HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Love is in the air. . . and I’m not referring to the heart shaped candy boxes or the long stem roses that we often see around this time of the year. The “love” I am thinking of is toward our neighbor, our friend, our family and our fellow human being.

This year is the 10th Anniversary of V-Day (www.vday.org), a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Even Ensler’s award winning play “The ‘V’ Monologues.”

Two years ago I had the honor of being a cast member of the V-Day production on Maui, Hawaii. The experience opened my eyes not only to the terrible abuse toward women and girls that already exists in our world, but also showed me the love and support available to victims of violence. The performance united people of different race, religion and political association. Talk about non-partisanship! This year I am volunteering by helping with the production and fundraising for V-Day 2008 on Maui (www.vdaymaui.com). The magic is happening again. We have our public servants and administrators from both parties, contributing to the performance and reading for the event.

Two things I want to point out:
1. Throughout the violence and destruction that we often see and read about in the world today, know that at the same time there is also the birth of love and support that shows up just as strong, if not stronger.

2. A common purpose, that comes from love and support, can unite even the most steadfast opponents.

Silence empowers violence and creates victims.
Awareness and Action empowers victims to become Survivors.

Some ways you can Take Action!

1. Find a local event.
Visit http://events.vday.org/search.php to find an event near you.

2. Spread the word.
Share your local event with your family, friends and colleagues. Just by spreading the word, you can save a life and help support someone to survive. Also, participate in the “V to the Tenth” event on April 12th, 2008 in New Orleans.

3. Get the facts.
Violence is an issue that plagues all women and men in every part of the world. Here are some statistics about rape, incest, battery, FGM, sex slavery/trafficking. Also for more information, here is an Anti-Violence Resource Guide (http://www.feminist.com/antiviolence/).

4. Organize a V-Day event.
If you would like to host a V-Day event in your College, Community or High School, you can find out more and register here: http://v10.vday.org/take-action/organize-a-local-group

5. Get help.
If you are in need of immediate medical attenton or police assistance in the United States, dial 9-1-1 on your telephone.
If you or someone you know has experienced violence in the United States, call:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 800-656-HOPE (4673)
For assistance in other countries or to learn more, please visit the Anti-Violence Resource Guide (http://www.feminist.com/antiviolence/)

Wishing you Love and Happiness,
Susan?

Technorati Tags: VDay, Vagina Monologues, life coach on Maui, Hawaii events, stop violence

I often live by strong, yet simple principles:
“Do Unto Others”
“Be Real”
“No Regrets”
“Just Do It”
And the list goes on. Okay, it’s not the “Ten Commandments” but they are principles and taglines that remind me not only of who I am, but how I want to live my life.

A few years ago I was awakened by three words that says it all:
Live, Laugh, Love (or “L-cubed”)

The first time I got this message, it was in an email. Actually several emails that came at me at the same time. The content of the emails were different, but in the end, it always had this same message (or a version of it):

“Work as if you have no money. Love as if you have never been hurt. Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. And live everyday as if it were your last.”

And then soon after this initial email I received a couple of cards with just three words on the front:
“Live, Laugh, Love”

At first I didn’t think anything of it, but with the second card, I paid attention. Something clicked in my mind and reacted to the message in front of me. At that particular moment, I remembered thinking, “Am I living?” And when I honestly took a step back to look at my life, with my wheels spinning at 100 mph, I realized no, I was NOT living. Not the way I want to be living. I was becoming a member of the walking dead - a zombie.

Then, recalling the Michael Jackson “Thriller” video, I laughed at myself and it felt good. I thought to myself, “I need to do that more often.” Simply laugh. I told myself that I was going to exercise my “laugh muscle” because that takes practice too.

And “Love.” So many other emotions were consuming my heart that Love was getting pushed to the side and toward the back. Love for my work. Love for my family. Love for my friends. Love for the world. Love for myself. As John Lennon says, “All we need is Love.”
It’s so simple, it’s forgettable.

When I made these realizations, my mindset started to shift. I made those three words my motto for the following year and I woke up and walked off the wheel. I started to Live. I began to Laugh again. And I Loved, as often as I could.

Just as I needed that second message, we often need that second (or third) “slap in the face” to tell us and wake us up from the daily grind that we find ourselves in. To wake up and realize that there is more to life than “the grind” or the paycheck or “doing” and spinning our wheels.

