August 20, 2005 Issue #18

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 passion and purpose 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.

"Follow your bliss. Find where it is and don't be afraid to follow it." ~Joseph Campbell

Sheesh! I don't know the origins of that word, but it's a brilliant one for me to be using right now. Three months have passed since I published my last newsletter. This is not a fun fact to admit to my subscribers or to myself. The truth is...writing has taken a backseat priority to my summer time playing. Although I've had a darn good time, I am embarrassed and even somewhat ashamed that I haven't stayed true to my commitment to being a writer. I have mastered the art of procrastination and it's not something to be proud of. When I finally realized that putting off writing my newsletter was akin to letting my passion peter out, it was high time I put fingers to keyboard and start typing.

What really hit home a couple of weeks ago was how much I've missed not doing something I love every day. What became glaringly apparent was how often I allow my fears to be a good enough excuse not to write. Every time I let a fear creep in, in essence I'm saying no to my passion, my purpose, my best self. And frankly, that just makes me mad. That's what keeps me up at night. That's what has me apologizing to you now, dear subscribers. Forgive me for not sending out your monthly dose of "Lighten Up!" It's been a challenge to write these first two paragraphs. It's been a challenge to accept something that comes with no guarantees but is something I've known for quite some time that I've been destined to do. I am a writer and it's about damn time I say, "Yes!" to it. Read on to perhaps discover what you're ready to say, "Yes!" to in your own life.

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

~Knowing When To Say Yes~

I did something a couple of weeks ago that many people might think is a tad bit on the crazy side. I quit my job to follow my dream of being a published author. Oh, I've quit plenty of jobs in the past in search of the higher-paying, less stress, something's-gotta-be-better-than-what-I'm-doing-right-now” job, but I've never quite felt satisfied with my next choice. I'm always left with a feeling of dissatisfaction. It's like buying something you know you really don't need, but you put it in your cart anyway because you know it's going to make you feel good if only for a little while. Or maybe it's more like this: At some point in your life, you decided what you really want to do will have to be put on hold for awhile longer because (this is where you get to fill in your own excuse for not doing what you really want to be doing). Ever made that kind of bargain with your self? Me too, and honestly, it's a sad state of affairs to be in because the truth is...while you're waiting to follow your dream of doing whatever it is you want to do, your dream has been waiting for you to say "Yes!" to it.

It's not an easy thing knowing when is the right time to follow your bliss. I do know that once you've found it, it's hard to ignore it. You might notice that as time cruises on by and you see other people following their heart's desires, it becomes increasingly more difficult to say no to your own. There will always be plenty of people who will caution you, question you and wonder if you've gone slightly mad, but that's nothing compared to the feelings of remorse you might have if you don't do what you want to do. Remember you're the one who has to wake up to the thoughts in your head every morning that might be whispering or screaming "Is this all there is to my life?" You're the one who gets to decide when is the right time for you to grasp the reins of what you love and take it for a good long ride.Whether you're wondering what your bliss is or you're deciding whether or not to say "Yes!" to it, here are a few insights that will support you in your riding.

My friends saying "Yes!" to dancing to 80's music.

5 Good Guesses It's a "Yes!"

1) You think about it all the time.
It's not just on your mind, it's your regularly-scheduled program. Following your bliss becomes a part of who you are, not just what you do.

2) Unexpected support begins showing up.
Whether or not you believe in synchronicity or the law of attraction, there will be signs that will surprise and delight you, but most of all encourage you to continue to follow that which you know is yours to follow.

3) It makes you feel good.
You actually have physical sensations when you're doing what you love. Whether it's that butterfly-high feeling in your stomach or that perma-grin that's pasted on your lips, you experience extreme pleasure when following your bliss.

4) You tell people about it.
You might be all hot air and no substance quite yet, but if you're talking it up with others you'll reap some benefits. You'll feel better when you’re actually doing what you say you want to be doing, but sharing your bliss with people tends to keep the excitement in you alive.

5) You miss it when you're not doing it.
If you've ever gone a day or two without brushing your teeth, you'll understand what I mean when I say you'll miss your bliss if you're not taking care of it. You might even discover that you're not quite yourself when you've ignored what you so love.

