Two New Sites

Dear Ones,

I hope all is well with you.

I have some exciting news. I just started two new websites:

§         Thots From Heaven which is a Christian devotions site. http://thotsfromheaven.weebly.com/

§         Radical Giving which is a charity site helping those who help others. http://radgiving.weebly.com/

You are welcome to go check them out and pass them on to any of your friends who you think might enjoy them. And of course feel free to give a little donation when you visit the Radical Giving site. Hope to see you there soon.

Wishing you all the best,

Coach Dana

Motivational Minute (12_011)

(Compliments of www.ActionVisionCoaching.com)

Quote of the day:

 “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.” --Robert Frost

Consider:

Sometimes we go through difficult times that try our souls, but in spite of everything, and no matter the difficulty, life goes on. Not only does life go on, but most often renewal or new beginnings come from difficulty! Nature is a sample of this. Even in the most arid places you can find life being born, like a tiny plant sprouting forth. We have the same ability, to keep going forward, to grow and find strength and hope again!

Are you going through a difficult time in your life and you can’t see the way out? Even if nothing else seems to work and nothing else helps, have faith and remember that life will go on, that you have it in you to be happy and smile again, to feel truly hopeful and to come out better by the experience!

Wishing you all the best,

Coach Dana

No Limits

By Abi F. May

I can't remember ever seeing a flea circus—the classic sideshow event in which fleas are the performers—but I came across a fascinating article about how the fleas are trained.

Fleas can jump extraordinarily high, relative to their tiny size. Training fleas involves putting them into a small box or jar. Without a lid, the fleas could easily jump out, so the flea trainer puts a lid in place and waits.

Inside the container, the fleas jump up in order to escape. They hit the lid and fall back down. Again and again, the fleas will jump, hit the lid, and fall back. Then, after some time, the fleas don't jump so high. They jump up almost as high as the lid, but not quite.

Eventually, the trainer will remove the lid. The fleas could easily escape now, but they don't even try. They've become accustomed to only jumping to a certain height. They have more or less decided that's their limit; they are going as high as they can go, and they don't attempt anything further. Freedom is just a jump away, but it's a jump they don't make. "Stupid fleas," we say. "So void of intelligence that they don't realize the lid has been removed."

But come to think of it, we too sometimes allow ourselves to be limited by barriers that exist only in our minds. We tried and failed at something, and our confidence was shaken. The next time around, when an opportunity arose to try something new or bigger, we didn't rise to the challenge because we didn't think we were capable of doing it.

Life is full of new beginnings and fresh possibilities. As we start a new year, the lesson of the fleas should not be lost on us. We don't have to let the setbacks or mistakes of the past hold us down, like the nonexistent lid on the fleas' jar. No imaginary limits for us! With God's help, we can rise to new heights.

Motivational Minute (12_010)

(Compliments of www.ActionVisionCoaching.com)

Quote of the day:

“Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.” – Author Unknown

Consider: 

This quote reminds us how important it is to keep check on our attitudes. We need to train ourselves into forming the habit of choosing to take on a positive attitude as opposed to a negative one. Just as a painter has the choice to paint a beautiful picture, so can we choose how we will “paint” our days—with life, happiness, love and positiveness, or with negativity, criticism, lack of enthusiasm and doubtfulness.

Take a minute or two and think about how you want to paint your day—will you choose vivid and cheerful colors, or gloomy grayish tones?

I wish you all the best,

Coach Dana

Motivational Minute (12_009)

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

Quote of the day:

“The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.” –Harold Taylor

Consider:

It is a great feeling when we go all out to be the best we can be at what we are doing.  It doesn’t matter if our job at the moment is the CEO of a big company, or mopping the floor. If you always try for becoming the best that you can become at whatever you are doing, you can be certain that you will find success and progress in your life.

Never settle for giving less than you can in anything you do. Doing something better might mean working a little harder, but you’ll go to bed at night with the satisfaction of knowing that the effort you made to accomplish the task was well worth the effort. Think about your life, ask yourself if you are giving your best shot to being the best you can become.

