March 2, 2005 Issue #14

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.

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." ~Mother Teresa

Wherever you live, I hope your winter weather has been treating you as nicely as Mother Nature has been treating the Pacific Northwest lately. About this time of the year, most Oregonians are either traveling to some warm tropical island or considering moving back to California in order to escape the constant gray and gloom that this state's winter months are known quite well for. Our weather reputation has been seriously challenged of late and I couldn't be happier about the unseasonably warm and sunny days we've had the past three weeks. I know it irritates winter sports enthusiasts, wrecks havoc on our summer water supply and causes the weather forecasters to scratch their heads in disbelief, but I'm going to remain quite pleased about wearing t-shirts and sandals in March.

I'm embarrassed to admit I'm late again in publishing my newsletter this month. It's a good thing I didn't decide to become a journalist. My editor would have canned me over a week ago for not sticking to the deadline. There were no computer glitches or major power outages this month. I simply ignored my commitment to my newsletter and in turn I ignored you, my readers. Writing that down makes me feel like throwing up, but my hope is that it will help me take responsibility for the promises I make to others and make good on them. I allowed my writing gremlins to convince me I didn't have anything to say. It took longer than I wanted, but I finally had a conversation with those nasty little buggers and told them they were full of crap. I have plenty to say and share with others. Read on in this month's newsletter to discover how you can create a few echoes just like Mother Teresa.

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

~It's the Small Things~
The other morning as I got in my car to go to work, I noticed an envelope stuck underneath my windshield wiper. Rather than immediately getting out of the car to retrieve it, I sat there trying to figure out not only what it was, but also who was the bearer of this note. I thought for a brief moment it was a card from an ex-boyfriend who used to put notes on my windshield all the time while we were in college. We haven't spoken to each other in years so that scenario was highly unlikely. The next story that came to mind was I had been unfairly ticketed by the local neighborhood police. I dismissed that one pretty quick as well since I was legally parked in front of my house. When I opened it up, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was from one of my neighbors who wrote to wish me a great day.

I met my neighbor, Gabriel LeChevallier sometime last summer while watering my yard. If I remember correctly, I think it was my cat Buddy who set up our introductions. As I walked out to retrieve him from the middle of the road, I could see he was already making friends with the gentleman who bent down to pet him. After making some kind of comment about Buddy being part-dog, I introduced myself and found out that Gabriel passed by my house most every day on his morning walk. I found out many things about this lovely French man that day for we had ourselves a good long chat. Even though we've only spoken a few times since, that first conversation we had remains a pleasant memory. It has been awhile since I've seen him on his walk, so when I received his sweet note saying he hoped everything was all right with me, his kind words made my heart swell. The truth is...it's oftentimes the small, unexpected gestures that pack the biggest punch.

When was the last time you went out of your way to make someone's day? I'm not talking about the ordinary politeness of saying hello back when someone says hello to you first. I'm not talking about the everyday niceness of shaking someone's hand when you're first introduced to him or her. I'm encouraging expression of your BIG and BOLD intentions with simple demonstrations of your genuine affections for someone. It might take a little more creativity, time and effort on your part to come up with something that has the power to make someone laugh out loud with sheer delight or move them to tears, but it's so worth it. You might never know what a difference your sweet gesture might make. It's highly likely that the timing of your gift will be absolutely perfect and be exactly what that person needed at the time.

In addition to Gabriel's note, last month I received a lovely email from one of my subscribers saying how much she enjoyed reading my newsletter. Thank you, Mary G. for not only reading my musings, but for taking the time to let me know you like what I have to say. Thank you to my dear friend, Linda for sending me a REAL letter. If it's been too long since you've received a handwritten letter that arrives in your mailbox in an envelope with a stamp on it, it's high time you did. Trust me on this one. If you write a letter, you will receive one back and not necessarily from the same person you sent yours to. Here are a few other ideas to bring a sense of joy and appreciation to others:

5 Small Ways to Lighten Up Someone's Day

1) Put a nice note on someone's windshield - I think Gabriel would be okay if you stole this idea from him. Most notes people find on their cars are due to vehicle damage or parking violations. They don't tend to put smiles on people's faces. Stick a sweet note on a stranger's car or one you know and make their day.

2) Give a $20 bill to someone in need - Perhaps that homeless person you just gave your 20 spot to will spend it on something you wouldn't necessarily approve of, but you never know if that's the exact amount they needed in order to sleep in a warm bed that night.

3) Create a card instead of buy one - Whichever friend or family member's birthday is this month, get out your marking pens, crayons or watercolors and make your greetings grand by sending them a creation of your own. While most people discard their Hallmarks, they'll hang on to what you made them even if it's no Picasso.

4) Compliment a stranger everyday - Make it a point to not only be aware of others' beauty and grace, but take the next step and let them know you noticed.

5) Call just to say "I love you" - There is someone you know that would love to hear you say these three small words to them. No matter if it's been years or hours since you last said them, say them again.

I think there are times when it's good to remain anonymous with your giving and there are times when it's better to make yourself known. I always think when you've been the recipient of a kind gesture that you share your experience with others and then pass the kindness along to someone else with a gesture of your own. Go touch a few hearts today and create moments people will remember for a lifetime.

