Transformation Coaching Magazine October 2018

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Introducing...

We are excited to announce the release of our PODCAST network! Listen at www.freedomorbustpodcast. com. Our YouTube show version now available, too!

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INSPIRATION & GROWTH A Dragon in Fantasyland: An Epic Blessing in Disguise Where Healing Lives What Brings You Joy

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HEALTHY LIVING The Ultimate Kindness Mystical Teachings at the Beach

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PUBLISHERS

The Freedom or BUST Podcast Network is for INDIEpreneurs, aka self-employed freedom junkies who create their own employment in pursuit of freedom, independence, and purpose.

Natalie Rivera Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed.

Our mission with this podcast is to inspire a million people to join the Entrepreneurship Revolution! We believe that self-employment is the ultimate form of empowerment.

Lisa Cedrone

If you would like to get to know us and hear our personal stories why we escaped the rate race and became entrepreneurs... including how Joeel failing his first year of college and then losing his brother ignited a dream within him to return to college and one day open a youth center, how Natalie’s body, which was sffering from chronic fatigue syndrom finally pushed her to stop living everyone else’s dream, and how our business came to a screeching hault when we returned from overseas and Joeel came down with a debilitating illness—and how online courses helped us rebuild our lives and our businesses better than ever—including creating passive inome... then listen in at: www.freedomorbustpodcast.com

Read more in the ad on the right...

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COACHING & BUSINESS TOOLS Your Hero’s Journey What a Basketball Coach Taught Me About Entrepreneurship 4 Reasons to Love Managing Your Brand Public Speaking & The Power of a Smile Unlock Creativity with Mind Mapping

EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS Natalie Rivera, Jimmy Murray, Terez Hartmann, Jowanna Daley, Linda Commito, Alan Cohen, Mary Boutieller, Ashar Mohammed, Arielle Giordano, Jo Mooy

© Copyright 2018 Transformation Services, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.TransformationMag.com

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Your Hero’s Journey

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Free-Photos

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By Natalie Rivera If you’ve ever watched a move or read a story, you know that at the center of every story is a hero. This hero isn’t usually a “superhero” who is endowed with superhuman powers. In most cases, the hero is an ordinary person who either has to rise to the occasion when life throws them a catastrophe or who has to face their demons in order to create a better life. If you think about it, even the “superheroes” usually start out as a regular guy or gal. Think the nerdy Clark Kent who becomes Superman or the timid Frodo Baggins who saves the world in the Lord of the Rings.

Not only do most stories follow the tale of a hero’s journey, but that journey tends to follow a similar path. In fact, this same journey narrative has been used over and over again since as long as humans have been telling stories. Joseph Campbell is famous for his work dedicated to exploring why the specific steps in the hero’s journey are so consistent throughout the history of storytelling, as well as the psychology behind why humans are so intrigued with stories.

The 12 steps of the hero’s journey, as solidified by Campbell, are used in movies and literature because it works. The human mind finds a story that follows this process irresistible. We simply cannot turn away from our hero—we want to know what happens to them—we want them to succeed.

Whether the hero embarks on an intentional quest or is propelled into an unintentional journey, it becomes a serendipitous adventure. The stories may be about the slaying of dragons or overcoming overwhelming odds, but the truth is that all hero myths are about transformation of consciousness—the death of the old person and the birth of another (the hero).

Stories and mythologies help point to beyond that which humans can understand with rational thought... they point to the source and meaning of life.

These stories draw us in because we can relate to them. Each of us sees a little part of ourselves in every unsuspecting hero. We relate to their feelings of dissatisfaction, their dream for a better life, the fear they face stepping into the unknown, the frustrations of their struggles, and the glory of victory. We live out the dream we hold in our hearts through the stories we watch on the big screen or in a book.

The greatest act of courage is taking the journey into yourself. The moral objective of every tale is pushing beyond perceived limits and sacrificing or dedicating oneself to a cause greater than one’s self.

When an ordinary person does extraordinary things, it gives us hope. It tells us that maybe, just maybe, we can do it too.

And the truth is, we are each the hero in our own life’s journey. We relate to the 12 steps of the hero’s journey because it IS our journey. The reason humans have connected to this storyline for thousands of years is that it is the human storyline. The hero’s journey is our destiny!

And so, below you will explore the traditional hero’s journey, what each step looks like, and how your own life experience fits into it. The beautiful thing about exploring your own hero’s journey is that you get to become the playwright. You get to write the script. As you go through the activity, write down what experiences you have had in your life that unfolded like that part of the journey.

Try to identify where along the journey you are now, and where you’ve been. You may find that you have already completed the hero’s journey, maybe even more than once!

Or perhaps you’re at a pivotal moment when you’re answering the call, seeking a mentor, or facing a great challenge.

By looking at your own life, and your current situation, through the lens of the hero’s journey, you can see yourself more objectively.

You may be able to see what is happening more clearly, including where the story is leading. In the end, the hero always transforms and returns back to the life they knew before, a changed person—a better person—better able to make the difference they are meant to make in the world.

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YOUR HERO’S JOURNEY ACTIVITY Reflect on each step and check in

with yourself to see what experiences from your own life you can relate to that stage of the journey. There are no right or wrong answers here. Every time there is a calling—a problem that pulls you to face a challenge or change—the hero (you) is being beckoned to a new adventure. So, you can go through this activity imagining it starting early in your life and addressing the first big challenge you faced, or you can address the most recent challenge—the one you might be experiencing right now. And in the end, your answers to the questions about your experiences within each stage may not fit together chronologically. The story might not unfold like a movie. In fact, it probably won’t. But that’s not the point. The point is that by looking at your life this way, you will be able to see that you, too, are on the path of a hero. You, too, will transform and fulfill your destiny. Trust the journey.

STEP 1: ORDINARY LIFE

Most of the time, the hero starts out living a normal, every-day life. Everything is familiar, comfortable. They feel uneasy, uncomfortable, dissatisfied. Then,

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something happens that wakes them up to the fact that something is wrong.

• In your life, what were the first stirrings of dissatisfaction or unease?

• What happened to wake you up to the need for change?

STEP 2: THE CALL

Depending on the hero, the problem could be external, such as a catastrophe happening in the world around them. For others, the problem is internal, such as becoming aware of a deep dissatisfaction with a role they are playing that is not in integrity with who they really are.

After being exposed to this information, the hero feels called to do something about it. The hero is challenged to take action and step into the unknown.

• In your life, what are you feeling called to do? Remember, this could be a calling that already happened or that is happening now. (This could be many different things: advance your career, pursue a passion, improve your health, change a relationship, start a business, support a cause, etc.)

STEP 3: REFUSAL OF THE CALL

Often, at first the hero fails to answer the call. They are afraid of what it will take. They don’t think they can do it.

They think it will be too hard. They feel insecure, inadequate. Their familiar life of comfort calls them to resist this new adventure. They hesitate. But, they become increasingly aware that there are real consequences if they do not act. Something meaningful will be lost.