Wishing you all the best,

Coach Dana

There Is Life After Death

By Coach Dana Bosley

Self-care Coach at Action Vision Coaching

I recently had the unexpected opportunity to read Allen Klein’s new book Learning to Laugh When You Feel like Crying. It is a short book on over coming grief with humor. He specifically talks about the loss of his young wife but his insights could be applied to all aspects of life. 

I was very impressed and inspired by it. It was an easy read and I very much enjoyed his gentle approach. He tenderly takes your hand and walks with you through the pain and sorrow sharing touching antidotes, many from his own life, all the while encouraging you to come out and live again.

Although Allen is a former director of The Life-Death Transitions Institute in San Francisco and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor you don’t feel like he is talking down at you. His tone is not condemning, and he does not attempt to explain all the reasons why you have grief and the different steps you go through. Allen is simple and straight forward. He conveys unconditional love—there are no rights or wrongs in how you process your grief, he just shares what helped himself.

I found this book very helpful and I highly recommend it. It is not only a wonderful guide to help you recover from the sorrow of losing a loved one, but it’s a wonderful asset for healing the wounds of life in general.

The thing I found most useful in the book was his approach to living life to the full. Being a self-care/lifestyle coach, this topic is very dear to my heart and something I encourage my clients to embrace. He gives invaluable guidance and his perspectives may well change your life.

We have all suffered loss at some time in our lives. His insights on overcoming and living life even after having suffered great loss are refreshing. I love how he shows that you can go on happily living even after loss of a loved one, loss of a job, or after any other type of event that constitutes a big change in your life—you can move on and enjoy life to the full.

Learning to Laugh When You Feel like Crying by Allen Klein, is available at Amazon, B&N, and other internet retailers and is available in Kindle and Nook. You can also find his book on my site on the store page.

Allen Klein has authored 16 other books including The Healing Power of Humor and  The Courage to Laugh: Humor, Hope & Healing in the Face of Death & Dying. For more information about Klein’s books or presentations, go to www.allenklein.com or contact him at:humor@allenklein.com

Motivational Minute (12_008)

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

Quote of the day.

“Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Consider:

Belief is the force behind you, which gives you focus and purpose to do something, even if you have never tried it before.

Think about the times when you did something because you believed in it, or you believed yourself capable to perform the task. Did you have more energy and drive; more passion? Take time to search your heart and see how you are treating yourself. Do you have faith in yourself; do you believe that you are up to the challenges you are currently facing in life?

           

Wishing you all the best,

Coach Dana

Motivational Minute (12_007)

:

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

Quote of the day

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” –Theodore Roosevelt

Consider:

If you have tried and failed at something at least it means you have tried. You have a goal and a purpose. You may not hit target every time, but you will eventually have success because you are doing something. Those that don’t try for fear of failure are never defeated, but they never win either.  

Sometimes the things we most want seem to come with the most risk—the risk of rejection, disappointment, or failure. But if you play it safe, and never let your desire see the light of day, you often risk something even greater--the opportunity to experience the joy that comes from expressing your unique talents and gifts. And worse, by not taking the risk, you can be left with a haunting inner voice that will forever sing the song of "if I only had." Consider taking the risk. It is better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.

Motivational Minute (12_006)

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

Quote of the day:

"The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it." --Norman Schwarzkopf

Consider: 

In any given situation, when you allow the voice of the higher wisdom that resides within to guide you, it is not past finding out what the right thing to do is. However, the more difficult choice remains is whether or not you will take action and do it.

Do you have specific fears or worries that are holding you back from making the correct choice? Take a moment to acknowledge your fears then assess how you can take positive steps to hit them head-on and move past them. This single step takes courage, but as you determine to do it, you will find strength to carry on.

Resolutions

By Ian Bach

This year…

        I'll take more time to laugh and smile,

        To feel the wind upon my face,

        To learn true wisdom from a child,

        Give my soul the needed space,

        To live life pure and clear... this year.

This year…

        I'll learn to turn off my computer,

        Interact with human beings,

        Spend less time in on-line stupor,

        More time learning, breathing, seeing

        All that life holds dear... this year.

This year…

        I will resolve to write that letter

        That I have too long neglected,

        Make an aching heart feel better,

        Cheer a friend who feels dejected,

        Bring someone some cheer... this year.

