Transformation Coaching Magazine June 2020 by Transformation Coaching Magazine

INSPIRATION & GROWTH NOW is the Time Angel in the Mall Getting to Yes Serve Others and Make the World a Better Place Step Outside the Box! How Do You Talk to Yourself? Birthing a Planetary Reset Nothing to Fear but BS* Itself You Are Not Alone

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COACHING & BUSINESS TOOLS A Love Letter To Coaches

FEED YOUR SPIRIT The Silent Ego

PUBLISHERS Natalie Rivera Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed.

EDITOR Lisa Cedrone

CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Bryan Hawley, Noelle Sterne, Jo Mooy, Mark Pitstick, Arielle Giordano, Terez Hartmann, Linda Commito, Owen Waters, Alan Cohen, Gregg Sanderson, Mary Boutillier

We believe that self-employment is the ultimate form of empowerment. Our mission is to bring you guests whose powerful entrepreneurship stories and real-world advice will give you the inspiration and tools to create a business and life that you love.

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NOW is the Time NOW is the Time

Many people are now realizing that they have been on a hamster wheel just chasing a paycheck but not really living their passion. By Dr. Bryan Hawley “Now is the time you have been waiting for,” or “The now has been waiting for you to show up.” Either way you look at it, now is the perfect time. Most of the world has felt the confinement, isolation and pain of the coronavirus pandemic. Yet—at the same time—many have rediscovered what it means to be with family and reestablished a new set of values in the process. Many are also stepping out of the “rat race” for the first time and taking a forced minute to slow down and breathe life in, which has provided a window of time to ponder and reflect on what we have been chasing and if it really makes us feel fulfilled. Many people are now realizing that they have been on a hamster wheel just chasing a paycheck but not really living their passion or following the dream that has been calling them. I have been coaching people on finding that true calling over the past few years, and, as a result, I am involved in many social media groups supporting this growing trend of redefining our life objectives . Over the past couple of months, I have seen a dramatic spike in the number of people wanting to make a change—follow through with that dream they once had but let slip away. Many are waking up to the fact that—thanks to the digital world and social media—we are only a click of the mouse away from getting our ideas out

to millions of people around the world for literally pennies on the dollar. Others are starting to write that book or manuscript that they always wanted to pen, and they are finding out how easy it is to publish with Amazon or another self-publishing company and market via social media. People are creating presentations on cooking, gardening, parenting, yoga—you name it—and then turning them into online courses on sites such as Udemy and YouTube. And they are developing and creating products and selling through Internet platforms including Amazon, Shopify and Etsy. I recently spoke to a couple who turned a passion for soapmaking into an online business through a Shopify store. They are now considering whether they even want to go back to regular jobs when self-quarantining is over. They are having too much fun creating shower bombs, bath salts, candles, soaps, and scrubs to go back to the daily grind of nine to five. There are also people filming on Youtube and Vimeo doing athome exercise programs and cooking, to name just a few things. Once they get over a set number of followers and views, YouTube will let them monetize their channels with sponsored ads. And for any products that they use, they can set up affiliate accounts with manufacturers to get commissions. There is even someone who actually filmed himself picking a product to develop into an online business (his

wife wanted to launch a makeup line) and setting it up. He went through and recorded his computer screen while creating the online store, the landing page and Facebook ads. Then, for the next 30 days, he did short recordings of managing the ads, logging sales, shipping the product and scaling the business. He charged $100 to follow him on this adventure for a month from A-Z. (I know because I paid the $100.) Prior to doing this, he launched a series of Facebook and Instagram ads announcing what he was going to do. His total cost for advertising this “show” was around $2,500, but in 3 weeks he had over 1,000 people sign up for this for the $100. Not a bad investment! And, as a bonus it’s all recorded so he can now keep selling this program online without having to do anything but promote it. So, if you are at that point where you feel something needs to change, something is calling you to follow your passion—now is a perfect time to do it! We have never had an opportunity such as this before. So if you are still stuck at home or dreading going back to a job that you hate, take a chance and write that short story, make that bar of soap, create that course on “how to.” Who knows what could happen? There is someone out there in the world that will find what you are doing helpful and, in most cases, will be happy to purchase your product and support you. The world is yours for the taking just step up and step out…you got this.

Listen for Your Calling with Dr. Bryan Hawley Dr. Bryan is a published author, national speaker, and personal growth consultant. He also owns an online digital marketing agency and has created a simple online course on digital marketing to help other coaches, and authors break out into the world and reach audiences. You can find out more on his website http://www.drbryanhawley.com or email directly at info@drbryanhawley.com.

Angel in the Mall

This article, the first Transformation ever published of Noelle’s, is dedicated to her beloved Tony P., who recently went on to another exciting journey. By Noelle Sterne, Ph.D.

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” —C.S. Lewis On a sunny Sunday afternoon, my husband and I headed for the busy upscale mall outside town. I dressed up—trendy earrings, understated sexy blouse, tailored slacks, matching bag and shoes. We visited a few shops together, then agreed to browse separately and meet in two hours at the front entrance. I’d been to every shop but the European baby boutique and had spent a lot of money without guilt. In both hands, I gripped my prizes—entwined handles of shiny, smart-logoed, overflowing shopping bags. I should have felt wonderful. But my purchases barely veiled my heaviness. At the imported pen shop, my husband and I had had yet another fight. I didn’t want to admit it, but they were becoming too frequent.