• In your life, what fears or resistance did you experience after becoming aware of the problem that is/was calling you to action?

• What additional situations or information were you presented with that further helped you see what was at stake?

• What are/were you going to lose?

STEP 4: THE GUIDE

In most stories, the hero meets a guide, a mentor, or a helper that provides vital advice and points them in the right direction. The timing of the appearance of the guide varies and can happen at any point along the journey. If the hero refuses the

call, often a helper of some type appears to nudge them into answering the call. Sometimes the guide continues to return to the hero to help them move along their journey, however the guide never “saves” the hero or do anything for them. The hero does not need to be saved. But, at the same time, the hero never does it all alone.

• In your life, who have been your guides? You can list all people who have influenced you, including mentors who do not know that you see them as a guide, such as authors of books you read. However, make sure to identify what guidance you have received that SPECIFICALLY relates to this story.

• Throughout the rest of the steps in the journey, make a note any time a guide (the same guide or new ones) provides additional advice or direction.

STEP 5: THE THRESHOLD

This is the pivotal moment when the hero official leaves the ordinary world and steps into the journey in a way that they cannot turn back. This is the decision point. This is when the hero officially begins their quest!

• In your life, what decision point have you experienced? (Are you there now?)

• What IS the threshold—the pivotal moment? Imagine you stepped from your old life into your new life—what would be that actual step? (This could be an internal decision, a public commitment, a phone call, physically going someplace, making a purchase, enrolling in something, something symbolic, etc.)

• Also, what exactly IS your quest, your journey? What would you call it? Give it a name.

STEP 6: THE ROAD OF TRAILS

The entire purpose of a quest is for the hero to learn, grow, and, well, become the hero. In order for this to happen, there are inevitably obstacles to overcome,

challenges to meet, and tests of strength of will. The hero will learn the rules of this new world. There will be moments of victory and moments of defeat. The hero will meet allies who help them face their foes. This is the action and adventure part of the story that keeps people engaged, wanting to know more. If the hero just went right from the decision to the victory, no one would watch. And it wouldn’t make for a very fulfilling real-life story either. There is always more meaning in the underdog story, right?

• In your life, what obstacles or challenges have you faced (or are you facing)?

• How has your strength of commitment and will been tested?

• What are the rules of this new world? How are they different from your old life?

• What victories have you had?

• In what ways have you failed?

• Who are your allies? Your enemies?

STEP 7: THE APPROACH OF THE INNERMOST CAVE

This is the turning point, when the hero finally goes all-in. They reach the point when they are 100% certain what must be done. They are ready to accept the risks and the possibility of failure. This second decision point happens when the hero approaches the innermost cave.

This next threshold can be something literal, such as having to enter the cave which contains what the hero fears most or the ultimate challenge the hero must face. It can also be entering into the hero’s darkest places, their inner conflict, their demons. The hero prepares to face the one big thing that they have been putting off. Often the hero rests briefly to reflect on the journey, summons the courage to face the treacherous road that awaits. Tension escalates in anticipation of the ultimate test.

• In your life, what is the innermost cave? What is the one big challenge?

• What decision must you make?

• If you find yourself at this point now,

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this is the perfect time to be reflecting on your journey, which gives you the courage to see how far you’ve come and that your life has been preparing you for this moment. You are ready.

How are you feeling?

If you were the guide, what would you tell the hero at this moment?

STEP 8: THE ORDEAL

This is the ultimate test. In movies, this part is called the climax—it’s the peak of the action. The hero must face their greatest fear or face their most terrifying foe. One way or another, the hero must face death, whether literal or figurative. The hero uses the skills and experiences they picked up along their journey through the challenges and their innermost cave in order to face this final challenge. It’s the hero’s moment of truth. Everything is put on the line and the hero moves forward knowing nothing will ever be the same. It can’t, this must be done. And looking back, it is obvious that this moment was inevitable.

• In your life, what is the “death” you will face? (The fear, the situation, or the foe.)

• What skills and experiences have you picked up along your journey that will serve you now?

• What, exactly, must you do?

• Can you see that your entire life has been leading up to this moment?

STEP 9: THE TRANSFORMATION AND REWARD

The hero defeated the enemy, survived, overcame. But more than anything, the hero transformed, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Out of the ashes of death rises a phoenix of symbolic rebirth.

The hero receives a reward in some from, whether it is recognition, power, wisdom, reconciliation, a treasure, but in the end, no matter the price, the true reward is always the glory of personal transformation itself.

The real change is internal.

• In your life, what will this transformation look like?

• How will you feel?

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• • • •

What will be different?

How will you be different?

What reward will you enjoy?

Why will it all have been worth it?

STEP 10: THE ROAD BACK

The hero cannot relax and enjoy the thrill of victory for long. The hero feels another call—to return home—to share the spoils of the reward or bring what was learned to those they care about. The journey is not over. With reward in hand and transformation in heart, the hero charts the path back. But the road can be filled with additional risks and dangers. A villain may appear who seeks to steal the reward. Unresolved issues must be dealt with. The hero may face their shadow. These additional roadblocks challenge the hero to internalize what they’ve learned and prove to themselves that they have, in fact, changed for good. It is in this stage of the journey that the quest is truly won or lost.

• In your life, what does “returning home” represent?

• How are you going to use what you have learned or accomplished?

• Who will you help or what will you do with it?

• At this point, what unresolved issues do you anticipate having to face?

• What other obstacles do you anticipate will pop-up in response to your transformation?

• What shadows may be lurking?

STEP 11: REBIRTH

This is the moment the hero crosses the final threshold—the final test of the hero’s true growth. The hero is tested for the final time—it is their moment to

demonstrate their mastery and step into their power. This battle pushes the hero to defeat their limitations and release their old self, once and for all. They return home a hero.

• In your life, after transforming, defeating your foes or reaching your goals, what final battle may you need to face?

• Is there another step in this journey that you need to take in order to fully be able to feel as though you are “home” and able to integrate everything you’ve learned in your life?

• What would it take to embrace your new self 100%?

STEP 12: RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR

When the hero returns to his ordinary world, a changed person, they will have something to share with those back home. This could be a solution to a problem, a new perspective of life, a resource, or some sort of resolution with key players. Sometimes the hero faces doubters or is even punished for the journey. But, in the end, the hero always shares what they’ve learned or acquired with those who they did it all for. That is, after all, what makes them a hero.

• In your life, what is the elixir you are bringing back with you from your journey?

• Who are you going to share it with?

• How are you going to pay forward what you learned?

• What difference are you going to make in the world?

• Will there be any haters or doubters?

• If so, how can you remind yourself that you didn’t do it for them, you did it because it was your destiny to be the hero of your own life and share your gifts with the ones who are willing to receive them.

Regardless of where you find yourself along your personal adventure, the hero’s journey shows you that you are always exactly where you are supposed to be.

All you need to do is take the next step.

And as your journey continues to unfold, remember that it’s not about avoiding problems, it’s about what you learn while overcoming them. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. It’s not about becoming famous or popular, it’s about becoming YOU. And it’s not just about you, also about how you use your life experience to make a greater impact.

