The Simplest Resolution for 2009

A smile costs nothing, but gives much-

It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.
None are so rich that can get along without it-
And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it.

It enriches those who receive, without making poor those who give-
It creates sunshine in the home,
Fosters good will in business,
And is the best antidote for trouble-
And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is of no value
Unless it is given away.

Some people are too busy to give you a smile-
Give them one of yours-
For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly
As he or she who has no more smiles left to give.

The Wisdom of Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate Hl

A Simple Guide to Being Present for the Overworked and Overwhelmed

“With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

How often are you driving while talking on a cell phone, or thinking about work problems, or the errands you have to do? How often do you eat without thinking about the food you’re eating? How often do you drift off while doing other things, thinking about something you messed up on, or worrying about something that’s coming up?

I would submit that most of us are elsewhere, much of the time, rather than in the here and now.

If I could only give one word of advice to someone trying to find peace in an overwhelming and stressful and chaotic world, it would be this: simplify. But if I could give two more words of advice, they’d be: be present.

I can’t claim to be perfect at being present. I can’t claim that I do it all the time. But I can say this: I’ve been practicing being present for awhile now, and I’ve gotten better at it. I’ve learned a lot about being present, and I’d like to share that with others.

Focus On Now
There are three things we can think about:

1. The past. Reliving things we messed up about. Being embarrassed about something we did. Wishing we could have something back that is gone. Living in memories of good times past. Being angry about things done to us. You get the idea.

2. The future. Worrying about things we need to do later. Worrying about what might happen, or a big event coming up. Being anxious that things might go wrong, or that we might mess up. Hoping for something wonderful. Dreaming of great things to come.

3. The present. What is happening right now, at this moment. What we are doing now.

It is inevitable that we will think about all three. We cannot stop ourselves from thinking about the past or the future. However, with practice, we can focus on the present more than we already do.

But why should we do that? What’s wrong with focusing on the past or future? Nothing’s wrong with it. It isn’t wrong to think about past or future. However, there’s nothing we can do about things that have already happened, and worrying or agonizing about them doesn’t usually do us much good. I’d suggest analyzing what happened, learning from it, and moving on. It’s much healthier.

We also can’t control the future. It’s impossible. We can do things that will change the future, but they might change the future in ways we cannot anticipate. Or they might not change things at all. And the only thing we can do about the future is do something … now. In the present. So focusing on what we do now is the best way to improve the future. Not thinking about the future. I’m not saying you shouldn’t have goals or shouldn’t plan — but goals change (I know this first-hand, as my goals at the end of 2007 were completely different from what they were at the beginning). Plans change. We must be prepared for that change not by overplanning, but by being in the moment and rolling with the punches.

There’s also the problem of missing the present. If we spend most of our time thinking about the past or future, we are missing life itself. It’s passing us by while we’re elsewhere. You can’t get the most out of life unless you learn to focus on being present, while things are happening. Thinking about your childhood, or your kid’s future, is useless if your kids’ childhood is passing by without you being there.

Benefits of Being in the Moment
I’ve noticed a ton of benefits from my increased focus on the present. Here are just a few to consider:

1. Increased enjoyment. I find that I enjoy life more if I’m present rather than having my mind elsewhere. Food tastes better, I have more fun with my family, even work becomes more enjoyable.

2. Reduced stress. Worrying about the past and future gives you stress. But being present is almost like meditation. There are no worries. There is just experiencing.

3. Better relationships. When you really commit yourself to being with someone, to listening to them, you are being a better father, husband, friend, daughter, girlfriend. You have better conversations. You bond.

4. Get things done. I find that focusing on what I’m doing, rather than trying to multitask or multithink a million different things at once, I actually complete what I’m doing, do a better job on it, and get it done faster. I don’t necessarily do more, but I get things done. Focus tends to get things done, in my experience, and when your focus is split among a lot of things, it is less powerful.

The Magic of Flow
There’s a concept called Flow that’s been pretty popular among productivity circles in the last couple of years. I’m a big fan of it myself. In a nutshell, it’s basically losing yourself in whatever you’re doing — reaching that magical zone where you forget about the outside world and are completely doing what you’re doing, whether that’s writing or drawing or coding or whatever.

It’s a wonderfully productive zone to be in, and a state that also, incidentally, makes you happier. Productive and happier at the same time. Hard to beat that.