Each time, the anger on both sides had been surprisingly intense and the vitriol unbridled. The cliché about marital arguments is true: I couldn’t even remember the subjects of the last few. Reliving my outbursts, I felt ashamed and helpless. Now, despite the new acquisitions and plush surroundings, I fell deeper into depression. As I walked to our meeting place, noticing each passing flawlessly coifed woman, I imagined she had the perfect life, even though rationally I knew better. I considered stopping one and asking her to sit down with me on an inviting hand-carved wooden bench in the mall center strip, surrounded by luxuriant greenery and overlooking the koi pond. Encouraged by my sympathetic smile, she would twist the Tiffany diamond and emerald rings on her left hand and pour out her saga of troubles. I also knew that whatever she might confess would not make me feel better. My mind kept returning to the furious shouting and endless litany in my head of my husband’s faults. As we had icily agreed before parting outside the pen shop, exactly on time I waited for him at the two stone lions at the mall entrance near the taxi stand so we could get a cab home. We’d supposedly “made up,”

each saying what we thought we should in apology, as if the perfunctory words would make us feel differently. But our empty declarations couldn’t erase the lingering rage and hurt. And worse, I already knew from past repetitions that what we’d thought was resolved would only reappear a few days later, sparked by the next most trivial thing. I dreaded the stony ride home, unpacking everything that was supposed to have brought joy, and serving an uninviting cold supper of leftovers. We’d eat without speaking, except for stiff requests to pass the salt, and then disappear into separate rooms, each blaring a TV to cover resentful thoughts. Looking both ways from the entrance, I shifted from one foot to the other. Where was he? He’d promised to meet me promptly. Now he was very late. My bags heavy, I set them down and propped them against each other, getting angrier by the minute. Pacing back and forth, I wondered irritably whether any cabs would be left, and I glanced to my left toward the area where they usually parked. Suddenly a man appeared on my right side. Startled, I looked full at him. He was tall and stout, towering over me. He wore black slacks and a black shirt open at the collar. In his mid-fifties, he had a large head, somewhat sagging jowls, and lank dark brown hair. Around his neck, standing out dramatically against the black shirt, on a thin gold chain hung a huge gold cross. I felt him staring and thought he was going to fight me for a cab or make a pass. Instead, with a small smile, he reached into a little black pouch and held out an object. “This is for you.”

Automatically and without fear, I extended my hand. Something small dropped into my palm, and without looking I closed my fist. Then he bent closer, his eyes piercing. “God loves you and so do I.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek. I stood wide-eyed, and no words came. Then, regaining a little composure, I said, “And God loves you. What denomination are you?” He smiled broader. “I’m a Christian.” Without waiting for acknowledgment, he turned and strode to the parking lot. He unlocked the door of a black car, got in, and started the engine. I opened my hand. On a tie tack back, a tiny angel shone up at me. Its gold halo sparkled, and its diamond-cut glass skirt billowed with assurance. I stared after the car pulling away, and my eyes teared. How did he know to choose me, a stylish woman looking like she had it all? How did he know that beneath the façade I felt so lonely and depressed I hardly knew what to do? The man had sounded so sure in his declaration of God’s love for me. Could I believe him? I cradled the delicate angel. Was it really possible? Her wings, like welcoming arms, opened in unlimited love. How did He know that this was exactly the reminder I needed? All heaviness lifted and my anger dissolved. I couldn’t wait to invite my husband to dinner at our favorite restaurant, and I knew we’d really be able to talk. He appeared from around the corner. I waved and smiled. “Hi, sweetheart. You’re just in time for the next cab.”

Trust Your Life Now with Noelle Sterne, Ph.D. Noelle Sterne is an author, editor, academician, writing coach, mentor, and spiritual counselor. She has published over 600 pieces in print and online venues, including Author Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children’s Book Insider, Fiction Southeast, Funds for Writers, Inspire Me Today, Rate Your Story, Romance Writers Report, Transformation Coaching Magazine, Unity Magazine, Women in Higher Education, Women on Writing, The Writer, and Writer’s Digest. A story appears in Transform Your Life (Transformation Services, 2014). Spiritually-oriented pieces have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel (2014) and Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Forgiveness Fix (2019). With a Ph.D. from Columbia University, for 30 years Noelle has assisted doctoral candidates to complete their dissertations (finally). Based on her practice, her handbook for graduate students helps them overcome largely ignored but equally important nonacademic difficulties in their writing: Challenge in Writing Your Dissertation: Coping with the Emotional, Interpersonal, and Spiritual Struggles (Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2015). In Noelle’s book Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams (Unity Books, 2011), she draws examples from her academic consulting and other aspects of life to help readers release regrets, relabel their past, and reach their lifelong yearnings. Going after her next Dream, Noelle is completing her second novel. Her website: http://www.trustyourlifenow.com.

