October 18, 2004 Issue #10

IN THIS ISSUE...

1) Welcome!
2) My Playground
3) Check it Out
4) Giggles & Guffaws
5) Ways to Play Today!
6) Random Musings
7) Something to ponder
8) Shameless Promotional Plug

A playful welcome to my new subscribers!
This *free* monthly newsletter is written with the intention to help you live life with more fun and joy and less stress and worry. With informative articles, humorous insights and great resources, "Lighten Up!" is guaranteed to provide you a motivational kick in the butt while giving you a giggle or two along the way.

I'm very happy I published my newsletter again this month when I said I would. Yes, I know it was sent out at the end of the day, but it was still on the 18th! However, I'll admit that I waited until three days before its publishing date to get the words out of my head and into my computer. I began writing this newsletter this past weekend while on a flight to Phoenix. I love to travel and unlike many people who have a fear of flying, I could happily spend a few hours on a plane reading magazines I usually don't buy, having conversations with strangers I probably would never meet again and eating food I normally wouldn't consume.

I purchased a laptop last year and for the first time since I got the gadget, I finally took it off my desk and actually used it for what it's designed for: portability. I have to admit I've admired those computer geeks who typed furiously away on their keyboards looking oh-so important while sipping their ginger ale. And for a few hours, I became one of them and you know what? I liked it. I definitely want to be writing on a plane more often. I've shared with you my dream of becoming a published writer and for a few hours this past weekend, I somehow felt like I was. This month's main article is about the importance of not giving up on your dreams no matter how big or small they are. My dreams are always present in my mind. Even when I try to ignore them, they always show up. I venture to guess yours do as well. Read on...

My Playground
The article, the message, the thing to make you go hmmm...

~Never Give Up~

Do you remember what it felt like when you first learned how to ride a bike? If you were anything like me, you were probably both scared and excited at the prospect of taking those training wheels off, learning how to balance and then biking off on your own beyond your parent's steady grip on either the rear-end of your bike or your rear-end. I would guess that for most kids this was a rite of passage into "I'm a big kid now" land. For me, it was also a fast lesson on being patient because one of the first things I did as soon as I thought I got the balancing thing down, I tried to do a wheelie. I was quickly brought back down to earth literally in a crashing heap on the concrete driveway and was reminded that not only does acquiring new skills take time, so does perfecting them. I don't think I tried another wheelie for quite awhile. It probably wasn't when the wounds scabbed over, but more like when the bruised ego healed.

If you took some time to think of all the things you've already accomplished in your life, I bet you could create quite a list. I suspect you could also create quite a significant list of things you'd still like to learn or do. That's the place I want you to hang out in for just awhile. Know that what I'm about to say next isn't meant to bring you down, it's meant to spurn you on. Consider for a moment how long you've wanted to do whatever it is that you want to do. And now think about why you haven't done it yet. I want you to be aware of that critical word...YET! Whatever reason (I've been realizing lately they're better known as excuses) you came up with, if that goal or dream of yours is still in your head, it's still in your heart. If there's anything I want you to take away from having read this article, it's this: Your dreams and goals will continue to remind you of what you want until you have them. Even if you keep ignoring them, they are NOT going to go away. The truth is...our dreams don't give up on us. We give up on them.

5 Ways to Feel the Dream is Real

1) It lives in the present. It's never far from your thoughts. Even though you may not know exactly when this dream of yours will come true, rarely a day goes by that you don't think about it. .

2) It's been persistent over time.When you can't recall how long you've had a dream, that's a sure sign it's for real. The dreams that are most important to you will always find a way to stick around until you do something about them.

3) It's something you're passionate about.There's no doubt in your mind that you love your dream. It excites and delights you and you really light up whenever you share it with others.

4) It serves a purpose. It may be true that our dreams are about securing our own happiness, but if you take a little deeper look, I bet there are many more reasons why this dream is meant to happen for you.

5) It has a powerful effect on you whenever you think about it. You feel strong emotions course through your body and the physical expression of those emotions may appear through laughter or tears. The effect often moves you to take action.

A few years back, a dear friend of mine was struggling to find a name for his business that resonated with him. One thing I remember was that despite him being frustrated at times because nothing he came up with seemed right, he was patient and committed to having his business name come into existence and be exactly what he wanted. When the business name made its appearance, Artful Balance showed up not only because of how clearly my friend wanted it, but because he never gave up on it. So whether it's learning how to juggle or finding a name for a new business or falling in love or buying a first home, whatever your dreams are, never give up on having them. Let your dream speak to you. Let it inspire you to take action towards having it be real in your life. Let it touch you deeply and remind you that if you had the power to think it up, you also have the power to make it come true.

