Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Carnival of Healing #66: Joy, Peace, Renewal

Welcome to the Carnival of Healing #66: Joy, Peace, Renewal.

It's hard to believe that 2006 will end in less than 2 days. Everyone I've talked to lately all seem to feel that this year has gone by particularly fast. It's certainly a big "milestone year" for me, personally and professionally. As the curtains of the year 2006 are drawing close, and I look back on everything that happened this year, despite many challenges, I'm truly grateful for all the things and people in my life. I hope you, too, find much joy and peace in your heart, and a great sense of renewal and hope for the New Year.

Edward Mills at Evolving Times shares the same sentiment in his beautifully written post Living Life For The Sheer Joy Of It. He reminds us to "give ourselves the time and space to experience these moments of pure joy" and say "yes" to life.

As we reflect on the year gone by, it's important to practice forgiveness and letting go of the past, so we can live in the present and move forward. Raymond David Salas at ZenChill.com - Power Tools for Mind, Body, and Soul shares with us his step-by-step approach in his post The Power of Forgiveness.

Caroline Latham at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution reminds us Tis Better to Give Than to Receive. Researchers have found that the mesolimbic pathway in the brain is activated by charitable giving. This area is one of the major pathways where you find the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with the brain's pleasure system. Furthermore, donating also appears to increase the release of oxytocin, the "nurturing" hormone related to human bonding. In other words, giving enhances your mood and social relationships. Just another reason to be generous to others.

Tis the time for another round of New Year Resolutions. Most people make them, but few stick with them. A recent study from the University of Scranton, PA, shows that every January millions of American women resolve to lose weight and change their eating habits, but a quarter of them go back to their old ways within a week! The statistics is discouraging, but you do not have to give up.

Patricia at A Better You Blog has a proven method to Start A New Habit Or Break A Bad One: Ten Steps To Guarantee Success For Anyone.

Yesterday I was chatting with a nurse who resolves to lose weight and we joked that losing weight is a "perennial goal" for most people. Then I thought, wait a minute, there are other goals that deserve to be "perennial goals", such as personal development, spiritual growth, self-nurturing and healing, etc. The following posts focus on healing.

Journaling is a great tool to reflect the day and visualize the future. Isabella Mori at Change Therapy presents Journaling for Healing: 15 tips.

Our Carnival host Phylameana lila Desy at About Holistic Healing shares the experience of giving her son and daughter-in-law an ear candling session, as well as some animated (mostly on her son's part) photos in her post Ear Candling Session Photos.

Baphomet at BecomeNatural.com shares the many wonderous use of a special mushroom in The wonders of Kombucha.

Aparna at Beauty & Personality Grooming presents Home Remedies for tonsillitis.

David E. at Worldwide Success shares the story of how Augie Nieto used his "entrepreneurial spirit" to fight Lou Gehrig's disease and invites us to support his cause in Using an Entrepreneurial Spirit to Find a Cure for Deadly Diseases such as Lou Gehrig's.

Caroline Latham at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution presents Are cognitive abilities the same thing as intelligence?

Change is in the air. That's why I'd like to share a post I wrote a while ago titled Take the L.E.A.P. to Manage Life's Changes with Ease here at Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul.

That's all for this edition of the Carnival of Healing. Thank you all for participating and reading. You can read the past edition at Evolving Times, and the next edition will be at Wisdom of Healing.

Happy New Year!!!

Labels: Blog Carnivals, Carnival of Healing, healing, health, intention, making changes, New Year Resolutions

posted by Hueina Su at 9:48 AM

| Permalink | 1 comments

Friday, December 29, 2006

Making Success Fun

by Michael Neil
www.geniuscatalyst.com

Several years ago, I got into a conversation with my friend and colleague, Michele Lisenbury Christensen, about a mutual acquaintance whose level of success was only exceeded by his level of unhappiness. This junky of the "no pain, no gain"school of achievement continued to stir up his own discontent in a never-ending effort to stay motivated and achieve far more than he actually wanted in an attempt to fill a hole in his life, located, as best we could ascertain, in the middle of his heart.

We then moved on to discuss how miserable people who call themselves "poor, but happy" generally are. Before despair had completely overwhelmed us, Michele reminded me of a client we had both worked with who seemed to have the whole thing sussed -that is, she was happily successful and successfully happy!

Well, it turned out that we both knew a number of people who fit this description, and we set about identifying what "secrets"these people shared. Today's tip is our first public sharing of what we've learned... (We enjoyed identifying these principles so much, we designed a one year coaching program around them - for more informationsee the 'Want to Learn More?' section at the end of this tip!)

SECRET NUMBER ONE:
*Success is fun when you're pursuing a "Big Grin" goal or dream*

In the traditional personal success literature, success is measured by an amount of money, a brand of car, a size of house, or the length of a relationship.

In the world of Success Made Fun, success is measured by how big your grin is as you go for and get what you want.

SECRET NUMBER TWO:
*Success is fun when it's balanced; when it covers every area of your life*

The not-fun, draining, burnout-generating ways of pursuing success generally make you lopsided, like a bodybuilder with a huge upper body and spindly legs. Whether it's a great career with miserable relationships or spiritual enlightemnent with no money to pay the rent, this sort of approach sows the seeds of failure in one part of your life even as it delivers success in another.

You make success fun (and sustainable) when you make it holistic, recognising that you can't change one part of your life without changing all of it. By following the same guiding principles in EVERY area of your life, you allow them to reinforce each other, building a web of structure and support strong enough to catch the lion of success in its snare.

SECRET NUMBER THREE:
*Success is fun when you take bite-size actions and make small improvements consistently over time.*

We call this process "incremental transformation", and like the old joke about how you eat an elephant (one bite at a time!), it's the happy alternative to deadline driven no pain no gain adrenaline overload(!)

In fact, in the longest and largest study ever done on the structure of happiness, the ability to get ongoing feedback from mini-successes at every step of your journey was found to be indispensable to optimal experience at work and at play.

SECRET NUMBER FOUR:
*Success if fun when you have more support than you need.*

One of the seven myths of success is the myth of self-sufficiency - that is, the idea that "it only counts if I do it myself". Yet the people we know who consistently succeed and have fun doing it surround themselves with an abundance of the right type of focused stimulus.