Journey on.

Ignite Life with Natalie Rivera

Natalie Rivera is a firestarter, speaker and entrepreneur. She is passionate about empowering others to GET REAL and live authentically. After a decade of living a life that wasn’t hers and developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Natalie let go of everything and completely transformed. Through her journey to healing she rediscovered her true self and greater purpose—to inspire others to transform their lives. Natalie “retired” from the rat race at 24, put herself through school as a freelance designer, created a non-profit teen center, and later created Transformation Services, Inc., which offers motivational speaking, curriculum development, life coaching, event management, and publishing. She is also the Publisher of Transformation Magazine.

Visit http://www.transformation-academy.com.

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What a Basketball Coach Taught Me About Entrepreneurship

Photo Credit: Pixabay/PDPics

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By Jimmy Murray

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO EVERY DAY AS A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR.

The week before my freshman year of high school, right after orientation, I mapped out my entire future. I researched the courses I would take for the next four years. I looked at the clubs I would join pre-creating memories. I calculated when I would take the SAT and the ACT, what my essay would be for my college applications, and which dorm I would call home at MIT. Things changed when I set foot on campus at NC State.

After a tumultuous home life destroyed the future I painstakingly built from 6th to 8th grade, I did some reflecting. It would have been nice to graduate from DeMatha Catholic High School. I made some great friends and would have had an awesome alumni network in my back pocket.

As I pounded the bricks to find my work study job, I came across a Music Department tucked away in a school of engineering buildings. Climbing the stairs and rounding the corner, I found that they were hiring and, great timing, my would-be boss, Susan, was sitting there. I filled out an application and, given my early-seeded entrepreneurial instincts, began my preinterview. “Even if I don’t have the opportunity to work here, what are ways I can improve?”

I was stopped almost immediately.

Susan, my would-be and quickly becoming boss lights up, “You went to DeMatha?” Unconfidently, I said, “Yeah, I didn’t get to graduate, but I was in one of the last classes to meet Morgan Wooten.” I knew that one of DeMatha’s chief exports was basketball talent, but I wasn’t prepared for her response. “First off, yes, you have the job.” Sweet! Susan continued, “I graduated from NC State in 1983. NC State won the tournament that year because of Sidney Lowe and Dereck Whittenburg, two DeMetha players, led by coach Jim Valvano.”

“Jim Valvano, eh?” I thought, “I wonder if he’s related to this Jimmy V character.”

Cursory research connected some very simple dots for me (Jim Valvano is Jimmy V) and Susan sent me down a rabbit hole of basketball history and fervor that,

to this day, still defines six weeks of my life from late February to early April every year, starting in 2005.

My academic career at NC State went about as strongly as it did at DeMatha (a volatile home life led to a huge disinterest in classes), but every experience has molded my entrepreneurial spirit, including one of the greatest speeches in sports history.

Jim Valvano (or Jimmy V, as he’s known to everyone who is not me) was a thousand pounds of personality squeezed into a sports coat. He coached NC State basketball from 1980 to 1990, winning a national title in 1983. A scandal would abruptly end his coaching career and cancer would abruptly end his life, but not before impacting a college, a conference, a league, a sport, and humanity.

In his waning days, ESPN awarded Jimmy V the ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage award. His riveting speech brought down the house at Madison Square Garden.

The most memorable part of his speech is the three things you need to do every day and we, as entrepreneurs, need to do them as well.

NUMBER ONE IS LAUGH: YOU SHOULD LAUGH EVERY DAY.

Listen. Business is hard. Starting a business is harder. Maintaining a business is stressful. The perfect countermeasure and—this should be in every entrepreneur’s playbook—is humor. Humor is what has led our species this far. To the cavemen who thought a tiger was attacking when it turned out to be a mouse, to USO comedians entertaining the troops while they get the bad guys, to the denizens of SNL and Comedy Central who days after 9/11 said, “No. We will overcome.”

Things are going to go wrong—probably every day. Client rejections, bad receivables, employee goof-ups. You can internalize it. OR. Or you can see the positive in every possibility and make light of it.

Humor offers three pieces:

stress mitigation, creativity en-

hancement, and goodwill building.

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NUMBER TWO IS THINK: YOU SHOULD SPEND SOME TIME IN THOUGHT.

This is fantastically timed as mindfulness and meditation become permanently cemented in our vernacular. Seriously, start a podcast on mindfulness and you’ll probably have 10,000 downloads this month. Your enterprise is going to demand 110 percent of you. That’s what you signed up for. Profits don’t come overnight, and it’s almost a daily battle to stay competitive and stay growing.

My recommendation is an hour a day to yourself. I say that because I know you don’t have an hour, but it doesn’t sound bad next to a 15-minute goal. Just like your body, your mind and spirit need to time to recuperate, to process the events of the day, and to restart all that background noise from the day. As a bonus, you’ll start to connect various brain synapses improving your creativity and problem-solving skills.

AND NUMBER THREE IS YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR EMOTIONS MOVED TO TEARS: IT COULD BE HAPPINESS OR JOY.

This one’s tough. It was hard for me to implement at first. Why, having just laughed, would I want to cry? What importance could ocular based cascading water works have? And, rather unintentionally, I started reading stories of inspiration. Nothing too emotional at first, I had work to do, but just simple stories of someone saving a pet or stopping at an accident on a highway or generous tipping at a restaurant.

It was addicting.

I think everyone loves a good hero and imagines themselves as such when they read about it. My productivity was sky high earlier this year when the cave in Thailand started flooding

with the young football team. The outpouring of the community and international soldiers and business leaders provided an emotional restoration. I like when my faith in humanity is restored. Humanity has some of my best clients.

But think about it: If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s

a full day. That’s a heckuva day.

It is, Jimmy V. If you’re able to do all three, and I highly encourage you to do so, you’ll find yourself able to build and commit to a solid routine that will keep your mind at ease while your enterprise grows. This three-step approach allows you to take care of yourself while you take care of your empire.

Maybe your next million-dollar idea is in that next half hour of sitting cross-legged, mind blank, saying, “OM.”

Jimmy Murray studied marketing and film and minored in singing before the economic “Big Fall” of 2007. Since then, he’s taught himself coding and artificial intelligence and has gone from bagel jockey to voiceover artist in four swift moves. His eye for efficiency constantly adds value to any and all businesses. He’s a beast at content creation on all platforms and enjoys teaching people creativity. Above all else, he enjoys motivating people because nothing is impossible. Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @TheJimmyMurray.

Enjoy his “Kid Friendly Joke of the Day” at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kid-friendly-joke-ofthe-day/id1376295005.

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Stay awesome.

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A Dragon in Fantasyland: An Epic Blessing in Disguise

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Inspired Images

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By Terez Hartmann

A true tale of love, contrast, and personal victory.