Check it Out
Personal Recommendations for books, music, websites and all resources fun!

MoveOn I named my newsletter, "Lighten Up" because I believe anything that encourages others to have more joy and laughter in their lives is something serious to consider. I always want to write with a light heart, positive outlook and try not to sound too flippant at times. I've refrained from discussing things like politics and religion because I know these hot topics push a lot of buttons, including my own. (You'll know my political leanings after you read this month's Giggles & Guffaws section.) However, with the upcoming election, I'm recommending this site because it contains information I think is worthwhile reading. It's important to make an informed decision when it comes to casting your vote. It's important your vote is cast on or before November 2nd.

"Garden State"
It's refreshing to see a movie that entertains by telling a story through great dialogue and music rather than through violence and sex. Garden State is about a young man who returns home for his mother's funeral after being gone for nine years and discovers more about who he is in a weekend than during all the time he's been away. It's a film about letting go of what's known, getting complete with the past and learning how to really embrace the thing we fear most, the unknown. How big and bold and beautiful can our lives be if we only took a chance on being okay without knowing what comes next? You'll walk out of this film wondering what big risk are you ready to take in your life in order to have something you've always wanted. You'll also walk out of this film and either go immediately to your nearest music store and buy the c.d. or stand on the top of something really tall and yell as loud as you can.

Giggles & Guffaws
An amusing story, joke, anecdote or picture to tickle your funnybone
With the election a couple weeks away, thought I'd share with you a few bumper stickers that had me damn near swerving off the road.

Bush...Let's not elect him in 2004, either.

W starts with "duh".

Don't re-elect a son of a Bush.

Bipartisianship...I'll hug your elephant if you'll kiss my ass.

I don't approve of political jokes...I've seen too many of them get elected.

And last but not least...
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

Ways to Play Today!

Why not...create a list of the things you'd like to do before you die?
I don't mean to sound morbid, but if you really want a reality check on how important your dreams are, consider how you'd feel if you only had a few more days on this planet to fulfill them. Gives you a new perspective, doesn't it? Honestly, creating this list can be very insightful and help you prioritize the things in your life you want to accomplish and complete. Whether you type it, write it or draw it with big Crayola markers (I recommend the last one!) put your list someplace where you know you'll see it everyday. Bathroom mirrors, refrigerator doors and office walls are all highly visible viewing areas. If they're good enough places for your kids' artwork, they're definitely good enough for that dream list of yours. And remember that list isn't going to get any shorter by you just looking at it. Read it, believe it and then go do something about making one of those dreams come true today.

Why not...turn a cartwheel, do a handstand or roll a somersault?
Perhaps you never had the dream of being a world-class gymnast when you were younger, but if you ever practiced your favorite Nadia Comenichi moves on the front lawn (or in my case, in the family room without furniture), you know how good it felt to upend your body, and feel a little off-kilter for a few seconds. The next time you feel you're taking life a little too seriously, I encourage you to relive your younger, more agile days by defying your age and gravity and bust out your best gymnastic move. I realize it might be a little more difficult to contort your body into a shape that resembles a somersault or cartwheel nowadays, but trust me...if your attempt to lighten up doesn't throw your back out of place, it'll be one of the most fun things you've done in well...ages. Toss off your equilibrium for a moment or two and regain your sense of silly and play, I say!

Random Musings
Miscellaneous thoughts of mine with hints of truth and wisdom

Wearing shorts in 80-degree weather in the middle of October is a beautiful thing.

You can say yes to the things you want even though you're not quite sure how you'll get them.

You know people like you when they'd rather give you a hug than a handshake.

Something to Ponder
Questions designed to stimulate your thinking AND encourage you to take action towards what you want.

What dream of yours have you considered giving up on?

If you still really want that dream, what's one thing you could do TODAY that would take you closer to having it?

Care to share what these questions stir up in you? Need some support around going after a dream of yours? Send me an e-mail. I welcome your thoughts and will respond to all e-mails received.

Shameless Promotional Plug

If you want to find out more about the work I do as a coach, facilitator and writer check out Playful Spirit Make sure you come back and visit again as more resources and fun stuff will be added to the website every month.

Thanks for reading this issue of Lighten Up! If you enjoyed it, please pass it along to your friends, your family, your co-workers...You get the idea. See you November 15th! Until that time, be well, be happy and play more.