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Welcome to the 13th issue of Your Guide to the Life You Love! You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for the newsletter or its companion Ebook, 101 Simple Ways to Kick the Depression Habit & Get Happier without Prozac. Learn how real people have overcome real challenges and worked to get the life they love! We also share ideas about how you can make a positive impact or leave a legacy. Thanks for being here. You are appreciated and you are blessed! WHAT'S YOUR LEGACY?Tuesday evening I brushed up against history at The Carter Center in Atlanta, where former President Jimmy Carter addressed the Atlanta Press Club. I got chills, and not from the air-conditioning. Love him or not, respect him or not, Jimmy Carter is one who has put his money where his mouth is, creating a legacy of peace, and working on eradicating what he called "the small diseases"--the ones that afflict only thousands of people instead of millions-- diseases like Guinea worm, which is now down to less than 25,000 cases after years of work to relieve Africans of this painful scourge. "Hopefully Guinea worm will be the first parasitic disease ever eradicated. If and when that happens, we will have done it without a drug and without a vaccine to treat or prevent the disease. If we can do that, it will be one of the greatest achievements in public health," says Dr. Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben, technical director, Guinea Worm Eradication Program with The Carter Center. THE POISONWOOD CONNECTIONI'd just finished reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, whose parents were public health workers in Africa when she was a child. This astounding book about a misguided missionary and his family gave me a clue about the issues involved with "saving the world," one bit of education and awareness at a time, despite our own well-meaning ineptitude, the implacable nature of the jungle and its ways. If only President Carter's handlers hadn't whisked him and Rosalynn away to another reception, I would have expressed my admiration for their taking on that task. I also wanted to share with Rosalynn my dream of twenty years ago. I dreamed that the Carters and I were next-door neighbors and I really enjoyed our bowling matches in their basement bowling alley. (Oops, that was Nixon who had the bowling alley in the White House basement!) Luckily, as I said, they were whisked away, although another attendee assured me that Rosalynn probably would have gotten a chuckle from the bowling dream. They do seem light-hearted after all their efforts. Perhaps all their giving and sharing has raised their vibration of good energy to such a degree that it's visible. WORMS IN THE EARTHAlthough saving the world seems daunting, we each play our part. First and foremost by taking care of ourselves--keeping ourselves balanced with the right amounts of appreciation for what is, the proper sleep, exercise and the right foods--and not expecting someone else to leap in and solve our problems for us. Since gardening is one of my favorite metaphors, I emphasize to my class members in "Get the Life You Love" at Emory that we have to consciously pull the mental & spiritual weeds all the time in order to stay focused on the positive. From early childhood, approximately 80% of what we hear is negative, and when we focus on things we attract more of the same. That's why it's important to keep that weed spike handy. Jerk out the uglies and let the flowers and veggies proliferate. Oh yes, and our occasional encounter with the worms--digging away in the dark and turning Georgia clay into more loamy soil that can actually nurture a plant. Even the worms play their part. THE SIMPLE SMALL THINGSSo how does an individual go about saving the world? I've learned a lot from my neighbors over the years. One lovely gentleman who served globally with the Red Cross walks his next-door neighbors' dog every day. That gave me the idea that I can walk MY neighbors' dog every day, since they both work outside the home and I need occasional office breaks. We all win! Now Dixie-Doodle-Doo (my nickname for this precious creature) and I have a great relationship--and I don't have the side effects of owning my own dog. Plus she gets along great with my cat, Hillary Rodham Kitten. Just about daily, Dixie's owners send a plate of food over to the retired minister who lives across the way. He recently turned 89 and he spends his days taxi-ing his elderly pals to doctors' appointments and the grocery store, or his younger friends to their after-school activities. Although simple, these efforts are powerful legacies. They're people taking care of people, and allowing themselves to receive at the same time. The exchange of energy is important. It can't be all give, or take. If you haven't begun to build your legacy already, what one simple thing can you do to begin?
Want to Build Your Legacy? Contact me to coach you there! This is the 8th year I've taught "Get the Life You Love" at Evening at Emory, and when each class ends people clamor, "What's next?" That's why I became a Registered Corporate Coach/Life Transition Coach several years back. From attorneys to top salespeople to engineers, my clients have come to me singing "Is that all there is?" (thank you, Peggy Lee) and wondering how they can make some shifts their lives to begin giving back. If you're struggling to find your heartfelt path and want to work with someone who elicits real results, please contact me at pdcom@mindspring.com. Visit my website at www.patricedickey.com to see how I've helped others get there.