Depending on the situation, I still use other mottos and sayings to keep me motivated and inspired, but what follows me internally and deeply with everything I do is to:

“Live, Laugh and Love”

I encourage you to find the motto that works for you. Something that enables you to get into a mindset where you feel joy and know that what you’re doing is right for you. A saying that conjures up the right energy and momentum for when you need it. Words that will help you live a life of passion and purpose.�

Technorati Tags: Live, Laugh, Love, Being in the Present, Living, Balance, Passion, Purpose

The dictionary defines “abundance” as “an ample quantity” or “wealth.”
However living abundantly means that you have an adequate amount of whatever you need; it means that life is plentiful; you are wealthy. It also means that you are not driven by your needs, because you have already have more than you need.

Most people are living off of fumes and just scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of time, energy, resources, space, money, etc. Think about your day, are you spinning your wheels and putting out one fire to the next? If you answered yes, then youʼre running on fumes. So how do you fill up your tank? Live with abundance.

Abundant living is the idea that you already have all that you need. Abundant living is thinking win-win. Abundant living is about building reserves so that you are not wanting for anything; youʼre not motivated or driven by your needs. Once you start thinking and living abundantly you will naturally attract whatever you need and more! Abundant living makes life easier.

START LIVING WITH ABUNDANCE:

1. Identify what is abundant in your life right now - We all have “richness” in our lives right now, but sometimes it gets lost in the fog of the fumes. Clear the air and breathe, recognize what you have right now in your life.

2. Understand your needs - in addition to basic human needs (food, water, sleep, etc.) everyone has personal needs (appreciation, community, calmness, etc.). Know and be aware or your needs and how they drive you, both positively and negatively.

3. Think “win-win” - many conflicts arise from limiting beliefs and “win-lose” thinking. However, if you think abundantly and know that both parties can benefit, the solution becomes much more rewarding and you create a symbiotic relationship.

Try applying Abundant Living principles at work or business. By thinking “win-win” you accomplish more and build strong mutually beneficial partnerships.

Technorati Tags: Vision, Appreciation, Reflection, Relationships, Balance, Law of Attraction, Abundance

At the end of the year, it’s natural to think of the “Year In Review;” reflecting on accomplishments, taking stock of unfinished projects and remembering significant events. At the same time, thoughts almost immediately project into the future, anticipating what tasks can roll over into the next year and what projects need to be added.

Take a minute to think about this. . .

Now STOP!

How about appreciating this very moment, right now?

Reflecting:
Hold the reflections of the past for a minute. . .
Think about how far you’ve come since the beginning of the year or since the start of this particular project. Think about the “wins” and the challenges. Think about the learning and the growth experienced. Sometimes the obstacles may not be that pleasant to recall, but that makes the current moment even sweeter.

This moment right now is wonderfully perfect.

Projecting:
Now, pause with the projections . . .
Notice how what has occurred in your recent history enables you to look toward the future. Because of a particular challenge, you’ve learned a new, better way of taking action. Because you finished one project, you can move onto the next step. Because you are in the space of knowledge and experience today, you can move forward to tomorrow.

This moment right now, allows you to live the next moment.

As the reflecting and projecting continues, remember to appreciate the current moment for all the greatness, richness and rewards it offers.

Today is truly the greatest of presents.
Remember the importance of presence.

Technorati Tags: Appreciation, Reflection, Vision, Being In the Present, Action

Ghandi said, “We must become the change we want to see.”

This quote is meaningful in so many different ways, but the biggest message is:

We have a choice in our life to become whatever we want.

It is in our control to create a life that suits us, perfectly, whether it relates to our personally life, professional life or even to our own business. The key to having the life we really want is actually in the becoming. It’s not simply about “doing” or ”thinking,” it’s truly about becoming the change you see. Becoming implies a “being” or a way of life - a state of mind.

In order for you to become the change, there needs to be an awareness of not only who you are, but more specifically an awareness of your beliefs and thoughts and how it affects your actions. Your Thoughts lead to your Feelings, which lead you to take Action toward the end Result. Our beliefs are shaped throughout our life and become habits of thought, so often times it is difficult to pull away and be fully aware of them. These beliefs are affecting our lives from how we brush our teeth to how we deal with money to how we react and behave each day.

