favored businesses like NBC Chicago, 24/7 Chicago, The Joynt, Aniko Salon and Spa, Gibson’s, La Scarola, and Elysian Hotel.

You can pick up a copy of Chicago Loop News, Volume 15, Issue 104 in local newsstands today!

In the following segment, I am joined by Smita Shah, who is, among other incredible responsibilities, the Committee Chair for Delhi, India in Chicago’s Sister City Program. We take you on a journey through the Indian culture on Devon Avenue- learning hasn’t been this much fun in a long time. I hope you are encouraged to visit Devon Avenue for yourself- that was the goal. If you have any ideas or suggestions for future segments, I’d love to hear ‘em!

30/30/30 Challenge: Jen Knoedl has challenged herself to vlog 30 videos daily for 30 days for at least 30 seconds- thus 30/30/30! For more videos, check out http://www.jenchicago.com

30/30/30 Challenge: Jen Knoedl has challenged herself to vlog 30 videos daily for 30 days for at least 30 seconds- thus 30/30/30! For more videos, check out http://www.jenchicago.com

30/30/30 Challenge: Jen Knoedl has challenged herself to vlog 30 videos daily for 30 days for at least 30 seconds- thus 30/30/30! For more videos, check out http://www.jenchicago.com