Heart Path Coach Newsletter April 2011
Spring Dreams
Spring is in the air and new life is blooming everywhere. What metaphors of spring are representative of your life at this time? What information does this bring up for you? How can using metaphors raise your awareness? Not sure? It may be helpful to read the following blog about metaphors: Climbing Mountains of Opportunity
Dream Reality Into Being
Mountains are metaphors ~ Windows, mirrors and doors
Allow access to awareness ~ Of all there is to explore.
Measuring madness mundane ~ Scheming the senseless sane
Fantasies fraught for not ~ Hope like wine does rot.
Opulent opportunities to dare ~ Believing before seeing is rare
Abundance always the fare ~ Faith like flames to snare ~ Passion
Dreams are things ~ That buzz the bees wings
No matter the fright ~ Take flight
Declare and decree ~ Reality!
Dreams with legs do run Unlike streetcars named desire
No tip toed request to inquire Too grave to leave undone ~ Crawl, walk or run!
Be clear what you hear ~ Deep within your ear
The heart has ears to listen
Clarity of vision ~ To keep the decision
Ask why do it? ~ Stay congruent
Persistence pays the price ~ Wisdom takes her own advice
You’ll awake from sleeping
To find you are dreaming
Reality into being ~
Life has new meaning!
by Lou Ann Bennett
Three Stone Cutters
A traveler came upon a group of three hard-at-work stone-cutters and asked each one what they was doing. The first said, “I am cutting stone.” The second said, “I am providing for my family.” The third said, “I am building a cathedral.”
Three people doing the same job with three different purposes. What was the motivation for each one? The first one focused upon doing a job well. The second, was including others in the goal by providing for the family. The third was sharing a collective vision to create something spectacular.
All three people were motivated to cut stone. All three were connected to their own purpose of cutting stone. However each purpose was different.
This ancient story of St Benedict during the middle ages shows the power of purpose. Although we could project our preference for our own purpose and drive; in the end, the internal motivation of each person is a crucial individual process. The people were all motivated differently and all motivations are valid. Finding our truth is essential to discovering what motivates us.
Wisdom, integrity and peace come to those who are able to identify their purpose, own it and live it. We must know the song in our heart if we are to sing it.
When people are congruent with their purpose a new world of possibilities opens and become available. Dreaming naturally occurs. We are alive and thrive. Inspiration, motivation are easily accessible to create the desires of our heart.
It matters not what the purpose or motivation is only that it resonates within the heart and soul of each person. You will know you are in your song when spontaneous humming occurs or you whistle while you work. Perhaps you notice a smile beam across your face as you recognize you are "in joy" or enjoying what you are doing and who you are being.
Who are you? How do you describe what you do? How are you living your life on purpose? Click here to find more purpose.
Coaching Moments: Meet Jill
Jill is a fictitious person invented in order to share with you different coaching strategies and practical applications. This will be a place to share trends, general situations along with helpful tools and techniques.
Jill is focused this spring on cleaning out the clutter, becoming more organized and energy efficient. From cleaning the kitchen pantry, closets, organizing paperwork, streamlining processes at work to letting go of things and people that drain her energy. She feels good about completing her taxes and paperwork on time. She is raising her awareness and recognizing how her thoughts affect her energy. Jill is incorporating the below time management tools and using techniques to stay positive.
One of Jill’s aha coaching moments came when she realized her behavior was not congruent with what she said she wants. We worked out a plan to help her get congruent. She decided to get honest, spring clean her motivation and made a renewed commitment to be focused with aligning her behavior with her goals and within 12 days she lost 4 lbs!
Create
In Ken Robinson’s book “Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative”, he mentions three necessary components to being creative. 1.) The importance of finding the right medium for your own creative strengths. 2.) The necessity of being able to control the medium. 3.) The need for freedom to experiment and take risks. Therefore, realizing our own unique medium is our most important discovery in the process of being creative. Creativity is using our imagination and making something unique out of the multitude of possibilities. When we are actualizing our dreams we are creatively living our lives. Therefore, our most important medium is our life. What are you creating?
Integrate
Learning curves are exciting, stimulating and challenging. It indicates we are growing, developing and doing new things. Learning is made up of a variety of skills. However, what we think and feel at every stage either helps or hinders progress and may determine how well we learn more than any other skill. The four stages of learning based on Maslow are in the following order: Unconscious Incompetence, Conscious Incompetence, Conscious Competence, Unconscious Competence. The faster we accept and incorporate the learning stages the easier the transition will be. Reflection and awareness are two components when used with intention speed the integration process. It’s a choice how we decide to interpret our learning progress. This perspective directly affects the next stage of learning and how much we enjoy the learning curve. How do you describe your learning curve?
Evolve
As we become aware and master our thinking we become more aligned with our true self and take another step toward our highest evolution. Henry Grayson shares five steps to monitor and master our thinking in his book Mindful Loving which are a condensed version as follows:
1.) Upon feeling a loss of inner peace, ask: What was I just thinking?