However, it can’t happen if you’re switching between tasks or thinking about the past or the future. It basically happens when you are in the present. So practicing being present will help you get to flow, which makes you happier and more productive. Best argument yet for being present, perhaps.

Practice, Practice
There’s no single method that will get you better at being present. I don’t have the magical formula, except one word that I often tell my kids when they’re learning anything or striving to be better at anything: practice.

You won’t be good at it at first, most likely. Your mind will wander, or you’ll do a lot of “meta-thinking”, which is just thinking about what you’re thinking, and whether you’re thinking it the right way, and whether there is a right way … and so on, until you’re no longer in the present. That’s normal. We all do that, I think.

Don’t beat yourself up about that. Don’t get discouraged. Just practice.

So what’s the magical method for learning to be present? Practice.

You do it in the morning. You practice it while eating lunch. You do it with your evening jog or walk. You do it while washing dishes after dinner. Every opportunity you get, practice.

And you’ll get better. I promise.

One Month Challenge
The best method I can offer for learning to be present, the best method for practicing, is to focus on it for one month. Make focusing on being present a habit. If you make it your only focus, I guarantee you’ll get better at it, and more importantly, you’ll get into the habit of remembering to focus, of remembering to practice, of being more aware.

Do a one-month challenge. It’s the best method for forming new habits, and it works for being present. A good way to do this is join the monthly challenge on the Zen Habits forums. Then do the following:

• Tell people on the forum what your monthly challenge will be (focusing on being present).

• Log in daily to report on your progress. This gives you the accountability and motivation needed.

• Do the tips below every day for a month.

“The living moment is everything.” - D.H. Lawrence

Tips On Being Present
You just knew I couldn’t end this post without a list of tips. So here are things that have worked for me … pick and choose the ones that you think will work best for you:

1. When you eat, just eat. The best way to think about being present is this: do just one thing at a time. When you are eating, don’t read or think about something else or iron your clothes (especially if you’re eating something that might splatter on the clothes). Just eat. Pay attention to what you’re eating. Really experience it — the taste, the texture. Do it slowly. Same thing with anything else: washing dishes, taking a shower, driving, working, playing. Don’t do multiple things at once — just do what you’re doing now, and nothing else.

2. Be aware. Another important step is to become more aware of your thoughts. You will inevitably think about the past and future. That’s OK. Just become aware of those thoughts. Awareness will bring change.

3. Be gentle. If you think about the past or future, do not beat yourself up about it! Don’t try to force those thoughts out of your head. Just be aware of them, and gently allow them to leave. Then bring yourself back to the present.

4. Zazen. Ah, you were wondering when Zen Habits would have anything to do with Zen, right? Zazen is basically the center of Zen practice. It’s simply sitting. It’s a form of meditation, but really it’s just sitting. You don’t have to contemplate Zen koans or the meaning of the universe or chant anything. You just sit, and focus on sitting. I haven’t done this much recently, but when I have, it has been very useful practice for me.

5. Exercise. These days, exercise is my zazen. Running is my sitting practice. I run, and try to only run. I focus on my running, on my breathing, on my body, on nothing but the present. It’s great practice.

6. Daily routines. Anything can be your zazen. When you wash dishes, this is practice. This is your meditation. When you walk, focus on walking. Make anything you do become practice.

7. Put up reminders. A reminder on your fridge or computer desktop or on your wall is a good thing. Or use a reminder service to send you a daily email. Whatever it takes to keep your focus on practicing being present.

8. There is no failure. You will mess up, but that’s OK, because it is impossible to mess up. The only thing that matters is that you practice, and over time, if you keep doing it, you will learn to focus on the present more often than you do now. You cannot fail, even if you stop doing it for awhile. Doing it at all is success. Celebrate every little success.

9. Keep practicing. When you get frustrated, just take a deep breath. When you ask yourself, “What should I do now, Self?”, the answer is “keep practicing”.

“I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.” - Albert Einstein

Article from ZenHabits.net 

Reconnecting!

Just a reminder of my post in July, just 2 comments so far but would like to hear if anyone else is interested or has any comments. 

As we get close to our first anniversary, it is a reminder of the general commitment we made at the end of our Dublin experience to endeavour to find an occasion to re-unite, share our stories, have fun, and re-energise.