CREATING FANTASYLAND:

Every detail had been set in motion for the trip to end all trips. A driver would pick up us from my home and take us to Orlando, FL, in total comfort and style. We would then arrive at the perfect hotel with the perfect room, with the perfect view. I got reservations at THE ultimate dining establishment, Cinderella Castle—which hardly ever happens, unless you book six months in advance. AND my mom would have “carte blanche” to be able to go wherever she

wanted to go, to dine wherever she chose to dine, and to buy whatever she wanted.

For a woman who has been obsessed with Walt Disney World since it came into being, this was truly THE ultimate Disney fantasy come to life.

Because I knew this may very well be her last trip to Disney (or possibly anywhere else), I decided to put every ounce of love, focus, intent, and money I could invest to give my mom nothing but THE. BEST. EVER. (No pressure, right?) I even was sure to do the work on a mental/emotional level, spending time visualizing the fun and laughter we would have together, feeling the hugs we would exchange, hearing her sing her favorite Disney songs, and even (in my mind) writing my next article or blog about coming away with a bigger, better, happier, healthier mother-daughter relationship than ever before.

I did absolutely EVERYTHING I could think of to ensure a good time for all.

Plus, I was still riding the wave of the powerful, positive intent and freakin’

magical manifestations that resulted from just hosting another successful Sedona, AZ, retreat (and in turn, treating MYSELF as a VIP participant in the process). So, with all of this in place, I knew that enjoying the journey with my mom was virtually a slam dunk.

A DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE: INTEL FROM MY INNER COMPASS

A couple of days before departure— even after feeling SO on fire about every other aspect of my life—I embodied this strange feeling of discord in my solar plexus. Though it was not enough to stop me in my tracks, it was still pronounced enough to get my attention. When I scanned my thought landscape, I knew this “disturbance in the force” that was showing up via my “inner compass” was about this upcoming trip, which was understandable, since our last trip to Disney was connected to a major meltdown for both of

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us. My logic and reason told me this was simply the fear of past pain making its presence known, but, because of my strong desire to see this trip through and the momentum that felt like it was solidly in motion, I consciously chose to proceed even with the understanding that I was moving forward with resistance present. With all the work I had done mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to prepare for this trip, I felt that the good mojo would still surely prevail.

ALL IS WELL IN THE KINGDOM

It is departure day, and I’m feeling great! I’m suited up in my finest “mouse gear,” singing happy songs, and all packed and ready to go. My brother brings my mom to our pad, and, even though she’s feeling a bit nervous and odd, I offer up her favorite treat (chocolate), a barrage of happy thoughts and conversation, and we are then whisked away by the most beautiful, happy, positive, shiny, sparkling Lyft (car service) driver ever! We thoroughly enjoy our interaction with Gabriella, stop for coffee and lunch along the way, and arrive refreshed and ready to check in to our fairytale room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, my mom’s personal favorite.

We head up to our room and from the front door can see THE ultimate view through our floor-to-ceiling windows; beautiful Bay Lake, the Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resort, Space Mountain and…

Cinderella Castle! In the world of Disney you just can’t get any better than this. Jackpot, baby!

It takes a little longer than expected to sort out her “Charter Member” annual pass renewal, but, with pass in hand, we head to the Magic Kingdom, “the happiest place on earth,” to enjoy a lovely dinner at a sidewalk café on Main Street, stroll the shops, and start our trip out on a high note.

The next day, we’re off to explore the Magic Kingdom in fuller detail (and during daylight hours), and even though we had a few rough spots and some frustrations with each other, once we made it to her preferred table by the window inside Cinderella Castle, we savored a sensational gourmet meal, were doted on by our awesome server, had great visits and photo ops with four iconic Disney princesses, and then got to watch the Firework show FROM OUR TABLE. Mom was overjoyed and my heart was soaring above

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the clouds! My formula had worked, and all was well in the kingdom!

ENTER: THE DRAGON

After our magical dining experience, we started to make our way through the crowd to get back to our hotel. We were still going on and on about our phenomenal dinner and overall lots of good vibes were flowing, but shortly thereafter, the energy started to shift.

As I felt my body and mind begin to react to her change in attitude and demeanor, I reached for every tool I could find to maintain my alignment and joy. Though it took an incredible amount of effort and energy, we made it back to the room without killing each other, and I was able to keep my cool and sleep for three to four hours. I awoke the next morning about two and a half hours before she would even think of stirring, sat on our beautiful balcony, did my “Present Focus Flip” exercise, and made a detailed appreciation/gratitude list. After all the good we had already experienced, I knew it WAS possible for more good to happen, and was bound and determined to have a good day today, regardless of what she decided to experience.

Things started out on a calm, positive note, and we were off to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which appealed to our shared love of nature and animals. The moment we passed through the gates, however, “the dragon” began to stir and the drama began. I again summoned all my strength to keep it together and reminded myself to not take things personally, as she was dealing with oodles of physical and emotional challenges. However, after a constant barrage of nastiness and refusing to let me have more than a few seconds to enjoy the spectacular new “Pandora” section of the park (based on the movie Avatar), or let the magic of watching my beloved birds and meerkats soothe my spirit for our mutual benefit, “the dragon” exploded; both of our voices raised in anger to a fever pitch, and the happy girl who pre-paved and preplanned to provide the ultimate environment of joy for all parties was now weeping uncontrollably in the back of a Disney bus, for all to see.

EPIC. FAIL. Fortunately…

Because we discovered that

what we both required for restful sleep seemed to be diametrically opposed, I asked my husband, who would be joining us that night, to book a separate room for us. Mom wasn’t thrilled about the idea of being in a room by herself, but I desperately needed sleep, believed it would be better for both of us, and knew that we would be nearby if she truly needed help. Knowing that I would have some time to step away, recharge, and refresh my spirit gave me relief, so, once my mom and I returned to her room from Animal Kingdom, I was able to take a shower, breathe, and bring myself back to a place of calm. And from that stance, the dragon seemed to chill as well.

My honey (AKA the calvary) arrived and brought all manner of joy, humor, and lightness with him. The three of us had dinner together, watched the fireworks from her balcony, and assured her that if she truly needed anything, we were right around the corner.

We left, checked into our room, and as I allowed myself ample “ER” time (Express and Release), I came to the conscious realization that even though I had just walked through hell and experienced the exact opposite of everything I had dreamed, envisioned, and intended, I knew there HAD to be a powerful gift in this experience for both of us. With the domino effect of all the good that had been flowing into my life, the good I had been feeling on such a consistent basis, and all the love and utter determination I had for this to be a positive experience for my mom and me, it made NO sense that things would go off the rails in such a dramatic way without there being a REALLY good reason. This thought immediately quieted my spirit, and moments later I was fast asleep.

THE DRAGON BRINGS A GIFT

The next day started calm, light, and clear. We decided to have a nice lunch and stroll around the new Disney Springs shopping complex before heading out of town, and, all in all, it was a pleasant time.

However, when we got in the car to head home, the dragon reappeared. The words and behaviors coming from my mom were SO extreme: being angry and defensive one minute, singing the next, cursing us and life in general the next, then back to singing.

