"A New Earth" and a New Way of Thinking

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share with you a couple of things that I just think are super fantastic. Even more, both of these great finds are FREE!

The first is an online class many of you may have heard of. I wanted to encourage everyone to sign-up and tune-in for Eckhart Tolle's and Oprah's online class of "A New Earth". It is never to late to tune-in and previous classes are available for viewing and downloading. The online course is every Monday night from 9:00pm - 10:30pm EST. I am re-reading the book along with the class and my life is really changing in ways I have never experienced, and I was pretty happy to begin with.

You can find out more information and sign-up by going to this link:

http://www.oprah.com/index.jhtml

The second great find I wanted to share with you is Byron Katie's "The Work". I have been using her work with some of my coaching and it has really made an impact on many others and their ways of thinking, including other coaches.

Also, this Work is a great tool to use in conjunction with studying "A New Earth". There are a couple worksheets available for you to view and download and use. The link for them is below:

http://www.thework.com/thework.asp

Both of these wonderful teachings are priceless and will help anyone realize how wonderful life truly is, as is. They both will challenge your ways of "thinking" and help you to remove obstacles you are unconsciously putting up for yourself.

In addition, I practice both of these techniques daily and if anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me an email and I would love to help you better understand these life changing techniques.

ENJOY!!

Feeling "Blah" Today.....Escape Now !

Many people experience days where they express as, "feeling blah". So that got me thinking....what exactly is "feeling blah"? What I have figured out is that "feeling blah" can mean different feelings for different people.

Some people use the term "blah" when they are feeling down and out, or even upset or depressed. Others use the term more loosely and just experience feelings of indifference or lacking excitement and fun. In addition, some people try to analyze where the feeling of being "blah" is coming from, while others just accept it as it is.

Even I use to express feelings of "blah-ness" years ago, and as I recall, it was not a pleasant feeling at all. What I would like to share with all of you are some helpful tips (one of which is simply the photo above) that can help you to escape your feelings of "blah-ness":

1) Just take a moment and look at the picture I have posted along with this blog. Try to only to focus on that picture. What do you see? A beautiful sunset, a cute little puppy, a warm beach shoreline. Notice any memories or feelings that arise in you while you focus on this picture.

2) Take a moment to be still and connect with your inner space, or peace. Take a deep breath and focus on your breath going in and then going out. Notice how your body is nourished with the fresh air going in, and then how refreshing it feels to expel that air. When you truly focus on your breath for only a moment, a sense of relaxation and peace may overcome you and your body.

3) Write down your ideal day. Take a minute or two and write down what an ideal day (or dream day) would look like, and play out for you. If you could do anything or be anywhere, where would that be? What would you be doing? Imagine doing that very thing, or being in that very place. Now look to see if there is any way that you can take something from your ideal day and creatively incorporate it into your current moment? For example, if you imagine relaxing in a hot jacuzzi with candle light, then maybe later in the evening you can take a bath and light a candle or two. Another example could be, if you imagined living in a large new home with beautiful furniture, to go out and buy one small thing that could represent your ideal home (e.g. a figurine or a fancy glass or vase).

4) Buy yourself a small bouquet of bright flowers and place them in a room you will spend most of your time in today.

There are just a few ideas and tips that you could use and practice in order to escape your feelings of being "blah". I want to point out that if you try any of the tips above, even if it lasted for just a moment (i.e. seconds or minutes), realize that during those moments you were not experiencing or feeling "blah". You were either busy smiling at a nice picture, a nice bouquet of flowers, or figuring out your ideal day.

The world if full of moments.....choose wisely how to fill and experience each of your moments.

Best wishes to all always!!

The Greeks Were Onto Something....Eudaimonism

I will admit that I was not the most inspired history student that ever stepped foot on earth. Nor am I listed in the World’s Guinness Book for having the world’s best memory. Therefore, much of what I had learned in school about history and humanities has seemingly escaped me.

Recently, I stumbled upon an article that sparked my interest. This article was about eudaimonia, which comes from the Greek word for happiness. More specifically, eu means “good” and daimon means “spirit”. As my eyes swallowed each word, I had come to learn a very brief lesson in Greek history. Apparently, Greeks believed that every child born was sanctified with a personal good daimon, which represented their most gifted possible expressions and talents. The Greeks further believed that the personal daimon within each child was revealed by cracking away an outer layer of cheap material. This got me thinking…..how true I believed this to be, well, metaphorically speaking.

I do believe that we each hold a personal daimon. That each of us possesses talents and beliefs that are to serve to guide us in expressing the best within each of us. I also believe that we each need to crack away some of our “outer-layers” in order to find the golden talents within. The “outer-layer” may be in the form of limiting beliefs and/or negative self-talk that we bestow upon ourselves.

I admit, I use to have an outer-layer in which I had to crack through to find my hidden talents and strengths. In fact, years ago when I was younger I loved to draw and create art. One day there was a Halloween drawing contest in my sixth grade classroom. When I thought about entering the contest, I heard an instant negative voice inside my head saying “are you kidding….you think you are good at art, but you really aren’t….what if you lose?” However, a friend of mine convinced me that I should go for it. So I did enter that contest, and out of 25 other students, I won first place. That day had confirmed for me a natural talent that I did indeed possess.