Getting to Yes

There are only three letters in the words “yes”— but they have the power to change the world. By Jo Mooy Unless we engage in personal spiritual practices that keep us calm and orderly, daily life in the 21st century is governed by rapid-fire changes and chaos. We’re inundated by news, current events and social media that divide us. Opinions on both sides of the topics bombard us with anxieties and fears that make each topic confrontational. A healing walk on the beach that once offered a way to get past the chaos now comes with its own dread of red tide, sewage spills or flesh-eating bacteria. We could gather in a room and go through “consensus building,” which thousands of coaches and trainers teach. Consensus training comes with a laundry list of things that need to be done to achieve it. Basic instructions include defining the goal, listening to everyone’s needs and being open and respectful of differing opinions. Short of gathering everyone into a room and going through that type of exercise there might be another way. It’s called Getting to Yes! And it doesn’t require any involvement by “the other side.” Many years ago a spiritual mentor gave a talk on how each person’s personal action can affect evolutionary changes. He asked the audience to identify confrontational situations they were dealing with. The confrontations could be with close family members, or friends, or coworkers. Individuals stood up in the audience to explain their issues. They were emotional. They explained why their position was right and the other person’s was wrong. Many said politics had severed the bonds within their families. Others said it was the religion they were currently following. Some recounted old hurts that haunted them. When all the stories were done, the spiritual teacher said, “What if, during the next family upheaval, you

tell the other person, you know, you’re right! I am wrong! What if you tell them that?” At first there was immediate pushback as they dug in their heels to say they were not wrong. He gently repeated to each one, “What if you say YES, you’re right. I’m wrong!” Getting to Yes doesn’t require hours of wasted time. When confronted by anyone who has a passionate position that is opposite yours, there’s no need to engage or explain your side of the story. Simply allow the other person the value of their point of view and let them “win” the argument. When the phone rang, caller ID identified her. She was strongly opinionated, volatile when confronted by opposition and argumentative. I decided to try Getting to Yes! The conversation had barely begun when the tirade began. Her long-held arguments and hurts surfaced quickly. Instead of responding as I normally did during our conversations, I said nothing. I let her rant and rave and just listened. After 20 minutes she noticed I’d been quiet the whole time. In her typical way she said, “Aren’t you going to say anything?” I said, “Yes, you’re right.” My words stopped her. “What do you mean?” she asked. I repeated: “Yes, you’re right.” I let her have her opinions and the space she needed to express the wrongs without confrontation. I was no longer engaged in winning the battle with her. There are only three letters in the words “yes”— but they have the power to change the world. It takes two to argue. But when one disengages, the emotional charge around who is really right or wrong dissipates. You can still hold on to your own views, but by detaching from the fray ease prevails. Who knows, maybe world peace could be achieved if each side said, “Yes you’re right!”

Conscious Living with Jo Mooy

Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

Serve Others and Make the World a Better Place

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Nine Kopfer

WHAT IS GREATER REALITY LIVING?

The term greater reality living describes how you might choose to live as you expand your awareness of reality, which is defined as the state of things as it actually exists. Because so much of reality escapes the five physical senses, you likely have viewed life as if through a tiny pinhole and then wondered why things don’t make sense. As the old saying goes, “There is much more to life than meets the eye.” If you are now inspired to expand your perception and take action in your own life, the Greater Reality Living model outlined in this series of Transformation Coaching articles provides a roadmap to: 1) Learn That Consciousness Survives Physical Death 2) Internalize This Great News 3) Vitalize Your Body, Mind and Spirit 4) Enjoy the Many Benefits of Greater Reality Living 5) Serve Others and Make the World a Better Place I designed this LIVES model to prepare people for optimal living after learning about the findings of Gary E. Schwartz, Ph.D., who directs the Laboratory for Advances in Consciousness and Health at the University of Arizona. He is a Harvard graduate, former Harvard and Yale professor, and author of nine books including The Afterlife Experiments and The Sacred Promise. I also started the nonprofit SoulPhone Foundation (http://www.SoulPhone.org) to help fund research and development for the SoulPhone Project. Depending on funding, a reliable and highly accurate SoulSwitch™ that provides yes/no answers from post-material (“deceased”) persons may be completed in 2020. An array of these switches can be used to produce a SoulKeyboard™ to enable texting and typing with them. This will greatly increase the quality and quantity of communication with postmaterial loved ones as well as scientists, inventors, and others who want to help us improve life on Earth. Replicated, multi-center, university-based scientific studies for the SoulPhone™ technology have now — for the first time in human history — definitively demonstrated that death is NOT the end of life.

“One of my goals as a scientist is to make the u nknow n more know n and the invisible more visible. Under standing more of the greater reality is a major key to per sonal and p lanetar y transfor mation. -Dr . Gar y Schwar tz By Mark Pitstick, MA, DC Have you ever wondered, “What will it take to awaken a sufficient number of people and make a major positive difference in our world?” The collective evidence that life is eternal can be a huge step in that direction, since the fear of death has negatively impacted humanity in so many ways. In this article, I want to share quotes from great teachers to help you

grasp the possibilities for helping others and positively transforming yourself and our planet. You don’t have to work long and hard at it. Just remember your true nature and amazing potentials, then take action steps based on your new perspective. This formula, applied by a critical mass of people, can change our world for the better. It’s really that simple. Consider the potential transformation possible when selfish political and big business interests no longer 13

block important changes. As author Stephan A. Schwartz commented, “The challenge is not technical so much as political.” A similar test applies to the scientific recognition of the greater reality. The successful creation of SoulPhone technology, for example, will provide definitive evidence of life beyond death of the earthly body. However, this technical advancement also will require political evolution. Dr. Schwartz and a team of 10 senior scientists created the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences (http://www.AAPSGlobal. com) to help bring updated knowledge to academia and the general public. To date, nearly 300 scientists, university professors and physicians have signed the manifesto for the Academy. Accomplishing important changes can happen quickly when we elect and monitor political representatives who are progressive and caring. Please do your part to ensure that elected leaders are intelligent and service-oriented, and willing to work toward solutions. In Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela wrote, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate. And if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