In short, as our British brothers and sisters

would say, there was truly “nothing for it.”

As I sat quietly in the car trying to soothe myself, I started to remember the title of a book that Joeel and Natalie Rivera (my soul family, creative partners, and publishers of this magazine) had recommended that could give some insight into how to have a better experience with my mom. After reading only the first few pages of Stop Walking on Eggshells, I felt an increasing surge of both deep compassion for my mom and a wonderful sense of lightness in my body and heart.

After 40 pages and some quiet time at home to truly take it all in, I began to feel as if a giant burden that had been lodged in my spirit for years (that I could not quite put my finger on before) had finally broken loose. So rather than having a night of emotional upheaval, beating up on myself and feeling like I had failed my mom and myself, I slipped into one of the most peaceful night’s sleep I have had in a VERY long time feeling happy, liberated, peaceful, and truly—in every way—good.

Though I thought it to be an unwelcome guest, the dragon only came because I had INVITED it, and boy, did it bring one HELL of a blessing in disguise that created a ripple effect of transformation and healing for my mom, myself, and our family that can only be described as EPIC.

THE BOTTOM LINE—A DRAGON IN FANTASYLAND: AN EPIC BLESSING IN DISGUISE

How many times have your felt like you were doing everything right, feeling SO very good, investing time, love, and focus in

creating something beautiful, and could practically see, smell, taste and touch it because it felt SO real—like a DONE deal... ...and then, somehow, for reasons you can’t possibly explain, things seemed to go horribly wrong?

We’ve all been there, and when it happens on a subject that REALLY matters or happens multiple times, it’s easy to see why many think the Law of Attraction is B.S. and there can’t possibly be a God/ Universe/Source of Good—for when I was in the middle of the worst part of this exchange, (and other experiences like this) boy was it easy to feel that way. BUT, the MOMENT I had the presence of mind to acknowledge that there was indeed a gift waiting for me—that perhaps rather than being fatally flawed and doing something wrong, I actually DID do everything RIGHT and was STILL on my path—was the moment I set the wheels in motion to be in a place to receive an EPIC blessing and witness an answered prayer that has literally been a LIFETIME in the making.

The book I discovered was about coping with a loved one with a condition known as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but not being a fan of feeding negative ideas and expectations about someone I care about, I honestly had not wanted to read it. Yet, a painful pattern played out with my mom and I again—despite EVERY effort to create and facilitate a positive experience—felt COMPELLED to read this book, and so I went with it.

Having this knowledge has changed EVERYTHING for me—it’s as if my very DNA started rearranging with the first words I read. Having an understanding and immense admiration for what my mom has had to overcome in her life and compassion for what she is currently working through

(in addition to facing her mortality and other physical issues that would be scary to even the happiest person in the world), while understanding that her reactions or judgment of me have NOTHING to do with me, and knowing that there are things I CAN do to be helpful AND maintain my joy, may be the breakthrough of the freakin’ century for me as a human being.

Now back to YOU. Regardless of the specific details of how MY personal experience played out, here is:

THE TRUE MORAL OF THE STORY:

• Remember that no matter what it looks like, the dragon (aka “contrast,” upheaval and unrest) IS your greatest friend and ally.

• The dragon only comes when it is summoned and invited.

• The dragon exists for the purpose of evoking higher levels of self-actualization, awakening the hero within, and aligning you with the big, bold, badass, beautiful version of your life and self that YOU have been asking for.

• The bigger the dragon, the bigger the gift.

Embrace and engage the dragon.

Listen to what it has to share. Let it help you find the incredible gift that YOU have asked it to bring to you because you HAVE been doing it RIGHT all along, and the dragon would not waste its time on someone who is not ready or worthy.

Here’s to being awake and powerful while enjoying your journey through Fantasyland; to celebrating the victory of YOU being more fully, boldly YOU; to inspiring all the other would-be heroes every time you allow yourself to rise and evolve; and to TRULY. LIVING. 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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Brand

4 Reasons to Love Managing Your

Photo Credit: iStock by Getty Images

EMPOWER YOURSELF BY BECOMING YOUR OWN PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE. 18

by Jowanna Daley

2. Guide Your Dream into Reality

Managing your brand involves effectively aligning who you are with how people perceive you. Everyone has a brand, whether it is by default or by deAre you feeling empowered yet? sign. Here are four reasons to deliberately You get to decide where you see yourself steer your reputation. in the future and write your script to get there. Your goal is the destination, and your plan is the map with detailed directions—all you have to do is follow your route. Not only do you control where you go, but you also have the tools to monitor your progress and adjust the course as You are the most competent per- needed. It’s that simple. son to manage your reputation because no one knows you better than you know yourself. Don’t leave your public image to chance or anyone else because you may face undesirable results. I naively let my The biggest challenge to managmanagers control my narrative for about ing your brand is closing the gap between half my career. The good ones pushed me how you define yourself and how othforward, while others had ulterior motives ers perceive you. For example, you may that led to some harsh lessons. Even some describe yourself as straightforward, but who meant to help me did more harm than people may see you as too abrasive. You good. People will push you in the direction then have the opportunity to adjust your they want you to go, and it may not be approach so that it aligns with your selfthe road you intend to travel. Ultimately, perceptions of character. your best public relations representative is Put on your thick skin so that your you—don’t outsource the role. friends, family, and colleagues can com-

1. You Are the Most Qualified for the Job

3. Present Your Best You

fortably give you candid feedback; it is the missing data that will allow you to present your best you.

4. Find Your People and Meet Their Needs Part of managing your brand is knowing your audience. Warning: finding your tribe may lead to the “ugly happy cry.”

When you identify your community and industry, research both their functional and emotional needs. Find out where your people are and deliver the goods.

Branding sounds intimidating, and it does require work. However, there are so many reasons to embrace managing your brand. Brand management is a fancy way to say reputation management.

YOU CONTROL WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOU .

..and that’s the reason why it’s empowering and so delightful.

The Daley Word with Jowanna Daley Jowanna is a business and personal coach, consultant, freelance blogger, and personal brand photographer.

Jowanna uses her 20-plus years of business, information technology, business analysis, and project management experience to serve solopreneurs, microbusinesses, and professionals through consulting, coaching, training, and workshops. She is also a freelance blogger who serves corporate and non-corporate clients. Visit her website at https://jowannadaley.com/about/.

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The Ultimate Kindness

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

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By Linda Commito

Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught, will we realize that we can’t eat money.

— Native American Cree proverb Why do we tend to value people, places and things more when we are at risk of losing them?

our environment, to our irreplaceable planet? And then, why are we shocked when we see the rivers drying up, the dead fish encased in oil or subjected to red tide on our shores, the dark brown clouds on the horizon, the increasing floods and fires, or the birds falling from the sky?

While we may be aware of the negative impact that we’ve had on the Earth—air and water pollution, deforestation, animal extinction, etc.—will it take being on the brink of irreversible ecological disaster to prompt us to action?