Soothe your brain and get over your Bad Self with just released: BACK TO THE GARDEN: Selected Chapters on Audio! Here's a note from a single mother and entrepreneur who recently got a copy of the CD, Selected Chapters from BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy, available on my website: "I just wanted to take a minute and let you know just how much I appreciate the CD book. I had it for a week or three, carrying it around in my purse, trying to decide where to play it. Then I decided to get over myself and put it in my CD-alarm clock. For the past few mornings, I've woken up to Patrice's healing and inspiring words, and Andrea's soothing reassuring voice. The combination is incredible. I have the volume down so that I wake up naturally, so each morning it's been a different part of the CD that I actually come fully awake to. Know matter where my conscious mind is when I am fully awake, I know that my subconscious has heard and absorbed plenty. How?? Because this past week has been a huge roller coaster, and while I have definitely been re-active and had low moments, I have also found some place within to go to and remind myself - it won't be like this forever, and I do have all the tools necessary to end up just where I belong and desire to be (to include friends who hear me and encourage me to move forward). Earlier this week, a friend reminded me that change was good. She also reminded me that whenever I ask for something by a certain time, the universe always delivers. So I did. I asked for clarity and resolution to several situations by Friday. In the interim, there was quite a bit of turmoil and angst - like being a dinghy on the ocean in the middle of a class 5 storm. But, I now have my clarity and resolution. I claimed the living space of my heart - and I got it! I asked that a few situations resolve themselves - and they have. I asked to be given viable options - and they are revealing themselves. And I haven't even stated my Treasure Map yet, but I see it in my mind's eye, and I know that can only make it all better. And oh, can you two PLEASE just do a series of these?? You know, one on relationships, one on healing your past, one on preparing for your future, parents and family, etc.... You two are a dynamic team. The combination of your talents really works. It really does. I am living the benefits right now. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To both of you. April VanMansfeld TigerWolf, Inc. www.EarthMuther.com Visit my website at www.patricedickey.com to order the CD Audiobook Selected Chapters from BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy for only $12.95 (plus S&H) and book discounted online to $14.95 or a combination of the CD and book for only $24.95! (Georgia residents will be taxed 7%). The combined order regular price is almost $30 for a discount on a collector's book and inspirational CD. LinksOUR EMAIL LIST SERVICE: Many people ask me how I manage this email list. I use a great service called AWeber. Find out more about them at www.aweber.com ATTRACT MORE CLIENTS: If you want to attract more clients more consistently I highly recommend the Action Plan Marketing web site. It includes a lot of free information and great products that help you be a better marketer, including a great Marketing Start-up Kit. http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=496309 EARN A LIVING WRITING: The Well Fed Writer (& Self-Publisher) offers lots of great tips on how you can convert your passion for the word into actual dollars--he managed to do it and tells you how! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/cmd.php?af=507664 |
Upcoming Keynotes & Training EngagementsThink the Life You Love Influence Made Easy: Making Connections That Sell Avenue Realty Association of Image Consultants International Fire Up Your Group-Hire me to Speak!Testimonial from my workshop for Community Bankers Assn of GA Influence Made Easy: Making Connections that Sell The workshop was excellent--the most important ideas were that people are either moving toward pleasure or moving away from pain; that they buy based on emotion but justify with logic. Cool Mind CandyA philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the desk. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your faith, family, children; your health, your friends, and your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. "Life works the same way. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you'll never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. "Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." Join My Celebration!Writer's Digest recently notified me that my book BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy was chosen as an Honorable Mention in the Inspirational category of the 14th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards, so I'm offering an Internet special! Visit www.PatriceDickey.com and the book is yours for only $14.95 plus shipping and tax where applicable. The cover letter said, "Competition was particularly fierce this year so (the) accomplishment is truly impressive."--I'll toast that! Here's what Judge #39 said about BACK TO THE GARDEN. "This really is a delightful book, full of pithy, wise, fun, real, honest, short selections, each to the point and with a message one can carry away to ponder. Written by a woman who has obviously Been There, the book shares, directs, reflects wisdom and understanding at every possible turn--and quite painlessly. The writing is witty, accessible, easy and enjoyable to read, chatty or conversational, on universal subjects, what we will all encounter as we lead full lives. Dickey offers effective ideas, new fresh perspectives, techniques or tools to deal with these everyday problems or situations... The subject titles are fresh and catchy; and the interior design and cover are attractive. I like this book." I'm also honored to mention that the book has previously won Inspirational, Spiritual, Aging, Death & Dying, and 1st Place Nonfiction awards from the IPPYs 2006, Best Books 2006 (two categories) and Atlanta Writers Club, respectively. |
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If you find this Ezine refreshing, please pass it along to your friends and colleagues. Much appreciated! Your Guide to the Life You Love™ Patrice Dickey is a coach, motivational speaker and author of the internationally award-winning book Back to the Garden: Getting from Shadow to Joy. Learn more at www.artofchange.org. If you'd like to submit some Cool Mind Candy for consideration, please email me at pdcom@mindspring.com Thanks! 7/26/07 Copyright © Patrice Dickey 2007. All rights reserved. PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any items from "Your Guide to the Life You Love(TM)" in your print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph: Reprinted from "Your Guide to the Life You Love(TM)" a complimentary Ezine featuring tools & tips, perspective shifts to help enrich your life, expand your horizons and experience Your Personal Definition of success—always including cool mind candy with that hopeful flavor. To subscribe, please visit www.artofchange.org and, if you like, download the Ebook "101 Simple Ways to Kick the Depression Habit and Get Happier Without Prozac." PRIVACY STATEMENT: Your Guide to the Life You Love(TM) will never distribute your address to anyone—honest! ***
Patrice Dickey
Phone: 404-294-9333 |