As you focus on building your success team and on filling your reservoir of resources, you'll find yourself naturally drawn to the people, places, and ideas that will support you in creating the life of your "big grin" dreams. And if that weren't enough, when you align yourself with a like-minded community of other people who want to play in a game as fun as yours, your life (and success) will continue to grow in directions and proportions you have not yet imagined.

SECRET NUMBER FIVE:
*Success if fun when it comes to you.*

We are so conditioned to thinking in terms of "the pursuit of success" that it never occurs to us to create the time and space in our lives to allow success to come to us.

If you want to begin attracting success, you need to stop pushing long enough to feel the pull of life. Most people have experienced or witnessed at least one person achieving incredible results in their life shortly after "giving up" on a project or goal. You make success fun when you take the pressure off yourself to make things happen and allow them to happen in their own way, "as if by design".

BONUS TIP:
When people first hear about the 'secret' of attraction, they often equate it with inaction. In fact, the real secret lies in finding what I call 'the butterfly point' - the perfect balance between allowing and doing. For more on this, see my book, 'You Can Have What You Want'.

May all your success be fun and may all your fun be successful!

With love, Michael

======================
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
======================
Here are some of my favorite resources for making success fun inyour own life:

Books and e-programs
*Fish! by Steven C. Lundin and John Christensen
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786866020/geniuscatalys-20

*The Highest Goal by Michael Ray
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576753522/geniuscatalys-20

*Play to Win! By Larry Wilson and Hersch Wilson
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/188516761X/geniuscatalys-20

*Success Made Fun: 365 Days to the Best Year of Your Life by Michael Neill and Michele Lisenbury Christensen
www.geniuscatalyst.com/public/smf.php

*You Can Have What You Want by Michael Neillhttp://www.geniuscatalyst.com/public/whatyouwant.php

Related Tips and Audio
Members of the inner circle of the Solutions Café will also enjoy these related tips and audio selections:
*The 7 Myths of Diet and Exercise
*Enjoying the Ride
*Have Fun and Learn Heaps
*Making Success Fun w/John Christensen (audio)
*A Real Life Savor
*Your Best Year Yet w/Jinny Ditzler (audio)
You can join the inner circle of the Café at:
www.geniuscatalyst.com/public/cafepublic.php

Labels: commitment, fun, getting support, goal-setting, inspired action, success, work life balance

posted by Hueina Su at 10:51 AM

| Permalink | 2 comments

Monday, December 25, 2006

Carnival of Healing #66 Submissions

Merry Christmas!! This week, the Carnival of Healing #65 - Holiday Edition is up at Evolving Times.

I will be hosting the Carnival of Healing #66 this Saturday, December 30. Please submit your post to the Blog Carnival submission page.

Carnival of Healing is a weekly round-up of personal Web sites and blogs on the topics of holistic health, wellness, spirituality, and self empowerment. If you have any articles that fit this description, please submit your post here. The deadline for submission is Thursday, December 28 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Thank you!

I look forward to reading your posts, and presenting them on December 30.

Carniva of Healing Archives

Carnival of Healing at the Blog Carnival

Carniva of Healing Submission Form

To volunteer to host future carnival

Labels: Carnival of Healing

posted by Hueina Su at 10:28 AM

| Permalink | 1 comments

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Happy Holidays 2006

Happy Holidays to you & your family...

(Click on the picture for full-size view)

and Happy New Year too!

Labels: holidays

posted by Hueina Su at 2:20 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

[Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul] Newsletter issue 12-20-06

Welcome to Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul
December 20, 2006
Written & Published by Hueina Su, Beyond Horizon Coaching

Visit our website at: http://www.CPR4Balance.com

You can read this newsletter in full color on our blog: http://nurture-me-coach.blogspot.com

This newsletter is published twice a month. To subscribe, click here. If you no longer wish to receive communication from us, please follow the link at the bottom of this newsletter.

If you enjoy reading this newsletter, please forward it to your network of friends, family and colleagues. Or, better yet, invite them to subscribe to this f ree newsletter, so they too can feel inspired and supported.

============================================
Table of Contents:

1. Welcome & Announcements
2. Featured Article
3. Recommended Reading
4. Quotes of the Week
5. Resources for Your Balanced Life
6. Just for Fun

============================================

1. Welcome & Announcements

Holidays are upon us, and you are probably happily (I hope) busy preparing for the festivities. I have prepared a holiday greeting for you. Go and check it out here.

Can you believe 2006 is almost over?!! As you review and reflect on the events and lessons from 2006, and rejoice in the holiday traditions & blessings, don't forget to take some time to plan for the coming year. New Year is just around the corner. Now is the time to review and re-focus on your goals for 2007. If you have not set your Top 3 Goals for 2007, go to my website and take this 5-minute goal-setting quiz now. You will receive a F.REE, personalized Goals Report along with the top 10 tips to help you achieve them. Take the goal-setting quiz now!

Do you know why most people fail at keeping their New Year Resolutions? A recent study showed that among the million people who resolve to lose weight on New Year's Day, a quarter of them will go back to their old ways WITHIN ONE WEEK! The statistic is discouraging, but you don't have to give up. Sign up for the January F.REE Teleclass "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions". More details below.

=================

F.REE Teleclass

=================

The MP3 recording of my December Teleclass "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life" is ready for you to download at my Teleclass Archives page. You can also download the worksheet of this Teleclass, as well as the recordings of previous Teleclass. Go to Teleclass Archives now.

January F.REE Teleclass:
"The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions"

Date: Friday, January 12, 2007
Time: 12:00pm Eastern Time (11:00am Central, 9:00am Pacific) -- use the World Clock to figure out your local time http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
There is no cost for this Teleclass, but you must register to receive the bridgeline phone number and access code
For more details and to register: http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/newyear.html
Everyone registered will receive the recording of the Teleclass

===========================

Intensive Self-Care Private Coaching

===========================

I have added several private coaching programs. Depending on your needs, you can choose from 4 different levels of private coaching. Please feel free to email or call me to set up a complimentary trial session. Check out the details here.

=================================

C.P.R. for Balance Group Coaching

=================================

This group coaching program uses the principles of my C.P.R. for Balance model as foundation. We will meet every other week via Teleconference for 12 weeks, with specific agenda & coaching assignments to help you move forward. You will have the support from me as well as the group members through emails and our online community. You can even stay in touch via our online community afterwards. It's an affordable option to receive coaching support at a fraction of the private coaching cost. There are two groups starting in January 2007 -- perfect for working on your New Year Resolutions. Find out more details here.