As Maya Angelou said and Op rah Winfrey w idely shared, "When you know better , you do better ." Will you put your newfound knowledge and strategies to work and make the world a better place? Neale Donald Walsch, author of the Conversations with God series

of books, stated: “If you want the best the world has to offer, offer the world your best. The new spirituality will produce an experience in human encounters in which we become a living demonstration of the basic spiritual teaching: ‘We are all one.’ We’re seeing a higher level of consciousness and many more opportunities for people to challenge their present ways of thinking and move into a grander and larger experience of who they really are.” After a near-death experience (NDE) or other spiritually transformative experiences, many people reorder their priorities. They become less concerned with excess materialism and superficial pursuits. Over time, they become more focused on helping others, deepening their compassion, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. You now have the opportunity to learn how to do the same. In Living in a Mindful Universe, Eben Alexander M.D. wrote: “A brilliant, hopeful future is within our grasp—we must simply choose to make it so. Each of us is a potential change agent that can help bring our collective vision to fruition. It is up to us individually to accept the invitation to break out of the illusion of the physical world. We must acknowledge our spiritual nature and how it resonates with the fundamental nature of the universe.” Please don’t hold back from doing something because this vision seems overwhelming. Everyone’s contribution is important and sufficient.

As anthrop ologist Margaret Mead said, "Never dou bt that a small, committed group of peop le can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

An Eastern p roverb notes: "It's better to light just one candle than to cu rse the dar kness. You never know how far reaching something you say or do today may be in the futu re." The Helping Parents Heal group was started by two bereaved parents after their child’s earthly body died. Now there are over 70 chapters worldwide with local and online groups and 10,000 members. More than 500 people attended their first national conference, and they expect 1,000 at the next one. This is a beautiful example of how just two people chose to find the silver lining and help others. Drs. Wayne Dyer and Bernie Siegel gave the same advice when I asked them how to reach and help more people: “Pray every morning and ask, ‘How can I help?’ Then keep your eyes open and feel how life calls you to serve.” When you feel discouraged about all the problems in the world, consider this story about a man who was walking along the beach. He saw thousands of starfish that had washed up overnight and would soon perish from the hot sun and birds of prey. Then he noticed a woman gently picking several up and walking them out into deeper water so they could survive. The man said to her incredulously, “Why are you doing this? Look at all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference.” The woman picked up a few more and, as she walked them out to safety, said: “I’m making a difference for these.”

To extend the possibilities of this story, what if the man realized the wisdom of her words and began pitching in? Might others notice and begin to help as well? Soon, all of the starfish could be rescued. The analogy in this story for addressing personal and worldwide needs is obvious. Serving others benefits both the giver and the recipient.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another w ithout help ing himself." A universal law seems operative here; you get back so much when you help others. Can you imagine the summation effect as more people awaken to their true nature and interconnection with all life, and live accordingly? The

potential for transformation has no ceiling. Remarkable achievements are readily attainable as more people become enlightened and serve as they feel called.

Overp op ulation, p reju dice, hu nger , p overty, disease and war can become relics of the past as peop le hold a more p ositive world vision and do their part to achieve it. In Life and Teaching of The Masters of The Far East, Baird T. Spalding wrote nearly a century ago, “God is holding the ideal perfect world in mind in every detail and it is bound to come forth as a heaven or perfect home where all His children, all His creatures, and all His creations may dwell in peace and harmony. This is the perfect world that God saw in the beginning and the one He is thinking into existence right now; the time of its manifestation lies in our acceptance of it.”

Helping others is also a great way to serve and thank the Light. In her book In the Heart of the World, Mother Theresa stated: “Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time and His hand in every happening, this is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.”

Some peop le waste p recious time and energy ranting about how some peop le are so c rooked, thoughtless and ignorant. We like Gandhi's advice: "Be the change you want to see in the world." Serving others is a great way to create more peace, joy and harmony for yourself and others. Our world can quickly come together as more people realize the sacred oneness in all creation. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Bart Larue

Mark Pitstick, MA, DC is an author, master’s clinical psychologist, holistic chiropractic physician, frequent media guest, and webinar/workshop facilitator. He directs The SoulPhone Foundation and founded Greater Reality Living Groups. Dr. Pitstick can help you know and show—no matter what is happening to or around you— that your earthly experience is a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst forever. Visit http://www.SoulProof.com for free articles, newsletters and radio interviews with top consciousness experts.

Step Outside the Box!