I encourage each of you to believe that you hold a personal eudaimon which can help guide you in your personal growth and reveal your hidden talents.

Below is a little exercise that can help you to tap into your personal eudaimon.

Tapping into your Eudaimon for your Hidden Talents

1) Take a little time one afternoon or evening and grab a couple pieces of paper and a pencil or pen.

2) Then write down every talent or quality that you wish you had. Include even ones that may seem absurd or out of reach (those are often the ones that come from your personal eudaimon).

3) Once you are finished, take another piece of paper and write down all the times that you won recognition for something in your past, as well as writing down things that you enjoy doing so much that you lose track of time.

4) Now, compare each list and identify those that match. What is left is a list of your hidden talents.

Now go explore them and see what flourishes.

Wishing everyone a HAPPY EASTER!!!

"WHO ARE YOU?" - This Video Offers an Explanation

Hello everyone,

I had been made aware of this video today and I was just brought to tears at the end of it. I felt so moved I almost could not contain myself. For those of you who are interested in spirituality and are searching for who are you within, this offers an explanation that I just happen to completely believe in.

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/229

I would love to hear any comments some of you may have after watching the video.
Best wishes always,
Shannon

The Most Important Exercise of Your Life: Just Breath

In today’s world, many people have at some point in their lives felt the importance of exercising. Doctor’s from all over the world ask patients about their exercise habits and the importance of exercising regularly. There are also hundreds of trainers, tapes, and DVD’s containing exercise routines and tips, allowing for a wide range of options to meet various individual needs.

Some exercise routines are recommended by many, while others may feel they are harmful. Then there are also some professionals who believe that too much exercise can even be harmful. For example, prolonged strenuous exercise can lower an individual’s immune system.

However, there is one form of exercise that is universally accepted by nearly every doctor and every other professional out there in the world. This exercise has been proven not only to be physically beneficial, but also mentally beneficial. That exercise is, “breathing”. Several studies have shown that taking the time to effectively breathe can improve your physical health, as well as your mental health. For example, breathing becomes restricted when someone feels frustrated, angry, or stressed out. Breaths become shorter and more shallow, resulting in restricting the function of our lungs.

Taking time to breathe, and being fully aware of your breathing, creates a space in your mind. At that moment the space exists, your thoughts subside and your body begins to relax, allowing for a feeling of presence.

Some people may brush breathing off as effective since they may not receive an instant “Aha” moment, nor a sudden rush of gratification. However, with regular practice, taking time to breath can and will change a person’s life. An inner transformation occurs and allows for a sense of wonder and inspiration. Things in the world may appear differently to them, more beautiful and pure.

Therefore, if you don’t include “breathing” as part of your exercise routine, please start today, and watch the world unfold before your eyes.

Effective Breathing Exercise

1. Sit somewhere comfortable and relax your body and clear your mind.
2. Become aware of your breath.
3. Notice the sensation of each breath. Pay attention to the air moving in and out of your body.
4. Then pay attention to how your chest and abdomen expand and contract with every breath, in and out.
5. Do this for just two or three breaths, preferably several times a day.

Over time your world will change in miraculous ways. ENJOY!

Recommending PENELOPE!

Last night I went to go see a movie that contains one of my favorite actors, James McAvoy. That movie was Penelope. This movie ended up being very fun, funny and best of all, it has a WONDERFUL message (and lesson) about the importance of Self-Love and Self-Image.

As a Self-Image Life Coach, I definitely wanted to recommend this movie. Please go check it out at theater near you. I would love any other comments from people who do go check this flick out.

GO ENJOY!

Is Your Attitude Worth Catching?

Hello everyone. I wanted to share something with all of you that was given to me by a new dear friend.

My new friend sent the following paragraph to me:

William James, one of the founders of modern psychology, said, "The greatest discovery of this generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their attitude." I believe this with all my heart, and over the years have seen it happen countless times. What most people fail to realize is that your attitude not only impacts your happiness and your success, it also can impact the happiness and success of all the people around you...your family, your friends, and your peers at work. Attitudes truly are contagious, and from time to time we need to ask ourselves..."is mine worth catching?"

I just loved this paragraph. Especially the last statement about attitudes being contagious and "is mine worth catching?"

I tested this out personally the other day, and found that attitudes could most definitely be "catching". I realized on the phone with a loved one, and after having been in a traffic jam, that my attitude was less then desirable. As a result, my loved one replied with an "attitude" of their own. Fortunately, I realized this and then adjusted my attitude to be more pleasant. Then, I decided to test out a more positive attitude. When I entered an office the other day, I made an effort to have a very positive attitude. Initially some of the other people in the office looked at me as if I were on some sort of drug. However, I did notice that after a little time, two of the other people in the office, who appeared to have sour attitudes, had lightened their tone and their attitude.

As a result, I do believe that attitudes can in fact be catching. So the next time you are around other people, ask yourself, "is mine worth catching?" If not, then try to adopt one that is.