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 When we value learning over outdated definitions of success, we begin to live life with the greatest opportunity for fulfillment.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.

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c Copyright 2003 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
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leslie@living-bydesign.com

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Living by Design.All rights reserved. 
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