Sunday, September 28, 2008

Happy New Year 5769

Monday night begins the Jewish New Year, a very holy and serious holiday during which one takes an accounting of his life and deeds and makes amends to anyone he hurt or fought with. Under Jewish Law, it is required that one apologize and ask forgiveness three times -- if the other won't forgive -- you are absolved of the requirement and it is considered over. Rosh Hashana involves praying a lot, and eating a lot of sweet food so you will have a sweet year. It is a time for one to reconcile with God, with one's fellow man, and so importantly, with oneself. If you are mad at yourself for a mistake made, if you harbor feelings of self-hatred, remorse, or sadness, Rosh Hashana, and the 10 days leading to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, give you the opporunity to get it right. This is the time for self-reflection, personal and spiritual growth. For those seeking a spiritual connection to God or a Higher Power, Rosh Hashana provides a context in time, a shelter, if you will, in which to accomplish this somewhat daunting task. It is so hard to get it right all of the time. One significant aspect of Repentence, or Teshuvah, during this holiday, is that you foreswear the repetition of the offense. So, you cursed in traffic. You say, "Sorry," to God and promise not to do it again. And if you do, you will repent again next year....There are many levels of meaning, much deeper than this simplistic explanation. Rosh Hashana is the Jewish celebration of creation. And we, as God's people, must create anew every day. And with each and every decision we make, we are re-creating the world. So, I would like to publicly like to say that I am sorry for any offenses I committed, knowingly (I did curse in traffic the other day), or unknowingly -- My apologies to God and the Cosmos. I believe that this will be a great year, a year of great opportunities, great challenges, and great joy. And a Blessing, that this year bring you Sweetness and Light and all things Good! Shana Tova!

The New Year

DAILY LIFT
TODAY IN JEWISH HISTORY
GROWING EACH DAY

#408 Positive Thoughts Increase Energy Positive thoughts add to your vitality and energy. Worry and other negative thoughts take away your energy. Be aware of what thoughts you would be wise to increase and what thoughts you should decrease or even eliminate.
[From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's new book: "Taking Action" - page 84] (Artscroll.com)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Job Affirmations by Sinara Stull O'Donnell

Job Affirmations:

I thank God for my perfect job.

The perfect job is coming my way now.

All paths open for me now.

The Christ Within is leading me to perfect employment.

The career that I was meant to have, I have now.

I visualize myself in the right situation for me.

My positive attitude is drawing opportunities to me now.

I thank God for all my blessings and gifts.

I look to the future for radiant blessings.

I am filled with Light. I am whole. I am in the right place at the right time.

All joy that is meant to be is mine now.

I am eager to give to world and the world is eager to give to me.

My joyous attitude attracts joy, prosperity and success. I thank you, God.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Thank you Cherrie McKenzie of Coactive Dreams

I use a lot of Guided Imagery in my Life Coaching work. I have not met many other coaches who do, so I was more than happy to see that Therapist Cherrie McKenzie of Coactive Dreams had become a follower on my blog. Here is one of Cherrie's references to Imagery and Health. Thank you Cherrie! Have a great week!

http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2008-mchi/4403.html

Do You Want to Be Happy?

Then go find someone you can help, someone to whom you can give something of value -- your time, your talents, a smile, a piece of gum -- Be useful in the best way -- be compassionate. It's not a secret, and it works. And don't forget to smile. Your own happiness quotient will rise as you are able to give to others. Have a great week! Paula

From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's New Book -- "Taking Action"

#402 The Benefit of Building Up Your Zrizus State

When you are in an energized and enthusiastic emotional state, you feel like doing much more than when you are a low energy, down state. Some emotional states are conducive to taking action, and other states aren't. Your emotional states are the sum total of your breathing rate, brain waves, blood pressure, energy level, heartbeat, hormones, immune system, muscle tension, physiology, and tone of voice. Because every state you experience is stored in your magnificent brain, I advocate naming your best and most resourceful states. When you do this, you will find it easier to access those positive states. The next time you find yourself in a "zrizus state," say to yourself, "This is my zrizus state." Be aware of your thoughts, mental images, and feelings when you are in this zrizus state.
[From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's new book: "Taking Action" - page 51] (Artscroll.com)
See more Daily Lifts on "alacrity"See Rabbi Pliskin's new book "Taking Action"

Believe and Achieve Miracles

Leon -- 2007 Winner of Britain's X Factor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMO4-HzMqRg

