Newsletter Archive: July 2008

 

Text Box:   July 2008   Welcome to the Dare to Blossom newsletter. You can sign up for your own copy every month here. If you do not wish to receive future editions, please email me to unsubscribe. Everyone who is on the mailing list will be entered into a draw twice a year (at the end of June and the end of December) with a chance to win a prize of six free life coaching sessions. In this issue: - Reflections: “Every day smile five times for no good reason.” - Book recommendations: “The Art of Possibility” - Interesting events - Dare to Blossom Workshops: plans for Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009 – “Creativity at Work” - Inspirational talk from JK Rowling - Winner of the June draw for six free telephone life coaching sessions Reflections: “Every day smile five times for no good reason.” This week (and for the last couple actually) I have been feeling very low in energy. Partly physical due to doing too much, and the rather depressing weather we are having this summer in England. Partly due to the relentless media coverage of gloom and doom (I won’t repeat any of it here, but I am sure you are all subject to it where ever you may be). Looking through some reflection notes, I found this quote from “Happier than God” by Neale Donald Walsch (the latest in the “Conversations with God” series). “Every day, smile five times for no good reason. And for certain and for sure smile broadly and immediately when you do have a reason.” There are any number of studies and articles written proving that smiling can change our state of mind. It is also contagious, try smiling at someone else, even if they do not respond immediately they will be more likely to smile at the next person they meet. In a similar way, I find if I am feeling lethargic and lacking in energy, getting up and moving can help create a more energised feeling. If I put on some lively music and get up and dance about (in my case remembering the saying “dance as if no one is watching”!), I feel much better soon afterwards. As I write this I am listening to a CD of Peruvian music (“Antara: New style of the Andes”) that I bought in the centre of Truro a number of years ago after watching the musicians busking in the street. They were such an exotic sight in the middle of all the usual high street shops and people bustling about. A crowd soon gathered to watch and tap our feet, the music has to be felt to be really enjoyed. You find yourself moving and swaying, and – yes – smiling! It is happy music, even though the words are not in English, that doesn’t matter. The atmospheric sounds of the wooden Pan pipes remind me of the nature films of the huge condor soaring over the Andes. Music has the ability to transport us to different worlds – real ones, imagined ones, worlds of the past in our memories. Sometimes this effect is sad, and we can choose which music to listen to if we don’t want to stimulate those particular memories. Affirmations can also help stimulate the happiness factor: for example: (with thanks to Sonia Choquette http://www.trustyourvibes.com/) I am healthy I am balanced I am happily employed I am loved and lovable I am beautiful I am a prosperous creative being I am joyful, light – hearted and blessed in every way Keep smiling, counting your blessings and laughing at the mad world we live in and you will generate your own positive energy that you can spread out to those around you. Book Recommendation: “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander Sub-titled “Transforming Professional and Personal Life”, I found this book an inspiring read with ‘practices’ that I found useful to apply in my own life. These are woven in with stories of the couple’s work with musicians, young people from all sorts of backgrounds, and with clients in Rosamund’s family therapy practice. I particularly liked the ‘Rule Number 6’ story on page 79, which I had already seen quoted elsewhere. The nub of it is “Don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously.” – and there are no other rules! Here is a link to a talk Ben gave in February 2008 to get a taste of his approach, I found it wonderful and inspiring, hope you do too. Interesting events Ladies "Positive Steps" Roadshow, Devoncourt Hotel, Exmouth on Thursday 31st July, 2008. Details as supplied by Carol Kerr: “The focus of the day is to promote enhanced body image, confidence and self awareness in an atmosphere of fun, friendship and celebrating diversity. There will be six informative workshops during the day, plus plenty of time for lively discussion and to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Our experts are: Carol Kerr - Personal Life Coach, Sandra Panteney - Beauty Therapist and Image Consultant, Andrea White - Personal Trainer The cost per person is £47.00 to include teas/coffees during the day.  Lunches can be booked in the Avenues Restaurant (not included in workshop price). For further details or to book your place, please contact Carol Kerr. “ Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009 Dare to Blossom workshop programme : “Creativity at Work” A new workshop for autumn 2008 and spring 2009, looking at how creativity can work for you, and how creativity can help you at work. I had hoped to have a Cornwall venue booked to give you the date but have not yet been able to finalise the location – so news to follow as soon as possible. As usual, if you would like an event in your area and can help get a group of at least eight people to sign up you can qualify for a free place for yourself. This workshop will also be very useful for teams within organisations, if any readers would like to suggest this to their personnel or training departments I would be delighted to discuss the options for a tailored workshop. I have found the techniques I use excellent to revive enthusiasm, bring people together and generate a sense of contribution and, literally, the possibility for creating better working environments for everyone. Inspirational talk from JK Rowling J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, delivers her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association. This is a great video to watch for inspiration: Winner of the June draw for six free telephone life coaching sessions Congratulations to Catherine Selby whose name came out of the hat for the Summer draw. I will look forward to working with you when ever you are ready to take up the sessions. The next draw is at the end of December. Thank you for reading, do email me with any questions, comments or suggestions, or feedback on particular items. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested. All best wishes,   Mary



 

 

 

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Newsletter Archive

July 2008

 

 

 
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