Newsletter Archive: August 2009

 

Text Box: August 2009 Welcome to the Dare to Blossom newsletter If this has been forwarded to you by someone else, 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: more on connection -          Dates of Autumn 2009 Dare to Blossom workshops and a special discount for Newsletter subscribers -          The winner of the June draw to win six telephone life coaching sessions -          Inspirational links Reflections: More on Connection After writing last month about ‘coaching for connection’, I developed my new workshop on this theme – which I am very excited about, see more below. The concept of ‘connection’ continued to resonate for me so I have been thinking and writing more about it recently. I looked up a dictionary definition which is where I often find inspiration in exploring words and ideas, the Cambridge Online Dictionary , gives various definitions for ‘connect’, including ‘join’, and ‘relate’. ‘Join’ for me speaks of joining together, and that what we achieve together can be the total of our individual and unique contributions; and, it is also something bigger and special that the joining together and connecting brings about. I feel that something significant comes out of the ‘relating’ that happens when we come together with other people. Relating as in telling our stories – telling of who we are, and how we got here; telling of our dreams for the future. Relating as in making relationships with each other which support and provide love and friendship; relationships sharing joy and sadness and celebration. Thinking more about types of connection, sitting in the car in the rain in Fowey recently, I jotted down some thoughts – on the only piece of paper I had, a paper bag, and it has taken me a while to decipher! Visiting Fowey I think of various sorts of connections. Connections with place: I went to school here for a while, overlooking the river, daydreaming out of the window watching the boats coming in. Also connections between Fowey and people, family and friends are linked with this place. Family photos of me holding my baby niece, the same niece who is about to have her 40th birthday and is now herself the mother of two girls. Connections with people: all the amazing people I have met, some have stayed connected over a long time, some more fleeting. Others come in and out of my life. Some I have only connected with via the Internet and email – these are real and meaningful connections too. Connections with my true self and what really matters: in my own reflections and in my coaching I find that what people are searching for is the ‘something’ that is missing, the empty part at their centre. However much material wealth they have, or success and recognition in the world, people often feel this emptiness. Many people keep busy, keep rushing and pushing, because they do not feel comfortable when they stop long enough to feel this emptiness. For me, perhaps paradoxically, the only way to re-establish the connection with my heart, with what really matters to me, is to stop and listen and acknowledge that feeling of emptiness. To just be there, to feel it and feel what is needed to fill it. Or does it ‘need’ filling? Is the space within an essential part of me? For me that is the reconnection – listening and hearing and breathing and being – and remembering that there is nothing missing. I am whole and complete as I am. And in celebrating all the connections I have, with people, places, ideas, I realise how rich a life I live. For you: some suggestions to explore connection: choose any that appeal to you - Take some time to write about what ‘connection’ means to you - Celebrate some of your connections, send a card or an email, pick up the phone, arrange to meet for coffee, say ‘thank you for being in my life’ - Meditate on the space within, I find this very powerful and would advise choosing a time when you will not be interrupted, choose some favourite music or a recording of a guided meditation. Have a notebook to hand to jot down any thoughts afterwards. You may feel strong emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, perhaps all of these and others - be kind to yourself, enjoy the process. If you would like to discuss, the offer of a free consultation is always available with no obligation. As I mentioned earlier, my new workshop in Cornwall in October is about connection and it would be wonderful to welcome some newsletter readers. (See below the workshop details and how to claim a special discount for you as a subscriber to this newsletter.) Dare to Blossom Autumn 2009 workshops Book now for Early Bird discounts “Embracing Abundance with Passion” Workshop Dunkeswell Eco Business Park, near Honiton, East Devon Saturday 26 September at The Meeting Room, Dunkeswell Eco Business Park, Marcus Road, Dunkeswell, near Honiton EX14 4LA. Come and enjoy a day of fun, laughter, and reflection, to focus on what matters most to you.  You will use life coaching and creative exercises designed to help you to celebrate the abundance all around us even in the midst of change and uncertainty. You will also learn more about the process of life coaching and how it can be used in all areas of your life, from business or work to health, relationships, sport or creativity. Times: arrival from 9.30 a.m. for refreshments, start at 10.00 a.m., finish at 3.30 p.m. Bring: a notebook, and a packed lunch. Note: the Early Bird Price has been extended to 14 August: £50 for bookings received with payment. Cost: £65 per person, including a follow-up telephone coaching consultation after the workshop (value £45). Some bursaries are available for special circumstances, please contact me for details. Booking form here. Accessibility: The Meeting Room has easy access for everyone, and there is plenty of free parking. Your requirements: if there is anything I can do to make it more comfortable for you to attend a workshop, perhaps seating, cushions, extra heating, or dietary requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone. “Coaching for Connection” Workshop Chacewater, near Truro, Cornwall Saturday 24 October at The Meeting Room, Chacewater Village Hall, Church Hill, Chacewater, TR4 8PZ In this workshop you will explore what connection means to you and how you can re-establish that feeling of being in the right place for you and being connected with what is important for you.   To read feedback from people who have attended a Dare to Blossom workshop, click here.   Times: arrival from 9.30 a.m. for refreshments, start at 10.00 a.m., finish at 4.00 p.m.   Bring: a notebook, and a packed lunch.  Coffee, tea etc and biscuits will be provided.   Early Bird Price: £50 for bookings received with payment before 14 September 2009   Cost: £65 per person, including a follow-up telephone coaching consultation after the workshop (value £45). Some bursaries available for special circumstances, please contact me for details. Booking form here Accessibility: The Kilifreth Room is upstairs, there is a lift and also access through the rear doors as the Hall is built into the hillside, and there is plenty of free parking. Your requirements: if there is anything I can do to make it more comfortable for you to attend a workshop, perhaps seating, cushions, extra heating, or dietary requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone. Special discounts for Newsletter readers If you mention that you are a subscriber when booking for either of the events above, I am happy to give an extra 10% discount on the prices, so on the Early Bird prices you would save another £5 (£45 instead of £50) and on the full price £6.50, (£58.50). Note: please send payment by cheque rather than PayPal to claim the extra discounts. June draw prize winner The winner of the June draw for six free telephone life coaching sessions is Claire Cohen from London, who is PR officer for a major charity. Inspirational Links You may have seen this before, if so apologies, but I loved the pure joy that all the people in this wedding clip show! Click here to view on YouTube. 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. Mary Text Box:   Text Box:  



 

 

 

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Newsletter Archive

August 2009

 

 

 
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