Readers Share Their Wins:
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THE POWER TO CHOOSE

I wanted to thank you for your always timely newsletter. It seems that, each time I am trudging through some quagmire of my creation and trying to find my way, Living By Design arrives in my email box like the flashlight you had forgot you had packed but now desperately need.

Your current topic of choice falls right on the heels of a very important choice made. I was working way too many hours at my job while my time off was consumed with thoughts and worries of work. My health was suffering and a feeling of exhaustion had become part of my everyday life. . . . I decided to resign. . . .The resignation went well and left me with the feeling of making the right choice. . . . . Closing that door gently has opened the door of vacation opportunity so we are off to Kauai, Hawaii for a long rest.

I am choosing a joyful life and the rewards are bountiful in each moment. ~ P.F. ~

THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS: 

~"I am experiencing a lot lately about choice. In those sometimes moments when I want to do the old patterns of "scolding" myself for not doing something "right?" I am switching to humor saying something like - "Well that didn't work so well did it? Let's see what else we could do." - M.R.

THE POWER OF ASKING 

~"I enjoyed your newsletter. I found that for a long time it was difficult for me to ask for a favor. Fortunately things have changed. I believe it is true, if I don't ask, I don't get." - H.N.

~"Another wonderful newsletter. After 3 years of being on staff at my company, I finally "asked" for some more support. Every Friday for a 1/2 hour I get to ask someone in the office all those questions that I have been wanting to ask for years but was afraid to ask.  Here's to asking for what you want!" - M.E.

~"I guess the biggest thing I got this summer just for asking was a week at a lake house on a barter basis. I posted on a web board that I couldn't afford the usual rental fees & couldn't imagine a summer without a week at the lake. I had several responses, one which turned into 9 days at no cost at a beautiful place on Lake Michigan -- usually $1900, but for me, just the deal to help the owner redecorate her guest room.

I also told some friends just two weeks ago that I needed a baby-sitter on a night that was coming up fast & none of my usual sitters were available ... lo & behold, one of the women volunteered to do it on the spot (and then didn't charge me because WE decided to do a barter, too!).

Amazing what the universe can do if only you ask!!" - B.D.

FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE 

~I have liked each of the newsletters I have received from you, and have tried to benefit from each of them. The latest issue "Focusing on the Positive" really hit home for me. Thank you for sending it at a time when I really need it. I have had so much negative in my life for the last few years and even more so lately. I have always been one to focus on the positive and not let the negatives get me down. Well, lately it has been so bad that I threw up the white flag and surrendered to the negative. I now know that it was a huge mistake. Bad times don't last forever and things will improve for me. They won't as long as I am only focusing on the negative because I will never see the positives!  Thank you again, and I am really going to try to change my course. I will let you know what happens. - M.S. 

~Thanks for this newsletter. I have forwarded to my sister and have asked her to print out a copy for my mother. Your newsletter provided the assistance we were needing to be more consciously aware of where we are placing our focus. Thank you!!!! - R. M. 

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING UP? 

~I loved your recent newsletter. It's so true - changing the story is a simple move that makes a huge difference! Thanks. - L.M.

~"Aha!!! Freedom from limiting interpretations of reality...I love it! Once again, this info is so relevant and a great reminder to chill out!!!!" - T. T. 

WHOSE BUSINESS IS IT ANYWAY? 

~Thank you for your newsletters. The latest one appeared with perfect timing for me! I had been bothered by receiving unwanted advice lately and took a look inward to see if I was giving the same. Your newsletter gave me a boost by putting the question in a new and healthy context. - D.L.

~Your newsletters are wonderful but this issue was especially so. I felt at peace after reading it, like yoga, it felt restorative. So much in this world has been out of whack with Bush and Iraq, Bush and the environment, Bush and the economy, etc. etc., this particular newsletter and the focus on responsibility gave me a sense of release and a renewed sense of empowerment. Thank you, thank you, thank you! - N.M.

ACTION, ACTION, ACTION

~"I have found that taking the first action (step) facilitates ease and gets me in motion. I am finding energy available for me to use to create flow through action.

I am spending far less time worrying about what is not done, because I'm in action - I am participating not avoiding! It's very cool." - M.L.

POWERFUL PEOPLE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN 

~Wow! I have spent so much time worrying about what I think needs to be worried about, I forgot my power to create.

This is so timely. I have been having such energy pushing me to risk doing what will make me happy. I thought that it was too late, me just turning 57 and all, but wait... I really get the power of the present -- I'm just a teen, after all! - N.K. 

~I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your newsletter. I have saved the story about how you manifested a helicopter -- loved it!! I've passed it along to friends who would appreciate it.  Also, your most recent story about "powerful people make things easy" was very powerful indeed! That statement seemed to strike me like a lightning bolt because I know I often times make things harder in my life than they need to be. I now find myself repeating your phrase even while I'm looking for a much needed parking space . . . and it works!!!   Thanks for always sending the right message at the right time. - C.A. 

THE POWER OF CHOOSING WHAT YOU WANT

~Your helicopter story prompted me to write. Here is my story about finding love:

I had been clinging to a negative relationship that lasted six years and had done a number on my self esteem. Finally I decided I had to move on, and told my boyfriend we were through. He had not been treating me well for a couple of years.

