Multiple Intelligences
December 30, 2008

Dear Sherrie,
In high school I did quite well on IQ tests but was a bit thick when it came to math, sports, maturity, and a pile of basic life skills. I also knew lower-scoring students who sported many of the natural abilities I lacked. As well, I hung out with some highly creative friends who were paragons of lousy decision-making. I began to realize there were other kinds of intelligence (or lack of it) that didn't show up on the standard tests.
Later on, Howard Gardner's book "Frames of Mind--the Theory of Multiple Intelligences," threw some light on my observations. Gardner identified different types of intelligence--linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, and others. He includes art in the spatial realm.It may take an artist to truly define artistic intelligence. Gardner wisely turned to Michelangelo, Leonardo, van Gogh, Picasso and others. The critic Clive Bell thought that creators like Picasso "belonged to another order of beings that were a species different from the common."
The assets most often mentioned by artists are feeling, contemplation, imagination, sentimentality, memory, action--as well as drawing, form, design and colour. "The shop talk of artists," says Gardner, "dwells on the qualities of the perceptual world." The writer G. K. Chesterton stated "There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect." This gives a clue to creative intelligence.
While artists may find it difficult to be analytical and concrete, their form of intelligence can fly intuitively and directly to the emotions of others. Often energetic and impulsive, it can act quickly. Artistic intelligences often contain a trait called empathy. Sensitive to and often bedazzled by Nature, human nature and the greater world, creators can also be vulnerable to exploitation by those with more standard intelligences. Here's something to think about: Because artistic intelligences often hold dollops of imagination, the world of the artist can appear greater and more wonderful than the real world.
To bear fruit, the creative imagination has to be harnessed by intelligent life-skills--like hard work, focus and practicalities. These skills may need to be learned.
Best regards,
Robert
PS: "A really intelligent man feels what other men only know." (Baron de Montesquieu)Esoterica: It's been my observation that the artistically intelligent may have to teach themselves to strategize. Strategy means planning--hours, days, years ahead. Lack of strategy is the Achilles heel of self-employment in sensitive pursuits. This time of year we are accepting confidential 2009 New Year's Resolutions from our readers. We are also returning those Resolutions that have been entrusted to us for the past 365 days. If you sent one this time last year, it will be back in your inbox in the next few days. It's my sincere wish that you have a Happy New Year.

Gratitude

December 29, 2008
The Fine Art of Gratitude
by Gary Ryan Blair
Think for just a moment of all the things that require practice: grammar, arithmetic, cooking, and even the guitar. Practice is probably something you think you’re done with when you leave school or give up music lessons. But, have you ever thought of practicing the fine art of gratitude?
The simplicity of gratitude and the powerful effect it has on our lives is unequaled by any other practice of its kind. There is a special kind of magic in gratitude for it raises our consciousness, recharges our energy, enhances our self-worth, and strengthens our spirit. Gratitude counts.
It’s quite possible to attain great wealth, the best education, and an exceptional quality of life and still be unhappy. This occurs when people live with an absence of gratitude. Success is a process that includes both peaks and valleys, but the one constant in a truly successful life is gratitude.
A successful life requires ongoing growth, and gratitude ensures growth. Gratitude heightens awareness and expands your interaction with the world. Once gratitude becomes part of your nature you begin to see the connections between your success and creature comforts, and the talents and contributions of others.
The farmer plants, waters, fertilizes and harvests the tomatoes you enjoy.The truck driver delivers the food to the market that will soon feed your family.The baker kneads and bakes the bread for the sandwich you’ll eat for lunch.The engineer and architect design the bridge that allows you to get to work.The furniture maker’s handiwork creates the furniture in your living room.The plumber fixes your leak, clears your drain and plunges your toilet.The teacher educates and inspires your children to be the best they can be.The customer provides the support that enables everyone to receive wages.The performer engages the imagination and entertains your senses.The seamstress sews the beautiful clothes that make you look great.The physician and nurse help to bring your beautiful baby into the world.
Pause for a moment and begin to think of the connections between people and you will immediately understand how important a role gratitude plays in the creation of a happy, productive life. We live in a world where we have much to be grateful for if we would just stop and look around.
It’s quite humbling to think of all the roles that complete strangers play in our daily existence. The sheer ingenuity and effort required of others is one of the most compelling reasons why we must make gratitude a daily practice. Humility is a virtue integral to gratitude. We cannot recognize the need for gratitude without it.
You may be tempted to believe that success and happiness is the result of karma, fate, design, destiny or pure luck but gratitude offers the best guarantee of success. As you practice the fine art of gratitude you automatically enhance your peace of mind and overall quality of life.
Finding something good in each and every day harnesses the power of gratitude. Do you light a candle or curse the darkness? Do you bless each and everything that comes your way, trusting that its meaning will become clear—even if you can’t possibly see how in the moment?
One of the best ways to cultivate gratefulness is to count your blessings by thinking of all the good in your life as well acknowledging the contributions of others. This is important for three reasons:
Positioning. By focusing on the positive things in each and every day, you position gratitude so that it has top of mind awareness.
Perspective. By looking for goodness and nobility in yourself and others, you are reminded that there are lots of good people with good intentions in the world.
Power. By being appreciative for challenging lessons and adverse situations you are demonstrating grace under fire. That grace results in greater personal power, self-confidence, momentum, and energy.
Practicing the fine art of gratitude is not only among our most important positive emotions, but one that links directly to physical and mental well-being. It’s in our self-interest to feel gratitude because it makes us better people. When we consciously practice grateful living, happiness follows along with an ability to withstand negative events. An attitude of gratitude provides immunity to anger, envy, resentment, and depression.
While forgiveness heals the heart of old hurts, gratitude opens it to present love. Gratitude bestows many benefits. It dissolves negative feelings: anger and jealousy melt in its embrace, fear and defensiveness shrink. Gratitude deflates the barriers to love.
Gratitude also evokes happiness, which is itself a powerfully healing and beneficial emotion. When we are happy, we like to make others happy, and this fosters kindness and generosity.
Like other attitudes, gratitude can be cultivated. We don’t have to wait for someone to shower us with gifts before feeling thankful. We can develop gratitude by reflecting on the gifts that are already ours. This reflection can be done for a minute, a day, or throughout a lifetime.
Most people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, but those who cultivate gratitude celebrate and rejoice every day. We can be grateful because we are happy, but we can also be happy because we are grateful.
We tend to forget how very different the laws that govern the mind are from the laws that operate in the physical world. In the physical world, if we give something thing to another person, whether it be a toy, a book, or a diamond, we lose possession.
Yet in the mind, the opposite is true. Whatever we intend for another person we first experience ourselves, whatever we give we gain, whatever we offer flowers in our own mind. If you feel hatred toward someone, that hate boomerangs back and scorches your own mind.
On the other hand, if you offer love and gratitude to someone, that love and gratitude first fills and heals your mind. The words “As you give so shall you receive” are profound statements about the way our minds work.
Enjoy every moment with gratitude and the next time you are eating fruit, remember to gives thanks to the person who planted the tree. That’s making gratitude count!

Gary Ryan Blair is a highly regarded speaker, consultant, strategic planner, and coach to leading companies throughout the globe. He helps business owners, corporate executives and sales professionals manage their time, set their priorities, and stay focused so that they can achieve their goals, grow their business, and sustain a lasting competitive advantage.
He’s also offering advanced coaching on setting your personal goals — and getting the results, find out how to make your personal strategic plan.

