The Latest News, Views, and Gurus
Vol. 2, No. 2
Hello Readers!
We, Ann Leach and Michelle Beaulieu Pillen, co-authors of
Goal Sisters: Live the Life You Want With A Little Help From Your Friends, are coming to you from our book’s online home at
www.goalsisters.com.
‘Tis the season of love and passion and we have to ask, “Do you love your whole life - the busy parts, the uncomfortable parts, the successful parts? Or are you experiencing less than loving thoughts and feelings about your body, your job, your relationship with your significant other?” Grab your ever-faithful journal and let’s explore how you can infuse more passion into your life!
* * ACTIVITY: FINDING MORE PASSION * *
This month’s activity is about assessing where you’re at in each area of your life. Over the past month, you’ve set some goals for yourself, and now, reality is setting in. Maybe it’s been difficult finding the time, resources, and support you needed to accomplish your goals. Perhaps you’re achieving your goals at a supersonic pace and it’s been hard to keep up! How do you regain your balance and your passion? Adjust your point of view and your action plan.
1. Devote one page in your journal for each of our goal areas: Family and Friends, Job/Career, Money, Physical and Emotional Health, Environment, Volunteer Service, Spirituality, Significant Other, Personal Growth, Creativity and Play.
2. For each category ask yourself, “What do I love about ______?” Example: What do I love about my personal growth? I love that I give myself time to journal at the end of each day, that I am open to new ways of looking at old situations, that I have found a new style of meditation, etc.
3. Now identify what’s causing you to feel off kilter about each goal category. Ask yourself, “What else could I do to love this area of my life?” and record your responses. Example, “What else could I do to love my personal growth?” I could find an online study group for the self-help book I’m reading, I could commit to a daily meditation time, I could express gratitude to three people who have supported me in the past, etc. Chances are that committing to and taking these actions will lead you to feeling more passionate about your life!
4. Meet up with your Goal Sister and share your responses. Tell each other what you love about your lives and what you will do over the next month to restore your balance and increase your passion. Celebrate your new commitments by doing something together that you both love!
* * MICHELLE’S STORY * *
My mother-in-law is visiting us this month, so of course, we’re doing things we usually don’t do in places we usually don’t visit. Last weekend, we spent the afternoon in Chinatown and celebrated (along with 10,000 other people!) the start of the Chinese New Year 4703, the Year of the Rooster. Besides marveling at the dragons and enjoying the people watching, I relished being away from my familiar surroundings.
In fact, I love being a stranger in places where other people call home. Everything is new and different for me. My senses are heightened. There are endless possibilities for getting lost, for misunderstanding, for feeling uncomfortable. And while I don’t necessarily handle all of these situations with poise and grace, I appreciate the opportunity to practice mindfulness.
Last weekend was no exception! I had the chance to be mindful about how much money I spent on trinkets and souvenirs. I had opportunities to practice keeping my cool when my kids got antsy waiting for the start of the parade. And, instead of taking offense when anyone looked at my family and me as if we were aliens from another planet, I chuckled to myself and imagined how I might feel if my community’s celebration was being invaded by people who don’t look, act, and speak like me.
Growing up in Hawai’i has given me an appreciation for being an insider and an outsider. Fortunately, I still have many opportunities to learn something about myself - and the communities I visit - with each step I take out of my comfort zone.
Here's hoping that your Year of the Rooster brings you a wealth of opportunities to learn more about yourself and others.
* * ATTENTION GRABBING GURUS * *
We know that while the enthusiasm for positive change is present, there are times that a little fear might creep in to the plans (ok, maybe a lot of fear!). To help you normalize and ease those fears, we have a ‘classic’ book reference to share with you this month,
Love is Letting Go of Fear by Dr. Gerald Jampolsky. In his book, Dr. Jampolsky writes:
“Fear always distorts our perception and confuses us to what is going on. Love is the total absence of fear. Love asks no questions. Its natural state is one of extension and expansion, not comparison and measurement. Love, then, is really everything that is of value, and fear can offer us nothing because it is nothing.”
If your fears are regularly showing up, we encourage you to review Chapter 5 in your Goal Sister book and start saying farewell to fear and hello to more love in your life!
* * GOAL SISTERS HAPPENINGS * *
Tulsa, Oklahoma is THE Goal Sisters place to be this weekend! Why? Because Ann will be signing books for you and your Sisters at the TV 6 Women’s Show on Saturday the 12th, courtesy of Borders’ Bookstore. Stop by the Borders booth for some fun and sharing with Ann anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 12 p.m. The Women’s Show will continue until 5 p.m. that day.
Can’t make it to Tulsa? There’s always the Women’s Show in Springfield, Missouri on February 26th. Yep, Ann will be at the Empire Fairgrounds, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., signing books, meeting potential Sisters, and sharing tips for goal success based on the Goal Sisters process.
If you can’t make it to these events, check out the Web site for frequent updates and sharing about other happenings.
Would you like to connect with a Goal Sister in your city or town? Contact Michelle at
michelle@goalsisters.com and she’ll be happy to post your request on the GS Group page at
www.goalsisters.com/bio.htm. If you live in Chicago, Raleigh NC, King of Prussia PA, Joplin MO, or Indianapolis IN, Michelle can help you connect with women who have already approached us with their requests!
As always, we love to hear from you regarding your progress, your stumbling blocks, and your successes.
Onward and upward,
Ann and
Michelle
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to all the women you know who are ready to amp up the fun and focus in their friendships while transforming themselves and their lives! Thanks!!
Copyright © 2004 by Ann Leach and Michelle Beaulieu Pillen, Ph.D. All rights reserved. No part of this Web site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise.
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