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LIVING BY DESIGN NEWSLETTER
by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC
V3, #1
January 14, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE
Life is a Classroom
Quotes
Practically Speaking
Wonder Questions
Readers Share
Their Wins
LIFE
IS A CLASSROOM
The start of the year is a great time to set
intentions for the next twelve months. One way to do this is to review the
past year. Your own experience is the best teacher. It tells you about
what works, what doesn't, the nature of success, relationships, and what
brings you contentment and satisfaction.
By consciously considering the lessons that are
available to learn, you turn your life into a classroom in which you can
learn from your experiences, your mistakes, and your success.
There is no wrong way to do life - no matter what
occurs, every situation can be used as an opportunity for learning. When
we value learning over outdated definitions of success, we begin to live
life with the greatest opportunity for fulfillment.
We grow through adversity. That which presents
itself as a challenge is there to serve us if we embrace it with the
willingness to learn. That's how we turn stumbling blocks into stepping
stones. Whatever life presents, you can teach yourself to ask, "What
can I learn from this? How can I use this to grow? What is the value here
for me?"
A key to success is to experience life as an ongoing
opportunity for learning. It is as if Earth were a school and we're always
in class. It is up to us to determine our own course of study.
I encourage you to review your year and notice where
you feel challenged, stuck, tripped up and consider what is the
opportunity for learning. Remembering that learning is a process, not an
event, choose your focus for this year and open yourself to expanded
possibilities and new experiences!
What would it be like if you took the time this
holiday season to pause and really receive the gifts given, the cards
sent, the greetings exchanged. What if you slowed down a bit, took a
breath, and let it all in. It is a rich and wonderful time of the year.
We are all learning to open our capacity to give
more and to receive more. What a great time of year to practice. 'Tis the
season!
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QUOTES:
"Use everything for your learning, growth
and advancement."
~ John-Roger ~
"In any situation you can be the best
student possible."
~ John Morton ~
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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:
- As you reflect over the past year, think about
what learning you would like to focus on this next year. These can be
lessons you've become aware of and put into practice, or based on the
results you produced, lessons you'd like to learn.
- Whenever you get to stuck places, ask yourself,
"What if this WEREN'T a problem? What if this were a learning
opportunity?"
- Write your responses stated in clear, straight
advise or instructions to yourself.
- When you are finished, ask yourself which ones,
if you embody this year, will make the biggest difference?
- Highlight your top three and write them up as
reminders/guidelines for this next year. (You're not forgetting the
other lessons, just focusing on these for now.)
- Write the statements focused on what you are
choosing to do versus what you no longer want to do. Example: "I
will take one day off a week to relax and rejuvenate," versus
"I no longer work 7 days a week."
- Allow yourself to review these lessons
periodically and check in with yourself as to how you are doing. If
you are off course, you can put in a course correction and get back on
track.
- By the end of the year you will be surprised at
the difference this exercise can make!
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WONDER QUESTIONS:
- Am I willing to be the predominant creative force
in my life?
- If so, what can I do differently to create my
chosen outcome?
- What advice do I have for myself?
- What learning opportunities are there available
to me at work? at home? in relationships? in self-care?
- What kind of support do I want in order to encourage this
process of learning?
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READERS
SHARE THEIR WINS:
'TIS THE SEASON FOR RECEIVING
http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_11.htm
I love this newsletter with the focus on receiving.
That is what I am learning about for sure. I had quite a wonderful
experience of receiving over the holidays. - M.R.
I enjoyed this newsletter and the stuff on gift
giving. I have been reflecting on this subject this year. My husband and I
decided not to exchange gifts with any of our relatives. I feel a lot
lighter this year. No running around like mad looking for gifts, wrapping,
schlepping, etc. It also gives me a lot more time to enjoy communicating
with people - I can make calls to people around the holidays, send
greeting cards, e-mail, etc. The gifts of friendship and love are
increasingly more important to me than anything somebody can buy in the
shops for me. I hope you and your family are well. I appreciate your
newsletter. Thank you. Love and blessings, - B.B.
CULTIVATING GRATITUDE
http://www.living-bydesign.com/V2_10.htm
Wonderful! Your words are warm and gentle, remind me
of who I am. Gratitude. Yes. I just had the thought that grace and
gratitude are beautiful twin sisters. Love to you, G.N.
COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION
c Copyright 2003 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 2003 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design.All rights reserved.
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com
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