Be Your Own Life Coach

10 Ways to Be Your Own Life Coach
By Victoria Moran
Though we often seek advice from others, many spiritual traditions teach that the answer lies within. In this gallery, Victoria Moran, inspirational speaker, spiritual life coach, and author, offers us the top 10 questions she asks her coaching clients. By asking them of yourself, they can help you gain clarity in almost any situation. Just pick a challenge you're dealing with, and apply one or more of the following questions. Then, be willing to act on what your inner wisdom reveals.
Become your own life coach.
Victoria Moran is an inspirational speaker, spiritual life coach, and author of books including "Creating a Charmed Life" and "Fat, Broke & Lonely No More." You can learn more about her by visiting Victoriamoran.com.
Continued on Slide 2: Is This Good For Me? »

Spiritual Christmas

Spiritual Ways to Approach Money"Prosperity. Abundance. Opulence. Plenty. Is your heart resonating "Yes" to these words? How about moolah. Dough. Greenbacks. Bread. Cash. Is your heart still saying "Yes," or are you having a more complicated reaction? Money and fear tend to be intertwined--especially right now, as the stock market flips and flops, and the word subprime gets tossed around..."
Read more...Plus:
Christmas Without Cash
Living Within Your Means

Slimming Drinks

Drink Yourself Slim

By Myatt MurphyWhat you choose to quench your thirst could go a long way towards helping you shed those unwanted pounds. No matter kind of drink you're after -- electrolyte replacements, energy boosters, high-in-fiber, or protein-filled -- we have the best beverages to keep you hydrated while boosting your weight loss.

Expectations

"Our responses to the world are crucially moulded by the company we keep, for we temper our curiosity to fit in with the expectations of others." (Alain de Botton)

My sister and her husband are visiting for the holidays. Fortunately, they've been pretty adventurous here. When I go home, most of my family doesn't do anything special. We just sit around eating and watching TV most of the time.
We're heading for SF tomorrow, then will stop in LA for a couple of days on our way back to San Diego. Hopefully, the rain will be finished soon so they can enjoy some sun before they head back to snowy Rochester.

Holiday Weight Loss

If you haven't checked out my list of MUFA foods, check it out. They say one MUFA per meal will help you lose weight.
I was so proud of myself today. I went out to breakfast with family and ordered oatmeal with raisins. I ate about half and had a couple mouthfuls of my husband's omelette and I was satisfied. I wish my husband would try harder, but I need to focus on myself and let him find his own way.

How to Lose Weight During the Holidays
Join blogger Janice Taylor’s “Christmas Diet” challenge, and check off your New Year’s resolution in advance.
By Janice Taylor
I receive hundreds of emails from readers at this time of year, all shouting, "Help!" People want to know, "How can I get through the holiday season without gaining weight?" Some even dare to dream of waking up on New Year's Day thinner than they are now. They ask me, "Do you think it’s possible to lose weight in the face of holiday cookies, fruitcake and eggnog?"
So I jumped into action mode and created The Christmas Diet. Yes, you can make it through the holi-daze unscathed, happy, and hopeful. Follow my plan, and there will be no reason to start the New Year bloated, stuffed, or unhappy.
To give you a taste of The Christmas Diet program, here are 10 tips that will help you to easily and effortlessly navigate the holiday season without adding on pounds.
Read the First Weight Loss Tip
Janice Taylor is the author of the Our Lady of Weight Loss blog on Beliefnet, and the book, All is Forgiven, Move On.
Continued on Slide 2: Eat Slowly and Savor the Flavor »

Getting Rid of Negative Energy

We would all like to believe that our family and the holidays will be all positive and loving. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Here's some great advice for dealing with negative energy and vibes you may come into contact with.

Detox Energy
Shield yourself from unhappy people
by Adrianne Stone

Have you ever noticed that there are certain people - co-workers, relatives; friends - who are like happiness leeches, sucking you dry of your energy with their bad vibes and, in turn, showering you with their own negativity? You know the types, they consistently bring you down with their dark outlook and petty grievances, using their own lack of self-assurance to knock down everyone else in sight, and speaking only of what's wrong, instead of what's right. These are the ones for whom the proverbial glass is always half empty. Moreover, they are the ones who are so toxic, they not only miss the rainbow after a rainy day, but they also miss the beauty of the rainy day itself. And then they leave you covered with the detritus of their own misery.
There's no need to fall victim, however. Even though you can't always avoid such energy vampires, you can protect yourself from absorbing their bleak worldview and negativity so you can continue to embrace life without depressive interruptions.
Definition: positive energy
First, imagine positive energy as a perfect alignment of emotions, thoughts and behavior. An example would be a dinner party, surrounded by like-minded people whose intellect and conversation match your own. You feel buoyed by such connections and can let your guard down. There is no danger of being pulled into the undercurrent of jealousy, anger or resentment - only the uplifting feeling of positivity. Imagine yourself as having a protective shield surrounding you. The shield is always on, but at this moment it is on a dimmer switch and doesn't need to be activated to optimal brilliance.
In a negative energy situation - a meeting at work with lots of blame-laying and hurt feelings, or an outing with a friend who never ceases to gripe - your shield should be up, full force. This energy force of golden vibes and protective love is what you tap into when you feel the need. You may not see this protective light, but you can sense it. This also applies to your own negative "voices" - the ones that say you're not good enough, smart enough, talented enough to get the job, promotion or good life that you want. If you can't ignore those voices of self-doubt, just tell them to "be quiet." You're in control, not them - because if you give in to them, your creativity is out the window.
Bad vibe protection
You must protect yourself from drowning in the bad vibes of others so that your own subtle energy doesn't become stagnant and weigh you down. Aside from the energy shield, there are other techniques you can follow. In yoga, the word "Satnam" means "the truth within you." By surrendering to your truth, you will follow your proper life path. Repeat this word as you breathe out negativity and inhale positivity.
Absorb the loving energy instead: the unconditional love of your pet as it nestles up to you, the sweet caress of a lover, the sound of voices joining in unison in a spiritual gathering… these are all good and should be embraced. Like energy "candies" they fortify you with their joyous purity to better handle toxic encounters that may arise.
Use humor to alleviate dark emotions and remember to vanquish your own by freeing yourself of resentment. Identify your fears, face them, embrace them and then say goodbye to them. Trust your gut about danger and choose your actions wisely. Keep a journal that lists both the good things you've done and the amends you need to make. Then act on them.
Besides all this "feel good" advice, use common sense: Drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, commune with nature and don't spend so much time with electronic gadgets that you forget to live life for real. You'll feel centered and re-energized.
Remember, energy begets energy. This is a reflection of physiology but also describes emotions. What you put out is what you'll receive - if you're sending off enough positivity, you may then force it through the negative person's shield and wind up helping them as well. Now wouldn't that be greatSelect an RSS reader

Audacity

"Given an equal amount of intelligence, timidity will cause a thousand times more problems than audacity." (Carl von Clausewitz, 1780-1831)

Finding Joy

Another great post from Beliefnet. Enjoy.

The Path to Joy: 10 Principles of Spiritual Optimism
By Deepak Chopra
In his newest book, "Why is God Laughing?" renowned teacher Deepak Chopra gives a humorous take on spirituality--using a fictional tale of a comedian and his unlikely mentor to show the way back to hope, joy, and even enlightenment. Here are 10 principles for spiritual optimism adapted from the fable that will help you direct your life on a path to joy every single day.
Adapted from "Why is God Laughing: The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism" by Deepak Chopra, Harmony Books, 2008)
Continued on Slide 2: The Healthiest Response to Life Is Laughter. »

Stop Obsessing

These are excellent. Many of these I do already, but we artists can always use help to get us back on track.

15 Ways to Stop Obsessing
Tips for how to reel in your ruminations and keep your peace in the present moment.
By Therese J. Borchard
For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with obsessive thoughts, with severe ruminations that can interfere with daily life. My thoughts get stuck on something and, like a broken record, repeat a certain fear over and over and over again until I scream out loud, “STOP IT!”
The French call Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) “folie de doute,” or “the doubting disease.” And that’s what obsessions are—a single doubt caught in an endless loop of thoughts. But even those not diagnosed with OCD can struggle with obsessions. In fact, I have yet to meet a depressive who doesn’t ruminate, especially in our age of anxiety. Every day gives sensitive types like myself plenty of material to obsess about. So I’m constantly pulling out the tools that I’ve acquired over time to win against my thoughts, to develop confidence--the antidote for doubt--to take charge of my brain, and to STOP OBSESSING. I hope they work for you too.
Read the first way to stop obsessing.
Therese J. Borchard writes the blog Beyond Blue on Beliefnet.
Continued on Slide 2: Name the Beast »

Lessons In Happiness

I could really relate to these. I hope you enjoy them.