It’s not too late to change our fate. Each thing that we do is now critically more important, especially when multiplied by the billions of people sharing this planet.

Our stay is temporary. How can we be GOOD GUESTS of the PLANET? Perhaps asking ourselves: Am I fully valuing the gift of living here, taking care of the earth and its resources as best I can? Am I taking no more than I need or more than I can give back? Am I being respectful to its other inhabitants and sharing resources equitably?

our environment and kill sea life, to

hold corporations who pollute accountable, to vote for the politicians and support the people and organizations who are leading the way in environmental consciousness and actions are all acts of kindness, not only to the

planet and its current inhabitants, but to future generations as well.

We can be better guests of our planet. Take action now to preserve what we have and to prevent further depletion of our natural resources. It will have a positive impact on the future of our Planet Earth.

Let’s be kind to our shared home. It may be our ultimate act of kindness to each other and to ourselves.

That is true of our quality of life—the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. When there is plenty, we’re less likely to appreciate and care for what we have, taking for grant• In what ways do you consider ed the abundance of our natural yourself a good guest of the resources until we realize that they planet? are not only limited but being de• What is one thing that you Our decisions to recycle, to pleted or contaminated every day. can do now to have a positive Why does it take a major not overuse water, to drive fuelimpact on our planet? catastrophe to wake us up to the efficient or electric vehicles, to limit Photo Credit: iStock by Getty damage that we are causing to the use of plastics that contaminate Images

WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

THINK ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:

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 compassionate and interconnected place. Her award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make a positive difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Visit www.loveisthenewcurrency.com for more information and/or to sign up for an uplifting monthly newsletter. Read about everyday acts of kindness on www.FB.com/kindnesscollaborative. Linda believes that in order to inspire a kinder world the place to start is with children. She volunteered at a Title One elementary school, working with over 500 students, to create and facilitate “Kindness Starts with Me,» a program which includes a website (www. kindnessstartswithme.com) and a book for children.

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Where Healing Lives

The vision you hold of your clients makes all the difference in how successful you will be with them, and the amount of personal satisfaction you receive from your work.

By Alan Cohen My friend Mark has been a physician for over 40 years. Recently he told me a story that helped me understand what real healing is. While Mark was vacationing in Maui, his nephew, a younger man vacationing in Honolulu, had a heart attack. Upon learning this, Mark flew to Honolulu and sat with the nephew’s distraught wife in the intensive care unit for 24 hours, until her husband had stabilized. Mark went not in his capacity as a doctor, but as a friend.

As Mark recounted this story, I recognized the distinction be22

tween a doctor and a healer. A doctor Another friend of mine, Don, is treats symptoms. a radio personality who has hosted his popular show for many years. In addition to playing hit songs, he daily reads an inspirational message on the air. He is Mark’s commitment to the known and loved in his community. well-being of his nephew and his wife Recently Don went through a went far beyond fixing the man’s body. severe bout with depression. One day His intention was to soothe their souls. he revealed to his radio listeners that he Of course doctors, like Mark, was depressed and having a tough time. can be healers too. When the two vo- A few days later Don received a letter cations show up in the same person, from a psychiatrist who is the director you have a divinely appointed combi- of a psychiatric hospital. She told Don, nation. If you are such a healer, you are “Thank you for courageously sharing blessed, and so are your patients. about your current emotional challenge.

A healer treats the soul.

I know this can be a very difficult process to go through. I am certain that you helped many of your listeners who are dealing with the same experience, giving them permission to authentically express their feelings, the first step to healing. I have enjoyed your show for many years, especially the inspirational quotes you share.

I hope you will continue to progress and feel better.”

When Don sent me a copy of her letter, I was touched. This person, obviously busy in a position of high importance, did not have to take the time and caring to send Don such a supportive letter. But she did. I told Don, “This woman is a real healer.”

Regardless of your profession, the vision you hold of your clients makes all the difference in how successful you will be with them, and the amount of personal satisfaction you receive from your work.

If you see customers as bodies or dollars only, you will operate at a very shallow level of existence. You can get results and make money, but in your quiet moments your soul will ache and you will wonder what you are doing with your life. If, on the other hand, you recognize that your customers are so much more than their bodies or what they can pay you, you have the golden key to success. Within the body lives a spiritual being who yearns to be acknowledged and supported. Pay attention to that person’s inner self, and you will sleep well at night, make a contribution to the world, and your material needs will be met.

Doctors are busy and have many pressures and demands. Most doctors really want to help their patients, and they do. They hear about people’s problems all day long, which can be daunting and cause a physician to become impersonal. Yet the creation and maintenance of relationships, however brief, is the building block of real satisfaction.

A Sufi story tells of a poet who went to a doctor and complained of all kinds of physical symptoms. “I don’t sleep well, I get headaches, I have this rash,” and on and on. The doctor asked the poet, “Have you recited your latest poem yet?” “No, I haven’t.” “Then

would you please recite for me?” The poet did so. “How do you feel now?” the doctor asked. “Much better,” replied the poet.

All healing is not as simple as reciting one’s latest poem, but the dynamic of recognizing and honoring the needs of a client’s soul is a much greater element of healing than most doctors recognize. What’s happening in our body is intrinsically linked to what’s happening in our mind.

Richard Bach said,

“Your body is your thoughts in a form you can see.”

To really be healed, we cannot simply address the symptoms. We must address the source of disease, which always has something to do with a blockage or imbalance of our life force, and denying our spiritual expression. Restoring that expression leads the restoration of physical health.

Doctors are instruments of God. The doctors I remember most are those who have touched my soul. We all have the capacity to heal each other and ourselves at the deepest level, and we must.

Let us meet where we really live.

GET REAL with Alan Cohen Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books, including the forthcoming The Tao Made Easy: Timeless Wisdom to Navigate a Changing World. Join Alan in Hawaii this December 2-7 for his life-changing seminar Transformer Training to develop your skills and/or career as a teacher, healer, or leader. For more information about this program, Alan’s books and videos, free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit www. alancohen.com.

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What Brings You Joy

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By listening to what it is we really need, we find what nourishes our soul, what feeds our heart, our imagination and our ability to keep going.

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Free-Photos

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By Mary Boutieller Recently, I ran into a friend who looked tired, a bit ragged really, worn out from the business of life, and he looked at me and said, “Do you remember that old song…Is that all there is my friend? Then let’s keep dancing…” He half hummed it, half sang it, and then commented that that was how he’d been feeling lately.

My friend is someone who, from outward appearances, has it all. He has a thriving business, a beautiful family, a big house, the nice vacations, etc. Yet, here he is wondering, out loud, if that’s all there is. I remembered going home feeling a bit sad, knowing how it is sometimes to be on the “hamster wheel of life,” thinking you might never get off the darn thing for all you have to do. I wonder what that must do to our psyches, our bodies, our health, our ability to think clearly, to empathize, to breathe.