One week after closing that door, a wonderful man appeared in my life. We fell madly in love, and he asked me to marry him, we will tie the knot on New Year's Eve. Everything seems to have fallen into place so easily for us, we found a man willing to perform the service, all four of our children have committed to being there for the wedding, with my daughter flying into Vermont from Mexico!

One of Gary's daughters is pregnant, so he and I will become first time grandparents together next summer. I never knew I could be this happy! It seems I had to close a door and free up my heart in order to manifest the kind of relationship I really wanted. - S.R.

SMALL STEPS LEAD TO BIG SUCCESS 

~I have been feeling especially depressed and exhausted. After I read your newsletter I realized that I have tasks in my consciousness that appear insurmountable in real life -- there is simply no way to even start the tasks because the entire scenario is the only picture I am holding in my mind. So, here comes your newsletter --- baby steps. Oh, how quickly I forget...Thanks and great loving, - N.N.

'TIS THE SEASON 

~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  

~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.

CELEBRATING WINS 

~I loved your opening piece about "Celebrating Wins." Sometimes I get so focused on my "big" goals that I forget about, overlook the hugeness of the tiny wins and baby steps I'm taking in my life. Thanks for the reminder. So kind.  I think of your writing as spiritual simplicity. - G.N.

~Hi, Leslie. I copied off the Celebrating Wins info and made a handout for clients. It was excellent information. I am always searching for the "best" or most succinct way to teach clients to focus on the positive. I've heard the expression,"If you focus on how far you've come, you feel abundant. If you focus on how far you have to go, you feel lack." Your message seems to sink in for me a bit more. Good job! - S.L.

~Thank you for this newsletter! It was very, very hard at work last month. We are going through many changes, including layoffs. I had a number of negative encounters with staff and administrators. There were many days where I felt small, voiceless and useless. I felt overwhelmed and discouraged. I was beginning to have fantasies about running away, traveling the world, joining the Peace Corps. Keeping a success journal has been helping me to focus on the present, on the good in my life, and on what is important to me. It has been helping me to restore balance in my relationship between work and the larger world.  I may have had a rotten day at work, but it was a beautiful day and there were accomplishments to cherish.  Thank you, Leslie, for that very important and practical tool! - N.M.

TRUE WEALTH 
~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, M.

BEING TRUE TO YOU 
~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, B.

~...I did finally 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 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

~I just had that a great opportunity to read some of your "Living by Design". WOW!!!!!!! What a wisdom. I especially enjoyed reading about honoring myself and being true to me. I sometimes think I need to do me according to someone else's plans for me. I am so blessed to find your letters because they just talk to me about exactly what I need to hear. Please do not stop this wonderful, uplifting work. - T.S.

NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LOVING
~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. S.

SHOULD I OR COULD I? 
~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

When I first became a virtual assistant, I was naïve, truly unaware of the possibilities that lay before me. I was solidly in that corporate box, and had a lot of 'shoulds' on my plate. I 'should' behave a certain way, I 'should' achieve certain goals, I 'should' be a certain type of person.  Your article "Should or Could" opened me up to an awareness of possibilities.  I began to realize that I can live the kind of life that I want. It was a monumental step for me. Now, instead of spending a lot of time on what I 'should' do, I realize that there are options, alternatives, and new directions that are available to me each and every day.  The beauty of my life now, is that I get to be myself, work with great people, decide what is really important to me, and laugh my way through life. There really is nothing better. - L.O.

TO HAVE WHAT YOU WANT, WANT WHAT YOU HAVE... 
OR LET IT GO 
~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 an inspiration. Love, M

WHAT DO YOU WANT? 
~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

~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 this beautiful newsletter. M.P.

WHERE YOU LEAD, YOU WILL FOLLOW
~Asking the question, "what can I learn from this?" has taken everything that I formerly saw as negative and transformed it to a positive. No matter what happens I can now look for the good. It has been a big shift. I feel so much more optimistic. Thank you. B.B.

~I love being reminded of this as I have been having some not so great body sensations this week and I keep saying - what is wrong with me. So I am shifting that right away. M.R.

~I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your newsletter. It's just a little gift I get each time. I especially liked the following: 1) reminding me of the idea of what feeds me and honoring the essence of who I am, 2) The idea of thinking of things step by step to improve it one point at a time, 3) The idea of me being the one, the creative force. I have been applying these to my life and have noticed a big difference, especially realizing I am a creative force. Thank you. G.G

WHEN LIFE DOES WHAT LIFE DOES
~How positive and uplifting! I agree that bad luck can be good luck depending on how you look at a situation and what you do with it. Keep the inspiration coming. - C.C..

EXPANDING YOUR COMFORT ZONE
~I think you have your finger on the pulse of what is happening for many of us now--learning to live in the unknown. For me, trying to get back into my comfort zone now is like trying to cram myself into a thimble instead of expanding with the entire universe. Yet I still often go for the thimble when I feel afraid.  I love this question: Am I willing to be the predominant creative force in my life? YES. I am.  Thanks for your wonderful contribution. -G.N.

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