Happiness Lessons from Around the World
By Eric Weiner
As a correspondent for National Public Radio, Eric Weiner often traveled to war-torn or famine-ravaged countries. To cleanse his spirit, he decided to travel to some of the world's happiest places to find out just what made them so joyful.Weiner's journeys from Iceland to Qatar to Bhutan are described in his book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World. In this gallery, Weiner tells some of the things he learned and shows photographs of the places he went.
Read the first happiness lesson.
Continued on Slide 2: Happiness Is Taking Pride In Who You Are (Iceland) »

Reiki, Chakra Work, etc.

- Counseling & Healing Center For Enrichment Alternatives

Dear Sherrie,
In this time of celebration, generosity, and love, we wish you and your family the best of the Holiday Season. We send you an abundance of Healing and Blessings, and affirm that all that happens is in the highest and greatest good for all.
May we all receive and acknowledge the Divine in our lives! I will be sending energies that we each receive the gifts our hearts are longing for!

News...

In 2009, Arise will be expanding to include personal development programs and a new blog for more frequent communications.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love and Blessings,
Lorelynn

...For all services and the latest information, go to www.arisecounseling.com

Counseling

When our daughter, Bethany, was 7 years old, we were discussing possible messages for our advertising programs. Her suggestion: "You come to me, you get help!"
Reiki & Energy Work

A simple and gentle form of energy healing, Reiki helps you relax, de-stress, envision a new life, and heal physical, mental and emotional distress. Distance healing. Chakra clearing and balanceing. We think of it as Energy Work 101.
Personal Development

According to DeepakChopra, the #1 trend in society is well-being. Around the world, many thousands of people are embracing new ways to enhance their lives, spend more time with their loved ones and improve the quality of their lives.

I highly reccommend Lorelynn. She has done wonders for me. Get one Integrated Etheric Healing and you can then qualify to have a Growth Etheric. Those are amazing!

A Spiritual Christmas

Christmas Without Cash
Big on Spirit, Low on Money
By Gay Norton Edelman
’Tis the season! To be jolly, to celebrate life, to reconnect with loved ones, to make merry and—to shop. But recently the whole country has had opportunities to look at ways to be more careful and considerate about how and what we buy. This year, we have a chance to seek the true spirit of the season rather than get wrapped up in the more commercial aspects. As they say, "It’s the thought that counts." Here are 12 ideas I’ve gathered for a richer, not more expensive, Christmas.
Find Out How to Have a Great Christmas Without Cash
Gay Norton Edelman is a senior editor at Family Circle magazine. She writes frequently on spiritual issues; her favorite gifts are donations to her favorite charities, but she’s not a bit opposed to shiny packages, too.
Continued on Slide 2: Manage Kids’ Expectations »

Transformimg Toxic Thoughts

10 Ways to Transform Toxic Thoughts
If you've ever felt the way anger or fear can electrify the atmosphere in a room, you'll know what Sandra Ingerman means by "toxic thoughts." The author, a family therapist and shaman practitioner, believes our thoughts and emotions transmit an invisible but palpable energy that can affect our mental and physical well-being. "Psychic punches," she writes, are as real as physical violence. Click below for ten simple ways to protect yourself from negative thoughts and learn to radiate positive energy.
Transform your first thought now.
Text by Sandra Ingerman, adapted from her book, "How to Heal Toxic Thoughts: Simple Tools for Personal Transformation"
Text by Sandra Ingerman, adapted from her book, "How to Heal Toxic Thoughts: Simple Tools for Personal Transformation"
Continued on Slide 2: Breathe Through Your Heart »

Release and Let Go

HO'OPONOPONOTHIS
IS A VERY IMPORTANT PRACTICE....IT IS AN INSTANT ENERGY CLEARER FOR ANY SITUATION....DON'T MISS THIS.....

A Hawaiian spiritual practice where the Divinity takes our painful thoughts and neutralizes or purifies them...you don't purify the person, place or thing, you neutralize the energy you associate with that person.place or thing and then something wonderful happens.
This is done with a technique called clearing, when you see and feel that you have a negative thought(s) and/or negative energy around you, the following words are said:
I AM SORRY
PLEASE FORGIVE ME
THANK YOU
I LOVE YOU
You continue saying these words until you feel release and say them again and again when ever needed.

Maybe These Will Inspire You

The Way We Were: Life Magazine Photos Of Women In The 1960s
By Dodai,
As you may know, though Life magazine is no more, the Life magazine photo archive lives on, through a partnership with Google, and is slowly being made available online.
Looking through the collection is unbelievably engrossing, but the funny thing is you never really find exactly what you think you're going to find. Still: The images are surprising, informative, and entertaining. Plus: You can purchase framed prints! We've been taking a look at women in several decades (previously: the '30s, the '40s and the '50s) and today, the crazy, swinging 1960s.

Anger = Creative Energy

Channelling negative energy
December 12, 2008

Dear Sherrie,
Yesterday, Catherine Stock wrote: "I wonder if you have any thoughts about channeling negative energy into creative endeavors. The other day, one of my most valued friends and I parted company. I was pretty upset by his obviously calculated quarrel, and went over to my studio and picked up and attacked an old unresolved painting. I'm quite happy with the results. Another time I was irritated with the monitor of a life-drawing class to the point that I almost left, but instead focused on my drawing and did some powerful sketches. Nice to know that good things can come from an upsurge of choler."
Thanks, Catherine. Creative prowess comes from two main sources--love and anger. Surprisingly, anger works just about as well as love. Trouble is, it's not as much fun and it kills you sooner. Accepting and channelling anger, even if used only in a small portion of our active creative lives, is an art worth learning. And while some artists simply can't work when they're angry and suffer consequent lack of production, excellent lemonade can be made from some lemons.
Some observers have noted that artists may actually need stress and anxiety to get the best from themselves. Subscriber Bill Cannon wrote, "Mozart, Vivaldi and Van Gogh stretched their genius on struggle, stress and survival." When we sit down to work with concerns like this, perhaps it is the fresh hope that we know the creative act will give us and the fear that this fresh effort may not work out. "Minds that are ill at ease are agitated by both hope and fear," said the banished Greek poet Ovid more than two millennia ago.
I'm one of those annoying people who appears to have a perpetually sunny disposition. But stuff happens, as it does to us all. My antidotes may appear simplistic, but here they are anyway:
· Plan work zones regardless of mood or conditions.
· Through thick and thin, learn to be steady and strong.
· Know that relationships are fluid and not everyone fits.
· Lose yourself to the empowerment of the creative act.
· Be philosophic in misfortune and disappointment.
· The big dirt-nap is coming anyway, so keep busy.

Best regards,
Robert

PS: "The greater the tension, the greater the potential." (Carl Jung) "Anger controlled is a power that can move the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)Esoterica: It's always been of interest to me that siblings from dysfunctional or negative family environments can turn out in so many different ways. One may be mired in inappropriate life-decisions and repeated failures, while another may rise above it all and happily thrive. Self-esteem is crucial. I've made a lifetime study of the nature of self-esteem in artists. It seems to me that developing self-esteem relies on a combination of tangible evidence and gentle self-delusion. For people of imagination, self-delusion may come easily, and this ability is not to be sneezed at.

Since I believe in the old adage "Everything happens for a reason," it is not much of a stretch to say that this can be used in my art, but I am going through some stuff right now and have been using it as an excuse to NOT work. Thank you Robert, for reminding me to use this negative energy in a POSITIVE way!

Vision Map Videos

I haven't tried this yet, but I plan to soon. Just watching the videos can help, I think.