In order to keep this in our minds, and to allow sufficient time to build an event like this into our plans, I suggest we begin a dialogue around when and where we could have such a reunion. Around the second anniversary might be an appropriate time but would welcome comments and suggestions from you all. Please use the comments link at the bottom of this post.

Letting Go

To let go doesn't mean to stop caring; It means I can't do it for someone else. To let go is not to cut myself off... It's the realization that I can't control another... To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences. To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands. To let go is not to try and change or blame another, I can only change myself. To let go is not to care for, but to care about. To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive. To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own outcomes. To let go is not to be protective, It is to permit another to face reality. To let go is not to deny, but to accept. To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them. To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish the moment. To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone, but to try to become what I dream I can be. To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future. To let go is to fear less and love more.

Regaining the Sense of Newness

As human beings, we tend to waste our consciousness by living outside the present. In the run of the day, our thoughts are so often fixed upon either the past or the future, that the mind registers only a minimal amount of what is taking place in the 'now'. As a result of this tendency to function on autopilot, much of the wonder and beauty of life passes us by unnoticed. When we take the bus, for instance, we are more likely to spend the trip thinking about our destination than appreciating the passing scenery, even though we are gazing out the window. And how often do we find ourselves replaying the events of the day at the dinner table, mulling over 'what-ifs' and 'should-have-saids' as we chew and swallow our food absent mindedly? In fact, most of us are so intent on looking either forward or backward at life that we go through much of it as if in a dream, with a limited awareness of present reality.

When we were children we experienced life to the fullest. Providing our needs were met, we had little reason to concern ourselves overmuch with the past or worry about our future, and we experienced the fresh edge of wonder at each new discovery of our world. We existed in the present. As we grow into adults, however, that feeling of awe diminishes because we become caught up in the effort of survival and the demands of time. We spend at least eight hours of every day at some form of employment. When we are not thus employed, we must concern ourselves with other necessities-after-hour appointments, social commitments, the demands of children and spouses-and we increasingly engage the autopilot, which allows us to physically function while we mentally jump ahead to the next task. After a while, this becomes a habitual mode of existence, and our awareness of the world around us narrows because we are rarely fully present in the moment. In effect, we begin to function like sleep walkers in our waking life.

How do we break free from this habitual mode of functioning? How do we regain that sense of newness that will expand our minds and awaken us from the dream? We do it with intent. That is, we must exercise the full power of our human will to become mindful of every action that we undertake. We must constantly remind ourselves to pay close attention to our actions-to relish the sensation of chewing and tasting our food, for example, to feel our hands on the steering wheel and revel in the synchronistic movements of changing gears. Even the simplest gesture-smiling, shaking hands, looking at our watches-must be undertaken with the mind fully focused on the task if we are to awaken to our own existence in the now. This is no mean feat. The habit of living in the past and/or jumping into the future inside our own heads is a difficult one to break. Once we have allowed the consciousness to fall into a state of disuse, it requires a good deal of effort to regain its focus, but the will becomes stronger the more it is utilized, and if we persevere, the rewards will be well worth the effort as our consciousness expands.

EMCC in Prague 4-6 December

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council - of which I am a member - is having its annual conference this year in Prague and I will be attending. Is anyone going or do you know of anyone that is going that might be useful to meet?

This organisation especially interests me because its brings coaching and mentoring together and some of the gurus of mentoring (Clutterbuck, Megginson etc.) will be in Prague.

Celine Launches IntoAction

Celine, congratulations on your new company and the launch of your website today and may the future shine consistently brightly in your hands. The website is a fitting reminder of your passion and skills.

http://www.intoaction.eu/

Living in the Moment

Is this the only real way of finding inner peace? We asked seven writers how they have learnt to appreciate the present
From The Sunday Times - August 17, 2008 - Rosie Boycott

Is anything ever good enough for us? A few weeks ago, I was in one of the most beautiful places in the world: the Skeleton Coast in Namibia. The wind was whipping the sea into a frenzy, making swimming tricky. The day before, it had been calm, and I found myself thinking: "Why weren't we here yesterday?"

Recently, I was at a spa, having a delicious Thai massage. I'd booked a 90-minute treatment, and I decided to have an hour-long massage followed by a half-hour facial. But I was lying there thinking: "I should have made the massage shorter and the facial longer." I wasn't enjoying the moment because I kept thinking of ways I could improve it.