2.) Say: There's one of those disturbing ego thoughts.
3.) If I focus on this thought it will surely increase. Do I want this thing I'm thinking to increase? No way!
4.) I banish the thought!
5.) Quickly state your affirmation or preferred thinking one or several times.
Taking every thought captive and monitoring if it’s in our best interest will create opportunities for growth toward your highest potential. You will soon shift negativity and your relationships with yourself and others will improve.
Community
Recently at a dinner party the question was asked “what are some of the major cognitive constructs that everyone would benefit from having”? Click herefor the article. One particular construct, way of thinking or approach to problem solving was to consider cognitive humility. How would thinking “I could be wrong” be helpful to improving my cognitive toolkit? If I actively attempted to disprove my own beliefs in order to see the other side could it open more peaceful dialogue with those we disagree? What would I ultimately learn if I were to suspend disbelief on a particular topic I felt sure was not possible? Kathryn Schulz recently gave a TED presentation where she wryly crafts the argument and shares stories to support the idea that we may be wrong about being wrong. This may be the beginning of more understanding for ourselves and one another and a better community!
Well Being
Peace ~ Just saying/hearing the word shifts our vibration and allows a deeper breath. Unfortunately, most people experience stress every day to some degree. Stress is among the top causes for most diseases. We are no longer being chased by “real” Saber-toothed Tigers so the majority of our stress comes from how we perceive our experience. It’s the negative dialogue and commentary in the brain of either the past or the future. The easiest way to de-stress is to change the internal negative chatter to something more useful and positive. The following PBS special, Killer Stress shows how detrimental chronic stress can be on our health. Muscle tension, headaches, low back pain, insomnia, decreased immune, high blood pressure are well documented science in the study of stress. Stress can kill brain cells, add fat to our bellies and unravel our chromosomes. Stress also affects memory/learning and decreases dopamine or pleasure receptors in the brain. This is the biological reason chronic stress makes people miserable. It’s pretty grim but we have a choice! We can choose what we think there by shifting our perception. Meditation, laughing, yoga, exercise, eating healthy and music are all ways to relax and bring peace. The number one antidote to stress is love. Love is the most powerful healing force there is. How can you heal your body, relationships, work, family with love?
Three people doing the same job with three different purposes. What was the motivation for each one? The first one focused upon doing a job well. The second, was including others in the goal by providing for the family. The third was sharing a collective vision to create something spectacular.
All three people were motivated to cut stone. All three were connected to their own purpose of cutting stone. However each purpose was different.
This ancient story of St Benedict during the middle ages shows the power of purpose. Although we could project our preference for our own purpose and drive; in the end, the internal motivation of each person is a crucial individual process. The people were all motivated differently and all motivations are valid. Finding our truth is essential to discovering what motivates us.
Wisdom, integrity and peace come to those who are able to identify their purpose, own it and live it. We must know the song in our heart if we are to sing it.
When people are congruent with their purpose a new world of possibilities opens and become available. Dreaming naturally occurs. We are alive and thrive. Inspiration, motivation are easily accessible to create the desires of our heart.
It matters not what the purpose or motivation is only that it resonates within the heart and soul of each person. You will know you are in your song when spontaneous humming occurs or you whistle while you work. Perhaps you notice a smile beam across your face as you recognize you are "in joy" or enjoying what you are doing and who you are being.
Who are you? How do you describe what you do? How are you living your life on purpose? Click here to find more purpose.
Coaching Moments: Meet Jill
Jill is a fictitious person invented in order to share with you different coaching strategies and practical applications. This will be a place to share trends, general situations along with helpful tools and techniques.
Jill is focused this spring on cleaning out the clutter, becoming more organized and energy efficient. From cleaning the kitchen pantry, closets, organizing paperwork, streamlining processes at work to letting go of things and people that drain her energy. She feels good about completing her taxes and paperwork on time. She is raising her awareness and recognizing how her thoughts affect her energy. Jill is incorporating the below time management tools and using techniques to stay positive.
One of Jill’s aha coaching moments came when she realized her behavior was not congruent with what she said she wants. We worked out a plan to help her get congruent. She decided to get honest, spring clean her motivation and made a renewed commitment to be focused with aligning her behavior with her goals and within 12 days she lost 4 lbs!
Create
In Ken Robinson’s book “Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative”, he mentions three necessary components to being creative. 1.) The importance of finding the right medium for your own creative strengths. 2.) The necessity of being able to control the medium. 3.) The need for freedom to experiment and take risks. Therefore, realizing our own unique medium is our most important discovery in the process of being creative. Creativity is using our imagination and making something unique out of the multitude of possibilities. When we are actualizing our dreams we are creatively living our lives. Therefore, our most important medium is our life. What are you creating?