I want to introduce you to a program that I am producing: VISION MAP VIDEOS. You can use these for your personal use; to attract traffic to your website; to assist your clients and/or customers. Please take time to review the following information and let me know if I can produce your fun and catchy vision video.

To view a video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lssD2YFjVcY

I HAVE JUST FINISHED THE HOLIDAY VIDEO…..IT IS CALLED

"ABUNDANT HOLIDAY SEASON"

To view the video go to: http://www.spiritedboutique.com/?page_id=233

Throw away your glue, scissors, large wall map and trade them in for a fun and catchy treasure mapping video. This video is personalized to your every whim and desire, it is something you will watch everyday at least once, best results twice a day, one of those challenging days several times.

They are 2-3 minutes long with royalty free music and pictures, you can use these for business or personal enjoyment; get creative---they fit in all the areas of your life or business. The videos are upload ready for YouTube, and then can be added to your website. Fantastic advertising for any business, service or group. Guaranteed to increase website traffic, it will be something that your clients/customers will want to see over and over again, and who knows maybe even tell others about, hence more traffic to your website.

NEED SOME IDEAS?…..
Inspirational
Processing Grief
Loss of Weight
Loss of a Relationship
Attract Wealth
Create Abundant Health
Manifest Money
New Business Clients
Retreat Event Video

For your personalized VISION MAP VIDEO just contact Darlene Siddons at 760-726-8390 or info@spiritedboutique.com
www.spiritedboutique.com

Get your video today at the great starting price of $25.00 each, at this price you can get several. Don't forget to watch a sample video on the link above, ENJOY

www.spiritedboutique.com

Namaste,
Darlene Siddons

Many Blessings, and, of course -
EXPECT Success!

Darlene Siddons

Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids-The Key to Health and Weight Loss

Hi all,
Just thought I'd share this list with you, JUST IN CASE YOU ARE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT or keep the weight at bay during the holiday season.
We had two MUFA dishes at Thanksgiving and a whole bunch of non-MUFA foods, but I actually lost two lbs. If I can lose weight during Thanksgiving, I must be on to something. The really cool thing is that some of our favorite foods are on this list.
Happy Eating,
Sherrie
P.S. Of course, Angelo and I have to cut down on the amount of food we're eating too, but we're getting there. ;-)

Recommended Foods Containing MUFAs
* OilsCanola oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, pesto sauce, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil.
* Nuts and SeedsAlmonds, almond butter, Brazil nuts, cashew butter, chunky natural peanut butter, dry-roasted cashews, dry-roasted peanuts, dry-roasted sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, roasted pumpkin seeds, smooth natural peanut butter, sunflower seeds, sunflower seed butter, tahini (sesame seed paste), walnuts.
* Olives
* Dark Chocolate
The rest of the diet is very similar to a Mediterranean diet:
* Fruit (in season)
* Vegetables (in season)
* Whole grains
* Limited red meat intake

BTW, I learned about this from Prevention Magazine. I ordered their Flat Belly Diet book, but haven't recieved it yet. I will keep you up-to-date.

Start Your Day Again

Seven Ways to Restart Your Day
Beliefnet Feature from Oprah.com

You've just woken up, and you're on the wrong side of the bed. Is there any way to switch to the other side? Absolutely.For those times when your mind is addled, and your center is shaky; open this little black bag of cures and find your beautiful balance!
Read the first tip to restart your day.
Continued on Slide 2: As soon as the alarm rings.. »

Losing a Job Can Be a Winning Experience

What I Learned from Being Laid Off
With millions of people being laid off and unemployment at its highest level in 15 years, it’s hard to believe that anything good could come out of what seems like such a dismal situation. But as the old adage says, “Everything happens for a reason.” To that end, here are stories that tell of the good side of being laid off.
Click through Beliefnet’s gallery of inspiring stories from our community users on how getting laid off changed their lives…for the better!

Continued on Slide 2: Material Things Don't Define You »

I have my own story that is kinda long and complicated, but basically I left my job as English Learner Coordinator in LA to move to San Diego and plan my wedding. My future husband allowed me to take time off so we could fix up the house.
The following school year I started subbing as it was looking like I was not going to get a full-time job. I also started looking into Graduate School and, after talking to my husband, decided to go after my dream and get an MFA in Creative Writing. I would write the novel I have been carrying around for almost twenty years.
I finally got a job just before my husband's favorite house went up for sale. We bought the house, but I lost the job just before we moved in. Our realtor convinced my husband he could handle the payments. Plus he got a great price on his bachelor home.
I did take one more full-time job before realising that I could not run a household, do my writing and work full-time (actually, teachers work about 60 hours a week). I was miserable to be around everytime I got a job, but I also was having a hard time justifying a life without teaching. For the third time, I went back to subbing and this time I will stick to it.
Hopefully, I will get my book published and do the coaching and maybe even have the opportunity to teach adults, but until that happens, I will continue to sub and enjoy my time in my beautiful home with my wonderful husband.
My own lesson is that life doesn't have to be difficult. We can find ways to make our dreams a reality and mold our life into the life we love.

Let me know if you have a story like this. I could tell you others. My father and my brother-in-law both discovered that everything happens for a reason.

Transform Your Life

13 Ways to Transform Your Life Lessons
Janice Taylor learned from her own life-changing leap of faith five years ago.
By Janice Taylor
Five years ago, Beliefnet blogger Janice Taylor took a mammoth leap of faith, diving headfirst into the proverbial pool of life. Determined to transform and reinvent her life and herself, she moved from large to small (size 18 to a size 4), from quiet to not-so-quiet, from stage-frightened to spotlight-craving, and from office worker to independent weight loss guru.
Today, Janice is a Life & Wellness Coach, the author of the best-selling "Our Lady of Weight Loss" and "All Is Forgiven, Move On"), a popular Beliefnet blogger, an inspiring motivational speaker, and a columnist. Her success-and the life changes that got her here--got us to wondering. How did Janice take that leap of faith and stick the landing? How did she avoid getting swallowed up by the fear monster and thoughts of failure?
Here, on the fifth anniversary of reinventing herself, Janice shares her secrets.Learn how you can transform your life.Janice Taylor is the author of the "Our Lady of Weight Loss" blog on Beliefnet, and the book, "All is Forgiven, Move On."
Continued on Slide 2: Leap of Faith: Ready, Fire, Aim! »

Ask Dr. Seligman A Question

You may have to join to ask a question. I'm not sure.
Dr. Martin Seligman is the father of positive psychology and an advisor to happier.com.In the national media frequently, Dr. Seligman is a leading commentator on happiness, research on well-being, and the field of positive psychology.
happier.com users have a special opportunity to pose a question to Dr. Seligman.
What would you ask Marty Seligman? (Click on the link to submit your question.)Respond by 5pm Eastern time today for a chance at having your question answered in the earliest round. (It's OK to respond later, but your question will not be considered for this round.)
We'll let you know when to start looking for answers to selections of your questions. Some will be answered in video clips, available in the site. Others will be answered on our blog. (Launching soon, the blog happier insights is written by the team at happier.com and practitioners in the field. For more information on the blog, contact Andrew.)
Sincerely,
Robb
happier.com team member

Jill's Book, Mindmapping, etc.

Hi Blissmas Babes,


The Awe-manac has been released! I wrote it for you myself.

Mindmapping:Youtube Video Instruction from a Mindmapping Master
A wonderful mind map of what mind mapping is here.Mindmapping description
We will be doing mind mapping in the upcoming Blissmas Journey (as well as Soul Collage, ATCs, and other realms of Art Therapy)
Today or this week I suggest that you put: DELICIOUS HEALTHY FOOD in the middle of a mind map. One step to beginning to eat well is to imbed the notion of healthy delicious food in your head with visuals, affirmations, acting as if, thought adjustments and mind mapping. I’ll share how mine comes out next time we meet.



