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Welcome to SoulFULLY Living #84...
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How Good Can You Stand It?
I've always loved this question. And, I've always aspired to
explore the edges of this question. These days, I'm getting countless
opportunities to do just that...enjoying profound HAPPINESS. I
highly recommend it.
It's true there are several phenomenal new announcements and
happenings in my life (and I can barely wait to tell you about them
in this issue!) However, the basics of my life are pretty much the
same. Same business, same relationship, same routines, and same
seasonal allergies. In fact, depending on how you twist things, which
is what we are always doing with reality anyway, one could make a
case for how "stressful and challenging" this time is. But, that's not
my reality...at all. Not these days.
Want to know what's contributing to my happiness?? This
week's feature article is "7 Keys to Profound Happiness." The
elements contributing to my happiness are not the outside
things (although those are great too). There is a fundamental shift
I've experienced in applying many of the principles I teach. In
addition, I've recently spent time dwelling on my "strengths." And,
mostly, I've dropped virtually all "resistance" to life. The result is
HAPPINESS!!
Announcements
We're MOVING...
John and I are moving THIS Friday, June 1st to Laguna
Niguel, CA. Southern California, here we come! While moves often
trigger "stress", many of you know, I am the "Queen of Moving." I view
it as a fun opportunity to flex my "inner peace muscles." I've
given John the "INNER PEACE CHALLENGE." I'll let you know how he does
in applying the inner peace principles throughout the move. We'll
continue to rent in Los Gatos for awhile, so we can commute back and
forth.
Skytran
Why are we moving? My husband's Skytran business is
demanding more of his time. Skytran is a personal rapid transit (PRT)
system. It's very Jetson-like. These two person vehicles, run on a
guide way 20 feet overhead, goes 100 mph, for 10 cents a mile, with
virtually NO emissions. The system costs a tiny fraction of building a
freeway. Over the next year and a half, John's team is building a
demonstration system in Irvine. Feel free to check it out.
www.unimodal.com
New Web Look - FINALLY!
www.LifeCoachMary.com
When I created my website six years ago, I truly thought the
banner and buttons would be "temporary." It's true I love dolphins,
but I had every intention of creating a customized, more professional
look. My site has grown tremendously over the years, and I'm proud to
say it has a new look and feel. But, don't get too attached to it. I
will be simplifying and updating it further over the months to
come.
Enjoy the new look of www.LifeCoachMary.com
NEW SERIES!!!
Conversations with the
MASTERS of COACHING
Beginning in July 2007, you'll have the opportunity to hear
me interview the best Master Certified Coaches (MCC's*) of the
industry!! Following the same format as my original Conversations
with the Masters series, I'll be featuring ONE MCC each month over
the course of a year. These will be live *free* conference calls.
*MCC is the highest ccreditation offered through the International Coach Federation.
Whether you're a coach or just intrigued with how coaching
affects transformation, come learn from some of the BEST coaches in the
industry. These are all individuals I personally respect and
admire deeply. I'm excited to tap their wisdom and expertise for
all.
This idea emerged at an ICF Conference a couple years ago.
Last week, I was in dialog with renowned coach, Patrick Williams, MCC.
He had graciously offered to review my book, The Power of Inner
Choice (visit Amazon
to see his comments). As we spoke, I knew the timing was right.
Patrick Williams, MCC, CEO and founder of The Institute for Life
Coach Training, is our FIRST in the Conversations with the
MASTERS OF COACHING series. I've since reached out to my
hand-selected list, and am thrilled at our line-up of premiere MCC's.
Sandy Vilas, MCC, President of Coach Inc., Laura Berman Fortgang, MCC,
Rick Tamlyn, MCC, Marcia Reynolds, MCC and Margaret Krigbaum, MCC are a
few of the coaches you'll be hearing from. Stay tuned for more details.
iTunes!!
Your favorite Conversations with the Masters are now
on iTunes!! Thanks to my fabulous virtual assistant Ros and the
wonders of online technology, you can download the Master interviews
you love most, and listen to them on your ipod for free.