Use the challenge of self-quarantine to open to fresh, new opportunites. By Arielle Giordano Are you ready to step out of you own way? As a college professor discussing creativity with students, I find that most people live in their own box and are afraid to break out of it. I want you to realize that the only containers that exist are those that you create. During the coronavirus pandemic, my life turned upside down just like everyone else’s in the world. Everything I was used to is now different. Indeed, this new normal has changed life and the way we treat, meet and greet each other as human beings. As painful as change can be, the self-quarantine offers the opportunity to inspire ourselves and open new spaces. Personally, I allowed my creativity to soar. I began creating my own dance and stretch videos, developed a dance program, and I put my second book on Kindle Direct Publishing. I transformed my livingroom into a dance studio with lights, camera, microphone and action! Are you ready to break out of your box, become open to fresh, new opportunities, and use your intuition to sense what is next for you? Go for it regardless of discomfort, unfamiliarity, emotional waves, and uncomfortable feelings

and thoughts. Know that the more you move into new space, the more the flow of universal energy moves in you and you move in the new flow! Being out of your protected space invites you to find comfort in discomfort. Turning your life upside down can mean letting go of the old and moving into the new. You may get a new job, start a relationship, end or begin a career, get married or divorced, relocate, buy or sell a house. Your heart is the gateway to moving forward from the inside out. When you move into a new space within, a subtle shift and response happens that ripples outward. What change/shift do you know you are ready to step into? Are you resisting or holding back? As children, we played in our innocence and did not question anything or judge anyone. We were carefree and did not have concerns abuout people thought or how we looked to others! We enjoyed every moment, played and had fun. We did not hold back our thoughts, feelings and actions. Life experiences, stories, patterns and beliefs can shift you back into a shell like a tiny turtle afraid to move. You can choose to stay stuck or you can become extraordinary and set yourself free. Be open to be the real and true you and dive deeper into the flow of what your heart knows!

Dancing from the Inside Out with Arielle Giordano Transformational Life Coach Award-Winning Author & Speaker, Professional Dancer. Arielle’s Award-Winning book for Best Self-Help Award: Dancing With Your Story From The Inside is available on http://www.Amazon.com. Her professional career includes the Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Professor for the College of Humanities, History and the Arts at the University of Phoenix. She is a published co-author of Transform Your Life Books 1 & 2 and author for Tampa Bay Wellness, Conscious Shift & Transformation magazine. She has published her 4th book, an Instructor’s Manual for Barlow Abnormal Psychology 4th ed. and authored Psychology, A Journey 3rd.ed. Study Guide published by Nelson Education, Toronto, ON. She has also studied philosophy at the College of Integrated Philosophy with John DeRuiter for twenty years. Arielle has been a featured guest on radio and television, in newspapers, and the media across the US and Canada. She is a certified Essentrics Stretch and Dance Instructor. Arielle offers coaching sessions, classes and workshops and a free 30-minute Consultation. Websites: http://www.dancingfromtheinsideout.com, http://www.ariellegiordano.com. Email: agbeautifuldance@gmail.com

A Love Letter To Coaches

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Carolyn V

Coaches, mentors, parents, teachers, friends: If ever there was a time to be a catalyst for well-being, it is NOW in this pivotal, poignant moment in history.

By Terez Hartmann I know we each have our own unique perspective, style of expression and intentions, and that no words will ever resonate as clearly as those that come from within YOU. But when these words presented themselves to me during my “Covid chrysalis time,” I felt compelled to share them. May this letter ignite a spark within YOU to remember how magnificent you are, that life is supposed to be good for you, and perhaps to encourage you to take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard/ touchscreen) to “coach the coach” and craft a letter of your own in YOUR own words. Dear multi-faceted being, I just want to take a moment to say that I am proud of you. You remain open and willing to see yourself and life clearly—and it is especially nice for you to remember to see and seek the light in your SELF. It is so nice to see you being kinder and gentler with yourself, as your sweet spirit thrives when you allow your natural well-being to flow. You are on to something, my dear friend, so keep focusing in easy, relaxed, gentle ways and just as you have seen, the higher emotions are just as beautiful when viewed from a foundation of serenity and satisfaction. Even though the world may seem to reward those who endure suffering and pain in the name of checking yet another box of accomplishment, it is awesome that this chrysalis time of quiet metamorphosis is

showing you that there is another path to allowing the things that truly matter to you: You have opened to the idea that you ARE enough and that expansion is just the natural order of things, so you don’t have to push and suffer for it. You know you are a work of art in progress and always will be, and by being present in your body and living/acting with intention, you can continue to move in the direction that is most conducive to your true joy and happiness, aka the authentic “success” that lies at the heart of every dream, vision and intention. You are allowed to “miss the mark” and always find gifts in these experiences, one of which is discovering new ways to talk to yourself that are infinitely more helpful and nourishing. You know how to bend and flow, while staying rooted in light, love and truth. You see and feel the lightness and benefit of letting go of guarding, protecting or defending, and you are feeling the power of embracing your light and joy gently. You have recognized that feelings show up to show you something. Observe and let them inform you of what to choose next. You know that now is when you allow. You are remembering that no moment or single creation defines you, these are merely jumping off places for your next evolutionary step. You have truly come to know that if you want to change what you are seeing, your mission is to upgrade your vision.