What a wonderful life I’ve had. I only wished I’d realized it sooner.
–Colette

Nine Ways to Find Peace of Mind
Next
1 of 12
Nine Ways to Find Peace of Mind
By Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.
We are an anxious nation...in fact, we are an anxious world. There is no question that uncertainty seems to have increased dramatically in the last few years. We worry about terrorism. We worry about war. We worry about losing our jobs. We worry about the dangers confronting our children. And on and on and on.This worry is understandable, given the state of the world at the present time, but there is no question in my mind that, with the right tools...All of us can rise above any situation that life hands us. All of us can live a fulfilling life in the middle of the turmoil.All of us can find a sense of peace and purpose.
In my newest book, Embracing Uncertainty, I provide the tools that I have found most effective in helping us see the world in a more life-affirming and powerful way.
Learn how to find peace of mind.
Continued on Slide 2: Un-Set Your Heart » Dr. Susan Jeffers is the author of the self-help classic 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.' This article is adapted from her newest book, 'Embracing Uncertainty: Breakthrough Methods for Achieving Peace of Mind When Facing the Unknown,' (St. Martin's Press). © Susan Jeffers 2003. Visit her website at www.susanjeffers.com.

I have all that I need

Angel Message of the Day
I freely circulate what I have. I know there is always enough to go around. I do not subscribe to poverty consciousness.
Read More

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Find simple steps to a better life
by Lisa Weseman

Is life just a series of swirling, disconnected moments? Or is there something greater that connects and controls your life. Deepak Chopra, the famous spiritualist and medical doctor, has long taught that everything that is happening in this moment is a result of all the choices you've made mentally up until now. In 1994 he published The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, a ground-breaking book that spelled out principles to live by that he claimed would help you align the various aspects of your spirit to develop a more fulfilling life.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is now available on DVD where it features real-life examples to illustrate the philosophy, which combines Eastern principals like "karma" (one's destiny) and Western principles like "the law of least effort" (going with the flow). So what are the seven laws? And do they really work?

The law of karma Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. Choosing actions that bring happiness and success to others ensures the flow of happiness and success to you.
Does it work? The concept of karma crosses many cultures and religions. Some people take it to mean "what goes around, comes around." When someone has wronged you, it's comforting to think they will one day get theirs. But relying too much on the idea of karma can also be dangerous if you start to blame yourself for every bad thing that happens to you. The best way to act on the "law of karma" is to put out the best energy you can, but understand that it might not always come back that way.
The law of least effort Accept people, situations, and events as they occur. Take responsibility for your situation and for all events seen as problems. Relinquish the need to defend your point of view.
Does it work? Chopra says every situation is the seed of an opportunity - and in every seed is the promise of a forest. The challenge is that many of the "seeds" are painful moments we'd rather not experience. The key to accepting this law is to recognize that it is often through pain that we learn the greatest lessons.
The law of pure potentiality Take time to be silent, to just BE. Meditate for 30 minutes twice a day. Silently witness the intelligence within every living thing. Practice non-judgment
Does it work? Finding stillness and quiet with your own spirit can be one of the most difficult - and rewarding - journeys of life. If you are able to regularly connect with yourself in this way, you find yourself on the path to spiritual success.
The law of giving Today, bring whoever you encounter a gift: a compliment or flower. Gratefully receive gifts. Keep wealth circulating by giving and receiving care, affection, appreciation and love.
Does it work? Giving is another concept that seems to cross all cultures and faiths. But at the end of the day, most people still don't realize the transformative power it has. By focusing your gifts outside yourself, you will be more richly rewarded than you can ever imagine
The law of intention and desire Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment. Make a list of desires. Trust that when things don't seem to go your way, there is a reason.
Does it work? One of Chopra's fundamental beliefs is that in order to make change happen in your life, you have to give your deeper instincts a chance. You have to unlearn the tendency to second-guess yourself and trust other people over your own spirit. The first step to making your dreams come true is allowing yourself to decide what those dreams really are.
The law of detachment Allow yourself and others the freedom to be who they are. Do not force solutions - allow solutions to spontaneously emerge. Uncertainty is essential on your path to freedom.
Does it work? Trying to control other people is one of life's most frustrating - and fruitless - endeavors. By letting go of expectations for yourself and others, you free yourself.
The law of dharma Seek your higher Self. Discover your unique talents. Ask yourself how you are best suited to serve humanity. Using your unique talents and serving others brings unlimited bliss and abundance.
Does it work? This really comes down to the question of whether you can actually find a higher purpose in life. The answer: only if you truly want to take the journey.

Quotes to Make You Feel Better

10 Uplifting Quotes for a Depressed Heart
Healing Quotes for Your Depressed Heart

What is it about a short quotation that carries so much power? Anyone who has ever been moved by "I have a dream" or "I think, therefore I am" knows that a single, simple quote can change a day, a life, a world.
For those who suffer from depression, words of uplift and inspiration are always welcome. Explore these quotations and see if a few simple words might change your day, your life, or your world.
Read the first uplifting quote.
Continued on Slide 2: Have Patience... »

Finding Peace Amid Chaos

Find Peace Amid Chaos
So Much to Worry About
By Sandra Lee Schubert
I don’t know anyone who is especially peaceful at this moment. The whole world feels a bit threatening. So many of us find ourselves in a tumultuous and unsure state of being. We are filled with fears and worries – about losing our homes, jobs, retirement packages, freedom. We are concerned about the state of our nation, the election, the war. Each day presents a new struggle we must grapple with. There is no doubt these are tough times. However, if we try to redefine our personal definition of peace, and look for gentle ways to incorporate it into our everyday lives, we might find a way to better weather the storms.

Sandra Lee Schubert is an interfaith minister and author of the on-line course, Writing for Life: Creating a Story of Your Own . She is co-facilitator of the Wild Angels Poets and Writers Group at the historic Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in NYC. Visit her at www.writing4life.com.
Continued on Slide 2: What Does Peace Mean to You? »
Peace on Earth, peace, peace of mind, Inspiration, inspirational, inspiring

Go With the Flow, by Wayne Dyer

Wayne Dyer's 10 Ways to Go with the Flow
Next
1 of 12
Wayne Dyer's 10 Ways to Go with the Flow In the following excerpts, best-selling author Wayne Dyer delves into the ancient book the "Tao Te Ching" and gives timeless advice for easing struggle and letting go. Dyer offers verses from the Tao along with practical, spiritual advice for applying that wisdom to your everyday life. Click Here to Read the Gallery
Excerpted with permission from the new book "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living the Wisdomof the Tao"(Hay House) by Wayne Dyer.
Continued on Slide 2: Relax into Paradox »

Honor Thyself

More Great Stuff
When you are stop looking for it, you find what you need. Someone said that, but I don't remember who.

10 Ways to Honor Thyself Take the self-love challenge and discover the beauty within.

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
"To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness." - Robert Morely
Love is one of the most powerful energies on the planet. We are born with love in our hearts, and it lives within us all. But some of us put so much focus on finding love and approval "out there" that we never get a chance to truly develop it within ourselves.
We look for it in the external world--from parents, partners, friends, bosses, new people we meet, people we admire. If any one of them disappoints, devastation follows.How many times have you been hurt because of someone else's opinion of you? When we experience self-esteem only through the eyes of others, one unkind word or a bad mood in another can shatter our sense of self.
Are you feeling the love? If not, it is time to take our self-love challenge--10 tips and techniques to help you enhance your life by cultivating love from within.

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is an interfaith minister, wedding officiant, and love coach. She is widely known for marrying couples in unique and personalized ceremonies, and for her work in helping people get ready for soulful love. She is moderator of The Soulmate Project on Beliefnet and author of 12 books, including The Goddess Pages: A Divine Guide To Finding Love and Happiness (Llewellyn, Nov. 2008), Wedding Goddess: A Divine Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress Into Wedding Bliss (Perigee, 2005) and the e-course, Find Your Spiritual Soulmate. Visit her at www.LaurieSueBrockway.net.
Continued on Slide 2: Create a Self-Love "Curriculum" »

What Do You Think?