Because of the popularity, I may ultimately need to charge a small fee
for the podcasts to cover bandwidth charges. Until then, please
enjoy them and feel free to spread the word.
New Programs Survey...
Thank you to those of you who completed my mini-survey last
month. I'm adding new programs, and I would still love your input. Where
would you most LOVE coaching? How could I contribute to your
deepest level of fulfillment, inner peace and success? Please
take a few seconds and take my short survey. Click on 1
or more subjects you're interested in (this doesn't commit you to
enrolling in the course, it just let's me know there is interest for
this subject). Or email me an idea of your own --
mary@lifecoachmary.com
Each of the programsmwould be taught as a 4-12 week Teleclass series.
CLICK HERE to complete the Survey
Success and
Inner Peace Bootcamp
Please read the NEW
Bootcamp Invitation online at www.lifecoachmary.com/bootcamp.htm.
One of my strengths IS helping people create BOTH "success" and
"inner peace" in their lives. On May 8th, I recorded a special
call to give people an experience of the Success
and Inner Peace Bootcamp. We talked about goals, walked
everyone through a visualization, and discussed the 4 Power Choices.
We ended the call with a Q&A about the Bootcamp. Next begins on Tuesday,
June 12th (bumped out due to the move). A powerful and
conscious group of individuals are enrolling in THIS bootcamp. If
you consider yourself to be evolved and ready to accelerate both your
success and inner peace...please consider joining us. I would love to
support you on your path.
www.lifecoachmary.com/bootcampvisualization.htm
and for the
Top 10 Reasons to Join the Bootcamp
www.lifecoachmary.com/top10reasons.htm
This week's features...
Soulfully Being:
7 Keys to Profound Happiness - How
good can YOU stand it? Happiness is an inside job. And, perhaps
happiness is what emerges when all resistance drops. Below are seven
elements which have contributed immensely to my own happiness. Maybe
they'll work for you too!!
Magic Moment:
The Magic of Adoption - These two magic moments are
particularly precious to me because they come from two of my favorite
Bootcamp participants. And, John and I are in the process of making a
baby. Thank you Cheryl and Laina for sharing your stories!
Peace and Love,
Life Coach Mary, CPCC, MCC
SUBSCRIBE/unsubscribe
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7 Keys to
Profound Happiness
These
days my happiness quotient feels like it's sailing off the charts.
Maybe it seems I'm always rather cheerful. Trust me, I've ridden my
share of emotional roller coasters. I've prided myself in being "very
human," which -- in my mind -- meant feeling every human
emotion. But, maybe my husband is right. Maybe HAPPINESS IS the
default state. Maybe if all resistance is simply removed from life,
happiness naturally emerges. Somehow, it seems to be flowing steadily
into my life.
So why
AM I so deliriously happy? Great question. This is the very
question I was asking myself last week. What is different?
There are several distinct elements which have come together. I
imagine if you focused on these elements...you'd be deliriously happy
too.
1.
Weekly Check-ups. For my Success and Inner Peace Bootcamps,
I recently created a weekly preparation form, supporting participants
to integrate key elements of the program. Participants share progress
toward top goals, and elements relating to "inner peace." After
seeing participants share for several weeks, I committed to completing
the form too... and now send it to the group each week.
There is
something profound about reporting your life to another, whether to a
coach or group. This is where the happiness started to swell for me.
Some of my favorite questions on the Bootcamp Prep Form include:
* What has contributed to my sense of “inner
peace” over the last week?
* What “inner peace culprits” interrupted my
connection? How could I eliminate this “inner
peace culprit?”
*
How have I responded to Spirit over the last
week?
* What new distinctions, realizations or
insights have occurred to me over the past week?
* Where is my next opportunity for a
breakthrough? (i.e. shifting a limiting belief, etc.)
2.
Daily Gratitude. This isn't a new concept. However, putting it
CONSISTENTLY into practice IS new, at least for me.
At the
Mega-Book Marketing conference in March, I heard Jack Canfield speak
about the "gratitude rituals" of featured speakers in The Secret. Apparently,
each morning before Rhonda Byrne gets out of bed, she connects with
feelings of "gratitude" until a tear comes to her eye. When James Ray
gets out of bed in the morning, as his right foot touches the floor, he
says "thank." As his left foot touches the floor, he says, "you."
