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Using Indiegogo To Achieve Business Goals

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ALT="Pioneer Outfitters, burning plane"

Pioneer Outfitters, Chisana, Alaska. Cubby burns.

This is a call for support for Stand For The Man in Black, an Indiegogo campaign being executed now by Pioneer Outfitters, the 90-year-old Alaska wilderness professional guides.

You may know Amber-Lee Dibble, aka “AL,” who is the voice of the blog for Pioneer Outfitters right here. If you follow her, you’ll see some #RockHot videography and photography from the confines of the Wrangell Mountains in the heart of the Alaska wilderness inaccessible by anything but air transport.

AL is a regular in these parts and everyone else’s too. I have watched her grow from baby sponge to bona fide digital marketer with a tremendous voice and passion to boot. [Read more…]

The Happy Friday Series: Disasters And Blessings

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Amber-Lee-Dibble-Terry-Overly.jpg Happy Friday!

The Happy Friday series is the brainchild of one of the brainiest chick I know, the #RockHot Jayme Soulati. I have been here a time or two, as have many others and we all speak to you (and each other) through our writing about being happy. What it really means, why you can be, should be, how to do it, how to get it back and how to live everyday just plain happy.

Are you happy?

I am. Yes! Now, many people, those who know me best, might read this (yeah, like if I twisted their arms, shoved their faces in front of the screen and threatened to take away their birthdays….) and say, “Huh? Who? You?! Happy? Pshaw.”

But it is true. I am very happy. (Hey! It is the face I was born with, quit pickin’ on me!)

Let’s be very serious for a moment because I want to impress upon you how important this is to understand.

Burning-Plane.jpgThis is “Cubby”. It blew up sitting on the ground. Cubby has been an Icon in Alaska for almost 30 years. It is also thought to be the lifeblood of Pioneer Outfitters. It’s jobs and responsibilities were enormous. A hero, Cubby has saved lives, numerous times. It could (and did) land anywhere in the remote wilderness of Alaska. Many times, Cubby was called upon to find lost people, lost aircraft and even lost horses or dogs in Alaska’s mountains.

RIP, Cubby, September 16, 2013.

Back to happy.

You may wonder how all of this strengthens my thoughts on happiness. It is very simple, really. Cubby, as valued and treasured as it was, was still just an airplane. A very special, experimental aircraft, but an inanimate object, just the same. Master Guide Terry Overly, known as the youngest old-timer in Alaska, was Cubby’s heartbeat. Master Guide Terry Overly, one of the last old-timers and mountain men of a largely gone era. Terry Overly, the only Father I have ever known and my children’s beloved Papa, was not in Cubby when it exploded into the flames that devoured it.

That is and always will be enough to enforce and enhance my happy.

Some of you may know me as the Manager at Pioneer Outfitters. Some of you may know of me through Social Media and all the different channels that I have frequented over the last few years, dealing with my own identity crisis, through Alaska Chick’s Blog and my first book titled, ironically, My Identity Crisis (Which by the way, the #RockHot Jayme Soulati actually named and helped me cure!).DSC_6911

As Alaska Chick, of Pioneer Outfitters Blog, I have most recently been sharing the trials, tribulations, wonders, blessings and dramas of the 7-week long 2013 International Horseback Adventure. I have also begun sharing the effects of that Adventure has had on Pioneer Outfitters 2013 Fall Big Game Hunting Season, and as the weeks to follow will come to show ~ it aint all been rainbows and unicorns here in the wilderness of Alaska.

Through it all however, one thing remains constant and prevalent: the blessings that surround us all, if we care to see them. The kindness in people, everywhere, towards strangers and friends alike and their own willingness to help as they can, anyone at all, because that is what people do. The beautiful world we live in and the moments that leave us in awe to witness are a blessing that surrounds us all.

What Cubby reminded us all at Pioneer Outfitters of, on the morning of September 16th, was that no matter how valuable, how needed something is or was, was that it was just a thing, a tool and something that could be replaced. Master Guide Terry Overly, a son, a brother, a Father and a Grandfather was so much more to us than a thing, a tool and something that could never be replaced.