A coaching colleague of mine said something a few years back I'll never forget. He used the term "blissed out" and I think ever since I heard that expression, I've wanted to experience my life in that way. (Thanks, Martin) I want to wake up and know that my day will be filled with the things I love. I want to end the day knowing I played full out with no regrets. I know if I live my life from this place, I will be able to say "Yes!" more often than I say no. I know I will be a better coach, a better friend, a better partner and a better writer if I continue to follow my bliss.
Find and follow yours.

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

Duirwaigh Gallery I figured it was no accident I came upon this lovely flash animation movie more than once in two days time so I could share it with you. The combination of Celtic music, pictures of faeries and princesses and a powerful message is entertaining and inspiring. You'll be reminded of the magic and beauty of your dreams. I had to reach for a Kleenex both times I watched it.

"Life" by Schiller
I just got this c.d. a couple days ago and it's been playing in my laptop and headphones ever since. Its style of music would best be described as ambient, but you'll likely find it located in the rock section of your music store. If you enjoy music by Enigma or Delerium, you'll become a fast fan of Schiller. Opera diva Sarah Brightman makes a guest appearance on a couple of songs and a bonus DVD is tossed in with quite a few good videos. The songs vary in tempo; some will make your body move, some will make you relax, but overall, the c.d. is the perfect thing to play when you need a personal time-out.

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

THINGS TO PONDER
1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?
2. Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?
3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?
4. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?
5. Why do "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?
6. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there?
7. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?
8. Why are a 'wise man' and a 'wise guy' opposites?
9. Why is phonics not spelled the way it sounds?
10. If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
11. Why do you press harder on the buttons of a remote control when you know the batteries are dead?
12. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Ways to Play Today!

Why not...exchange places with someone in line?
I'm not suggesting you take cuts, but give them to someone else. That's right. When you're at the front of a line, why not give up your place to the impatient person standing right behind you? Or better yet, trade places with the person that's standing at the very end. You'll be sure to make someone's day, but you'll also relish the looks on other people’s faces as you make the exchange and retreat to the back of the line. Obviously, do not try this out when you're the one who’s in a hurry. I do encourage you though to give it a whirl when the line is really long. That's when you'll see sheer glee appear on another's face.

Why not...sit with stillness awhile and see what happens?
This is not a time for zoning out and taking a nap. This is a chance for you to get quiet and just listen. You can do this wherever you are, but I recommend picking a more serene space rather than a rambunctious one. Sitting beside a bubbling brook is a good choice. Sitting in a crowded coffee house isn’t. It’s likely you won’t be able to turn off that little voice in your head, but try. Listen for the things you usually don’t take the time to hear. Notice what happens when you take a few moments to be with sounds that are not your own. Write a few lines about your experience. Stick your prose in a journal, share it with a friend or enter your musings into a writing contest. Consider how you can practice this way of playing more often.

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

Following your passion IS your purpose.

Absence DOES make the heart grow fonder, but it's not much fun being away from the one you love.

With the passage of time, the small stuff we worry about becomes smaller and the bigger stuff we wonder about becomes all that really matters.

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

What will you say "Yes!" to today?
How will that impact your world and those around you?

Care to share what these questions stir up in you? Need some support around saying "Yes!" to what you really want?
Send me an e-mail. I welcome your thoughts and will respond to all e-mails received.

Shameless Promotional Plug

During the last six years of being a life coach, I've always enjoyed asking people, "What do you want?" It's been amazing to hear all the different responses to this one simple question. Sometimes I think I have the greatest job in the world (next to being a rock star) because I get to help people go after what they want. Now that I've quit my job-job (the one where I worked for someone else 40 hours a week) I now have more time and energy available to do the work I really love. What I want is three fabulous and fun new clients to work with beginning in September. If you or someone you know has an interest in being one of those three, give me a call or send me an email and let's chat about what you want. Perhaps we won't form a coaching partnership, but I'll guarantee it'll be a damn good conversation.

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 on September 19th! Until that time, be well, be happy and play more.

May you find and follow your bliss and may it be everything and more you've ever dreamed of.
Lisa

A recent picture of me and my business partner, Tayna.