Both times, I let myself slide out of the moment, out of an appreciation of what is here and now. That annoying little worm of dissatisfaction was repeating its wicked mantra in my head: "There's always something better, or different, that I could be doing."

Our consumer society is greatly to blame here: if every advert promises you success if you'd only buy this car, wear this watch, acquire this handbag, then dissatisfaction with what you have and what you are is an inevitable outcome. Putting your life on hold, in the belief that this job, this thing, this event, will magically make it all right, holds no chance of peace. Noticing what is right under your nose - which is the wonder of being alive in a world already full of possibilities - brings riches no material item ever can.

Martha Gellhorn, the war correspondent and one-time wife of Ernest Hemingway, was a close friend of mine. By the time she died in 1998, Martha was in her late eighties, but she was still as alert and fiery as a woman of 30. Her body, which finally betrayed her, had aged, but her mind never did, and I think her secret was that she always lived in the present. Not for her harking back to better times, complaining that things today weren't as good as they had been; not for her complaining that if only this or that would happen, then her life would be magically transformed.

Most of us don't live like this. Our mental chatter, or the civil war in our head, as Bob Geldof once memorably described it to me, goes something like this: "If only I hadn't done that, then everything would be all right." If you think like that - and most of us do - you end up doing things not for their own sake, but for the result you hope they will have. So, when you go to a party and manage to strike up a conversation with a hot director, you'll be missing what he says, because what you're actually thinking is: "Perhaps he'll give me a job." The party passes you by as you're too busy concentrating on some future goal to appreciate what is going on around you.

I'm married to a lawyer. It's his business to deal with people who arrive in his office repeating the mantra, "If only I hadn't, if only she hadn't . . ." When we got married, I'd come home from the office and say, "If only this hadn't happened", and waste hours reliving a situation. He'd calmly reply: "Well, it has happened. You can't change it. Accept it."
And that's the real point: acceptance. We cannot change people, places or things - only our reactions. Someone said to me recently that thoughts of the past are generally full of resentments and thoughts of the future full of fear. How true.

Taking each day just as it comes is the true art of living. On my good days, messing about on the farm, watching a piglet trying to squeeze his chubby little body under a gate, eating a tomato I've grown myself, loving what I have rather than longing for what I don't, or just hanging out with my nearest and dearest, I know exactly what Joyce Grenfell meant when she said: "There's no such thing as time, only this very minute, and I'm in it. Thank the Lord." All we have is this very moment: don't throw it away, because it sure as hell isn't coming back.

Una and her wonderful sister, Broangh

Here is an extract of an email Una sent out and she has asked me to include it on our blog;

'I think of you often but life takes us on strange and difficult journeys and so here I am catching up at this time of big challenges. My sister ( Broangh who lives in Dublin and I stayed with during our Coach U Training) was diagnosed with Cancer just some 4 weeks ago. It is rare and aggressive and found originally in a fibroid they took from her womb when giving her a hysterectomy on the 18th June. I went home to see her that weekend as I wanted to be there as it was her birthday ( 51years) on the 20th and we are very close. She got the news a week later and it came as a big shock. She then planned carefully how she would tell her family and friends making sure everyone had someone to support them when they got the news. She has lived a life to this point which has been all about loving and giving and she is now reaping what she has sown. The out pouring of love and support is almost overwhelming. However this love and desire to keep my extraordinary and beautiful sister alive may be part of the miracle we need. The cancer is in her liver and lungs so it is not good. So far ( it is a very rare cancer) chemo has only halted it for a time but never killed it from the research documented.

We are a strong large extended family ( and friends) who live in hope and many have faith in God. Bronagh has done lots of bringing us all together where we have shared stories,laughed,danced and cried in the last number of weeks - surreal at times as she despite her increasing fatigue has managed to dance to Madonna ' Vogue' and' holiday' like a professional! She has so much life and love in her heart it is a puzzle to understand why her and so I do not try to understand. She cries seldom except for those she feels are being hurt by this difficult situation like our mummy of 84 years. She has no fear of dying but doesn't like the idea of losing her eyebrows in the short term!! She has nursed many terminally ill people so she has seen all this at first hand and comforted those close to her patients. She has ( as a midwife) brought new life into the world. As an IVF specialist ( her work in the last 10 years) she has helped couples on the journey to create their beautiful miracle babies. She has written and performed her own play 'Maiden Voyages' off broadway New York about women and childbirth and has written her own poetry. She has truly lived and given at every turn. She is the person who so many believe is their best friend, the friend you always want at a party as she is so warm andwill make everyone laugh with her own stories and cry as she recites poetry especially early Sheamus Heaney. Most recently she pushed herself to come to London for our dear Dylan's Holy Communion ( I say 'our 'as I truly share my children with Bronagh who calls them about 4 times a week. She does not have children of her own). We had the most fabulous day and evening and Bronagh and some Irish friends I had not seen in a while but recently re connected with entertained us most of the evening. Great songs and laughter.