I know that when I am really tired from a long day or a sleepless night or just “too much,” it seems to take more effort to be compassionate, to recycle, to do the right thing. I start to wonder if the whole world is suffering from “too much”—too much input, too much stuff, too much responsibility, too much informationnegativity-pain-consumption-waste—just trying to keep up with everybody else.

Hand-in-hand with this is not enough down time, hug time, sweet nothingness time, me time, you time, simplicity—until we start to feel that we just can’t do it anymore. How do we let ourselves get to that point? And how do we get back?

We get back, I think, by listening to what it is we really need.

Only YOU know what’s good for you, from the foods you eat, to the choices you make, the things you buy, the people you share time with…to what you choose to do with your one and only precious life.

Maybe it’s hiking, maybe it’s singing, maybe it’s mashed potatoes and gravy! Maybe it’s any one of a thousand incredible choices just waiting for you to pick one.

Lately, I’ve been watching a show on Netflix called “Ann With an E,” a story of an orphaned girl who goes to live in Green Gables (based on the story of Annie of Green Gables). It’s a mostly sweet story starring this infectious girl who loves life and looks at things quite differently from most. In one show, she said something like this, “Aren’t we lucky to live in a world that has the month of October!” It made me smile. Most days for her are beautiful and inquisitive adventures. And I find myself wanting some more of that.

We live in interesting times, but each generation has lived in “interesting times.” Each generation has had their challenges, their struggles, their successes.

Ours is no different. Life is happening right now—the good, the bad, the in-between.

Whatever our struggles, we can and we must pause long enough to see our lives as the amazing miracles they are and try, at least once a day, to really see it as such!

How lucky we are to live this life, right here, right now. Just take a moment to look around…not at what is wrong but what is right; not at what pains you, but what brings you joy; not at what needs changing, but what is perfectly okay just as it is.

I leave you with this little tidbit.

A short while ago, I took a heart-opening

workshop from my friend Julie and during it, she asked us to repeat a mantra: “I love myself just the way I am.” At first, I thought it was really kind of corny… because of course I do love myself just the way I am (except for….). But I started to do it earnestly, and then I turned it into a metta prayer that went something like this:

I love myself exactly as I am.

I love my husband exactly as he is.

I love my family exactly as they are.

I love my friends, my acquaintances, strangers, exactly as they are.

I love my life exactly as it is.

I love the world exactly as it is.

And as I practice this metta prayer of being in the present moment and in acceptance and in love with things as they are, I find it healing my soul, one day at a time.

So maybe you could try it as well—filling in the blanks with what makes sense to you—starting with yourself, and knowing we heal through love.

We flourish through acceptance; we dance when we figure out that where we are and what we have is enough—even if it is just for now.

May you love yourself exactly as you are!

Only YOU know for sure what nourishes your soul, what feeds your heart and your imagination and your ability to keep going.

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.

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Public Speaking & The Power of a Smile

By Ashar Mohammed

Photo Credit: Stocksnap/Rawpixel.com

The warmth of a smile creates an instant connection between speaker and audience.

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A smile is a powerful thing. To others, it is an outward expression of warmth that they often can’t help but mirror. For yourself, smiling has a powerful impact on the way in which you perceive the world. In fact, the act of smiling alone elicits a chemical reaction from your body— releasing dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that literally change the way you feel.

In public speaking, the benefits of a smile go far beyond the calming effect this chemical reaction can have on our nerves.

In presentation, a smile is yet another vital piece of the instrument that is our body, modulating the sound of our voice and so allowing us to more powerfully engage our audience. Your body is an instrument like any other; and, like the trumpet, saxophone, or clarinet, its design matters. Your mouth is the bell of

your instrument, with the smile dictating its shape and, therefore, its sound. Change the shape of the bell, and you change the sound. In the case of smiling, this change is felt from the stage throughout the room.

Of course, not all speeches are happy or geared towards “positive” emotions such as joy or excitement. In fact, some of the strongest presentations are those that find their foundation in what we consider to be “negative” emotions, such as anger, frustration, and sadness. In these moments, your smile might seem counterintuitive, and in a way it is—ike forcing yourself not to shiver in the cold. Yet, losing our smile is an instinct we must learn to control.

Why? Because your smile controls the temperature of the room.

EMOTIONAL TEMPERATURE

The idea of emotional temperature isn’t a new one. In presentation, understanding how to both take the emotional temperature of a room, and more importantly, change it, are powerful tools on our proverbial utility belt. There is a reason that receptionists, administrative assistants, and call center agents are taught to smile while answering the phone. The warmth of a smile creates an instant connection between speaker and audience—or, in the case of the call center, between service rep and customer. Lack that warmth, and you’ll begin your presentation with a distance between yourself and your audience created by the colder, negative tone.

As much as a smile changes our ex-

pression, its impact is felt just as strongly in the change in your voice. Lose your smile, and the temperature of the room changes by degrees. This is important because your audience is keyed into the room’s environment completely. By smiling you generate warmth that attracts your audience, connects with them, and as your smile lessens or grows your control over the resulting change in sound allows you to regulate the emotional temperature of the room without losing the connection between you and your audience.

How? Well, it comes back to the mirroring effect. There is a harmony that exists between people as they interact.

This harmony is strongest between your audience members, but it is one that we, as speakers, can tap into. Where there is a lack of engagement on the part of the audience, what we are seeing is a symptom of disharmony—a disconnect between presenter and audience. Smiling at the beginning of a presentation is an easy way to tap into the harmony we need to connect with our audience.

As we’ve said before, a smile is an expression of warmth that we often cannot help but mirror. By smiling at the beginning of a presentation, we bring ourselves onto the same wavelength as our audience—we connect and harmonize with them. Not only do they see the smile in our face and respond to it, but that response is deepened and reinforced when they hear the warmth of the smile in our

voice. Then, as our emotions and our smiles change throughout our speech, the emotions of our audience will change with us.

The important thing to remember here is that—even as you begin to speak on more serious topics, topics that might access those ‘negative’, ‘colder’ emotions—the audience is not your enemy. What I mean by this is that while your topic might find its roots in sadness or anger, neither emotion should be directed at your audience.

Your audience should feel your presentation with you, not from you. Your smile is not for your topic; it’s for your audience.

Remember, public speaking is a service industry. As speakers, we must find a way to build ourselves into a presentation instrument that will elicit the strongest response from our audience. As it turns out, the instrument we respond to best is a smile.

Pursue Your Freedom with Ashar Mohammed Ashar Mohammed is Nutritionist, Networking Business Coach, NLP Practitioner, Life Coach, and the author of Home Work Out Bible and Healthy Eating. After earning a MBA, Ashar worked in business for his family and on his own for 13 years, until becoming a coach in 2015. Now pursuing his true passion, Ashar has helped thousands of people around the world to achieve their freedom—freedom from disease, freedom of time, and travel and financial freedom. For more information, visit his blog at ashardxn.blogspot.se.

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Unlock Creativity with Mind Mapping

By Arielle Giordano

A D D S O M E C R E AT I V I T Y T O YOUR COACHING PRACTICE W I T H A R T T H E R A P Y.