You continue to find a sense of stability—a feeling of stone beneath your feet—and the more unconditional you become, the more you can and will sustain well-being, no matter what the changing weather patterns of life may bring. You are valued and are valuable just by BEING. You were born of and in love. This love surrounds you and is in every cell of your body, ever-present— and in your heart-of-hearts, you know you are loved and that nothing will change this. You are remembering that you do indeed have angels around you every day, all the time, both in the non-physical realm and in 3-D. I’m proud of you in EVERY moment: when you have the courage to reach when you have the courage to feel when you have the courage to fall when you have the courage to get back up when you have the courage to rest when you have the courage to be present when you have the courage to be yourself when you have the courage to decide and move onward, upward, forward. It is ALL good. It is ALL helpful. It is ALL beneficial. It is ALL spiritual. It is ALL brave, yet at the same time, it is THE most NATURAL thing in the world. You came here to explore and reach for more, and there is no wrong path or wrong way to do this. Your mission is to discern what feels lighter or heavier to you—what feels more open and free, versus what feels closed and confined. Each state of being offers gifts: • Focusing upon freedom and truth attracts more of the same. • Times of perceived confinement and doubt ask for more freedom and truth.

The questions for you to consider are: • Which path feels better? • Which path is more fun? • Which path feeds serenity, well-being, and joy? • Which path feels like me? You were not meant to follow and do what others have chosen for themselves, you were born to lead, and—most importantly—lead your SELF. Others’ stories are only ever meant to be catalysts or breadcrumbs, but YOUR joy and sense of purpose is found in following YOUR inner muse and listening to YOUR inner compass. BE who you are and revel in ALL of it. Celebrate every season and style of your expression. While your words, templates, programs and creations can certainly be catalysts for inspiration and empowerment for others, your BEING will always speak louder and ignite more fires than any “thing” or word you will ever utter in a lifetime of lifetimes. I am proud of you and I love you now and always. Thank you for all you do – and especially for all you ARE, dear friends.

Here’s to allowing YOUR success and to living this precious, magical, ever-changing, multicolored, beautiful, crazy, creative, LIFE on FIRE.

ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS with Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann

Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOU-lous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: http://www.TerezFirewoman.com

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How Do You Talk to Yourself?

Being kind to yourself makes it easier to be kind to others. By Linda Commito How do you talk to yourself when you make a mistake or when you struggle to remember a name or a date? What do you tell yourself when you think that you’re “not good enough or smart enough” or when you say or do something “inappropriate”? Oftentimes, it’s our negative self-talk that is the loudest and yet we don’t even consider that it may be prejudiced, one-sided, or simply wrong. There was a time in my life when the “Voice in my Head” was quick to judge my thoughts or actions. And perhaps what I was calling “my voice” was really someone else’s, but I didn’t know how to step back and take a reality check on where it was coming from. I realized even then that my negative self-talk was undermining my sense of peace and well-being. What makes us think that we should be perfect all the time? And when we’re not, how can we learn from our mistakes and use this awareness to be better? Very few of us do well under criticism and judgment. So how can we forgive ourselves—as we do others? What if we change what we can and let go of what no longer serves us as conscious, kind human beings? How do we shift the conversation with ourselves in a loving way and appreciate when we are trying our best? We usually can’t control the difficult and unpredictable course of life’s events, but we can change

how we absorb, think about, and react to them. When we release any negative thoughts, emotions or worry and talk to ourselves with kindness, it serves not only us, but those around us. Besides, being kind to yourself makes it easier to be kind to others.

Perspective is usually something good that comes with aging. Over the years, I’ve had more compassion for myself, as well as for others, which includes being kind to that “voice” in my head. I can now listen and respond with the same understanding that I extend to others: “Maybe it wasn’t the best choice of words OR I should have made a wiser decision OR perhaps I overreacted . . . but this is an opportunity for learning. I can be better next time.” The bottom line is that this “VOICE” is going to be with us for the duration of our lives, so how can we make it our friend and ally? How can we talk to ourselves with love, kindness, and appreciation? And then how can we extend that same compassion to others? Remember. Be kind to yourself!

Love is the New Currency with Linda Commito Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.

The Silent Ego

The New Reality is about self-empowerment, and it’s about power with everyone, not against them. By Owen K Waters In today’s culture, the word ego is usually applied to dysfunctional personality traits. If a person is controlling, obnoxious or throws a temper tantrum, their ego is said to be to blame. Dysfunctional attributes of the ego spring from the Old Reality of separation consciousness. Humankind has spent thousands of years exploring the effects of separation from other people, separation from other states of consciousness, and separation from the spiritual source within. Separation consciousness causes deep-seated fears—fears that there will not be enough love, land or resources. From these fears spring jealousy, greed and aggression. It is little wonder that, after thousands of years of nightmarish consequences, humankind is ready to move on to the healing phase of existence upon Earth. The emerging New Reality brings heart-centered consciousness. The keyword of the new consciousness is integration, not separation. Over the coming decades and centuries, humankind will find ways to resolve differences and issues of separation in ways that are inspired by unconditional love and compassion. Violence may beget

violence, but it is based upon the illusion of lack. Love begets love and, being based upon a very real component of Creation, it has the real power. In the Old Reality, many religious leaders would work on being in control of their congregations by berating them with accusations that they are worthless sinners. These days, some teachers who claim to be spiritual berate their audiences with accusations that they have bad ego problems. In fact, they claim, having any ego at all is bad, bad, bad. People in the audience, even gentle souls with wonderful hearts, are then supposed to begin to doubt themselves. After all, they suppose, the allegedly enlightened teacher must know better than they. And, so, the worm of control begins to work its way into their minds. The New Reality is not about power over anyone. It is about selfempowerment, and it’s about power with everyone, not against them. The ego of a spiritual person is not a problem. It is an essential part of the human system, created expressly by the Creator of all life in order for it to experience self-consciousness from an infinite number of viewpoints. Infinite Being is the all-encompassing consciousness from which the