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Zen Habits

Good news from zenhabits.com


zen habits
How to Never Forget Anything Again
Posted: 17 Sep 2008 06:08 PM CDT
I just wrote a guest post for Tim Ferriss of The Four Hour Work Week fame that shows my current setup for never forgetting a thing:
How to Never Forget Anything Again
The post shows the four key habits for maintaining a comprehensive system for all your information and tasks, as well as my current setup:
Evernote for notes
Gmail and Gcal for email and calendar
Anxiety for tasks
Jott for notes on the go
If you like the post, I’d really appreciate it if you helped spread the word by sharing it on Delicious, StumbleUpon or Digg!
By the way, if you haven’t read Tim’s best-selling book yet (and I’m sure you have), you should definitely check it out: The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. It’s an inspiring book packed with great ideas about simplifying your life, focusing on the important stuff, creating an automated business, and getting the most out of life. Really a must-read.

From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

Some good questions to ponder. Have a great day!
#399 Plan Your DayAt the beginning of each day, ask yourself:

[1] What are my goals for today?
[2] What are the five most important things that I need to do today and what is their order of priority?
[3] What new Torah (Bible) knowledge do I plan to gain today?
[4] What acts of kindness can I do today?
[5] What one trait would I like to excel in today?
[6] What positive change am I resolved to make or maintain today?
[7] If today were my last day, what would I make certain to do?
[8] How can I gain by looking at today as the first day of the rest of my life?
[9] What would you like written on my tombstone? What do I plan to do today in that area?
[10] What is important for me to remember today?

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sinara

One year ago today, my best friend died. Sinara was her name. To say that she was special, is more than a gross understatement. Sinara was an actress, comedienne, motivational speaker, writer and friend to hundreds of people. She wrote a book called "Be the Star of Your Own Life," and she was certainly the star of hers! Wherever she went, there was laughter and fellowship and kindness and joy. She made everyone around her better for having known her. Sin, you would have loved this election, and you wouldn't have believed it!

I just took down the book you gave me, "The Power to Write," and opened, by God's plan, to this quote,

"Tell us the details, Pay tribute to all the everyday & extraordinary things..."
-- Natalie Goldberg

You are remembered and loved. Paula

The Inner Travel Journal

Halina Gold has some good book recommendations to revive your spirit. Check out her blog:

http://www.halinagold.net/blog/

Have a Hallmark Day

Do you want to feel good? Find a way to help someone out. Open a door for someone, pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line, give to your favorite charity. At Compassionate Communications, they have partnered with Hallmark to send cards to people hospitalized with life-threatening illnesses. You can even enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope to hear back from the recipient. Be a mensch (a good guy) today! Here's the link:

http://www.compassionatecommunications.com/about

(Sinara -- I know you are looking down -- one year today -- I'm waiting for my sign)! Love, Paula

Monday, September 15, 2008

Maverick ADD

I would highly recommend the book Odd One Out by Jennifer Koretsky for a new look at ADD. You'll find more information about Jennifer's work at: http://www.odd-one-out.net/

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Learning

I have been in school since I was three years old which means that I have a lot of years of learning behind me. But, in my mind, I feel that my greatest learning is yet to come. I am what is called a "life-long learner," or someone who keeps studying and learning new things.

I am constantly working on refining my Life Coaching skills, though I find that the process is more art than technique. I use my knowledge of the client, the practice of the theory and modalities of Life Coaching, as set forth by the International Coach Federation, and then something entirely different happens. As I synthesize the information I am hearing, something else takes over and my coaching comes from a place of understanding that defies logic.

This is true in all arts and sciences. First you learn the theory and technique, until you master them. Then, the art takes over the process. Coaching takes on a life of its own. It's not that I don't reframe, or actively listen, or pose powerful questions. It's that the way in which it comes together is, in Jungian terminology, from the "collective unconscious." If I am lucky, or in tune, I am led to "points" which are the real communication behind the words. This is the place where belief, experience and willingness to change all intersect, and where break-throughs occur. Of course, the client has to be ready for the other side of the fence in order to go over the wall. But that is the beauty of coaching -- people, often in short periods of time, go over that wall into the next level.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

One thing at a time

Most people look at goals like mountains they have to climb -- today! Since a whole mountain in one day would be a little daunting, to say the least, they stay in their chairs in front of the TV and let the years pass. But every mountain is a series of steps to be climbed -- one at a time. If you can only do one thing today -- do it! Throw out one piece of paper. Make one telephone call. File one piece of paper. But the trick -- or the solution -- is in doing one thing. Because enough individual actions lead to completion of the task, reaching the goal -- getting to the peak of the mountain. Here's to the climb!