==========================

Gift Certificates Available

==========================

You can purchase coaching gift certificates in any dollar amount you wish, or choose from one of my coaching programs. Why not buy a coaching gift certificate for your loved ones? It would make a very thoughtful gift that could change their lives. Or, even better, why not buy one for yourself? You deserve to invest in your own life, don't you?

============================================
2. Featured Article: "Review, Reflect, Rejoice, and Re-focus"
Read the full article here.

============================================
3. Recommended Reading

"When You Thought I Wasn't Looking" -- As parents (or anyone who's around children), we influence the children in many ways..... especially when we thought they were not watching. Read the full article.

"Balance Your Workload with a Generous Number of Mini-Vacations for Maximum Productivity" by Denis Waitley. Read the full article here.

"Meeting the Enemy-- and It's You!" -- Molly Gordon points out the common resistance we experience when we try to make life changes, and how to overcome them. Read the full article here.

"Holiday Self-Care Suggestions" -- Cheryl Richardson, one of my favorite life coaches & authors, shares tips on taking good care of yourself during the holiday season. Read the full article here.

============================================
4. Quotes of the Week

"Joy is not in things, it is in us." -- Benjamin Franklin

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." -- Roy L. Smith

"Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it." -- M. Scott Peck

"I had found a kind of serenity, a new maturity... I didn't feel better or stronger than anyone else but it seemed no longer important whether everyone loved me or not - more important now was for me to love them. Feeling that way turns your whole life around; living becomes the act of giving." -- Beverly Sills, American Opera Singer

"For all those years you've protected the seed. It's time to become the beautiful flower." -- Stephen C. Paul, Author, Teacher and Psychologist

============================================
5. Resources for Your Balanced Life

"Christmas, my child, is love in action... every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." -- Dale Evans Rogers, 1912-2001, American Movie Star, Singer and Songwriter

The spirit of holidays is sharing and giving. Why not find a worthy charity to send your donations or volunteer for a good cause during the holidays? Here's one I have personally supported for more than 10 years. See the details and my sponsored child's pictures here.

If you are an artist or work in the art industry, you might want to check out this complimentary 12-week Teleclass series for artists, based on the book "Vein of Gold" by Julia Cameron. This Teleclass series is offered by Artistic Coach Cleopatra Bell and will begin on January 2, 2007. For details please email her at cleopatrawrites@yahoo.com.

============================================
6. Just for Fun

Kids love to write letters to Santa. Here are some samples of their letters and the "original, unedited" answers from Santa.

Some people said everything is about math. Sometimes good math skill can keep you from trouble.

============================================
Copyright 2006 Hueina Su, Beyond Horizon Coaching. All rights reserved. www.CPR4Balance.com

You may copy or forward this newsletter provided that the author's name, the attribution of the article and this copyright information is intact.

The attribution should read: "Hueina Su is the Founder and President of Beyond Horizon Coaching, a national coaching/training company specializing in helping women nurturers practice Intensive Self-Care, manage stress, prevent/overcome Nurturing Burnout and achieve Work Life Balance. Download your F.R.E.E. Intensive Self-Care Kit at www.CPR4Balance.com. To subscribe to her newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul", send a blank email to subscribe@BeyondHorizonCoaching.com. Visit her blog: http://nurture-me-coach.blogspot.com for the latest news, tips and resources for women who nurture."

To Subscribe to this newsletter

To Unsubscribe from our mailing list

Labels: inspiration, Intensive Self-Care, New Year Resolutions, Newsletter, parenting

posted by Hueina Su at 2:53 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Love in Action

"Christmas, my child, is love in action... every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." -- Dale Evans Rogers, 1912-2001, American Movie Star, Singer and Songwriter

The spirit of holidays is sharing and giving. There are a lot of people who are less fortunate than us. Why not find a worthy charity to send your donations or volunteer for a good cause during the holidays?

One of the charities I've supported for more than 10 years is Plan (formerly ChildReach). Plan was founded in 1937 and its mission is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries. Plan began as a child sponsorship organization. Today, they are one of the oldest and largest organizations of its kind— their grassroots, self-help programs assist more than 10 million children and their families in poor communities around the world (63 countries). The money received from a child's sponsor not only goes to the child & his/her family, but also goes to improve the overall quality of life for the entire village the child lives. They have programs to help the families become financially self-sufficient, and provide better health care, education, water quality, etc. for the entire community.

The girl in the picture is my "sponsored child" Tran Ly who lives in Vietnam with her parents and little brother. Isn't she beautiful? I've sponsored her since she was less than 1 year old, and now she is almost 12. Since I started sponsoring her, her family had built a new house (they were so proud of it) and their village had also made much progress in many areas, with the help of Plan's programs and resources. Plan mailed me progress reports, letters from her parents, Ly's drawings, and Ly's pictures several times a year. Their volunteers translate our correspondences to each other, so we can stay in touch. It's been a very rewarding experience for me. Ly is only 5 months older than my own daughter. I hope someday we can visit her & her family in Vietnam and she can meet my daughter too.

What's your favorite charity and/or volunteer work? This holiday season, find something worthy of your support, and invite your family and community to get involved too.

Labels: compassion, giving, holidays, inspired action, love

posted by Hueina Su at 12:12 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Monday, December 18, 2006

New Teleclass "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions"

2006 is coming to an end soon. You know what this means -- you get to plan for a brand new year and start with a clean slate. If you're like most poeple, you make New Year Resolutions with the best intentions and high hopes to achieve your personal and career goals. You go with full force to lost weight, start a new business, find your soulmate, get a new job, build your dream home, have better relationships with your family, quit smoking, eat right, exercise more, learn a foreigh language, go back to school, etc. However, the sad truth is that most people don't stick to their New Year Resolutions for long. In fact, one recent study from the University of Scranton, PA, showed that every January millions of American women resolve to lose weight and change their eating habits, but a quarter of them go back to their old ways within a week! Pretty discouraging statistics, isn't it?

In this Teleclass we will discuss why most people fail to keep their New Year Resolutions and how you can avoid making the same mistakes. Then I will share with you the 5 Master Keys to help you keep your New Year Resolutions and make 2007 your best year ever!