Ten thousand hours
November 28, 2008

Dear Sherrie,
Malcolm Gladwell's latest book, Outliers, has some implications for artists. Like his other books, The Tipping Point and Blink, it's a refreshing pop-culture examination of well-worked subject matter. Outliers is about the phenomenon of success--what impedes it, and what delivers it. It seems a lot of the qualities we think are going to produce success, aren't.
Raw talent, for example, is far down the list of Gladwell's succeeding virtues. Being born in the right time and place, to the right parents is more where it's at. He's sorry, but he thinks just too many wannabees are disadvantaged from the get-go and don't really stand a chance.
This kind of flies in the face of the self-made-man concept--the guy who pulls himself up by his own bootstraps against terrible odds. Gladwell cites all sorts of really bright, well-educated and naturally talented folks who never made it.
Gladwell really gets on track when he suggests that cognitively complex pursuits require ten thousand hours to get good. Drawing on a supply of examples, the rule seems to go for champion chess players, classical music composers, brain surgeons, top hockey players and fine artists. We're talking fine artists here; those who more or less know what they're doing."Success has to do with deliberate practice," says Gladwell. "Practice must be focused, determined, and in an environment where there's feedback."
Further, the penchant for study, reflection, application and hard work is often propelled by obsession. While obsessive behavior may be an antisocial plague to societies and communities at large, it's total moxie when lone practitioners catch it.Natural common sense is a big factor too. "You need to have the ability to gracefully navigate the world," says Gladwell. Apparently you need the ego-force to get what you want.
Moreover, no one in any significant profession can do it without the help of others. Even hard-working ten-thousand-hour obsessive-compulsive introverts have to learn to bring agents and enablers into their sphere.
For some, this comes naturally, even easily; for others, particularly those in the outlier and self-starting professions, it's a long and dusty road pocked with trial and error.
Best regards,
Robert

PS: "We vary greatly in the natural advantages that we've been given. The world's not fair." (Malcolm Gladwell)

Esoterica: According to Gladwell, much of what we wish is beyond our control. Some of us are more blessed than others and have opportunities to see things others can't see. Poverty, particularly at the youth level, is highly restrictive. In education, which is at the root of success, fancy new schools, charismatic principals or new technologies won't fix things, because the fact is poor kids don't have the opportunities at home during the school year, and have scanty chances of stimulating summers.

I actually disagree with Robert on this one. As far as putting in the hours, he's right to a certain extent, but we all have to start somewhere. I myself grew up somewhat poor with little expected of me (because I am female), yet I found my own way. No, I'm not famous yet and maybe I would have gotten here sooner if my family had money BUT . . . I believe that if we were meant to become something, meant to create something . . . If we are here to give something unique to the world, we WILL find our way. The twists and turns along the way may be exactly what we need to LEARN the message we are meant to give to the world.
In my case, I could not be writing this novel IF I had NOT had the experiences I have had in my life.
BUT, let's give Robert the benefit of the doubt and put in those 10,000 hours, ONE minute at a time, ONE day at a time.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU ON THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY CALLED LIFE.

Finding Peace

So Much to Worry About
By Sandra Lee Schubert
I don’t know anyone who is especially peaceful at this moment. The whole world feels a bit threatening. So many of us find ourselves in a tumultuous and unsure state of being. We are filled with fears and worries – about losing our homes, jobs, retirement packages, freedom. We are concerned about the state of our nation, the election, the war. Each day presents a new struggle we must grapple with. There is no doubt these are tough times. However, if we try to redefine our personal definition of peace, and look for gentle ways to incorporate it into our everyday lives, we might find a way to better weather the storms. Sandra Lee Schubert is an interfaith minister and author of the on-line course, Writing for Life: Creating a Story of Your Own . She is co-facilitator of the Wild Angels Poets and Writers Group at the historic Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in NYC. Visit her at www.writing4life.com.
Continued on Slide 2: What Does Peace Mean to You? »

peripheal vision

Hey, make sure you click on "current clickbacks" in Robert's letter. The idea of "the subconscious eye" is adding depth to my writing. How often have you been in a converstaion and been focusing on something off in the distance? That woman looking at the chocolate cake totally reminds me of myself.

Robert Genn's Power Hour

Power hour
November 21, 2008

Dear Sherrie,

In my part-time, unpaid job as an art coach, I hear from folks who are suffering from lackadaisicalitis. While they may be naturally talented, they seldom produce art and have little motivation. It's easy to say they don't want things badly enough.
One of my suggestions is to try to rewire the habit patterns using the "power hour" system. This is where distinct times are set aside for concentrated, all-out easeling. The idea comes easily to some and runs against the grain of others. It may have something to do with fear of failure. "Organizational fatigue" is where a person gets tired of being in systems that are frequently aborted. In supposedly self-motivated lives, I call this problem "the contrarian trap," and some folks have it in spades.
To make the power-hour concept work, you need some sort of day-timer. While regular calendars will do, I recommend a custom one pushed out by your printer. While mine is nothing much, we've put sample close-ups at the top of the current clickback.Entries can be made before or after the fact. Sometimes it's not nice to push yourself around but nice to make note of missions accomplished. At other times it's valuable to pencil in distinct power hours for the day ahead.
Sometimes, minutes of preparation and starting at the top of the hour are good moves. I like to squeeze out first and get my ducks in a row. It's amazing what you can get done in one golden hour. I've found the system works best when I'm not to be distracted and treat the exercise as a bit of fun.
Music helps.Theorists like Thoreau and Emerson looked at the value of self-regulation. While some of us are unexplainably driven, my experience is that the Achilles' heel of many artists is simply lack of self-regulation.
Further, many say "I don't want to go there," and that's fine. For those who want things badly enough, a few items pencilled in before or after the activity might just become the tiny habit that produces big dividends.Seeing motivational techniques as games may be key to their success. To be simply on the field, playing, is great, but those over-the-fence hits that you get with steady application can make it total magic.

Best regards,
Robert

PS: "Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)Esoterica: Many self-regulating artists simply put in long hours and just keep chipping away. The word "sacrifice" often comes into play. Seemingly stubborn and limiting, artists often report they don't do TV, card games or other frivolities. Surprisingly, many don't put much emphasis on food. Some, particularly those with wider responsibilities, sacrifice sleep. Most value regular exercise as "brain changing" activity. One artist friend describes his daily life this way, "I'm like a zombie--the work rules me--I keep on plugging and smiling."

If an hour seems to daunting, start with 5 or 10 minutes. I started with 5 minutes and was up to an hour within a couple months. Also, find a time when you are least likely to find a distraction. Since I am a writer, sometimes I write before I get out of bed in the morning.
Morning is also a good time because you can stay in that twilight, half-dreaming state. Plus you may have dreamt something you want to add to your art.
And other times, you may just want to lie in bed and let your mind wander. See what new ideas come to you. BUT DON'T FORGET TO WRITE DOWN SOME NOTES. OTHERWISE, YOU'LL BE HITTING YOURSELF FOR FORGETTING THAT GREAT IDEA THAT, AT THE TIME, SEEMED UNFORGETABLE.
Happy Creating to you all!

Some of you may notice that most of this blog seems to be more about life than about one's creative process. In the past two months, I have been obsessing about where to go next with the novel I am writing. My coach has suggested the path that many writers have taken over the ages: having a strong story arc and a strong character arc. While these two things are definitely important, many great stories are being told in very unique ways these days.
As I read the Latino writers, I am see stories that do not not even seem to have a plot. Stories that make me wonder if the events happened or if they were all in the mind of the protagonist. These stories have made me more convinced that I need to tell my story in the way that I think best says what I want to say. Of course, some conventions need to be followed, BUT not all need to be followed if it is not the way to express what I want to say.
In my opinion, all these posts can also relate to the creative process. If we can learn to trust life and trust the process, not only will our lives be better, but so will our Art. And, we will definitely get a lot more done if we feel good about our own creative expression.
So, I hope that all of you are trusting the process and most of all trusting yourself IN THE PROCESS. Best of luck in your creative endeavors!