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Early in the 20th century, psychiatrists became interested in the artwork created by their patients with mental illness. Around that same time, educators were discovering that children’s art expressions reflected developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth. In the middle of the century, hospitals and clinics began to include art therapy programs alongside “talk therapies.”

Today, the mental health fields recognize the widespread benefits of the creative process in the enhancement of recovery, health, and wellness. And, in response, practitioners are integrating the visual arts—such as drawing, painting, sculpture, as well as dance and reflective writing—into their mainstream therapy practices.

As a therapist and artist, I integrate the healing, soothing, and relaxing combination of the arts and counseling for individuals and families. The blend of art-making and self-expression within a professional relationship enhances healing for people experiencing illness, trauma, life changes and relationship challenges, and it also assists those seeking personal development.

C R E AT I V E C O A C H I N G A N D A R T I S P E R F E C T M AT C H !

A fun creative activity for individuals in a coaching environment is mind mapping, which uses hierarchical diagrams to visually organize information and show relationships to “a whole.” Mind maps are usually “created around

a single concept, drawn as an image in the center of a blank page, to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are added,” explains Wikipedia.

“Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and other ideas branch out from those major ideas. Although the term ‘mind map’ was first popularized by British popular psychology author and television personality Tony Buzan, the use of diagrams that visually ‘map’ information using branching and radial maps traces back centuries.”

Here is a simple way to get started: • Draw a circle in the middle on a piece of paper.

• Write the main topic/central thought in the circle.

• Then draw straight lines from the inner circle outward to the edge of the paper.

• The last step is writing or drawing images and labeling each line with the significant focal areas.

• The client can share and discuss his/her mind map for more depth and clarity in whatever area is being addressed.

Research confirms that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to become physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. It may assist in conflict resolution, developing interpersonal skills, stress reduction, life adjustments, post-traumatic stress aleviation, and acquisition of insights.

The sky is the limit!

Dancing from the Inside Out with Arielle Giordano Arielle Giordano’s new book, Dancing with Your Story from the Inside Out, was released in March 2017. With a Masters of Arts and Masters of Education, Arielle is an author, professional dancer, inspirational speaker, certified Essentrics/Aging Backwards instructor, and workshop facilitator. She enjoys sharing her gifts and talents with an authentic style rich in the grace of dance, psychology, philosophy and the expressive arts. Her career includes: provisional psychologist, guidance counselor and substance-abuse therapist. As a Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Faculty Member for College of Humanities at the University of Phoenix, she inspired students with her creative gifts. She also writes for Tampa Bay Wellness, We Woman and Transformation Magazine.

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Mystical Teachings at the Beach

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Free-Photos

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By Jo Mooy

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The act of viewing by an observer changes the outcome; the greater the observation, the more it becomes real.

By Jo Mooy It’s early morning. Footsteps squeak on the powdery white sand at the beach. One or two people walk near the edge of the water. The tide is out. The sun not quite rising to lighten the dark sky. Pelicans are long gone, replaced by skimmers gliding openbeaked across the rim of the waves scooping up fish to feed their young. Walking slowly, taking in the ocean sounds, the clouds reshape into dragon-forms on the high winds. I used to wonder where the dragons went when they disappeared from myths and legends. This morning I’m thinking they’re still alive in the aetheric realms. The teachings begin.

Early morning walks are mystical.

Observing reverently, darkness gives way to light as nature gently awakens with the rising sun. Temperature changes are gradual. The winds come over the dunes easy. Movement is slow as the huge sky canvas overhead runs through a spectrum of colors from deep purple to pink to orange and to the lightest blue. The choir chanting OM on my iPod speaker punctuates the mysticism. The dunes to my right are inviting. I go sit against the dunes and meditate.

Photo Credit: Pixabay/Free-Photos

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The meditation is observational and reflective. It is accompanied by the chants of OM that automatically regulate the breath. The human eye can only see 120 degrees in front so that range becomes the visual canvas. An elderly woman in a wide-brimmed hat walks into the canvas from left to right. She stops to stare at the ocean then walks out of the canvas. A fishing boat comes out of the pass from the right, following the buoys out to sea.

It joins several tiny fishing boats on the distant horizon before disappearing from view. A tanned young man in bright green running shoes enters the viewing range, stops suddenly as though remembering something, looks at his watch, then turns back to run in the opposite direction.

The images and scenes, popping up on the viewing canvas then disappearing out of range, prompt a series of reflections and questions. Great spiritual teachers have left a mark on what I have become. The beach has just become a teacher, too.

Watching the canvas in front of me changing by the moment, I go through the 50-year lineage of teachers and teachings, wondering what each one would say about these experiences on the beach.

Meditate by the ocean or near water was one of Yogananda’s teachings. Watching the passages of the waves, each rose, fell, then dissolved.

It was a teaching metaphor for the endless cycle of eternal life—birth and death. Listening to the waves, seeing the spray, each drop of water was

unique. Yet, when reabsorbed by the ocean, it was no longer separate but was one with it. Underneath the laws and rules of all religions is the same universal teaching that we are all one.

Focusing on the vast endlessness of the ocean, I am aware of the natural elements and their sacredness. Like a mother, the sands of the Earth cradle me where I sit. The Fire of the sun in the east burns the back of my neck. The ancient myths and legends come alive as winds of the Air element blow dragonshaped clouds and sky angels out of the southeast. In nature, all seems well. That’s a good lesson!

The people walking in and out of the canvas are another story. They’re transient like the waves.

Who are they? How did they come into my visual on this quiet morning? Did the random thoughts of my mother and her love of the ocean create the elderly lady in the wide-brimmed hat? My mother used to wear one like that when she walked the beach. What about the runner? Did my musings on doing more exercise bring him into view? When he turned and went back in the direction he came, was that a subtle message to “go back and exercise.”

Neville Goddard taught that whatever we think or imagine we create in our reality. Eastern mysticism says, “Thoughts are things and whatever we believe is so.” My thoughts were solidifying in those scenes.

I drifted to the act of “viewing” the changing scene and asking myself, “What of it is real and what is not?” Quantum physics proves what God-

dard taught. The act of viewing by an observer changes the outcome; the greater the observation, the more it becomes real. I was certainly creating my reality by not only thinking it, but also by observing it. Spinning on those teachings elicited this: Who or what is observing this?

That question took me down the inevitable rabbit hole. Like branches on a tree, the questions spread out. Who is the observer? If it’s me, who am I? Is the observation real if the scene changes by the minute? Am I part of the scene or separate from it by observing it? After a while the only answer that made any sense was, “It’s all consciousness.” I was consciousness, observing consciousness in its endless variations. Consciousness is not separate from itself. Consciousness IS. We are the individual unique drops of consciousness in the vast ocean of consciousness, and we have the joyous experience of not only being it, but also creating in it.

My Kriya Yoga teacher Roy Eugene Davis taught me that,

Proof of yo u r exi s t e nce i s yo u r " awareness of existing."

That was the essence of all the morning’s teachings.

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 www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

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