Date: Friday, January 12, 2007
Time: 12:00pm Eastern Time (11:00am Central, 9:00am Pacific) -- use the World Clock to figure out your local time http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
Presenter: Hueina Su, founder & president of Beyond Horizon Coaching
Cost: no charge, but you must register to receive the Bridgeline phone number and Access Code for this Teleclass
Register at: http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/newyear.html
If you are interested but cannot attend the live call, please register anyway. Everyone registered will have access to the Teleclass recording afterwards

Labels: Free Teleclass, making changes, New Year Resolutions

posted by Hueina Su at 8:25 AM

| Permalink | 1 comments

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Review, Reflect, Rejoice and Re-focus

© copyright 2006 Hueina Su, Beyond Horizon Coaching

The holidays are upon us and you are probably happily preparing for all the festivities and traditions you and your family will enjoy. However, before you close the book (and your office door) for the year, there are a few things you should do to ensure your personal & professional success in the coming year.

Review
Look back on what has happened this year -- any major milestones in your personal life, career, business, or family life. Or, perhaps there were milestones experienced by your family members or close friends that had an impact on you. Leaf through your calendar, photo albums and/or correspondences with others (don't forget emails) to jolt your memory. Also, think in terms of different areas in your life, e.g. personal development, education, career, family/parenting, marriage/relationships, friendships, spiritual growth, health, finance, community involvement. What were the major events and/or changes that occurred this year?

You can make this a holiday tradition for the whole family. Sit down and review the year together, by looking at family albums or home videos, or simply by talking about all the experiences you've shared this year.

Reflect
Once you've reviewed the major events/changes, reflect on the impacts they had made in your personal and/or professional life. What were you most proud of this year? What were your biggest wins/loss? What were you most grateful for? How have these things/people changed you and your life? In what ways have you grown, personally and professionally? What lessons did you learn? What would you do differently next time? What do you need to do to put the past in the past? What do you need to let go in order to move forward?

Make sure you highlight all your achievements and positive changes, no matter how trivial they seem to be. We often have the tendency to focus on our shortcomings, mistakes and what we didn't accomplish. However, in order to build on our strengths and experiences, keep ourselves motivated, and attract more future success, we need to focus more on our strengths and accomplishments. Remember, whatever we focus on will expand. This is why some people say, you can't afford to have negative thoughts.

If you are a business owner, you can invite your employees to do this end-of-year review together. By recounting what you've shared and accomplished together, you will strengthen a sense of community and team spirit. When you feel like you're part of a team and your contribution is appreciated, you will most likely work harder in the future.

Rejoice
Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for whatever you have accomplished this year. Rejoice in your growth and the blessings in your experiences. If you've had a particularly difficult year, it might not be easy to feel grateful or blessed. Sometimes, the hardships and challenges we encounter in life prove to be blessings in disguise. It's not always easy to look at the challenges from a positive perspective, but when you do, you'd feel much more empowered and in control.

So, do try to see the positive in every situation. I think the challenges are placed in our life to "stretch" us and make us grow. I always comfort myself with "It could've been worse" and "Whatever didn't kill you would make you stronger". Somehow, when I consciously focus on the positive things and be thankful for them, I'd find more strength to carry on. It's an affirmation for myself that "all is well" and everything will work out in the end, just like it did before.

Count your blessings. It's the quickest way to get you out of foul mood and negative thoughts. If you believe in the Law of Attraction, you know you need to stay in the more positive emotions and increase your vibrations, in order to attract the positive things into your life. Counting your blessings will definitely help you get into more positive emotions.

Re-focus
Now that you have reviewed the events, reflected in the lessons and rejoiced in the blessings this year has brought in your life, it's time to re-focus your intention and plan for a new year. Remember, New Year's Day is just around the corner. If you can spend an hour or two before year's end to write down your goals, and create an action plan (or at least the first few action steps), you will have the advantage to jump start the new year with a clear intention, well-defined goals, and a game plan you can implement right away.

If you're a visual learner, you can make a "dream board" by arranging pictures & words on a poster board that represent the desired outcome you want when you achieve your goals. You can also write a letter, or in your journal, describing in details your life 3 or 5 years from now, when you've achieved your goals. Write in present tense, as if you're living the life right now. Describe in as much detail as you can. You can also use daily affirmations to remind yourself of your intentions and the positive changes you want to make. Affirmations on tapes or CDs can be very beneficial in shifting your negative beliefs.

When you have the "big picture" (end result) in mind, you can then design a step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals. Make your goals as specific as possible and set up a few "benchmark goals" to help you measure your progress. Brainstorm with your family, friends, colleagues, mastermind group, mentor and/or a professional life coach. You do not have to have the entire action plan written down right away. For now, just get clear about what you want to achieve, and decide on the first few action steps. If you need help with goal-setting, you can take the free goal-setting quiz on my website, or contact me directly for a complimentary consultation.

Also, don't forget to sign up for my next free Teleclass "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions", scheduled for January 12, 2007. Joining a mastermind group or a coaching group will also keep you accountable, give you support, and help you stay on track. I have two coaching groups starting in late January. If the time doesn't work for you, you can invite your friends to form a group. Just email me your preferred time and we'll work it out.

Then, you can finally close the book on 2006, knowing you're prepared for the new year. Give yourself permission to sit back & relax, and fully embrace the joy the holidays has to offer. You deserve it.

Labels: goal-setting, gratitude, holidays, making changes, New Year Resolutions, vision

posted by Hueina Su at 2:38 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Saturday, December 16, 2006

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

Written by a former child (Author Unknown)
courtesy of www.AsAManThinketh.net

** A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

-----------------------------------------
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
-------------------------------------------

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?

"The real person you are is revealed in the moments when you're certain no other person is watching. When no one is watching, you are driven by what you expect of yourself." -- Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

Labels: giving, inspiration, parenting

posted by Hueina Su at 11:23 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Friday, December 15, 2006

Balance Your Workload with a Generous Number of Mini-Vacations for Maximum Productivity

By Denis Waitley

By re-energizing and renewing yourself frequently, you will avoid burnout and become much more motivated and productive. Don't keep your nose to the grindstone for years and wait for retirement to travel. Balance and consistency are the keys. Enjoy the process, not just the result. Don't fight the passing of time. Don't fear it, squander it, or try to hide from it under a superficial cosmetic veil of fads and indulgences. Life and time go together. Do enjoy each phase of life. Do make the most of each day, and draw maximum joy from each moment.

