Motivational Minute (048)

(Compliments of http://www.actionvisioncoaching.com/)

Quote of the day:

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing others’ loads, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts, becomes for us the magic of Christmas. —W. C. Jones

Consider:

This quote reminds me of the following story told by Reamer Kline.

One summer my family gave work to a wandering man, even though we suspected he had a problem with alcohol. In the fall, he left us, but at Christmas a greeting arrived from hundreds of miles away—no personal message, just a signature. Then in the spring he came to see us.

“I've stopped drinking,” he said. “I'm going to a permanent job.” When we thanked him for his Christmas card, he told us that it was the only card he had sent. “I wanted it to say `thank you,' not for the work, but for the respect you gave me. It helped me to begin a new life.”

Then there was the lady in the hospital. She carried the card a friend of ours sent her in a little drawstring bag and during the entire Christmas season she would stop people and say, “Look at my Christmas card. The lady I worked for sent it to me. I'm not forgotten.” We heard later that that card, the only one she received, was the beginning of her recovery from her illness.

Today I approach Christmas by recalling those two lone cards. Each represented a new birth at Christmas and both are a reminder to me that Christmas is always a time for remembering.

Who do you need to remember? Don’t put off the card, email, phone call or whatever form of communication you use, to remember someone today.

Keeping Christmas

By Coach Dana

Another Christmas is almost here, and if you’re like most people, you’re probably so busy with all that goes into Christmas that you haven’t yet found much time to stop and think about “the reason for the season.” Well, here’s your chance! This months quotes, stories and reflections are all about putting the meaning and joy back into Christmas.

To get us started, I’m including here excerpts of a piece written nearly 100 years ago by the U.S. poet and theologian Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933), called “Keeping Christmas.” In it he asks some provocative questions that are just as relevant today as they were then.

      There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas Day, and that is keeping Christmas.

      Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people and to remember what other people have done for you?

      To ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world?

      Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children?

      To remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old?

      To stop asking how much your friends like you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough?

      To make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open?

      Are you willing to do these things even for a day?

      Then you can keep Christmas.

      Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world—stronger than hate, stronger than death—and that the blessed Life which began in Bethlehem many years ago is the image and brightness of eternal love?

      Then you can keep Christmas.

From all of us at Action Vision Coaching, may the stories, quotes and reflections we send this month be a blessing to you and help you to remember how to keep Christmas. God bless you and yours with His love and deep abiding joy this Christmas season and always.

Coach Dana

Christmas is Different Things to Different People

From Coach Dana

For some people it’s the moneymaking opportunity of the year; for others it’s an inescapable financial disaster—a sinkhole of overspending that will take them months to climb out of.

For some it’s a time to enjoy family and friends, a time to love and be loved; for others it’s the loneliest time of the year.

For some it’s the warmth and security of hearth and home; for others it’s a painfully stark reminder of all that they don’t have and probably never will.

For some it’s cause for deep reflection; for others it’s an occasion to party and forget it all.

For some it’s a chance to splurge on gifts for loved ones and to receive the same; for others it’s a chance to give of themselves to needy strangers, expecting nothing in return.

For some it’s beautiful lights and colorful decorations—a brief once-a-year escape into a world where all is merry and all is right; for others it’s hope in the promise that one day all wrongs will be made right and there will truly be “peace on Earth, goodwill toward men.”

For some it’s a jolly old man in a red suit and long white beard, saying, “Ho, ho, ho!” and making children’s wishes come true; for others it’s a baby boy in a manger who will make God’s wish come true.

For us at Action Vision Coaching it is an opportunity to join millions around the world in celebrating Jesus’ birth and sharing His love with others.

I have numerous touching Christmas stories that I have collected over the years that I’d like to share with you. So, over the next weeks I will be sending out more than usual.  This is my Christmas gift to you. It is my prayer that these stories, quotes, and reflections will cheer you this Christmas season—may it be your happiest and most meaningful yet.