And so am I so grateful to have her in my life and I accept whatever is to come. I will have my moments but I will do to my best to reflect the dignity that she is showing now as she embarks on this journey.

For those of you who pray please include my dear sister Bronagh in your prayers. Positive thoughts are greatfully received too.

Take very good care and go gently

BIg hug to each of you

Unaxx'

ok at long last here is the photo fro our mini reunion ,the new face is my fella andy. it was such a shame we didnt have longer to chat.

i am delighted to add a photo of me and other coaches as adrian seems to have had the monopoly on photos.

good news is today i have secured 1.5 days per week with oldham college helping the develop their career academy, it gives me the chance to use my coaching skills with 16 to 19 old wanting to further a career in financial services, use my business development and project management skills to bring new establishments into the programme to mentor the students and help the college set up a fool proof process to followo what more could a girl ask for !! I am chuffed to bits.

Great News from Una

Dear All

Just to up date you and share my excellent news. I am now permanently employed ( on a job share basis 3 days a week) at the BBC. This involves jointly managing an internal career coaching service primarily supporting the many BBC staff presently taking redundancy ( mostly voluntary). My role involves coaching, managing and developing the service and providing a whole raft of workshops ( trainer or coach led) to clients.
I am very happy about this new begining . I started three weeks ago and I am loving it. Of course I am coaching clients who are dealing with and facing big changes . For some their whole career has been at the BBC. It is both challenging and rewarding work.
I would like to take this moment to thank all of you, once again, for our week spent in Dublin and the many things I learn't from each of you in that time.
Take very good care and go gently
Unax

PS I am reading ' Transitions' By William Bridges ( the first in a series on the subject). It is one of the most revealing books I have ever read. It explains so clearly the difference between external change and internal transition. For those of you not yet familiar with it I highly recommend it for yourself and your clients.

Take Life Not Too Seriously & Have a Laugh with This

http://www.coachingcon.org/

what a year

where do i start, my business partner in the image business announced on the 12th jan that she wanted to leave as she didnt feel she could commit full time to the business. it knocked me for 6 , i went into complete panic and shed a few tears.

well 3 months on .... yes this feels like the first time i have had chance to take breath - i feel fantastic. i watched the film the secret and read the book in feb and my life has changed for the better.

i now have 2 ladies working with me on a self employed basis on the image side of the business i have taken on a second room in the premises that i took in jan, my home is now my own again! and i have introduced a wonderful new product into the image business called galvanic spa - one of those things you read about and think yes what ever !!

i have been asked to partner with an experienced coach who wants me to focus on how your image can boost your confidence

i am working with another coach on designing workshops for sme's to develop their business

beverley and i are actively promoting the realms of possibilty courses in turkey

a local paper is about to offer a fantastic prize where i have partnered with a slimming clinic - sureslim ( oh yes and i have lost nearly 2 stones in weight) a fitness trainer and a local hairdresser to offer a prize to one lucky winner who will get all this support and coaching and image from me, we then run the same competition in a regional paper in july !!

i have had a first meeting with the collaborative family lawyers and a group of coaches etc as we want to offer a programme of support to familys and their children that go through divorce - early stages but very exciting.

another arm to my mortgage business is helping people save money on their utility bills - i now have a team of 5 distributors who i pass all my leads to and they go out and do the business - its working really well and allowing me to manage my time more effectively.

talking of which as i now split mytime between my office ( i feel so grown up when i say this) and home i use a great software called www.gotomypc.com which enables me to access my desk top and work at home by logging onto my pc in the office - how super is that and its dirt cheap.

my sister hit 50 this month and has recently been to new zealand where she did a bunjee jump and this week she has just had a tattoo !!! this is a new person - talk about taking risks !!