universe was created. Everything in the universe is made of consciousness. Just as each snowflake is unique, so is each person. Your primary purpose in life is to experience life from one individual, unique point of view. You cannot cut off a part of yourself. The ego cannot be cast away and forgotten. It is your essential sense of identity. Even if someone were successful in casting away a part of themselves, there would come a time when they would have to retrieve that lost part and integrate it back into themselves in a healthy, holistic manner. You are an expression of Infinite Being as it experiences itself from all possible viewpoints. The best way you can serve yourself and Infinite Being, the source within us all, is to live your life to your own, personal, highest potential. And be sure to celebrate who you are, because there is no one exactly like you in the entire universe. Editor’s note: Owen Waters is the author of Freedom of the Spirit: Four Powerful Steps to Spiritual Freedom. Find our more and purchase the book at https://www.spiritualdynamics.net/ ebooks/freedom.htm

Spiritual Dynamics with Owen K. Waters Owen is a cofounder of the Spiritual Dynamics Academy, where a where a free spiritual growth newsletter awaits you at: http://www.SpiritualDynamics.net. He is an international spiritual teacher who has helped hundreds of thousands of spiritual seekers to understand better the nature of their spiritual potential. Owen’s life has been focused upon gaining spiritual insights through extensive research and the development of his inner vision. For the past 12 years, he has written a spiritual metaphysics newsletter which empowers people to discover their own new vistas of inspiration, love and creativity. Spiritual seekers enjoy his writings for their insight and clarity.

Birthing a Planetary Reset

Let us reframe the coronavirus pandemic not as a curse, but a wake-up call. By Alan Cohen The world is not the same place it was just a few months ago. The pandemic and economic downturn have put humanity’s activities on pause and caused nearly everyone to make significant lifestyle changes. We are required to stay home, conduct business from our living room, homeschool, and face family issues we have shoved under the rug for a long time. We are commanded to not touch each other or our faces. Just a short time ago no one imagined any of this would happen. When the pandemic began, I wondered “What good could possibly come of this?” Now some answers are obvious. For one, we are present with our families at a new depth. A friend sat on her porch and enjoyed a meaningful twohour conversation with her 14-year-old son, an interaction that would never have happened otherwise. A Japanese woman who had a big argument with her parents before she went on a trip has returned to live with them, and has made peace with them unlike ever before. A Portuguese woman who was denied entry to England for a work visa discovered two frail elderly people in her apartment building, whom

she is now cooking for and picking up prescriptions. People are connecting with old friends and new acquaintances from far reaches of the globe via Zoom. We are valuing loved ones we belittled and jobs we once complained about. Meaningful moments are happening that we were too busy to enjoy. It takes a lot to get our attention, but this event has succeeded. Let us reframe it not as a curse, but a wake-up call.

Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” “What can I do to maintain my inner peace and help others?” we ask. “How can I use this experience to improve the quality of my life after the lockdown has been lifted?” “Who am I as I now recognize I am united with every other person on the planet in a common goal?” The answer is simple: Be the light amidst apparent darkness. Your joy, gratitude and creative self-expression serve humanity and the planet far more

than anxiety. Misery has enough company. The world needs people whose minds are clear, confident and connected to a Higher Power. We have meditated, prayed, done yoga, sat at the feet of gurus and aligned our chakras at Sedona vortexes. Now is the time to put our training into action. Bootcamp is over. Now we must apply what we know and live the teachings instead of just talking about them, waiting for non-physical entities to save us, or hoping our kundalinis will rise. It’s showtime. The pandemic will pass and the economy will recover. But we will have experienced an event unprecedented in human history: a planetary reset. We will have re-prioritized our values and recognized the preciousness of our lives and those we love. We will be glad we have jobs to go to, schools to educate our children, the ability to venture out of our homes, the exhilaration of walking in nature, and the safety to touch each other. Things we now take for granted or even complain about will reveal themselves to be blessings. Let us rise to a higher and abiding appreciation for the immense good in our lives. Let us use our time and experience wisely. The beginning is near.

Get Real with Alan Cohen

Alan Cohen is the author of many inspirational books including A Course in Miracles Made Easy. Join Alan for his life-changing Holistic Life Coach Training beginning September 1, 2020. For information on this program and Alan’s books, videos, audios, online courses, retreats, and other inspirational events and materials, visit http://www.AlanCohen.com.

Nothing to Fear but BS* Itself

It’s always something—If it’s not one thing, it’s another. — Roseanne Roseannadanna (Gilda Radner) 30

By Gregg Sanderson Here’s a challenge for you. Turn on your TV and flip around the dial. Chances are you won’t have to wait long to hear some BS about some awful thing that may happen to you. Clever people plan commercials to interrupt the most interesting part of a program. Their message then goes straight to the subconscious while the mind is on the show. It eludes awareness, and adds to the BS that tells you you’re not OK. Something is missing from your life, and disaster is inevitable.