God bless you and make you a blessing this Holiday season, and each and every day of the year to come.

Coach Dana

Motivational Minute (047)

From Dana Bosley compliments of www.actionvisioncoaching.com

Quote of the day:

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. — Edward Sandford Martin

Consider:

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the U.S. the last week of November, and is traditionally the beginning of the Christmas season. It is a day to celebrate our blessings and the things we are thankful for in our lives. However, like the quote so eloquently suggests, we should not only be thankful on a special dedicated day, but every day of our lives.

In these unique times in which we are living, many people may be struggling to find things to be thankful for. Something that helps me remember to give thanks, is reminding myself that there is always someone else worse off than me. Why not take a moment to think of one or two things you are grateful for, once you get started in this direction, you’ll soon see that your list will begin to snow ball.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Coach Dana

Hands-On Saigon

From Coach Dana Bosley 

In case you missed it I just highlighted a new unsung hero article on my website.

I have posted it below as well. Plus go check out their site and read about all the other projects they are doing. Their picture album is awesome. (http://sites.google.com/site/handsonsaigon)

I lived and worked in Thailand for 13 years doing volunteer work and it brought back fond memories—the sites and sounds and most of all the joy of giving.

Now that I can no longer be out on the front line giving hands on care I want to help those who are. These folks are doing a great work. Let’s help them help others all we can. If you would like to donate you can here.

Live inspired, stay positive and serve others,

Coach Dana

Hands-On Saigon

From Jay, Joan and Mercy, Vietnam

Greetings from Vietnam!

We understand there are millions of special needs all around the world, which pull on our heartstrings and vie for our attention every day, however, we would like to present our project to you.

Right now, we need funds to help with the children's education in the very poor province of Thanh Hoa, in the North of Vietnam. We will travel in December to follow up on the four projects we're doing there. We need  help to supply the needs listed below.

Please consider how many children your donation could help. Thanks.

Goal One: To provide school supplies for 400 ethnic minority (H'mong) children living in the mountainous regions of Thanh Hoa.

$2,300 would provide at least: 400 pencil cases filled with useful supplies, 4,000 notebooks, and some inexpensive treats for each child. It would also help with the transportation costs of a full day trip from our base in Thanh Hoa, delivering and distributing the materials far up into the remote villages in the mountains.

Goal Two: To provide 10 proper desks for the computer center we set up December 2010 in Cam Thuy, Thanh Hoa for the students of poor families. (They currently use long, narrow tables, with long, sagging benches.) The young people often study with three students per computer as so many are eager to learn. We could supply them with fairly good quality desks for about $48.00 each. We would like to get 10 desks or $480.00!

In total, we need $2,780.00, the good news is we already have $1,086.00. Are you able to help give towards the balance of  $1,694?

Thank you so much for considering the need of these poor. If you would like to help us help others--whatever donation you are able to make, large or small, is very much appreciated. 

If you want to donate you can here. Thanks.

Random Acts of Kindness

By Dana Bosley

Today I mailed out the below quote to my mailing list. (By the way if you want to receive similar inspirational quotes, movies and/or stories straight to your in box go to my website http://www.actionvisioncoaching.com/ and sign up.)

Ok back to my story. After sending out the below quote and commentary on the quote. …     

Quote of the day:

“If you do not let your heart grow hard, if you prove your friendliness toward your fellow people, they will answer you with affection. They will send you friendly thoughts. The more people you can help, the more positive thoughts you will receive. That people act kindly toward you is worth more than wealth.” –Henry Old Coyote

Consider: 

Kindness inherits kind thoughts. It is as simple as the fact that what you sow, you reap. When you are kind, it starts a ripple effect that enhances your life and fills you up with happiness and love that cannot be bought for all the money in the world. Don’t let opportunities to be kind to someone pass you by.    