Integrate
Learning curves are exciting, stimulating and challenging. It indicates we are growing, developing and doing new things. Learning is made up of a variety of skills. However, what we think and feel at every stage either helps or hinders progress and may determine how well we learn more than any other skill. The four stages of learning based on Maslow are in the following order: Unconscious Incompetence, Conscious Incompetence, Conscious Competence, Unconscious Competence. The faster we accept and incorporate the learning stages the easier the transition will be. Reflection and awareness are two components when used with intention speed the integration process. It’s a choice how we decide to interpret our learning progress. This perspective directly affects the next stage of learning and how much we enjoy the learning curve. How do you describe your learning curve?
Evolve
As we become aware and master our thinking we become more aligned with our true self and take another step toward our highest evolution. Henry Grayson shares five steps to monitor and master our thinking in his book Mindful Loving which are a condensed version as follows:
1.) Upon feeling a loss of inner peace, ask: What was I just thinking?
2.) Say: There's one of those disturbing ego thoughts.
3.) If I focus on this thought it will surely increase. Do I want this thing I'm thinking to increase? No way!
4.) I banish the thought!
5.) Quickly state your affirmation or preferred thinking one or several times.
Taking every thought captive and monitoring if it’s in our best interest will create opportunities for growth toward your highest potential. You will soon shift negativity and your relationships with yourself and others will improve.
Community
Recently at a dinner party the question was asked “what are some of the major cognitive constructs that everyone would benefit from having”? Click herefor the article. One particular construct, way of thinking or approach to problem solving was to consider cognitive humility. How would thinking “I could be wrong” be helpful to improving my cognitive toolkit? If I actively attempted to disprove my own beliefs in order to see the other side could it open more peaceful dialogue with those we disagree? What would I ultimately learn if I were to suspend disbelief on a particular topic I felt sure was not possible? Kathryn Schulz recently gave a TED presentation where she wryly crafts the argument and shares stories to support the idea that we may be wrong about being wrong. This may be the beginning of more understanding for ourselves and one another and a better community!
Well Being
Peace ~ Just saying/hearing the word shifts our vibration and allows a deeper breath. Unfortunately, most people experience stress every day to some degree. Stress is among the top causes for most diseases. We are no longer being chased by “real” Saber-toothed Tigers so the majority of our stress comes from how we perceive our experience. It’s the negative dialogue and commentary in the brain of either the past or the future. The easiest way to de-stress is to change the internal negative chatter to something more useful and positive. The following PBS special, Killer Stress shows how detrimental chronic stress can be on our health. Muscle tension, headaches, low back pain, insomnia, decreased immune, high blood pressure are well documented science in the study of stress. Stress can kill brain cells, add fat to our bellies and unravel our chromosomes. Stress also affects memory/learning and decreases dopamine or pleasure receptors in the brain. This is the biological reason chronic stress makes people miserable. It’s pretty grim but we have a choice! We can choose what we think there by shifting our perception. Meditation, laughing, yoga, exercise, eating healthy and music are all ways to relax and bring peace. The number one antidote to stress is love. Love is the most powerful healing force there is. How can you heal your body, relationships, work, family with love?
Healthy Recipes
Pistachio Pesto serves 4 - 6
1/2 c Pistachios 1/4 c hemp seeds
1/4 c walnut 1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes
1 1/2 lemons juiced 2-3 cloves of garlic
2 - 4 T Olive oil 1 bunch of basil
1/2 t salt or to taste black pepper and cayenne to taste
Soak walnuts 4 - 8 hours, rinse and drain; Process all ingredients until smooth; Mix with zucchini pasta salad...YUM!
Click here for more recipes!
Space for Us!
Quotes From You...
"I used to be scared of the time after a dream comes to fruition. What's left to look forward to? Now, I see that time not as after, but between. Turns out, the space between dreams is the most fertile ground, where almost anything can grow." ~ CaitlinDo you have questions, topics you want coaching information? Do you have wisdom you have learned from your own experience?
Please click hereto submit something you would like to share!
Thank you!
For taking the time to share these moments together!
What are you dreams? How will you ensure you are nourished?
Please forward my newsletter to friends and family who may be interested.
I welcome all feedback, please share your ideas and inspirations with me!
Be well, nourished and blessed! Lou
1/2 c Pistachios 1/4 c hemp seeds
1/4 c walnut 1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes
1 1/2 lemons juiced 2-3 cloves of garlic
2 - 4 T Olive oil 1 bunch of basil
1/2 t salt or to taste black pepper and cayenne to taste
Soak walnuts 4 - 8 hours, rinse and drain; Process all ingredients until smooth; Mix with zucchini pasta salad...YUM!
Click here for more recipes!
Space for Us!
Quotes From You...
"I used to be scared of the time after a dream comes to fruition. What's left to look forward to? Now, I see that time not as after, but between. Turns out, the space between dreams is the most fertile ground, where almost anything can grow." ~ CaitlinDo you have questions, topics you want coaching information? Do you have wisdom you have learned from your own experience?
Please click hereto submit something you would like to share!
Thank you!
For taking the time to share these moments together!
What are you dreams? How will you ensure you are nourished?
Please forward my newsletter to friends and family who may be interested.
I welcome all feedback, please share your ideas and inspirations with me!
Be well, nourished and blessed! Lou
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