my fella andy has had confirmation that he can leave the army on full pension on the 31st march 08 so we are spending time looking at various things he can do - quite exciting

i have also been approached by a local college to deliver courses which are aimed at helping people qualify in their cemap exams which they need to sell mortgages - that will be different - isnt it funny i started training to be a teacher in 1988 and dropped out - funny how things go full circle

i am keeping my diary up to date - since i launched the image business in 06 i have been typing up how the business is moving on and whats gone well , not so well its very theraputic as i know i put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself and this helps me to step back and feel good about what i have achieved.

beverley continues to be a great support - listening to me when i am in one of my manic moments

i have spoken to kaan - it was lovely to hear his voice - he was very lucky that andy didnt cut him off as normally when he hears a foreign accent he assumes its one of those nasty call centres .

not emailed as many of you as i would have liked my philosophy this year is to get help - bring people in to do things for me , my sister is kindly helping with admin, my father continues to be a great coach / mentor - when i burst into their house in january in floods of tears when my business partner left he smiled and said " you dont need her, you will now be in the driving seat and can move things forward when you want" he was right i have finally acknowledeged my own abilities and love helping others.

i recently completed a self development tool called discovery it summarises your personality around colours - if you want any further info look at www.p3pm.co.uk my friend is a licensed practitioner and guess what my key results were - happiest when helping others - thats a great result for a coach isnt it. difference this year is i am also going to help myself

which means i now block time out my diary for me - at least twice a month my weekends are free and i book either a monday or a friday off - its fab being your own boss and do you know what i dont feel guilty about taking time off from the business anymore - if you dont look after yourself no one else will.

i promise to not get involvd with any other projects or services this year - i know what i want to achieve and i am having great fun on my journey.

oh yes in between i see the occasional mortgage client to help them with their mortgage - now thats another blog in itself - credit crunch - sounds like a biscuit to me , not a financial crisis

ta ta for now

debs xx

Lake Geneva's Gorgeous Girls

I'm sure, guys, that you all wished it was you in the middle but some of us have all the luck!
I can report that Ruth and Celine, supreme hosts, are sparkling even more than ever.

Let yourself take the Tolle

Thanks Noshaba for sharing this with us which reminds me to share a few video's of his too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPg9DnMP2D4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg9lY7_hCGA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8kA4eu_r88&feature=related

A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle with a little help from Oprah

Dear Shiny Happy Coaches,

Today I am sat at my desk sipping my Japanese green tea- thinking calm, ego-free thoughts, or rather not thinking, just being, at one with the world...while ummm typing and stuff. This (ego-free state) usually lasts for a few seconds each day, but I am finding it easier and easier to just let go of the past and the future and just be. It's a practice which came about because my coach introduced me to a weekly webinar on Eckhart Tolle's book "A New Earth" hosted by Oprah every Monday night (9pm ET). Past editions are available as a podcast (audio and video) over iTunes.

"Shattering modern ideas of ego and entitlement, self and society, Tolle lifts the veil of fear that has hung over humanity during this new millennium, and shines an illuminating light that leads to happiness and health that every reader can follow."

YIKES! Happiness? Health? Yes please! Check out www.oprah.com, or search iTunes for the podcast.

Happy Webinar-ing!

Noshaba

7 months on....

Dear Friends,

I have not posted anything in a long time... I hope you are all doing well.

I wanted to say hello, and give you an update on what is going on in my life. After spending the last 7 months juggling banking and coaching, I decided to quit my job and focus exclusively on coaching. Although this may seem like a huge step, it was easy to take, because it became more and more clear every day that I was developing a passion for coaching. So yes, as of June 1st, I will officially be an entrepreneur.

As part of building my ideal life, I have also decided to leave Geneva and move to Madrid. Why Madrid, you may ask yourself? Well, I used to live there a few years back, and have always felt very "at home" there.... a combination of the city, lifestyle, and the people. For someone who has been moving around every 3-4 years, I feel like I am finally ready to settle down in one place, and Madrid is the city I have chosen. I hope you guys will come visit!

Last but not least, as of today, I am ACC certified. I am happy to help anyone who is getting ready to go through the process, so please feel free to contact me.

I continue to be happy and must share with you that I am having a lot of fun building my ideal life, a continuation of the journey that I embarked on with you guys.

You are all very often in my thoughts. Please send some news.