This year…

        I'll not be hijacked by my deadlines,

        Or imprisoned by ambitions.

        Or let dismal, gloomy headlines

        Dictate my heart's disposition.

        I'll choose faith, not fear... this year.

This year…

        I'll see the struggling flower beneath

        The hard, frosty exterior

        Of one who lets frustration seethe

        Because they feel inferior.

        I'll try to draw them near... this year.

This year…

        No high and mighty resolutions

        Fit for presidents and kings.

        I'll start a quiet revolution,

        Seek these simple loving things

        Above wealth or career... this year.

Motivational Minute (12_005)

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

Quote of the day:

"Don't just dream about grandiose acts of doing good. Every day do small ones that add up over time to positive patterns." --Marian Wright Edelman

Consider: 

At the end of your life, what do you want to be remembered for? Periodically asking yourself this question helps you stay focused on the end goal and can aid you in making the right daily decisions that will lead you there. Each day can be a new opportunity to make incremental steps of progress which will lead you towards your desired aspirations.

Think about what you can do today to put your energy towards positive actions that will help bring you closer to your dreams. Your lifelong habits are built on daily choices you make.

Motivational Minute (12_004) -- Do Your Best

(Compliments of www.ActionVisionCoaching.com)

Quote of the day.

“People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People who really want help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway.”
--Mother Teresa

Consider:

If we want a life worth living, a life with purpose and happiness and freedom, we must make every effort to do what we feel in our hearts to be right, no matter what others do.

Do your best, no matter what others think or what they are doing. Your life will truly feel richer!

REFLECTION - On Happiness

I Love It

By Cheri Pape

Even though Maurine Jones was legally blind, the petite, well-poised 92-year-old was fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied.

After her husband of 70 years passed away, Maurine moved into a nursing home. Cheri Pape, who went along to help Maurine make the transition, tells what happened next.

“After waiting patiently in the nursing home lobby for hours, Maurine smiled sweetly when told that her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet curtains that had been hung on her window.

“I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room ... just wait.”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it!” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged—it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice. I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account—you withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories.”

Motivational Minute (12_003)

(Compliments of www.ActionVisionCoaching.com)

Quote of the day.

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.” --Groucho Marx

Consider:

We outline a good life according to the attitudes we choose to have. Our attitudes affect our lives and our happiness. If we want to be happy, we must make a conscious decision that we are going to be happy and then do our best to have a positive outlook on life. This way, we can fully enjoy life, no matter what circumstances may come our way.

           

Are you tired of having your emotions being affected by the circumstances in your day? Choose to be happy, hopeful and positive, no matter what is going on around you. Your positive outlook will help you rise above petty negative emotions, and true happiness will find you.

P.S. I missed posting some past MM so will be filling in the gaps.

REFLECTIONS -- What Winners Do

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

What Winners Do

By Theresa Koltes

I hear the fireworks explode and the screams of Happy New Year resound from the streets. Bursts of florescent lights and sparkles of champagne ignite in one glorious dance before my eyes. Glitter flits down on my eyelids and decorates my hair.

That was last year.

I have been trying to forget that day that launched the beginning of that New Year. Not because it reminds me of hangovers, or dances with random people I was really glad I never saw again, but because of how far I fell back in my resolutions. I woke up on the first of January and couldn’t contain the excitement of the new habits I was going to start, how much progress I could make, the results I could deliver…I don’t really know what happened after that fuse of energy fizzled out. But then I think that there are probably thousands of people reading this and secretly understanding what I’m saying. Or there may be some just shaking their heads at my serious self-discipline deficiency.

If you are reading this and feeling that sinking feeling about the goals you set for New Years, you’re not alone. Maybe you set a goal to start waking up earlier. You set your alarm and hopped into bed earlier the night before with the best of hopes. But when the alarm sounded the next morning, it was still dark outside and dreadfully cold. Getting out of bed so early suddenly didn’t seem to make any sense at all.

Maybe your goal was to lose a few pounds. You were wholeheartedly pounding the treadmill and shaking to your favorite beats, when your eyes saw an advertisement for your favorite chocolate cookies. Too late.  Even the call of the treadmill couldn’t stop you.