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

Femail Creations I discovered this website just a few days ago and I'm totally excited to share it with you. I don't tend to purchase things online because it's just way too easy to see something I like, enter a few numbers and then click...I'm the proud, new owner of the latest and greatest you-just-gotta-have-it item. However, I have to applaud the woman who has created a shopping mecca for unique and inspirational gifts. Peruse the pages and you'll find home furnishings, bath products and jewelry. You'll find things you know you'll never need, but you're gonna buy them anyway. Don't say I didn't warn you online shoppers. Don't come blaming me for your outrageous credit card bills. Do let me know what fun items you decided to splurge on. Do let her know you love her site.

Millon Dollar Baby
If four Oscar awards aren't enough recommendation for you to see this picture, then I'm not quite sure how to convince you to see this film without giving away the ending. I'm not going to do that, but I am going to give you a few reasons why you should plunk down your $8-10 to see it now. Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood and did I already mention Hilary Swank? It's so satisfying to see outstanding performances aptly recognized. The basic story is about a woman in her mid-thirties who has always wanted to box professionally. Through her perseverance and spunky attitude, she gets a chance to do that after she's convinced a well-known coach to train her. That small bit of information wouldn't sway me to go see it. Personally, I hate the sport of boxing, but after hearing so much buzz about the film's powerful ending and not a single person divulging what it was, I had to go find out for myself. You will, without a doubt, walk away with a new view of what it means to be a compassionate person.

Giggles & Guffaws
An amusing story, joke, anecdote or picture to tickle your funnybone

You may have thought I was kidding when I suggested last month to have a slumber party. I wasn't. A couple weekends ago, six of my girlfriends and I camped out for a night in my living room. Even though we woke up sore with kinks in our backs, we had a wonderful time giggling into the wee hours of the morning.

Ways to Play Today!

Why not...make your mirror your best friend?
You may not ask your mirror "Who's the fairest one of all?" like Snow White did, but there's a good chance when you look in one every day, the things you say to yourself are about as kind as what the cruelest witch or stepmother Disney ever produced would say. We are by far our worst critics and we can be downright mean to the reflection that stares back at us with merciless eyes. We're more apt to notice the things about our bodies that we're not happy with than the ones that make us proud. Take a few moments the next time you look in the mirror to appreciate those physical attributes you admire the most. No, you don't have to become a Stuart Smalley and repeat positive affirmations over and over again, but yes, do take notice of the small (or not so small) features you appreciate being a part of you.

Why not...keep a piggy bank for your pennies?
When I was a young girl, I was much more capable of saving my money than spending it like I do as an adult. Of course, my weekly allowance back then wouldn't even purchase a gallon of gas these days, but I felt pretty darn rich every time I counted the coins I'd saved. I never had an actual pig for a bank. It's probably because I don't particularly care for pigs or for the color pink. My bank was a doghouse and when you placed your coin on top of the dog dish in front of the doorway, the plastic dog would come out his plastic home and take away my quarter. Why it was so much fun to watch my hard-earned money being swallowed by a plastic dog, I suppose I'll never know, but I do know this...saving your coins over the years can turn into some significant cash. Maybe it won't be enough to buy your next car, but it just might buy you a fancier piggy bank.

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

It only takes a moment to make a difference. Make the moment happen.

Home isn't where your house is. It's where your heart is.

Why are fruit flies so damn annoying? Don't they know I'm a nut, not a piece of fruit?

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

What small thing could you do to make someone's day today?

Does anything stop you from being more giving to others?



Care to share what these questions stir up in you? Need some support around being more spontaneous or generous in your giving to others? Send me an e-mail. I welcome your thoughts and will respond to all e-mails received.

Shameless Promotional Plug

In January, my boyfriend and I bought a house in Cannon Beach. I lived for three years in this small, beautiful town along the Northern Oregon coast and will soon have the opportunity to spend time again in a place I absolutely love. I'm sharing this news with you because after hearing my stories of living by the sea, you just might want to spend some time in Cannon Beach too. I have a BIG and BOLD idea I want to put out into the world and would love to get your feedback on. It's still in the planning stages, but here's the rub. The property James and I have purchased has two buildings on the lot and one of them has a great finished basement. I'm envisioning beach retreats. I see wine-tastings and poetry readings. I imagine people gathering in this space to connect with others, learn new skills, renew their spirits and have a rip-roaring good time doing those things. James and I have already dubbed it "The Play House". If there were a place where you could go to relax and rejuvenate or play and participate for a few hours, would you go there? I'd love to hear your thoughts and any ideas on the kind of activities you think would be great to offer in this space. The Playful Spirit is preparing to give a lot more this year to others. Let me know what I could give more to you in this newsletter each month. I'm all-ears.

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 March 21st! Until that time, be well, be happy and play more.

May you take every opportunity to do one small thing each day to make someone's day. May your gestures warm hearts and encourage others to pass along the kindess you gave them.
Lisa

(The home town of "The Play House"!)