DSC_6950As so many people have lost loved ones, and so many times our hearts break for ourselves and others for their loss, I wanted to share my own joy and yes, happiness, with each of you here, for the reminder of how simple happiness is. When everything else is taken away we all, each other and each of us, are what matters.

I wanted to share my happy with you all and I hope you have happy in your life today too.

 

 

About The Author (by Jayme)Alaska-Chick-horse.jpg

Amber-Lee Dibble is one tough cookie and one of the most genuine wilderness women I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting. Reading her stories, listening to her free think in her blog posts, and her love of pink (my least fave color), make you want to squeeze her in a Midwest bear hug. Knowing that her excursions are more real than any of us can imagine makes me want to escape the continental U.S. and move to the outer reaches of Alaska where danger lies in frost bite and mosquito bites. Thanks, Amber-Lee for writing here a third time; you are welcome always. RIP Cubby and so sorry about your loss.

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The Happy Friday Series: How To Find Your Happy

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Credit: Amber-Lee Dibble, Alaska Chick

Credit: Amber-Lee Dibble, Alaska Chick

Taking a deep breath, pulling the crisp, clean air into you, filling you, pushing all the dark and insanely busy out.

Taking another, wiping the smudge of all the small and seemingly unimportant issues and little dramas of life, away.

Breathing deeply and freely now, just in and out, until you can feel the chill of the air in every part of you, from your fingertips to the organs inside, clean and fresh.

There it is. I found my happy. As I look around, I realize that everything else is extra. The air. The mountains and the river.

What I am curious about is, am I so different than everyone else? Am I especially blessed? Is it simply being aware of what my purpose is that makes it so easy to find my happy?

How Do You Find Your Happy?

The #RockHot Jayme Soulati started the Happy Friday series and in doing so has brought many smiles to many faces over the last few months. The talented writers that have written the posts we have all enjoyed are a blessing.

They have also made me think strongly about why we are focusing so hard on happiness. The reason I would say such a thing is…

Shouldn’t happiness come easily to us all? We have read these posts and know that happiness isn’t money or possessions.

We all know that happiness, giving it and receiving it, can be as simple, and as precious, as a smile.

And, we all know that as bloggers, we tend to write about what people need.

My question is why do we need help finding our happy?

As I read and research and study, day in and day out I have taken note of a few quotes that may help you find your happy.

“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?'” – Sydney Harris

“Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”  ~ Voltaire

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.” ~ Roy Goodman

“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” ~ Joseph Addison

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” ~J.M. Barrie

“Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.” ~Karl Barth

…and of course, my favorite…

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” ~ John Muir

Credit: Amber-Lee Dibble, Pioneer Outfitters

Credit: Amber-Lee Dibble, Pioneer Outfitters

I know how much simply “trying” wears a person down. I understand that certain sadnesses cannot be unfelt.

But finding your happy? Maybe, just maybe, if you stood still (only for a moment) and breathed and remembered what made you happy the last time… it could fill you again, if you let it.

My hopes and wishes are for you to find your happy (if it seems to be missing). Remember this, as you search for your own…. you are not alone. I’m here. 🙂

About the Author

Amber-Lee Dibble, aka Alaska Chick’s Blog, is a Professional Alaska Guide and Manager at Pioneer Outfitters. Find and chat with Amber-Lee and Pioneer Outfitters on FaceBook , on Twitter as @AlaskaChickBlog or on LinkedIn as Amber-Lee Dibble.

 

 

 

 

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The Happy Friday Series: Smiles From Alaska

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Our The Happy Friday Series continues with a steady stream of guest authors I am so delighted to welcome and appreciate (I hope you do, too). Today, we’re happy to warmly greet Ms. Amber-Lee Dibble aka Alaska Chick aka Pioneer Outfitters (got any more brands I missed, Amber-Lee? Heh, that’s a years-long joke between us smilers.) Amber-Lee is the voice and face of Chisana, Alaska. She lures wild-westers to the remote Alaska expanse of these 50 states with images of wild-game hunting, frozen tundras navigable only by snow machines, and cozy fires with all the kids and hot chocolate. She’s one of the most admirable bloggers I know, and she can spin a yarn…see what she has to say today about happy!