With love,
C

2008 European Coaching Survey

http://www.frank-bresser.com/europeancoachingsurvey2008.pdf

The Global Convention on Coaching: Dublin - 7th - 11th July 2008

http://www.coachingconvention.org/Overview.htm

A Website from Scratch

This is to congratulate Ruth on her new website. She has designed, developed and put online her own website from a position of no experience, and no professional or for that matter any assistance to achieve this. Well done!

http://www.dracosconsulting.com/

Celebrating Adrian

So... there we were... 24 of Adrian's friends huddled in a small corner of a restaurant in Paris, waiting for the birthday boy's arrival(and me giggling of course). Although I was in charge of the photos, and had every intention of having all of you share that moment with us, Adrian was so startled and so genuinely surprised, that I even forgot to press the button on my camera.

So what does Celebrating Adrian look like? Well, (I hope Ruth agrees with me ...) exactly what I expected: one very classy (and sexy) Mistress of Ceremonies, a fun-loving crowd, friends who said they would not be who they are today without Adrian, lots of laughter, a multi-lingual and international atmosphere, emotions flowing, great speeches, plenty of alcohol, and great (and shocking!) stories about Adrian. So overall, a real privilege to have been there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADRIAN ET RENDEZ-VOUS L'ANNEE PROCHAINE! Bisous, Celine

Succulent Wild Women

Beverley, I suggest Succulent Wild Woman by Sark and others might be

Spilling Open by Sabrina Ward Harrison
Bouncing Back by Jan King
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zin
Being Me by Pete Moore

Discovering a friend's passion

Recommended reading/ listening

I hope the new year has got off to a great start for you.

As a treat to myself for all the trials and tribulations of last year I am spending a week on a de stress programme at a Spa in Thailand in late February. I am travelling on my own and want to have some good reading / listening for the long flight and during my time there. I am hoping that you may be able to recommend some titles to me. The aim is to have books which help me to relax and focus on being, rather than taking coaching or other business related books. All suggestoons gratefully received.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm wishes.

Beverley

24 Interludes of Life (author unknown)

This is dedicated to my wonderful friends who enrich my life with the treasure of their being.
1. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile.
2. There are moments in life when you really miss someone that you want to pick them up from your dreams and hug them. Hope you dream of that someone.
3. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want in life.
4. May you have...Enough happiness to make you sweet ....Enough trials to make you strong... Enough sorrow to keep you human...Enough hope to make you happy... And enough money to keep you comfortable.
5. When one door of happiness closes, another opens. But we often took so long at the closed door, that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
6. The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch, swing with, never saying a word and then walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.
7. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
8. Always put yourself in other's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably does hurt the person too.
9. A careless word may kindle a strife; A cruel word may wreck a life A timely word may level stress A lovely word may heal and bless.
10. The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves and not to twist them with our own image, otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
11. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along the way.
12. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we should know how to be grateful for that gift.
13. It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
14. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
15. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, the romance and find out you still care for that person.
16. A sad thing about life is that when you meet someone who means a lot to you only to find out in the end that it was never bound to be and you just have to let go.
17. Love starts with a smile, develops with a kiss and ends with a tear.
18. Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, need to love those who still love, even though they've been hurt before.
19. It hurts to love someone, and not to be loved in return but what is most painful is to love someone and never finds the courage to let the person know how you feel.
20. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
21. Never say goodbye when you still want to try; Never give up when you still feel you can take it; Never say you don't love that person anymore when you can't let go.
22. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back. Don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their hearts but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.
23. There are things you love to hear but you would never hear it from the person whom you would like to hear it from, but don't be deaf to hear it from the person who says it with his heart.
24. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life to the fullest so that when you die, you're smiling and everyone around you is crying.

ICF European Coaching Conference 2008

26 - 28 June 2008 Geneve, Switzerland

“As technology continues to flatten the world, more and more we need to connect and collaborate across borders and beyond cultures. In this sizzling climate of rapid and accelerated change, the only constant is the essential need of human beings to discover their own potential and to find ways to productively and peacefully live and work together. Coaching professionals are gaining significant recognition as catalysts and as change facilitators to connect worlds - our inner personal world, world of relationships with others, & our global environment.”

'Join us in Geneva to be a part of the ICF European Coaching Conference 2008 catalyzing positive global impact through coaching!'

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