Maybe you wanted to become a more positive person. You set a time to stand in front of the mirror every day and say nice things. But then you got a knock on the door from “that” neighbor. Enough said. You’re discouraged. You hate the neighbor. Hate the alarm. Hate the cookies.

Believe it or not, there’s a saying for the saddened. It’s never too late to start again. After all, everyone knows the first tries are the hardest. What if we tried to prove to ourselves that we’re tougher this time?

In international surveys, habit makers share the same methods that have obviously worked for them.

1. Write it down. Keep track of everything. It may seem exhausting after the first week, but having a record system helps things seem more real and official. Also, noting down your daily progress will inspire you. At the end of the month you can look back and smile.

2. Start simple. Don’t dive into a crash diet the first day or even set your alarm to an ungodly hour. Like babies learn to walk, they begin with crawling. “But I’m not even moving yet”, you’re thinking. That’s okay. Be realistic about your goals and break it up accordingly. No one is judging you except for you.

3. Motivate yourself. Keep books nearby on your goals. Post pictures on your wall of the out come. Hang around positive, active people. Attend clubs and gatherings where there are people striving for similar goals. There are a million ways to motivate yourself, so don’t let it all brew from your mind and ‘inner self’. Get flamboyant with it.

4. Uplift. Don’t discourage yourself. Building good habits is largely psychological.  Being positive is what will give you insurmountable strength. Try the “but” tactic, one of my personal favorites. For example; “That neighbor is driving me…BUT at least she doesn’t complain about my cat.”

There are hundreds more words of wisdom, but these should get you heading in the right direction. And by the time the next New Year rolls along, you’ll get that funny foreign feeling…the feeling of a winner!

Remember--you’re tougher than you think!

Motivational Minute (12_002)

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

Quote of the day:

“Gratitude creates the most wonderful feeling. It can resolve disputes. It can strengthen friendships. And it makes us better men and women.” --Gordon B. Hinckley

Consider:

The next time you are at lunch or out with a with a friend, ask them what they are most thankful for. You will be amazed at the answers you receive and you will create a meaningful bond with your friends as you focus on this powerful question. 

REFLECTIONS -- Life and Onions

Life and Onions

By Anjali Miles

My friends and I decided to do something different to celebrate New Year's Eve. Everyone would bring or do something that represented the past year. One person made a collage of photos—experiences, new friends, family, and so on. Another sang a song she had written. Two others sang songs that held special meaning for them.

When it was my turn, I brought out two onions, one whole and one chopped.

"Why onions?" I asked. "What do they represent?"

Like an onion can be peeled back layer by layer, I have been peeled back this past year. Slowly but surely the layers I'd built around myself—my self-image of being in control, or the way I acted tough, as though no one could hurt me, for example have been peeled back. As the year had progressed, more layers had been peeled back.

I have gone through difficulties that left me feeling like an onion that had been chopped up. These experiences brought some tears, as chopping an onion does, but like the chopping releases the onion's flavor, I know there is good purpose for everything. Through it all, I have been reshaped for bigger and better things to come.

An onion isn't something that most people like to eat on its own, but it can enhance many other foods. I think I'm a bit like an onion in that regard too. Outspoken and sometimes a little sharp, I'm best in group and team situations, where personalities and talents blend to make a "tasty dish."

So that's been my year in a nutshell—or an onion skin. I never thought I would be compared to an onion, but it makes sense.

Motivational Minute (12_001)

(Compliments of www.ActionVisionCoaching.com)

Quote of the day:

“We spend January 1^st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.” –Ellen Goodman

Consider:

Take a few minutes to reflect on the past year. Consider these three areas of your life:

§      your work or studies

§      your home life and relationships with family and friends

§      your personal life, which includes your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing

In each of these areas what are you most thankful for from the past year? Don't limit yourself to only one or two things for each area. You may want to jot them down for future reference.

Then take a few more minutes to reflect on the coming year. In terms of these three areas of your life, what are your aspirations for the coming year? Write those things down in point form, so you will have them to refer to as the year progresses and be reminded to be thankful when they come to pass and for your next New Year reflection.