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LIVING BY DESIGN NEWSLETTER
by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC
V2, #4
April 16, 2002
IN THIS ISSUE
To Have What You Want,
Want What You Have. . . or Let It Go
Quotes
Practically Speaking
Wonder Questions
Free
Workshop
WTC Lights
Coaching Corner
Write to Me
Wins
TO
HAVE WHAT YOU WANT, WANT WHAT YOU HAVE
. . . OR LET IT GO
Some people struggle with knowing what they want,
yet are aware of what they don't want. The good news is that you can make
space for discovering what you really want. How? By getting rid of that
which no longer serves you. If you don't want it, then let it go. In the
cleared space, it becomes easier to discover what you DO want, or even
what you have that you have forgotten to enjoy.
Spring is a great time to reorder your life...to let
go of those things that have become stagnant, are broken, or have outlived
their usefulness.
Creating what we want is about being in motion,
taking action, moving forward. When we hold on to too much
"stuff" we end up lethargic. So if youčre feeling kind of
sluggish and unmotivated, do yourself a favor and clear some space.
Remember, everything we have takes energy to
maintain. The more we have, the more we need to invest in keeping it
around--investments of time, money, and/or energy. Facing and addressing
this reality is what simplifying one's life is about. What do you really
want? If you have anything around other than that, get rid of it.
Start on the physical. What can be cleared, put
away, let go of? Go through closets, drawers, basements, storage bins.
This isn't a new concept. You know how good it feels to clean a garage,
file your papers, pay your bills. Anything left undone draws energy and
becomes a subtle drain. If you want to feel better, then clean a drawer.
For most of us, clearing the physical clutter is
much easier than clearing the emotional clutter. It's easy to see the
results of a newly cleaned closet or a freshly weeded garden--the results
are tangible and feed our positive energy. But, to live the life you want,
clearing that emotional baggage is extremely important. A great way to do
this is to turn the intangible into something tangible, something you can
hold. Try writing about it with the intention of letting it out and
letting it go. The best thing to do with the paper after you've finished
writing is to burn it (or flush it).
And, finally, we've uncluttered our physical and
emotional selves, but what about our minds? What about our thoughts? Are
they positive and directed, free from clutter? One way to free ourselves
of unwanted mental clutter is by paying attention to the garbage we say to
ourselves. Once we acknowledge the negative way we treat ourselves, or
others sometimes, it's a matter of taking the garbage out. Notice your
self-talk and when you find yourself in criticism or judgment, take out
the trash. One of the most powerful ways to do this is to shift your focus
to appreciation and forgiveness.
So, do you have what you want? Do you want what you
have? Are you ready to let go?
Consider these questions carefully. Is it time to
take yourself through a little Spring Cleaning?
Happy Spring,
Leslie
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QUOTES:
"If you don't enjoy what you have, how could
you be happier with more?"
~ Anonymous ~
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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:
- make a date with yourself to clean out your
closets, one at a time
- then hit the drawers
- the desk
- under the bed
- and then the garage
- if you don't love it, or don't use it, let it go
- recognize the good, the beautiful and the kind
- appreciate what you notice aloud
- start paying attention to your self-talk and
whenever you find yourself in a negative conversation, change it to
support a positive intent
- feel your feelings completely, this itself is a
letting go
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WONDER QUESTIONS:
- What do you really want?
- What are you ready to let go of?
- What or who do you have in your life that you
have forgotten to appreciate? (Including yourself
is okay.)
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"THE
PROCESS TO PEACE"
A FREE WORKSHOP
I will be facilitating a FREE workshop called
"THE PROCESS TO PEACE". This
workshop is sponsored by the Institute of Individual
and World Peace and will focus on what peace is,
and learning how to bring more peace into
everyday life. Come join me for 2 hours of fun
and discovery, April 30th, 7PM at Transitions
Bookplace, 1000 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL
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WTC LIGHTS
click here to see a very beautiful photo
http://www.living-bydesign.com/WTC%20Photo.htm
Tower of Lights Artists: John Bennett, Gustavo
Bonevardi, Julian LeVerdiere, Paul Marantz, Paul Myoda, Richard Nash-Gould
and Weiss/Manfredi
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COACHING
CORNER
Got Questions? Get Your Answers Here.
I am open to you for questions on how to use the
tools shared in these newsletters. Submit your questions to: leslie@living-bydesign.com
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WRITE TO ME!
I am interested in your successes! Write to me and share wins you have experienced
using any of the techniques I have shared.
Perhaps you have a story about how gratitude transformed a challenge into a blessing, or
how the simple act of acceptance has brought peace more present in your life.
Tell me which strategies have worked and what occurred. Send your story or any
questions you may have to me at:
leslie@living-bydesign.com
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READERS SHARE THEIR WINS
TRUE WEALTH http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_1.htm
I can definitely share with you the wins of having some great mental
pictures to focus on through the day. Sometimes it just takes reminding of
the good things and how close they really are. It also helps to know that
I have influence over them and can change the direction of my own
thoughts. Thanks for sharing these beautiful newsletters. Love, Mark
BEING TRUE TO YOU http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_3.htm
The good news is that I got a great review in a major London paper and all
the producers, hosts, other comedians said I should do more stand-up and
really go for it. It does make me think about that question I asked a few
weeks ago: What is my heart's desire? Love, Brandi
NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LOVING http://www.living-bydesign.com/V1_1.htm
One day I noticed myself getting very agitated with my husband. I
decided to focus on appreciating him instead of complaining. I verbalized
my appreciation. "Hon, I so appreciate how you love nature and how
you work so hard to set us up to have a nurturing place to eat."
(Instead of complaining about how long it was taking to find the 'right'
spot and worrying about being late to our appointment). I noticed that
once I had expressed my appreciation my agitation had dispersed and we had
a great time together (instead of the fight I was about to promote,) and
we still made our appointment on time! Thanks for your help. Susan
COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION
c Copyright 2002 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com
Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:
Copyright 2002 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design.All rights reserved.
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com
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