Many people today are concerned with quality time - time generally defined in part as that spent on recreation, personal pursuits, time with children, spouses and friends. While I certainly believe quality time is important, I believe two other aspects of time are equally important.

First, one must also spend quantity time. The average father spends less than 30 minutes each week in direct one-on-one communication with each of his children. How can we possibly expect good family relationships with so little communication?

Second, one must spend regular time. Many supervisors and company presidents go for weeks, even months, without seeing many of their employees. There's no substitute for regular meetings and open forums in which managers and team members can share ideas.

Time has a dual structure. On one hand, we live our daily routines meeting present contingencies as they arise. On the other hand, our most ambitious goals and desires need time so that they can be assembled and cemented. A long-term goal connects pieces of time into one block. These blocks can be imagined and projected into the future as we do when we set goals for ourselves. Or, these blocks of time can be created in retrospect as we do when we look back at what we've accomplished.

It's not in the image of our big dreams that we run the risk of losing our focus and motivation. It's the drudgery and routine of our daily lives that present the greatest danger to our hopes for achievement. Good time management means that you maximize the daily return on the energy and mental effort you expend.

Ways to maximize your time productivity:

* Write down in one place all the important contacts you have and all of your goals and priorities. Make a back up copy, preferably on CD, DVD or Zip disc. Write down every commitment you make at the time you make it.

* Stop wasting the first hour of your workday. Having the chat and first cup of coffee, reading the paper, and socializing are the three costliest opening exercises that lower productivity.

* Do one thing well at a time. It takes time to start and stop work on each activity. Stay with a task until it is completed.

* Don't open unimportant mail. More than a fourth of the mail you receive can be tossed before you open or read it, and that includes e-mail.

* Handle each piece of paper only once and never more than twice. Don't set aside anything without taking action. Carry work, reading material, audiotapes and your laptop computer with you everywhere you go. Convert down time into uplink time.

* Spend twenty minutes at the beginning of each week and ten minutes at the beginning of each day planning your to do list.

* Set aside personal relaxation time during the day. Don't work during lunch. It's neither noble nor nutritional to skip important energy input and stress-relieving time. Throughout the day, ask yourself, "What's the best use of my time right now?" As the day grows short, focus on projects you can least afford to leave undone.

* And as we said at the beginning of this message, take vacations often, mini-vacations of two or three days, and leave your work at home. The harder you work, the more you need to balance your exercise and leisure time.

Action Idea: Plan a relaxing 3-day vacation within the next three months without taking any business work with you. Reserve it on your calendar this week.

About the Author:
Denis Waitley is more than a poet, lyricist, best-selling author, and speaker . . . Denis Waitley has studied and counseled leaders in every field -- from Apollo astronauts to Fortune 500 top executives -- and now comes to our living rooms. Denis Waitley has painted word pictures of optimism, core values, motivation, and resiliency that have become indelible and legendary in their positive impact on society. Denis has been described by his peers as "the poet laureate" of modern-day philosophers. For the past 40 years he has inspired, informed, and enlightened millions of individuals with his 15 nonfiction books, hundreds of audio programs, and entertaining, penetrating, live keynote lectures, seminars, and television appearances. To learn more, visit http://www.deniswaitley.com/

Labels: goal-setting, Intensive Self-Care, priority, productivity, time management, work life balance

posted by Hueina Su at 10:55 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Meeting the Enemy-- and It's You!

by Molly Gordon

How often have you started a fitness program, decided to learn a new skill, promised yourself to paint your living room or finish a landscaping project, only to encounter seemingly endless resistance? Sometimes the resistance is generated internally; sometimes it comes from external sources such as family, friends or coworkers.

Resistance is often a manifestation of homeostasis, the natural inclination of an organism to maintain its current condition. Homeostasis regulates change. For example, a thermostat is a homeostatic device for regulating temperature.

Homeostasis takes place whether the change at hand is good or bad. As George Leonard and Michael Murphy explain in their book, "The Life We Are Given," "resistance is generally proportionate to the size and speed of the change, not to whether the change is a favorable or unfavorable one."

In order to grow and change, we must learn how to recognize and work with the resistance which homeostasis generates. Leonard and Murphy suggest five ways to do this:

Understand how homeostasis works.
Realize that the intensity of your discomfort indicates the scale of the change, not its value. Be aware, too, that homeostatic resistance can crop up among your family, friends and coworkers as well as in yourself.

Negotiate with your resistance to change.
Rather than caving in or barreling through, find ways to modulate the rate of change so that you can learn from the process and sustain your progress. Be willing to take two steps forward and one back.

Develop a support system.
Cultivate relationships that support your development and avoid those which threaten it.

Follow a regular practice.
As Leonard and Murphy explain: "Practice is a habit, and any regular practice provides a sort of underlying homeostasis, a stable base during the instability of change."

Dedicate yourself to lifelong learning.
It will be easier for you to work with homeostasis if you let go of the fantasy that there is or should be a point in your life after which you will have arrived and will no longer need to learn.

The next time you find yourself in the grip of homeostatic alarm bells, don't assume that the discomfort and resistance are a sign that you are on the wrong path or that you are inadequate to meet the challenges you face. Instead, engage all of your faculties- logic, intuition, evaluation, analysis, comparison, inquiry, recollection, imagination- to assess whether or not the change is productive or destructive. If you decide the change is desirable, press forward gently but surely for long term growth.

(reprinted from the Spring 1998 issue of "Ladybug News.")

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." -- Albert Einstein

About the Author:
Molly Gordon is an internationally recognized Master Certified Coach, writer, and facilitator. She is the author of Authentic Promotion, a 12-week audio program and workbook in transformational marketing. Thousands of professionals and organizations from NASA to Lamaze International have used Molly's mind-body-spirit approach to embody a prosperity based on service, purpose, and lifelong learning. A pioneer in establishing a service business online, Molly's e-zine, "Authentic Promotion," is now in its eighth year of publication. Visit Molly's Web sites and blog at http://www.mollygordon.com/, http://www.authenticpromotion.com/, and http://www.shaboominc.com/.

