CHICKEN

I'm in the midst of designing a series of free tele-classes to support you in discovering what you ReaLLY want to create so that you are living your life by design, rather than by default.

There are many approaches. Here is one that helps you get in touch with that which you cherish, value, and want to express more in your life. At the end you will have a better sense as to what has meaning for you, and therefore you want to experience more in life.

This is how you do it:

Connect back to a "peak" moment in your life when you were at your very best, a full expression of who you are. It doesn't need to be a moment that was publicly recognized, or related to work. Think about a time when you had one of those "That was great, I'm great, I'm ALIVE," moments.

If you can connect back to two or three of these, all the better.

Review those moments and write down what about them made them amazing, enlivening, exciting for you.

How were you expressing in those moments?

Personal Example: One time I was on a ski holiday in Taos, NM. Taos is known for their ski school and most people take group lessons in the morning no matter their ability. On this trip I was in an all male group, my feminine self the exception.

The guys wanted to hike out of bounds and ski a cornice. This was way out of my comfort zone, but I was feeling a bit pressured to 'keep up,' especially since every time I hesitated the guys called me "Chicken."

That irritated me enough to get me to say yes. So hike we did in deep powder to get to the top of the mountain in order to ski off this cornice.

A cornice is "an overhanging mass of hardened snow at the edge of a mountain precipice." It sort of looks like a frozen ocean whitecap. When one stands at the edge of the cornice, there is nothing below. Basically the drill is that you ski off and are airborne for a bit until you land, hopefully remaining erect and functional.

Well -- after watching the instructor fly off, and a few of the guys, it was my turn. I brought myself to the edge and looked down. It seemed the landing place was waaayyy down there.

I took a breath and remembered the happy yelps of the guys as they landed post flight. I knew I was capable as the instructor wasn't an idiot and wouldn't have me out of bounds if I wasn't able to do the deed.

So - I DID IT! I was in the air. I was flying. It was glorious. I felt huge. I had faced my fear and stepped off the edge and out into space and not only landed in one piece, but was able to ski successfully through the trees to the place where the group was to meet. I no longer was the me I had thought I was prior to that leap.

It was time to change my opinion of myself.

What was amazing for me: 

•  the feeling of flight 
• the soft landing that was also the moment of continued movement 
• the fact that I did it = my courage 
• I broke through my self-limiting thoughts about myself and demonstrated that I am more than I sometimes imagine myself to be

How was I expressing: 

• free 
• alive 
• engaged 
• risk taking 
• having fun

This experience which I call "In Flight" is a great metaphor for an aspect of myself that I cherish, value, and want to express more in my life. It points to what has meaning for me, and therefore I want to pursue.

Got it? Any questions -- drop me a line.

And stay tuned for news about my new FrEE teleclass series.

QUOTE

"When I accept things are out of my control somehow life becomes more manageable even though nothing has changed."
   ~ Kristy Kitzmiller ~

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

With graduation season in full swing, it’s an opportune time to sample some wisdom from Steve Jobs, who gave the commencement address at Stanford University in June 2005. Here’s a snippet from what he told the students that day.

"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

How would you answer Jobs’ question? Is there anything you need to change? Is it something I can help you with?

STOP TALKING ON EGGSHELLS

My friends, Relationship Coaches Susie and Otto Collins, have just released a brand new relationship program today called "Stop Talking On Eggshells" and I recommend that you pick up a copy.

In "Stop Talking On Eggshells," Susie and Otto show you how "talking on eggshells" is a lousy strategy for getting the love you really want and give you a step by step plan for communicating openly, honestly and authentically with your partner or spouse in ways that help the two of you reconnect and create the kind of relationship you really want.

You can learn more about it or pick up a copy of "Stop Talking On Eggshells" here...

I think it's worth checking out and could really help you improve the quality of your communication in your relationship or marriage right away. And, it will help you improve the quality of your communication in your other important relationships as well.

Here's that link again to at least check it out.

QUICK LINKS:

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Copyright 2008 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com

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Copyright 2008 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design. All rights reserved. 
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com