 

Amber-Lee Dibble

Amber-Lee Dibble

Amber-Lee Dibble Says:

I was invited to Jayme’s #RockHot Happy Friday Series to share a little of the happiness I have found in Alaska.

Now, Jayme really is pretty wiley because she is well aware how much I actually dislike Friday’s in general, but I must admit, this series has given me a few smiles too, so I’ll pay my dues this week.

Happy, happiness, happily.

Despite what stories and fairy tales may lead one to believe, happiness isn’t sprinkled over your aura by magic. It isn’t something that happens to you. YOU, are the magic, YOU are the only one who can create it.

Do you know what makes you happy? Aside from the big deal, the win, the things you’ve worked so hard for, do you know what so many people have forgotten or don’t realize?

The Little Things

It’s the little things. They are called “Little things” because they are so easy, and we tend to take them for granted.

A smile, from a complete stranger, has the power (almost like magic!) to pull a smile from you in return, from a busy and preoccupied mind, worried about the sick children, worried about the bills and if you are going to be late for that meeting you are headed to; that is the power of a smile.

We are taught that we have to work hard, even struggle for what is important in life. A smile is so easy, it’s like breathing, so it must not be important, right? Wrong. A smile is the most powerful piece of magic we have to call our own.

I read an interesting statistic as I was fiddling around the other day, online. It is estimated that we, as humans, have about 60,000 thoughts a day. How many of those, I wonder, are happy thoughts?

There are endless sources of advice on how to be happy and they all have one thing in common; they don’t cost a thing.

Pioneer Outfitters' Amazing Amber-Lee Dibble

Pioneer Outfitters’ Amazing Amber-Lee Dibble

Look For the Bright Side

No matter how bad things can get, tomorrow always comes with another chance. Maybe not a complete “do-over” but with an entire day of opportunity, to do something, to meet someone, to see something, hear something…
Forgive.Yourself and others.

Forgiveness is a HUGE gift. To yourself and to others. Holding something dark inside yourself is like going out and asking for cancer. It eats at you, physically and emotionally. Forgive the pain, forgive the mistake, forgive the bad or evil done. Forgive it all, remember the lesson(s) it taught you and just let it go. Let. It. Go.

Be grateful.

Gratitude is a beautiful thing. Appreciate what you do have. Even if is only that you woke up this morning, remember the whole day could be a downpour of blessings. It is more than saying thank you to someone holding the door, it is a sense of appreciation and wonder to the life that offers you this kindness.

Take care of you.

Yes, I am going to say it. Exercise. People who get outside, breathe, move around, go for a walk, take a ride or work out are happier. Why? Because they feel good. They are healthier. Eating right, resting and exercising makes you feel that wonderful thing called happiness. Your body deserves to be happy too!

Smile!
There are studies that insist that smiling (the movement caused by the muscles in your face) elevates your mood. It is absolutely contagious and smiles cause (yes, causes) happiness and happiness creates more smiles!

And lastly, remember that you are not alone in this thing we call life. There are people just waiting to meet you, waiting for the day to change your life, waiting for the day that you will change theirs.

Be happy. It’s Friday.

P.S. Did you know that there is a small town in Alaska named Happy Valley? There is!

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How To Nurture A Social Media Community

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Credit: Pioneer Outfitters, Alaska

When you nurture social media community, there’s a lot to think about. Communities and moderators collide on social media channels, it’s one person’s style against the other with no hard or fast rules. Nurturing social media community takes gentle enforcement with just enough engagement to attract the lurkers and a welcoming gesture every now and again to keep those a bit shy engaging.

Google+ Communities spawned a fire storm last week when everyone flocked (yes we did, albeit there were a handful of naysayers and bah-humbuggers) to either launch or join a community. (This is your own very special invite to join my Bloggers Unite! Google+ Community.) [Read more…]