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Pushing The EdgeA brilliant young MBA who is one of my coaching clients is continually pushing her Edge to take herself to the next level. Stepping up to things she fears, she then signs up for a class to tackle them. Like swimming. In her early thirties, she's just now learning to hold her head underwater and blow bubbles. It's a humbling experience, she says, but she's conquering her fear, one bubble at a time. At the same time she's training for a half-marathon. I'm impressed! My Personal EdgeMy edge involves shifting from promoting others in a 20-year career in public relations to promoting my inspirational book and myself as a speaker. Here's a taste; enjoy! In the Image of the CreatorAs manifestations of the Creator, what are we supposed to do to manifest our glory? Create, of course! When we do not allow the flow of creative energy to manifest through us, whether in the form of our children, an architectural drawing we design, a puppy we train, a fresh-baked batch of cookies made from scratch, or some other outpouring of this intense creative energy which we have been granted as our birthright, we are blocking our own good. My friend, artist Janet Smith, is the daughter of Justine and Dayton Smith, two delightful restaurateurs in Memphis and Atlanta, now deceased. A few years ago Janet wrote a beautiful tribute to her parents: Justine's Memories and Recipes. Although they'd already experienced full lives before they met in their forties, and each had children from previous marriages, Justine and Dayton were a pair of dynamos who built Justine's into the number one dining establishment in the mid-South. That Elvis Got AroundElvis was a frequent late-night patron, along with the upper social strata of Memphis, politicos, entertainers and the entire New York Metropolitan Opera once a year during Opera Week. Their one Memphis location didn't satisfy their entrepreneurial spirit, however, and they eventually expanded their operation into Atlanta with a move that everyone called ridiculous. Brick by brick, Dayton Smith relocated the old Pope plantation home from Washington, Georgia, to a swanky address on Piedmont Road in Buckhead. They built it and Justine's son Dan Taylor, famous for his Loch Ness expeditions in a yellow submarine that he constructed, ran it for years. (The restaurant is now called Anthony's—very popular for special occasions and conventioneers because of its old South charm). At the Memphis location on Coward Place, all day they'd be running the kitchen after mornings working the gigantic, luscious vegetable and rose garden at their acreage on Rich Road. There they cultivated an impressive yield of fresh produce and dainty rosebuds for each table. After hosting their clientele until all hours, when the last guest finally left for the evening, Justine and Dayton would go out dancing. What an energetic, debonair couple they were, and what fantastic lives they lived! Bee-hinds Off the Barca-loungerWhat truly amazed me about this dynamic couple was that they didn't even learn to ski until they were in their fifties! Do you remember a time when one's sixth decade seemed ancient? At the very least, time to slump down in the Barcalounger and turn into a sloth? No longer. Some of us are really just beginning to get a clue about life by that age. You've heard the expression: "Get over your bad self!" Your bad self consists of every self-limitation you've ever taken on as the truth. What powerful encouragement, to get rid of all that! Just let go of all the old murky stuff, using every means necessary: counseling, hypnotherapy, yoga, the discipline of shaping yourself in a new way to let the Divine spirit shine out—whatever it takes! What good is the old dreck doing now, and quite frankly, what good has it ever done you? All those old tapes from the parents, the bullies, the older siblings, the school system, the college advisor who encouraged you to apply to Drudge College in West Dungheap as your "ace in the hole"—and you wished you had a cream pie to smash in her face right then! (At least I did). Get A New MantraThose old, useless voices—out with them! It's time to get a new mantra (a phrase repeated inwardly to yourself) and it's got to be one you can make your own. Two fantastic books I can recommend for this purpose are Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain, and You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay. So many books have been my powerful, healing friends along the way I simply thank God that I believed in the wisdom they offered. I'm doubly grateful that I was willing to take action and follow their advice! Sometimes it's necessary for us to hit a bottom before we realize that it's our responsibility and no one else's to wrench ourselves out of our torpor, our rut, our slough of despond. Wherever it came from, however it was created, it is something in the past that is not our present reality—and has nothing to do with the true manifestation of I AM! Powerful words, those. Words used to describe God. I AM! I am happy, healthy, whole and free. And if you think you're not, right at this moment, here's a great opportunity to fake it 'til you make it! |
Join my Celebration!The above chapter is from my award-winning book, BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy, and I'm celebrating! Writer's Digest just notified me that the book 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.
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2/4/07
Atlanta Women in Business, 2/7/07
Gather the Women panel discussion, 3/10/07
Cool Mind CandyTry some! It has that hopeful flavor. Boxed InSo often we begin to believe the limitations we set for ourselves. If you're on high speed DSL, here's a powerful visual for the desperate straits we sometimes stay in, when we could easily rescue ourselves. It's a video of some beautiful horses trapped by floodwaters in the Netherlands last November. Even when the waters subsided, they still believed they were trapped, until rescuers had tried everything to free them. Thankfully, the story has a happy ending. Is it time to begin creating a different outcome for your story? How are you boxing yourself in right now?
Fire Up Your Group-Hire me to Speak!Here's a testimonial from my talk "Influence Made Easy: Making Connections that Sell"
"Great demonstrations and speech. Best speech I've heard
in awhile." |
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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! 2/3/07 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 |