If you want to change something about your life, first look at your thoughts and beliefs.
The change may just be an inkling or a feeling of discontentment. Perhaps you can’t clearly
define it just yet, but you know you want something different, something better in your life.
What feelings do you have around these thoughts?
What actions do you take (or avoid) because of these feelings?
What results do you get?

Working with entrepreneurs and independent business owners, I witness the power of their own thoughts and beliefs around their business. One of my clients has his own business but was struggling with growing his business. He felt like he was doing the right things, marketing, networking, giving value, but he wasn’t able to get his business where he wanted
it to be. Through coaching, he discovered that he had a negative belief around “selling.” He struggled with “selling” his services because he believed salesmen were pushy, unlikeable and just wanted to see a sale, so of course he didn’t want to be a salesman. After further discovery around how these feelings were causing certain actions (ie not promoting his own business!) and by improving upon his business strategies, he was able to change his belief, readjust his methods and start creating the results he wanted - to grow his business!

It wasn’t just his belief around selling, but more importantly it was his belief about himself.

You have a choice in your life to become whatever you want

Discovery Tip: Become The Change You Want To Be

To become the change you want to be:
(1) Be aware of your own thoughts and beliefs
(2) Consider your feelings around these thoughts
(3) Discover the actions you take (or don’t take) because of these feelings
(4) Analyze the results you are getting

After this fourth step, if you are not getting the results you want to have in your life (or business) KNOW that you have a choice to become whatever you want and then develop a belief for yourself that will enable you to become the change you want to be.

Technorati Tags: Balance, Vision, Reflection, Change, Results, Strategy, Law of Attraction, Action

How do you feel as the new year approaches?
Do you feel overwhelmed and tired?
Do you dread the new goals and resolutions that the new year has in store.. . . .
Or are you still struggling to accomplish this year’s goals and resolutions?

As they would say in New York, fuhgehdaboudit!

Throw out those “goals” and “resolutions”. . . especially if they’re weighing you down!

SOAR into the New Year!

Focus on what matters to you and how you want your life to look in the new year. When I say “soar” I mean SOAR! Raise yourself to a higher level. Don’t just coast, fly upward. Get motivated now and stay motivated throughout the year.

How do you to start SOARing?
Stretch - Organize - Act - Rejuvenate

Stretching is important in any sport, but when we’re playing the game of life, it’s critical. As you think of the new year ahead, think about what matters most to you and stretch your thinking.

Challenge yourself to think beyond what you’ve known and expand further into that dream that’s been out of your reach - but take small steps. Just like with your muscles, gradual stretching will show results over time. You will live up to the standards that you set.

Write down how you want to successfully stretch yourself next year with work, family, and life. Then ask yourself - Why is this important to my life now? (Example: Spend more time with family)

Organizing your path prepares you to SOAR with meaning and intent. When there is direction and a map, it’s a lot easier to get to where you’re going. Map out your SOARing path, keeping in mind that it’s important to think of a path that’s right for you. Think of things you will need along the way, ie tools, resources, emergency kit.

With each of the items you want to stretch, organize the “essentials” you will need. (Example, “ To spend more time with family, I need to set some boundaries at work, prioritize my time and be able to say “no.”)

Act TODAY! The game of life doesn’t wait until you’re ready, it doesn’t wait til the first of the year. It’s Game On! You’ve already started the action by spending some time stretching and organizing, but now it’s time to take off and SOAR!

Write down things you can do today and during the next few weeks. (Example, Have dinner with the family every evening, starting tonight.)

Rejuvenation is important toward any progress - it’s the process of refueling and taking care of the “engine.” When stretching it’s important to let your muscles rest. If the muscle is constantly being stretched further and further without being able to stabilize with a rest period, it is like a rubber band that will eventually snap - not good in the middle of SOARing!

Write down ways you can rejuvenate, refuel, take care of your “engine.” (Example - Take a mid-day walk. Soak my feet at the end of the day.)

Discovery Tip: SOAR into the New Year!

The important thing is to concentrate on what matters to you.
Let go of the “goals” and “resolutions” that have been weighing you down.
Stop doing what does NOT work and start doing what DOES work!

Practice one or all of the steps above.
Get SOARing!

Technorati Tags: Stress and Overwhelm, Vision, Reflection, Goals, Strategy, Motivation, Challenge, Action