The commercials are effective because we don’t pay attention. When we consciously confront them, they lose their power. They tell you you’re too fat. Go into debt for a weight loss program. Your car is old. Get a new car and go more into debt. Insure it with a reptile on easy terms. Then you can put up your house and go further into debt to pay off your debts. Before social media, there were introduction services. One guaranteed you’ll find a

partner in six months. If you don’t, they’ll give you six months more of what didn’t work. Another modestly promised the “love of your life” … if you have a life. A commercial for a pill to overcome shyness warned of sexual side effects. O. Henry must have had a part in that one. If you aren’t scared yet, we have a pandemic that might interest you. “Talk to your doctor,” they say. Picture it. The whole medical establishment comes to a screeching halt as we all talk to our doctors. We must have a drug we saw on TV to cure an ailment we’ve never heard of but might have. Armed with a sense of humor, the advertised side effects are a gold mine of material! My favorite was: “…possible serious side effects including death.” I couldn’t help but ask, “When is death NOT serious?” Now try to keep a straight face when a commercial says, “Talk to your doctor.” Wash your hands and don’t pick your nose. Laugh at the disaster BS. It’s diffused as it’s refused.

Keep your mental channels clear, and have fun with the disaster messages. Be a FUN-daMENTAList. *BS = Belief System. What did you think it meant?

Happiness is BS with Gregg Sanderson

Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.

You Are Not Alone

Strength isn’t measured on a scale but in our hearts—and in our willingness to do what it takes to be part of the larger community. By Mary Boutieller We just moved through another month knowing way more than we had ever hoped about pandemics and coronaviruses, putting into practice what was not thinkable just a few short months ago. It’s now time to take a deep breath and take stock of what we have learned, where we are and where we go from here. Probably, we’ve moved beyond the novelty of it—the excitement of free time and quiet spaces and nothing to do. Maybe we’ve moved through the bulk of our sadness, the larger fears about our health and safety, the languid heaviness that took over our minds as weeks turned into months. Yet it’s not over. We know that many have suffered and are still struggling, and that that struggle will linger on long after the virus has been abated. So where do we go from here? ... What have we learned about ourselves, our needs and emotions, our neighbors and our town, our country and the world? How do we move forward in this alternate universe? If you are expecting the answer, I’m sorry to disappoint you! These questions are as individual as you; the answers come from your point of view and your experiences. They come from how much you’ve been willing to grow and how much you’ve decided to

stay the same, neither of which is right nor wrong. And whichever path you’ve taken, it is all okay and all acceptable and not for me or anyone else to judge. It is simply life. What I know about these last few months is that I’ve grown in many ways. I learned new things, tried new recipes, practiced more yoga, exercised more regularly, caught up on some reading, and I am truly getting tired of puzzles, as much as I enjoy them! I’ve called more people, pondered what my life is really all about, been fascinated that time really can slow down, and have become more comfortable with the quiet solitude of a smaller circle of life. I’ve also been reminded to appreciate the people and things I often take for granted, like healthcare, grocery store and sanitation workers, and I’ve become a bit more patient with people being people, especially when they are misbehaving (in my mind). I’ve realized how little I need to be content, as shopping for anything except groceries has all but disappeared. I’ve found that strength isn’t measured on a scale but in our hearts, and in our willingness to do what it takes to be part of the larger community. I’ve learned that love works its magic in ways that are not always visible, not always physical, and that you really can feel a hug from six feet away.

It hasn’t all been rosy though. ...There has been sadness and anxiety, a wish for it to be different than it is, many sleepless nights, missing family and friends and normalcy and getting angry at things that aren’t really important. There has been a lot of “two steps forward/one step back” for me as I reach out of my comfort zone and then crawl back into the safety of what I think I know. I’ve cried more and, oddly enough, laughed more than I have in some time, all of it reminding me that I am human and that you are human and that this is not easy for most, and that our tender hearts will never be the same—if we allow the door that has opened to stay that way.

Someone said, “No matter how badly things may look in the moment, we’re invariably blessed with many more things worthy of gratitude.”

If we are fortunate enough to be moving through this time with only minor inconveniences; if we haven’t worried about food on the table or the health of our parents or our children, if we can pay our bills or call friends on the phone, maybe we can let go of some of our grievances and find contentment in the way things are right now. If not content, ask yourself what it is you are really missing in your life. Maybe write down the essence of those things, not the things themselves. Is it love, warmth, closeness, connection, affirmation? Is it escape or distraction? And then ponder where it is we might go from here. We can start by finding our way through the muck with as

much gratitude and patience as we can muster. We can love ourselves, help others, do the next right thing and the next right thing until we find our truth, our purpose, our reason for being right here, right now, in the thick of it, remembering that we are not alone. Really and truly, you, my darling, are not alone. What might your life look like if you could start again and keep all that is so evidently precious and worthy of your time? I’ll share one of my favorite poems, Wild Geese, by one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver: “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting— over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” May this challenging time be filled with grace and ease and understanding. May we all get through this rough time (and all the bumpy roads ahead) mostly unscathed and be grateful for the smooth trails we’ve barely paid attention to before. May there be moments of growth that carry your soul well into the future, as we appreciate each and every day. Be healthy, be happy, be you.

The Yoga of Life with Mary Boutieller Mary Boutieller is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga since 2005. Her work experience includes 22 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 10 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Mary’s knowledge and experience give her a well-rounded understanding of anatomy, alignment, health and movement in the body. She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and the ability to heal at all levels through awareness, compassion, and a willingness to explore. She can be reached at: SimplyogaOm@gmail.com.