Labels: commitment, getting support, intention, making changes, perseverance

posted by Hueina Su at 11:31 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Holiday Self-Care Suggestions

by Cheryl Richardson (reprint from Life Makeover For The Year 2006)

Well, it's the time of year when I usually share a few holiday tips to support you in preparing for the New Year. Because the holidays are a time when many of us visit with family and friends, it's also the time of year when we tend to overindulge with the intention of making up for it in January. Then, the 1st comes around and we start beating ourselves up for letting our health go -- a horrible way to celebrate a new beginning.

This week, I'd like to remind you of a few things that will help you stay healthy during the next couple of weeks. That way, you can enjoy (and take advantage of) the fresh, new beginning that comes with the start of a New Year.

1. Enjoy "soul-nourishing" conversations. When attending social gatherings, spend more time using your mouth for meaningful discussions than unconscious eating. For example, rather than stand around the food table munching away as you listen to a co-worker talk about her latest crisis, find one person you really like, sit down and have a heartfelt conversation. To generate a meaningful exchange, you might ask:

What's your favorite holiday memory?
Have you seen any movies lately that were particularly meaningful or thought-provoking?
Have any big plans for 2007?

I'm always surprised by how open and receptive people are to having deeper conversations. Give it a try!

2. Get out and move your body. Why not start a new and unusual trend? Begin an exercise program *during* the holidays. Bundle up and go for a walk after a meal, join the gym now before the rush, or try something new like snow shoeing or cross-country skiing. You might even gather the family together for a stroll around the neighborhood to look at holiday lights. Remember, your body needs fresh air and sunshine just as much as food and water.

3. Eat protein first. When attending parties, start your meals with some kind of protein (meat, eggs, nuts, cheese, etc.) so you have less room for the empty calories found in tempting desserts. While you'll need to be mindful of how much protein you do eat, choosing it as your first food selection will not only help you feel satisfied and full, but will also make it easier to put limits on your sugar intake.

4. Drink plenty of water. If the weather is cold and dry where you are, you'll need to be more conscious of staying hydrated. Remember, when you feel thirsty, it's an indication that you're already dehydrated. Bring a bottle of water with you wherever you go, and remember that alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are not hydrating liquids -- they actually deplete your body of water.

5. Bow out of the parties that leave you feeling empty inside. Choosing to disappoint someone else may be just what you need to do to make sure you don't disappoint yourself. Gently let family and friends know that you feel the need to sit this one out. Don't defend, overexplain, or debate your decision. Simply be gracious and firm. Your "soul-care" is always a valid excuse.Most important this season, reach out to someone who could use your love. Look for those who've experienced some kind of loss, are healing from an illness, or just tend to be (or feel) alone during the holidays. There's nothing like putting the focus on someone else's heart to keep us away from the self-indulgent actions that set us up for trouble later on.Relax and have fun over the next couple of weeks. Remember, you're making memories at every moment. Make sure that yours are worth remembering :)

Take Action Challenge

Make one change this holiday season so you'll feel better about yourself in 2007. Eat before going to a party so you don't overdo it, or limit your alcohol consumption to one drink. The trick is to stay awake and plan ahead so you'll be less tempted to make unconscious choices. Happy Holidays!

* Life Makeover For The Year 2006 (sm) is written and produced by Cheryl Richardson. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: cheryl@cherylrichardson.com. Copyright 1999-2006, Cheryl Richardson, P.O.Box 13, Newburyport, MA 01950. All rights reserved.

Labels: health, holiday stress, holidays, Intensive Self-Care, stress management

posted by Hueina Su at 11:37 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Teleclass "Learning to Say NO" MP3 download & worksheet

If you have missed my Teleclass "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life", you can now download the MP3 recording and worksheet from my website. You can also find all the previous Teleclass recordings at the Teleclass Archives. The URL is:

www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/freegifts/teleclassarchives.html

While you're there, don't forget to sign up for my next Teleclass "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions" (1/12/07), download your FREE Intensive Self-Care Kit, take a FREE goal-setting quiz, and check out my private coaching and group coaching programs.

Labels: Free Teleclass, Intensive Self-Care, learn to say no, New Year Resolutions

posted by Hueina Su at 10:41 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Friday, December 08, 2006

Teleclass "Learning to Say NO" recording ready

Thank you for those who attended my Teleclass "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life". We covered many important issues in one hour, including:

-- the root cause of WHY you can't say no
-- why changing behaviors alone will not work
-- what kind of "Wrong Equations" you've created around saying no
-- get clear about WHAT you want to say no to
-- how to deal with guilt, fears, anxiety when you say no
-- the 7-step process to turn negative emotions into positive actions
-- the critical 6-second window to avoid being hijacked by your emotions
-- the ONE questions you can use to take control of your emotions
-- strategies and tactics to help you say no
-- how to build on the insights & information you learn today for lasting changes

Everyone registered for this Teleclass should've received a 3-page worksheet. If, for some reason, you did not receive yours, please email me and I'll send it over.

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Shoot me an email and let me know....
-- What's your biggest insight from this Teleclass?
-- What are you committed to do to make the changes in your own life?

If you didn't get a chance to call in today, the recording of the Teleclass is ready. You can listen to it at your convenience. To accesss the playback, follow these instructions:

-- Call (641) 985-5023
-- Access code: 321102#
-- During playback, press 1 to rewind 30 seconds, press 2 to fast forward 30 seconds, press 5 to pause/resume playback

I will put the recording MP3 on my website soon, so check back often or email me to stay posted.

Changes do not happen overnight. It's one thing to learn something on an intellectual level; it's quite a different story to implement the knowledge in your own life and make permanent changes. I hope this Teleclass provides you with enough insights and motivation to get you started.

Like I said, if you've been plagued by this issue for years, this Teleclass is just the beginning of your journey to take back your power. To make permanent changes, you need to take action and have some kind of accountability & support system to keep you on track.

Try some of the strategies I mentioned in the Teleclass to build your support system and keep yourself moving forward. If you need someone to provide support, feedback or accountability, I am here for you. Please feel free to email or call me.

My next Teleclass is "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions". I will have the sign-up information available soon. Please stay tuned.

Labels: Free Teleclass, learn to say no

posted by Hueina Su at 10:19 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Calling All Mr. and Ms. Nice.....

Does this sound familiar?

-- You feel obligated to please everyone, otherwise you'd feel guilty and anxious.

-- You are afraid people might not like/love you anymore if you say NO to them.

