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L I F E U N F O L D S
N E W S L E T T E R
February 2005
Welcome, new subscribers!
Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day. I've been down with some
virus that is going around Houston right now. It seems like
everyone I know either has had it or has it now. But I'm up and
feeling much better now. Things are very busy! Life is good.
Table of Contents
Your Personal Success Environment (PSE)
The Astonishing Power of Gratitude (Fr*ee Download)
Quotes to Inspire
NEW!! Money Workshop: Your Money Or Your Life.
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Money Tips
What is Coaching?
MARCH MADNESS!!!
Read It and Reap
Newsletter Sign-Up
* * * * *
Your Personal Success Environment (PSE)
A critical part of creating the life you desire, one that propels
you forward, gives you energy, and sustains you, is to intentionally
design your personal environment to promote productivity and success.
Notice the words intentional and design. They are key to this
process. After all we are a product of our environment. This
process is to create the environment totally suited to YOU. A well-
designed environment will naturally increase your productivity by
2 to 10 times. A self-crafted environment will pull you forward
so you don't have to rely on will-power, determination and hard work
to achieve your desires. That sounds good, doesn't it?
So what are the components of your environment? Almost anything can
be an environment such as people, technology, television, office
space, pets, training, colors, exercise, etc. Think of anything that
you perceive through your five senses as possible helpers or
detractors from your best self. They typically fall into these broad
areas:
1. Relationships: family, friends, colleagues, service
providers, spiritual associates
2. Physical: home, office, possessions, car, clothing,
air (conditioning, cleanliness), art
3. Memetic: ideas, concepts, information
4. Intangible: values, beliefs, energy, feelings, thoughts
5. Self: body, spirit, gifts/talents
6. Network: web, customers, 6 degrees of separation
7. Nature: life, seasons, outdoors
You owe it to yourself and, in fact, have a right to the perfect
environment for you. It is up to you to manage it and to craft it
and re-craft it to suit your evolving needs. Environments work as
a "system" so that you don't have to do all the thinking and working,
a "filter" so that you can deal with smaller amounts of information,
and a "solution" to the overwhelm you may feel. Environments help
you do more with less effort and attention.
Here are a few examples from my own experimentation with environments.
1. I feel better and work better if I stretch first
thing in the morning. This puts me in "the flow".
2. Meditating is key for me, especially when I feel stressed or
am taking things personally.
3. My energy and emotions stay more consistent when I eat three
meals a day, plus an afternoon snack.
4. Clutter saps my energy. I need a clean and clutter-free
environment to work and relax in.
5. Walking in the park, rain or shine, restores my spirit in a
way that nothing else does.
6. Since starting my own business, which was a drastic change in my
environment, my friends and coach are critical to my feelings
of being supported and to keep me on track emotionally.
7. Noise is my enemy. To work effectively, I need a quiet,
serene environment.
8. I get more done and feel more peaceful when I don't watch
television or read the newspaper.
These are MY examples. These may not work for you. The idea is to
experiment to find what works for your ideal environment, one that
energizes, supports and sustains you, each and every day.
Here are a few questions to get you started:
1. If you could change anything in your environment right now,
what would it be?
2. What, in your environment, are you just tolerating or worse,
feeling irritated with?
3. When you are filled with joy, energy and love, what is
stimulating that for you?
4. What in your environment raises your energy level?
Pick one change to make today and see what a difference your
environment can make in your success, your perspective, and your
productivity! Start now.
If you would like more help with designing your ideal environment,
give me a call. I'd be happy to discuss this during a free
consultation. Call at 713.528.5971 or http://www.LifeUnfolds.com/contact.
* * * * *
The Astonishing Power of Gratitude (Fr*ee Download)
I'm really big on gratitude. Even before it was popular as a self-help
or spiritual practice, I was the one who was telling my unhappy or
depressed family and friends, "Let's play the Glad Game." Remember,
the movie, Pollyanna?! Well, for those of you who don't know this game,
it is simply listing all the things you have in your life to be glad
about (grateful for). If little Pollyanna could do it, so can you! I
guarantee doing this will lift your spirits at the very least.
I recently came across a wonderful e-book called "The Astonishing Power
of Gratitude!". I have contacted the author, Wes Hopper, about offering
a FR*EE DOWNLOAD to the readers of my newsletter. He graciously agreed.
All you have to do is go to his website, http://www.dailygratitude.com
give your email address and he will send you the download and a monthly
gratitude newsletter. If you don't want to give your email, then just
drop me a line and I will send it directly to you. It's that easy!
* * * * *
Quotes to Inspire
"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare,
it is because we do not dare that things are difficult."
- Seneca
"Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth."
- Pema Chodron
"And the day came,
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to Blossom."
- Anais Nin
* * * * *
NEW!! Money Workshop: Your Money Or Your Life.
We have a new workshop starting in March. It is for everyone who
struggles with money, who desires more abundance and prosperity,
or who is curious about how to put money in its proper place in
life, that is, with you as the master of money. Please join us
for an awesome and FUN workshop where you will be amazed at the
things you didn't know about your relationship with money! The
class is only $99 for three 2-hour classes, email support, and
a free book, free tools and supplemental material. We guarantee
you will get your money's worth in this workshop. Discounts
available, for more information, go to
http://www.lifeunfolds.com/ymoylclass2004.htm.
Or call me at 713-528-5971 or email Dorothy at
ddstafford@earthlink.net.
* * * * *
Random Acts of Kindness Week
This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week. Give love and joy
wherever you go. Look for opportunities to give, give, give.