Responding to Bad News

Handle Bad News With Grace
The art of response
by Adrianne Stone

Consider the following: Your boss has just given you the old heave ho - you've been pink slipped. Now how do you react? Your hot water heater has exploded, flooding your basement and incurring an expense far beyond what you can afford - and insurance barely covers it. How do you react?You've just learned that you have a serious illness. You're not sure how you'll cope with the pain, the cost and the anticipated time away from work. How do you react? Any of the above examples can be seen as a catastrophe, but if you try to find the flip side, you may weather the storm with greater ease and grace.
Grace is not just a state to which one can aspire. Grace is what one demonstrates when greeted with life's great disappointments where dignity and a sense of serenity come in.
Related Articles
A Little Bit of Change 50 ways to improve your life
Meditation For Managers Zen training for execs
Relationship Guru is Right! Men and women are very different
A Case For Past Lives Do we have more than one life?
Empty and Be Full Mind-clearing meditation
Grace under fire This is, of course, often easier said than done. How can one become calm when faced with bad news? Well, that's the whole point: When the bad news hits, resist the urge to kick, scream and pummel your way as you vent your anger. Instead, take several deep, calming breaths and focus. What does this bad news mean to you? How will it affect you? What can you do to face it head-on? This is a time for you to be practical and to examine your situation objectively.
Let's look at the circumstances above: Learning that you've lost your job may feel like a sucker punch to the gut, but remaining calm is beneficial for several reasons. First, because your employer will appreciate your lack of dramatics, so when you ask them for a letter of reference, they will be much more likely to assist you. Plus, you never know what company the person firing you may end up at - they may be in a position to hire you again somewhere else.Second (and most important!), is the grace that you show demonstrates that you are in control and thus makes you feel more in control. Who knows, when you work out a severance package, you may be more likely to receive the optimal arrangement because of your clear headed grace. Third, because the feeling you get from this graceful demeanor will physically and emotionally help to actually calm you. Yes, you still must search for a job, but at least you'll have left with your dignity - and your contacts - intact.
Emotional intelligence Dealing with news of a serious illness is perhaps the most troubling because your mortality is now in question. So calmly digest the news and examine what this means to you. You'll need to ensure that your health policy and your finances are in order. You'll need to arrange for assistance from a close friend or family member for doctor visits, treatments and home care. You'll need to get your finances in order and arrange your schedule to accommodate your treatments. But above all, this is the need to find a calm place - a state of grace - that will see you through. Screaming, panicking, and losing control won't make you better and will push people away - doctors, nurses, advisors - whom you really depend upon to help you. So take that deep breath, examine your situation, and deal with this gracefully. Bear in mind that doctors tend to respond more favorably to patients who have taken the time to intelligently assess their situation and ask the right questions rather than those patients who try and place blame.
Strength in balance As for the flooded basement scenario, it's bad… but no one will die from this. You will arrange for someone to pump out the water, and someone else to install a new heater. Yes, the cost will be painful, but demonstrating your graceful state (and maybe even a little humor!) will make it easier on everyone.
In all these cases, if you can find that sense of grace and balance, you will come through the situation a much stronger person. In fact, it will help you build character. Many people over the age of 40 find that this becomes easier as they age. What would once have sent them into a tizzy now becomes water down their backs. They've been through the anger and losing control and have learned that this doesn't solve their problems. Try repeating "this, too, shall pass" like a mantra… because it shall.
Life is full of challenges, but it's how we meet them that says the most about us. Be graceful, be calm, find a serene place in your heart and tap into that when faced with the worst and you will be happier for it.

Nafisah's Beating Stress Tips

10 Best Beat Stress Tips
nafisah1
Feeling anxious, weighted down? Feel like you just can't deal with the stress around you? Wishing the things that cause you to feel this way would just go away? Well, there's good news and bad news.First the bad news - some of the things causing your stress are here for the long term. Others will go away, but be replaced by new distressing things.Now the good news - even though you can't escape the fact that there will always be some stressor in your life, there are some basic things you can do to put yourself in a good position to handle stress that comes your way. And you can do your best to not be the source of your own stress!
1 - Get enough sleepSomething as simple as getting to bed at a decent hour is a great start. Recognize how much sleep you need to function well. Stress can cause a lack of sleep. Relax for a while before going to bed (and don't go to be right after watching the news). Caffeine and alcohol before bed are among the most common causes of insomnia. If you have health complications or are on medication, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medication that won't interfere with sleep.
2 - Eat a healthy dietNutrition and stress are related. The greater the stress you're facing, the more good nutrition you need. Protein, B vitamins, C and A vitamins, magnesium are depleted when the body is in the fight or flight mode brought on by stress. Skipping meals, eating junk foods, having excessive caffeine can actually contribute to stress by making you feel worse. Poor eating habits lead to blood sugar issues, lowered immune system, and that "drained" feeling. Eat healthy snacks of fresh fruits and veggies along with healthy meals and a balanced nutritional supplement. You'll feel more energized and you will help yourself have the stamina to fight back at all the stress you encounter during your day.
3 - Underbook yourselfYou need time to recover from daily stresses. Plan less things for yourself to do in a day. If you regularly plan 10 things and you're feeling overstressed, then start to plan 5 things a day for yourself instead. Learn to say "no". Watch your stress level decrease!
4 - Take a breakDo something fun. Laugh. It reduces the flow of stress hormones. It's amazing how a brisk 10-minute walk clears your head and gives you a fresh outlook. A 10-minute nap has been associated with increased energy, motivation, alertness, and concentration. Taking a break is not being lazy! You're refreshing your mind. You're relieving stress. Enjoy a good break every couple hours.
5 - ExerciseExercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress. The more stressed you are, the greater the amount of exercise you need. When you exercise, mood-elevating endorphins are released into the blood stream. Break a sweat. You'll feel great. As the blood flow to the brain increases, it will "wash out the cobwebs". In addition, exercise promotes restful sleep.
6 - Declutter your spaceClutter reminds us of all we need to do. It gets worse as we waste precious minutes plowing through it to find our keys and important papers. Try setting a kitchen timer for 15 minutes, pick a spot and clean it up the best you can in that time. Stop when the timer goes off and plan to do the same tomorrow. Having a tidy environment is a great stress reliever.
7 - Pay your bills on timeAvoid the stress of late notices, extra charges, and your credit record being jeopardized. It takes a little organizing, so have a specific place to put all bills and pay bills every 2 weeks. Be sure to record in your checkbook and keep your checkbook up to date.
8 - Stop procrastinatingThat means stop putting off till later what you need to be doing now. You know the end result of procrastination - feelings of guilt, inadequacy = increased stress levels.Determine why you're procrastinating. Feeling overwhelmed by a project? Try doing little bits at a time. Are you avoiding something because it's unpleasant? Just do it! Waiting for just the right time? It usually doesn't come.Fear of failure (or even success)? Visualize a good out come. Feel the need to be perfect? Set a deadline, do your best, and realize that your 80% could be someone elses' 100%! You'll always feel better when you do it and have one less thing on your mind.
9 - Think the bestWhen you expect bad things to happen, you are programming yourself to feel anxious, actually attracting and bringing on bad experiences. This can bring out the worst in you and in others. Choose the opposite. Believe good things are going to happen. You will attract good things. Of course, bad things happen to everyone, but keep looking for the good. You usually find what you look for.Set your mind on things that are beautiful, noble, happy. Have a grateful attitude. In the worst of affairs, there's always something to be grateful for. Look for that. Say to yourself "Something good is going to happen to me!" Expect that to be true!
10 - Get help for life issues that are out of controlWhen life stresses are getting to an unhealthy level, seek help, buy a book on the subject, look it up on the internet, talk to a counselor, ask a friend for help, get professional help.A certain amount of stress is normal. An unhealthy stress level over a period of time takes its toll on your body. How you prepare for facing stress and how you deal with it is the key. You might be surprised at how just a couple of life style changes can make all the difference in your stress level.Warm RegardsNAFISAH

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Go to www.happier.com to learn how to have more happiness in your life.