And, all the way to the bathroom, he says, "thank," "you," "thank,"
"you", "thank," "you"... Jack writes several "gratitudes" in his
journal each morning before he gets up. I also know Oprah has been
flexing the "gratitude" muscle for years. She writes down at least
five things she's grateful for at the end of each day. Hmmmm.
In my
book, The Power of Inner Choice, and in my Bootcamps, I talk
about the importance of keeping your energy vibration high. One of the
most effective is through "daily gratitude." I haven't always been
consistent. But, I got inspired. And, the Bootcamp Prep Form asks, "What
Daily Ritual(s) did I thoroughly enjoy this past week? And, "What
Daily Ritual would I like to give special attention to over the coming
week?"
At the end of EACH day, I go to a Word document in my computer called
"Gratitudes.doc" I type in my "gratitudes," which for me, also
includes the big and little successes of the day. Completing the day
on a high note of appreciation is amazing. And, it's much harder to
forget the good stuff pouring in when you're writing it down each day.
The compounding effect of this simple choice each day has contributed
significantly to my happiness. And, it seems to be attracting more and
more items to include on my ever-expanding gratitude list.
If you
like to journal, you may want to pick up the 365 Days of Gratitude
journal by Sherrie Austin. On her website you may also sign-up for a
"daily dose of gratitude" at www.365DaysofGratitude.com
(She's also a Bootcamp participant!)
3.
Focus on your STRENGTHS. One of my coaches Ken Abrams, MCC, was
raving about Marcus Buckingham's latest book "Go Put Your Strengths To
Work." Next to this book was "Strengths Finder 2.0" I bought both.
Like many people, I've put A LOT of attention on my areas for
improvement, and glossed over the strengths. Wouldn't it be egocentric
to focus on your strengths? As silly as it sounds, it didn't seem
obvious to me what my "strengths" were. Thank goodness for Strengths
Finder 2.0. Seriously.
At the
back of Strengths Finder 2.0 is a code, allowing you to take an
assessment online. There are 34 strength categories, they call
"themes." The test reveals your top five themes. It
turns out my top five strength categories are:
1) Connectedness.
Hopefully, you feel my authentic "warm and fuzzies" beaming at you
through this email. Those with "connectedness" as a strength have
faith in the links between all things. We believe there are few
coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.
2) Input.
This means I like to take in and archive LOTS of information and
input. That fits. I love gathering mass amounts of information to
empower and enlighten. I love hearing about people's lives. And, ask
my husband, I love "talky-talk" time.
3) Futuristic.
As much as I teach "living in the present," I am inspired by the
future, and love to inspire others with their visions of the future.
4) Relator.
Hmmm. This one fit too. Those with the Relator theme enjoy close
relationships, and find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends
(or clients) to achieve a goal.
5) Ideation.
I never recognized myself as a big idea person, although it's
true...I'm fascinated by ideas. (Look at me go on strengths!). Our
strength is finding connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
And, I guess creating my new program "Conversations with the Masters of
Coaching" reflects that strength.
I've
found, focusing on strengths allows me to own them on a deeper level.
Life feels easier. I feel even more authentic. It's certainly one of
the key elements which has boosted my happiness factor. Funny how we
can resist our strengths. I'm also recognizing and owning
other strengths (why own just five?). One of my passions is promoting
information and people I believe empower and enlighten. So,
unabashedly, if you cannot confidently name your top five strengths,
invest $11.97
in Strengths Finder 2.0 and go take the online assessment.
4. Grounding in Stillness. A few weeks ago, my husband and I
attended Adyashanti's Five Day
Silent Meditation Retreat. I've NEVER been a big meditator. It's
actually been my intention to meditate as a "daily ritual" -- for well
over a decade. However, spending five full days in silence with
Adyashanti is a great way to kick-start a meditation practice. It was
for me.