Look for ways to show acts of kindness or support for others in some way. Such as  helping a friend who is going through a divorce, caring for an elderly person, coaching your child’s sports team or volunteering in your community. What other ideas can you come up with of how to spread a little kindness today?

… I saw this cool logo from Random Acts of Kindness and an idea she sent in. (Sorry I can't seem to get the logo to come in.) 

A little act of kindness

By Linda, Australia

I took two of my children to the beach this afternoon. I got them some hot chips. While I was waiting for the kids to finish their run on the beach I saw an old homeless man that I’ve talked to sometimes over the last five years. He’s a very sweet man but seems to have some mental problems. He usually refuses help even though he doesn’t have anything except what’s in his backpack.

Previously when I have offered him a meal he refused, but tonight he accepted. So when the kids returned from their run we went back to the fish & chips shop and bought him a meal. He didn’t want to go into the shop, perhaps because he looks so ragged that people treat him bad. I had to get the kids home right away so explained to the shop keepers who the food was for and asked them to give it to the homeless man for me. The girls in the shop were all smiles and waved to the man waiting outside and expressed how sweet it was for us to buy him a meal. It took a while to explain to him that someone would come out with his food but we left with him waving happily.

I never did find the Random Acts of Kindness site but I did see this site called helpothers.org with other ideas and stories of helping others.

Happy helping as you do random acts of kindness.

Coach Dana

Action Vison Coaching

I'm Back

Hi,

I’m back! Sorry it has been so long since I last posted on my blog. But like all good coaches I have been doing some soul searching and growing myself.

Now I’m back on track with more vision and clearer direction than ever. First, the big news, then I’ll tell you how it came about.

§         I have revamped my website http://www.actionvisioncoaching.com/, check it out!

§         I am majoring on sharing inspirational, devotional and motivational material to encourage people in hard times.

§         I’ve started a mini-philanthropy club which will  highlight a community work each week that you can donate to.

§         I’m doing lifestyle/self-care coaching.

More news—I'm happy to announce that I am now an affiliate of Simple Truth’s Gift Books. They produce beautiful gift books which contain good messages and values. Each book is hardbound, high quality, and designed to be a quick and inspirational read. Typically, each gift book is less than 121 pages long, and chock-full of beautiful photography and motivational stories and quotes. The average read time for each book is under 30 minutes. Each title is designed to reinforce a core value, and most every book has a beautiful video to go along with it which you’ll find for free on my site.

I was thinking these materials will make a great Christmas gift. You can order any of the books here.

How it Came About:

I felt something was lacking in my life doing normal coaching alone. I wanted to do something different. I felt burdened about the world, how things are going, and how many people are struggling in hard times. I wanted to do something to help and to make a difference. I wanted to work with people in a capacity that would touch their souls, to help them to be better people, and in so doing make a better world.

Then, a few weeks back, in the middle of the night I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. My spirit guide was giving me a plan: Seven principles to meaningful life. I furiously wrote it down and started work on revamping my website the next day. Hopefully I’ll be able to get an e-book out on that, maybe mid 2012. Stay tuned for that, in the mean time you can read the articles I post here on the blog or request to have them sent to you via email. (Sign up here.)

I’m happy to announce that the site is up and running. Of course, there is still more to do, and it will be evolving as time goes on. Now that I have the foundation and frame work of the site it will take time to fill in the gaps. I still need to start the mini-philanthropy club. If you have any ideas on how to do it or want to be a part of the club leave a comment or write me at info@actionvisioncoaching.com.

Seeing as my mission is to inspire and encourage others, I have decided to structure my posts a bit more with inspirational content. I will be posting regular weekly posts, each one covering a specific topic. They will include: a personal commentary on the Meaningful Living topic of the week, a Motivation Minute quote, Thriving in Hard Times tips, a Reflection with a touching story, plus anything else I find interesting and want to share with you.

Okay, that’s all the news that made the news today.

Stay inspired, be positive and serve others,

Coach Dana