Happy For No Reason, by Carol Allen

Does your happiness always feel just out of reach, especially in these uncertain financial and political times? Are you sure that once you have that thing - the right job, the perfect partner, a great set of abs - you'll be happy at last? But have you noticed that once you get to whatever (fill-in-the-blank) goal, you feel about the same as you did before? So you take off after some new elusive dream that you're sure will really be the key to the happiness kingdom at last...
Well, guess what? According to a recent book, Happy For No Reason - Seven Steps To Being Happy From The Inside Out by Marci Shimoff (with Carol Kline), this is exactly how most people operate - they think that happiness comes from outside of themselves, and that the right "mix" of circumstances will magically usher those good feelings forward.

Related Articles
Your Life is Perfect A look at what really matters
Long-term Change 3 steps to make it stick
The 12 Days of Gratitude Top psychics tell how to live a richer life
Is Being Sad Really Bad? Make your dark side work for you
The Pursuit of Happiness 3 simple steps to be content

Science says...But a whole host of recent scientific research has proven it's not what happens to you that makes you happy or even unhappy long-term. In fact, a famous study tracking both lottery winners and paraplegics found that a year after becoming rich or paralyzed, a person's happiness level was restored to where it had been before their life-changing event.
So what can you do to be happier without waiting on some external factor (that won't have a lasting impact anyway) coming to your aid? According to Shimoff, a New York Times #1 best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a featured teacher in The Secret (film) it's easy - all you have to do is raise your "happiness set-point."

Genetics vs. experienceYour "happiness set-point" is a fixed range of happiness that's been created by a combination of roughly 50% of your genetics and 50% of your life experiences. Obviously you can't change your DNA. But the good news? There are many simple mental and physical habits you can form to raise this internal ability to be happy...

Shimoff recommends:
1. Believe the universe is out to support you. When you have the fundamental assumption that forces are working for your highest good, you tend to take things more in stride and enjoy your process.
2. Stop "happiness robbing behaviors" such as complaining, blaming, and feeling shame. Shimoff suggests putting $2 in a basket every time you do, to help you become more aware of this misery inducing habit.
3. Don't believe everything you think. Here's why - the average person has 60,000 thoughts a day. And a whopping 80% are negative and many aren't true! Thoughts like, "I'm not good enough," "I'm not pretty," "No one likes me," "I'm not ready," are nothing more than the chatter of an anxious mind, but they act as brain poison - literally activating the parts of the brain associated with depression and anxiety, while positive thoughts do just the opposite. So pay attention to your inner voices and counter the grumpy ones with more supportive, cheerful ones.

These simple yet effective suggestions are just a sampling of the myriad ways that anyone - rich or poor, single or married, with flabby abs or sporting a killer six pack - can incorporate into their daily lives to raise their emotional mojo, and make the world a happier place, no matter what world markets or politicians do.

I don't know about you, but I feel better already.

Carol Allen is the host of Enlightening Relationships on Karma Sol Radio and the author of Love Is in the Stars, an eBook about the intersection of astrology and relationships which can be found at a website of the same name.
Listen to Carol interview Marci Shimoff on this week's show...

Your Alter Ego

Hi Halloweeners,

Below is a recording of a creative expression exercise you can do with your alter egos for Halloween.
Have a wonderful Halloween, give yourself permission to embody imagination, silliness, or at least a comfortable pair of slippers.
Click Here
Or download for your MP3 player.
The recording is a little under 13 minutes for Halloween luck and you can stop and start it during the creative exercise according to how much time you need.

Trick or Healthy Treat,
Jilpkin AKA Jill Badonsky

This was fun. My alter ego was a dominatrix. Maybe I'll post mine later. ;-)

Thoughts on Teaching

Thoughts on teaching
October 31, 2008

Dear Sherrie,
In the incredibly dark and grubby Odessa airport, waiting for the short flight to Kiev, I find a crumpled copy of the English-language Herald Tribune. While most of its words appear well used by previous travellers, there's an interview with 76-year-old American author John Updike. "I've tried to avoid teaching," he says, "which for all its charm takes a lot of your energy and makes you doubt yourself."Charming, for sure, I'm thinking.
There's that terrific feeling you get when you see the lights come on in students' eyes. Watching improvement in others has to be one of the great highs. For those of us who love to spin knowledge, preparation itself opens up exciting new directions. Further, during delivery, the teacher finds out what she thinks by hearing what she has to say.
But teaching takes a special kind of energy. Lots of it. Frankly, I don't know how they find it. Arriving home from the schoolroom, many of my art-teacher friends have to put their feet up and debrief with something like Vodka or the decorating of eggs. Exhausted, many have trouble getting to the studio. Like those undersized tubes of Ukrainian toothpaste, they are used up.
Updike's third point--teaching makes you doubt yourself--is worrisome and worthy of consideration. Within words themselves there resides the potential disarmament of creative action. Art is a doing thing. It favours self-discovery and process while eschewing words and theory. It thrives on silence and contemplation. Some artists report that creativity requires a sort of blind energy and focused ignorance. The seeds of doubt may be sown by knowing too much. If this is the "teacher-mind," and I'm not sure it is, the antidote may be enforced mutism. This may seem harsh in a free country, but with the mouth closed, stuff comes out of the brush--or pen.
Even those who teach by showing and doing expend resources and might just be subconsciously cheapening their passion. John Updike saw teaching from both sides. He understood what he had to do to become a creator. "Four years was enough of Harvard," he said. "I still had a lot to learn, but had been given the liberating notion that now I could teach myself." Best regards,RobertPS: "The artist brings something into the world that didn't exist before, and he does it without destroying something else. A kind of refutation of the conservation of matter." (John Updike)

Esoterica: Or you might be one of those teachers who believes that the more you give the more you get. By sharing, guiding and watching, you become party to personal growth. For this exalted state, words and explanations need to be seen as expendable. By giving to others in a playful way we may leave ourselves more intact, and squeeze more out of ourselves. May we never run out of Squibb.

I posted this because I could totally relate. in fifteen years of teaching, I wrote about ten pages of my novel even though it had been in my head the entire time. In fact, any thinking about creating and any creative work itself WAS done in the summer when I had time to let my mind wander.
I don't regret the time I spent teaching though. It taught me how to focus; it taught me a lot about human nature and I definitely learned how to be more organized. One can not survive the teaching profession without a great deal of organization skills.
I also was reminded daily to never give up my passion and optimism. That's probably why I keep subbing. It allows me to have all the benefits of being around young people without all the responsiblity: grading, lesson planning, etc.
I still believe the old adage "Everything happens for a reason." I was meant to teach, but any teaching I do in the future has to be limited because I also was meant to write.

WHAT WERE YOU MEANT TO DO?

Agape Children's Choir Urges You To Vote

Please log onto this site the children's performance is only a few min. I think you will really like it. :-)
Change My World Music Video - Truveo Video Search

Oprah asks "Waht do you know for sure?"

What Do You Know for Sure?
In her first O, The Oprah Magazine column, Oprah wrote: "We are all the causes of our own effects, …That's why I'll never stop asking the question, 'What do you know for sure?'" Here, notable men and women share the truths that inspire them, guide them, and repeatedly set them free...
19 simple, surprising, brilliant rules to live by
Oprah's all-time top 20 discoveries

For Women Only

For women who are on the journey of weight loss and healthy living

beam yourself here. & check out Jill Badonsky's Body Blissmas.

Basically, you learn to focus on creativity for fulfillment rather
than food. And she uses the Kaizen method here too, so it's
totally painless!