-- You (almost) always say yes to other people's requests, sometimes at the cost of your other priorities (time for yourself, time with your family, other activities you would like to pursue, your physical and mental wellbeing, etc).

-- You keep taking on more and more responsibilities and obligations, until you run yourself down, all because you couldn't say NO.

-- You pride yourself as being nice, supportive, generous, helpful, THE "Go-To" gal or guy, etc. -- EVEN THOUGH you can see that not being able to say NO has caused you problems in your personal life, your relationships, your career, etc.

-- Or, maybe you are so stressed out, burned out, feeling resentful, or feeling like a doormat, and wish you could JUST SAY NO sometimes.

Chances are, either you can relate to some of the above statements, or you know someone just like that!

Many people have difficulty saying NO at some level. The thing is, you might not be aware of the depth of the consequences of not being able to say NO.

When you cannot say NO, it doesn't just cost you your time and energy. So what you signed up for something you don't want/like to do? You wasted some time and energy. No big deal, right?

Wrong. It goes much deeper than that.

When you say YES to something, you are saying NO to something else. So, when you sign up to do something that doesn't align with your core values, interest, purpose and priorities, you are saying NO to other MORE important (or enjoyable) things that you could've been doing INSTEAD. It's a double whammy.

Think for a moment about the consequences when you regularly CHOOSE (willingly or not) other people's requests/needs over YOUR own needs/priorities/values. What kind of negative impact would this behavior pattern do to your life, your family, your career? How about your self-esteem? What kind of message are you sending to YOURSELF and people around you? How about your children (if you're a parent)? What kind of example are you setting for them? Is this what you want?

So, my question to you is: Can you really afford not to learn how to say NO?

Please join me for my live workshop and Teleclass "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life".

There's still time to sign up. The FREE Teleclass is on TOMORROW, so is the deadline to register for the live workshop on Sunday.

Please feel free to pass on this invitation to your circle of friends, family, colleagues, students, clients, etc.

To sign up for live workshop on Sunday:
Visit http://www.sixdegrees06.com/whatsnew.html#saynows for details
Registration required by 12/08/06, in order to receive your worksheets

To sign up for FREE Teleclass on Friday (TOMORROW)
Visit http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/dec08.html for details and registration
* You must register to receive Bridgeline phone number and access code

Hope to see you there!

Labels: learn to say no, priority, time management, work life balance

posted by Hueina Su at 12:28 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Please support Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act

Call to action: Please sign the petition for "Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005"

If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the "drive-through mastectomy" where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on. Please visit the website below to read more about this, and sign the petition to show your support.

This is an important legislation for ALL women! If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times.

PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.lifetimetv.com/health/breast_mastectomy_pledge.html

This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women, THANKS!

Labels: health, Intensive Self-Care

posted by Hueina Su at 8:45 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

[Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul] Newsletter issue 12-05-06

Welcome to Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul
December 05, 2006
Written & Published by Hueina Su, Beyond Horizon Coaching
Visit our website at: http://www.cpr4balance.com/

This newsletter is featured on BestEzines.com. You can read the reviews there, and give us your feedback.

This newsletter is published twice a month. To subscribe, click here. If you no longer wish to receive communication from us, please follow the link at the bottom of this newsletter.

If you enjoy reading this newsletter, please forward it to your network of friends, family and colleagues. Or, better yet, invite them to subscribe to this f ree newsletter, so they too can feel inspired and supported.

============================================
Table of Contents:
1. Welcome & Announcements
2. Featured Article
3. Recommended Reading
4. Quotes of the Week
5. Resources for Your Balanced Life
6. Just for Fun

============================================
1. Welcome & Announcements

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving (if you live in the U.S.). Can you believe it's December?!! Well, just last week we were enjoying exceptionally warm weather (almost 70 degrees) here in northern New Jersey. Then, all of a sudden, winter descended upon us overnight. I even saw a few tiny snowflakes this morning. My favorite radio station has been playing non-stop Christmas songs since Thanksgiving, and the neighborhood is all lit up with Christmas lights, but it's the icy cold air this morning that finally registered.... it's officially cold and the holidays are very near.

You have probably kicked into high gears in preparing for the holidays, and some of you might've been stressed out already. There's so much to do, and not enough time & energy for everything! Every time you say YES to something, you are saying NO to something else. I've always said that you are trading your life for whatever you spend time doing. It's important that you choose wisely about what you say yes to, so you won't end up not having time & energy for what's important to you. That's why I am offering a Teleclass and a live workshop on the topic of "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life".

Make sure you read the featured article "Pressure-Proof Your Holidays" for 5 key strategies to reduce stress and have more joy during the holidays.

I am always looking for ways to support you. Please feel free to contact me, either by email or by phone, if you would like to ask questions or request a complimentary trial session. I am here for you.

================================
December Teleclass & Live Workshop
================================

The topic of December is "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life". I'm offering both a live workshop (in Denville NJ) and a Teleclass, which is scheduled for THIS WEEK.

If you have not registered, it's still not too late. I hope you will attend one of these events, and invite your circle of friends to join you too!!

F.REE Teleclass: "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life"

Date: Friday, December 8, 2006
Time: 12:00pm Eastern Time (11:00am Central, 9:00am Pacific) -- use the World Clock to figure out your local time http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
For more details and to register: http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/dec08.html
If you're interested, but cannot make it to the live conference call, please register anyway. Everyone registered will receive the recording of the Teleclass

Live Workshop: "Learning to say No so you can say YES to your life"

Date: Sunday, December 10, 2006
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm Eastern
Place: Six Degrees of Wellness, 25 Bloomfield Ave., Denville, NJ
Cost: $40 (including worksheets)
Registration required (deadline: 12/08/06)
Visit: http://www.sixdegrees06.com/whatsnew.html#saynows for details

The recording of my last Teleclass "C.P.R. for More Balance and Inner Peace" is available on my website now. You can download it at:
http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/teleclassrecording.html

================================
Intensive Self-Care Private Coaching
================================
I have added several private coaching programs. Depending on your needs, you can choose from 4 different levels of private coaching. Please feel free to email or call me to set up a complimentary trial session. Check out the details here.

