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LIVING BY DESIGN NEWSLETTER
by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC
V2, #6
June 13, 2002
IN THIS ISSUE
Where You
Lead, You Will Follow
Quotes
Practically Speaking
Wonder Questions
Coaching
Teams Coming This Fall
Readers Share
Their Wins
WHERE
YOU LEAD, YOU WILL FOLLOW
What might you say if I told you that nothing has
meaning except the meaning we give to it? That we donąt really know how
things are, we only know how we interpret them to be. That the outer world
and all our relationships are reflections of our inner world and
relationship with ourselves?
Hmmmm. Let's play with this.
If this is so, and I believe it to be true, then we
might wonder: Does the meaning I attribute serve me, does it empower to
action, does it nurture and support me? What possibilities does my
interpretation open or close for me?
How are your interpretations affecting your
experience of life? What meaning are you placing on events, situations or
circumstances?
What if I were to give you a rose. Would you say,
thank you for this stick with thorns on it? Would you interpret that I was
attempting to injure you by giving you a dangerous weapon that can easily
draw blood?
We can always find ample opportunity to prove that
life is a garden of roses or a bed of thorns. How we feel about ourselves
and our life is a result of where we place our focus and the
interpretations of reality we create.
When you notice yourself feeling contracted, there
is a good chance you have put a limiting interpretation on something in
your life. Begin to notice how you talk to yourself, notice where you
place your focus.
Here are some of my favorite lousy mood creating
questions: --What's wrong with me? --Why can't I do anything right? --How
come the other guy/gal has all the luck, money, dates, fill in the blank?
Now imagine instead moving yourself to a state of
wonder by asking questions such as: --What can I learn from this? --What
is the value in this experience? --How could I do it better next time?
--What am I grateful for in this situation? --I wonder what the blessing
is?
Which set of questions will motivate you to
participate, enjoy, explore and wonder? If you're like me, asking
empowering questions moves you to take action and participate fully. Now
isn't that what it's all about anyway?
You set the stage for your life's direction. You
plot your own course by your attitude, actions and interpretations. So why
not lead the way with acceptance, curiosity, optimism and confidence.
Remember, where you lead...you will follow.
All the best,
Leslie
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QUOTES:
"Man is disturbed not by things, but by his
opinion of things."
~Epictetus~
"What we see depends mainly on what we look
for."
~John Lubbock~
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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:
- Notice if you are feeling expanded or contracted.
In either case, pay attention to your self-talk, what are you saying
to yourself?
- Become aware of those conversations that
motivate, excite and stimulate you.
- Notice when you are telling yourself stories that
bring you down.
- Practice changing those limiting stories into
exciting, motivating interpretations.
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WONDER QUESTIONS:
- What can you be grateful for?
- No matter what is going on for you, what are you
learning?
- What choices are available to you right now?
- Where do you want to be the predominant creative
force in your life next?
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COACHING
TEAMS COMING THIS FALL
I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work
one on one with so many wonderful individuals, but I realize that one on
one coaching may not be for everyone (for a number of reasons). I am
pleased to announce our new Living By Design Coaching Teams, providing a
convenient, affordable alternative to one on one coaching.
Here's how Living By Design Coaching
Teams work . . .
With a motivated team of like-minded
individuals, you meet with me every week to get practical advice and
support in meeting your personal and goals.
As part of a coaching team, you will
have access to a strong support system that is committed to your own and
each other's success. Support goes beyond the meeting and extends
throughout the week.
Each week, we will focus on a
particular topic, such as how to be the predominant creative force in your
life, knowing what you want, creative strategies that work, learning from
experience, being kind and loving to yourself as you grow.
As the group continues, you build
momentum and move more rapidly toward your goals. You can get individual
coaching on the calls, homework assignments between calls, and access to
me by email for your personal questions.
There will be future announcements with
more info. For now, if you are interested, write to me at leslie@living-bydesign.com.
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READERS
SHARE THEIR WINS
SHOULD I OR COULD I?
http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_5.htm ~
I loved your last newsletter. Using 'could' is more powerful to me than 'I
want'. 'Could' takes me outside the box into a world of possibilities.
Thank you so much. Love, S
TO HAVE WHAT YOU WANT, WANT WHAT YOU HAVE...
OR LET IT GO
http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_4.htm ~
We moved to Olympia, WA the end of Feb. and are in the process of creating
what we want for ourselves and our two children. We found a spacious,
comfortable house with a huge backyard, deck off of the large master
bedroom, friendly neighbors with children and a convenient location. We
also bought a yellow Volvo station wagon (my dream car) for $450.00 at an
auto auction.
~A and I were discussing focusing on what he really
wants in a job today. When I was going through my e-mails (a rare treat) I
came across a couple of your newsletters that I had saved. They were just
exactly what we needed to read. Thank you for being such a shiny,
inspiring, wonderful woman. Love, M
BEING TRUE TO YOU
http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_3.htm ~
...I did finally (5/11/02) buy a (noncarnivorous) plant that "spoke
to me". I have it in my office and it makes me smile because it
reminds me to appreciate you and the gifts you have given me. I also
(3/14/02) got my first pedicure -- Electric Grape Kool-Aid is definitely
my color! I am grateful to my friends who were with me for both of these
adventures. They are truly angels. I make so many mistakes, yet patiently
(and with great humor) they help me recover the best parts of me. We are
also having a blast traveling together and finding spontaneous fun
everywhere, even at work! Thanks for starting me on this path .. I love my
new life! Smiles, L
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_2.htm ~
Amen....your words are very welcome today. I am making lists of the things
in my life with which I am dissatisfied and developing a list of what I
can do to make them the way I want them. It's a tough exercise because
first I have to acknowledge that with which I am dissatisfied, or that
which I judge, and then I have work around to the positive side and come
up with a plan. It is taking me significant emotional strength, and
courage. The good news is.....THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE THE POWER
TO REMEDY!!!! What a concept! I am back to my lists. -- C
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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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