There
were six 30-40 minute meditations and two satsangs each day. At the
satsangs, Adya spoke, and then answered questions from the group. The
focus was simply to relax into the silence and stillness, without
resisting any thoughts. Since my life is typically rather intense, I
was ecstatic to turn my brain off for several days. I left in a rather
dreamy, peaceful state.
Once
home, impulses would call me to meditate, which was a bit surprising at
first. However, I've come to realize that "grounding in silence" is
one of my keys to happiness.
Several
days after the retreat, I was on a training call where I was inundated
with information. I got off the call, and instantly wanted to go
meditate. But, I didn't. I continued to work and work through the end
of the day. Finally, before going for a walk with my husband, I said,
"I must meditate first." Fifteen minutes of silence and
stillness, and my profound happiness returned. Now when I finish a
long series of coaching calls or hop off of an intense training, I
claim 10-20 minutes of silence. From this "connected space," happiness
naturally emerges.
5.
Honor Your Spirit's Guidance. How have I
responded to Spirit over the last week? Being
attuned to my "inner voice" AND responding to it is another key to
profound happiness for me. By honoring our "inner guidance"
consistently, a natural rhythm emerges. My intellect believes it knows
what my best path is. However, the "real me" knows better. I've
learned to listen for it, trust it, and respond accordingly. My
recent website launch, new Conversations with the Masters of
Coaching, inspiration to take the Strengths Finder 2.0 assessment,
and impulses to meditate are all a result of honoring my Spirit's
Guidance.
By the way, it's easier to recognize this voice when your
grounded in gratitude, stillness, your strengths, and you report in
once a week about "How you've been honoring your Spirit."
6.
Intention. I remember reacting to my husband early in our
relationship. I was upset. "You want me to be happy ALL the time!
You want me to be like Elizabeth." (Elizabeth is the friend who
introduced us, and she seems happy all of the time)." In my mind, this
wasn't realistic. My reality was ups and downs. How could he expect
me to be happy ALL the time?
Fortunately,
I investigated this assumption more objectively. Hmmmm. "John wants
me to be happy all the time." That's rather sweet. If I'm not all
busy reacting to this thought "He wants me to be happy all the time,"
maybe I would appreciate that he cares about my happiness. I turned
the statement around,
"I want me to be happy all the time."
At the core of my being, this IS true. I hadn't really thought about
this possibility. Somehow, this idea stuck in my subconscious mind.
An intention was born.
I
actually forgot about this mini-realization until I began writing this
article. Just creating the possibility of "being happy all the time"
sets intention in motion.
7.
And EVERYTHING. I could go on and on about other elements
contributing to my happiness (but this is getting a bit long!). When
you're profoundly happy, it seems that EVERYTHING is adding to
it. Some of the other biggies include laughter, living squarely in the
present moment, aligning with reality (however it unfolds), being
silly, snuggling on the couch, watching sunsets, daily walks, reading
inspiring books, staying at choice and being surrounded by people you
love.
One of
the biggest bonuses of being profoundly happy is seeing the look on my
husband's face as he witnesses my happiness. I'm not faking it. Nor
am I "trying" to be happy to please him. It's the natural result of
intention + responding to spirit + grounding in stillness + focusing on
strengths + gratitude + weekly check-ins. It's the natural result of
dropping all resistance to life.
Maybe
next month will be different. But, for now I wouldn't trade any of
these elements from my life. Maybe they'll work for you too. Enjoy!
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What
makes you deliriously HAPPY?
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. . . . . .
| The Magic of Adoption
For
two years my (ex)husband and I tried to conceive and all of our friends
around us were having babies left and right. My doctor check-up
discovered endometriosis, not life threatening but definitely not
helping my fertility. I had surgery to clear away the endometriosis and
I took a VERY expensive medicine to help me with pregnancy but to no
avail.
Each month I would cringe and cry when my cycle arrived - it was really
traumatic for me.
At one point I asked my doctor if he thought adoption would help me get
pregnant. He laughed and answered "there is no scientific evidence to
support this."