Do it anonymously, if possible. Here are some of favorite
ways to celebrate and participate in Random Acts.
-- Buy a stranger's groceries for them
-- Buy or give a homeless person a meal
-- Leave books you love and have enjoyed at the bus stop,
on a restaurant table, or the dressing room in a mall
-- Take in your neighbor's garbage can
-- Bake something and deliver it to someone who is having a hard
time
-- Babysit someone's children gratis
* * * * *
Money Tips
Do you waste money? Or is every expenditure intentional and
conscious? Most of us are in the former category, we waste lots
of money! Here are a couple of simple ways to stop wasting money.
1. Cut down on the number of kitchen gadgets you buy and own.
For example, do you really need a french fry cooker? For
years, we used a frying pan for this. How about that
slicer/dicer thingamabob you saw on TV? Could you just
use a knife? Do you really need three sizes of
crockpots? For that matter, do you even need one? If
you rely on a crockpot to do cooking every week, then
by all means, it is a good tool for you. But if not...
Well, you get the idea. Don't buy or get rid of those
you have! After all, even if you have already bought too
many gadgets, if you don't use them, you still have to
pay to store them, clean them, spend time to find them,
dust them off, get rid of them, etc.
2. Get rid of Call-Notes of whatever your phone company
calls the automated voice mail that you pay for each and
every month. I bought an inexpensive recorder that
physically hooks up to the phone. It works perfectly. I
paid for it once, not every month. It paid for itself in
the first 4 months I had it.
3. Do you really need to buy bottled water? I know it is a
convenience...I'm tempted every day. But, do the math!
Even if you strongly feel the need for filtered water for
health benefits, couldn't you put a filter on your tap or
use the filtered pitchers (Brita, e.g.)? Buy a single
sports bottle to carry the bottle around. Not only will
this save you money, but it's better for the environment!
* * * * *
What is Coaching?
When I tell people what I do, many of them ask, "what is coaching?"
Here is a brief description of what my coaching services are all
about.
Coaching is a powerful collaboration or partnership that enables you,
through a process of discovery, goal setting, strategic actions, and
accountability, to identify what you desire most and to create that
in your life, no matter what it is. I've heard coaching referred
to as "the purest form of teaching." A coach is your own personal
advocate, can serve as a sounding board, provides expertise, holds you
accountable, helps you to define what you want and how to get it, and
is a safe, confidential advisor. Typically, working with a coach will
allow you to reach your desired goal faster and easier than without a
coach.
I coach by asking lots of questions, reading between the
lines, being direct, listening carefully with full attention to you,
helping to set actions and goals, identifying obstacles and helping
to formulate ways to overcome them, challenging the client for best
effort and celebrating each success with you.
So, who hires a coach? Individuals, non-profit organizations, small
businesses and corporations are hiring coaches at an unprecedented
rate. Coaches serve these clients as mentors, task masters,
motivators, management consultants, sounding boards, and expert
advisors.
I coach anyone who wants a better, more fulfilling life.
It is for anyone who is asking who am I, what do I want, or is this
all there is to life? It is for someone who is stuck or fearful or
not sure what the next step is. It can be for small projects such
as clarifying "should I make make this move or not", or "how do I
become better organized or manage my time more effectively". Or it
can be for large, life-changing transitions, such as starting a
business, retiring or simplifying your life.
Many people hire coaches for spiritual coaching, to support their
personal growth, to enrich their lives through simplifying or to
pursue the life of their dreams. Some hire coaches to help solve a
specific problem. In all of these arenas, coaching is powerful and
beneficial to the client.
So, what is my coaching philosophy?
- To be happy, we must be authentic, and live an authentic life.
- Everyone is unique, gifted and deserves a life of full self-
expression.
- Limiting patterns of beliefs, emotions, values, and thoughts can
be identified and changed.
- Every individual has the power to create a fulfilled life around
what matters most to them.
- The answers lie within yourself. Coaching will help bring forth
the answers with clarity.
- Play, ease and pleasure are as essential to a good life as
meaningful work actions.
Any questions about coaching or my services, please call me at
(713) 528-5971 or see my website at http://www.LifeUnfolds.com.
* * * * *
MARCH MADNESS!!!
March is my birthday month. To celebrate my birthday, I am
making a very special offer. Sign up for three months of coaching
and get the first month FREE! This can be for any size package, two,
three or four times a month, so it is a great deal.
* * * * *
Read It and Reap
My friend and workshop co-leader recommended that I read a
wonderful little book called "You Have the Power: Choosing
Courage in a Culture of Fear." It is by Frances Moore Lappe
(author of Diet for a Small Planet) and Jeffrey Perkins. Using
experiences from their own lives as well as the "Fear Means Go"
workshops they teach on overcoming fear, they have created a
thought-provoking, easy read. One of the interesting cases they
make is that curiosity is the best way to overcome fear. Being
curious and questioning can pull you through your fear. It's
worth your time to read it.
* * * * *
Newsletter Sign-Up
If you are receiving this newsletter from a friend or associate,
please sign up to receive it yourself by going to
http://www.lifeunfolds.com/contact. You will get a free download
of the 2005 Life Designer for signing up today.
Please pass this newsletter on to your friends, family and
co-workers. Most of my business is through word-of-mouth and
referrals. I appreciate your continued support.
* * * * *
Complimentary Coaching Session
If you are interested in improving your life, or are just curious
about how coaching may help you, give me a call. I offer a free
consultation to help you get started. Contact me at (713) 528-5971
or via email at maf@lifeunfolds.com. I look forward to talking
with you.
Peace, joy and gratitude,
Mary Anne
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