After what seemed like a lifetime of wishing, waiting, hoping and
praying, a family friend contacted us and asked if we were interested
in a private adoption. A friend of her sister was 17, pregnant and
wanted to privately adopt her baby. Private adoptions were pretty
unheard of at that time and it took us two attorneys to determine if it
could be done.
During the adoption process, we started building our new home and
during the interior staining and varnishing I started getting really
dizzy. My mother-in-law laughed and said I was probably pregnant.
When the doctor called to tell me the results of my pregnancy test I
didn't hear what she said. I asked her to repeat it - it didn't seem
possible that I was actually finally pregnant.
Derrick was born on May 7th and we proudly brought him home from the
hospital when he was only 24 hours old. Taylor was born almost exactly
6 months later on Nov. 17th and I knew that all my prayers really had
been answered.
My GYN had to eat crow on this - scientific or not, the adoption really
seemed to open the door for our blessings!
And ironically (or maybe not so ironic) Derrick (our adopted son) was
(is) the spitting image of my ex-husband. Blonde hair, big blue eyes, a
round face and during his childhood, our friends always confused
him as our birth son because he was (is) the spitting image of his dad.
Have faith. Your blessings will arrive just at the right time and you
will enjoy and embrace absolutely every moment. I truly believe in the
power of love & prayer!
Much love & respect! Cheryl
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Laina's
Story
I too have a similar story. Lauren, our first child, was 3 years old
when we decided to try for baby # 2. After 5 years of emotional heart
breaks including, two miscarriages, and a tubal pregnancy, we decided
to adopt. Once all of the preliminary adoption “stuff” was taken care
off, I started feeling sick.
I knew what was going on, and stopped the adoption process, because I
was so upset I would be in the middle of a wonderful adoption, and then
have to deal with the emotions of another loss.
As we waited for nature to take its course, and have a miscarriage, we
got past the farthest point in a pregnancy, since Lauren, and I reached
14 weeks. Then 20 weeks, and still pregnant. I did go on bed rest
around 24 weeks and at 36 weeks, I gave birth to the most delicious
baby boy ever born. I call him Spencerlicious! And 6 years later, for
the heck of it, we adopted our 3rd precious child, Tony.
Share
a Magic Moment email: mary@lifecoachmary.com
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Living. We LOVE hearing feedback....especially if you've enjoyed this
issue. Let us know what you like, so we can give you more of what you
want. And, if you've got a suggestion of how we might improve or
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Creating Fulfillment
One Life at a Time
Issue #84 • <5/31/07>
Are you READY for a
successful and
"PEACE-FILLED" year?
Next
Begins
June 12th
Take one of the remaining available spaces...
NEW
INVITATION ONLINE
***************
FOR
COACHES ONLY:
Coach Inc's
Group Coaching SIG invited me to speak to their group. My topic is:
"Simple Secrets of a Six-Figure Coach"
featuring
Mary Allen, MCC
Join us for a revealing
talk about the successes and failures on my journey to becoming a
six-figure coach. Receive two free chapters of my book for attending.
JUNE 6th at 12 Noon Pacific
(3pm Eastern)
407-649-8983
Conversations with the Masters
with Life Coach Mary
featuring...
Gay & Kathlyn
Hendricks
Tuesday,
June 26th
12:00-1:00pm Pacific
(3-4pm Eastern)
CLICK here to
REGISTER
www.lifecoachmary.com/
consciousloving.htm
"Kathlyn and Gay Hendricks are masters of the art of
relationships!"
-John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars
Conversations
with the
Masters
of
COACHING
with Life Coach Mary
featuring...
Patrick Williams 
Tuesday, July 31st 12:00-1:00pm
Pacific
(3-4pm Eastern)
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Use the code in the
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- Debbie Ford, #1 New York Times best-selling
author of The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, The Right Questions and
The Best Year of Your Life
________________________
Conversations
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featuring...
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President of Coach Inc.
Monday,
August 20th 4:00-5:00pm Pacific
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Conversations
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Masters
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COACHING
with Life Coach Mary
featuring...
Laura Berman
Fortgang
Wednesday,
October 24th 12:00-1:00pm Pacific
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