===================================================
C.P.R. for Balance Group Coaching (coming in January 2007)
===================================================
This group coaching program uses the principles of my C.P.R. for Balance model as foundation. We will meet every other week via Teleconference for 12 weeks, with specific agenda & coaching assignments to help you move forward. You will have the support from me as well as the group members through emails and our online community. You can even stay in touch via our online community afterwards. It's an affordable option to receive coaching support at a fraction of the private coaching cost. There are two groups starting in January 2007 -- perfect for your New Year Resolutions. Find out more details here.

==============================
Holiday Gift Certificates Available
==============================
It's time to think about holiday gift shopping. Why not buy a coaching gift certificate for your loved ones? It would make a very thoughtful gift that could change their lives. Or, even better, why not buy one for yourself? You deserve to invest in your own life, don't you?

============================================

2. Featured Article: "Pressure-Proof Your Holidays"

The holidays are fast approaching. Are you feeling stress and overwhelm, instead of joyful anticipation? With so many competing obligations and needs in our modern life, preparing for the holidays might feel like yet another daunting chore. In this issue's featured article, I'm sharing some key strategies to help you pressure-proof your holidays, so you can enjoy instead of "endure" your holidays. Read the full article on my blog.

============================================

3. Recommended Reading

Are you attached to your problems? Have your problems become part of your identity? Do you believe that "I suffer, therefore I am?" Have you become an "expert" in talking about your problems? Or, have you met someone like that? Read "Finding the Spare Part in the Wrong Bin -- Get the Answers You Want in Life by Letting Go of the Need to Find Them" by Sedona method expert Hale Dwoskin. This article will help you become aware of this attachment, and offer some powerful questions to help you let go of wanting to "figure it all out".

America's Dream Coach Marcia Wieder wrote an article "Gratitude, Appreciation, Generosity, Abundance", explaining her new exercise called "Going GAGA" and how practicing it can bring you abundance.

============================================

4. Quotes of the Week

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." -- William Arthur Ward

"Always act the part - and you can become whatever you wish to become!" -- Max Reinhardt, Austrian-American Director and Actor

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies within us while we live." -- Author Unknown

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." -- Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, Persian poet

"Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may grow." -- Louise Driscoll

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." -- Earl Nightingale

============================================

5. Resources for Your Balanced Life

Tis the season of endless feasts and parties. If you're like most Americans, you'll put on a pound or two by New Year's Day. According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, most Americans never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain an important factor in adult obesity. Will you be able to avoid holiday binge and keep your waistline while enjoying yourself at the parties? This article from WebMD offers 10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain. Also check out other tips and articles in their Healthy Holidays guide.

============================================

6. Just for Fun

My son decided to offer a Thanksgiving Feast for squirrels in our backyard. Of course, he wouldn't just put out some acorns on the deck. He wanted to do it in style....

Two Americans decided to start a bungee jumping business in Mexico. They generated great enthusiam from the locals, but something went terribly wrong....

Here is a humorous take on the dreaded-by-most mammogram: Go Get Your Mammies Grammed

============================================

You may copy or forward this newsletter provided that the author's name, the attribution of the article and this copyright information is intact.

The attribution should read: "Hueina Su is the Founder and President of Beyond Horizon Coaching, a national coaching/training company specializing in helping women nurturers practice Intensive Self-Care, manage stress, prevent/overcome Nurturing Burnout and achieve Work Life Balance. Download your F.R.E.E. Intensive Self-Care Kit at http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/. To subscribe to her newsletter "Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul", send a blank email to subscribe@BeyondHorizonCoaching.com. Visit her blog: http://nurture-me-coach.blogspot.com for the latest news, tips and resources for women who nurture."

Subscribe to this newsletter
Unsubscribe from our mailing list

Labels: abundance, Free Teleclass, gratitude, holidays, learn to say no, Newsletter, stress management, work life balance

posted by Hueina Su at 9:42 AM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Monday, December 04, 2006

December Teleclass & Live Workshop THIS WEEK!

===============================
December Teleclass & Live Workshop
===============================

The topic of December is "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life". I'm offering BOTH a live workshop (in Denville NJ) and a no-charge Teleclass. I hope you will attend one of these events.

* Please pass this invitation to your circle of friends, family and colleagues. Thank you!

Program description
Are you a Miss YES (or Mr. YES)? Are you the kind of person who has difficulty saying NO? Do you often say YES to requests automatically and then kick yourself afterwards? Do you take on more responsibilities and feel overwhelmed, as a result of not being able to set good boundaries and not being able to say NO? Do you feel anxious, guilty, embarrassed, and/or stressed when you have to say NO to others? Do you wish you could de-clutter your schedule and free up more time for yourself and things that are important to you?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, this workshop is for you!

With the holidays fast approaching, it's even more critical for you to know how/when to say NO, so you can safeguard your precious time & energy for what truly matters in your life.

In this interactive workshop, you will learn:

the common pitfalls & root cause of why we can't say NO
how to deal with the guilt & fears associated with saying NO
strategies & tools to help you clarify what to say NO to, and how to say it

Option 1. Live Workshop:

Live workshop: "Learning to say No so you can say YES to your life"

Date: Sunday, December 10, 2006
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm Eastern
Place: Six Degrees of Wellness, 25 Bloomfield Avenue, Denville, New Jersey
Cost: $40 (including worksheets)
For more info and to register, call (973) 664-0446
or email me at Hueina@BeyondHorizonCoaching.com
visit http://www.sixdegrees06.com/whatsnew.html#saynows for more info
Registration required by 12/08/08 (in order to receive your worksheets)

Option 2. Teleclass:

Teleclass: "Learning to say NO so you can say YES to your life"

Date: Friday, December 8, 2006
Time: 12:00pm Eastern Time (11:00am Central, 9:00am Pacific) -- use the World Clock to figure out your local time http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
Cost: no charge, but you must register to receive the Bridgeline phone number and Access Code for this Teleclass
For more details and to register: http://www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/dec08.html
If you are interested, but can't make it to the live call, please register anyway. Everyone registered will receive the recording of the Teleclass

Hope to see you there!

Labels: Free Teleclass, learn to say no, managing emotions, overcoming fears, priority, setting boundaries

posted by Hueina Su at 8:23 PM

| Permalink | 0 comments

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Stress Management: Pressure-Proof Your Holidays

© copyright 2006 Hueina Su, Beyond Horizon Coaching

The holidays are fast approaching. Are you feeling stress and overwhelm, instead of joyful anticipation? With so many competing obligations and needs in our modern life, preparing for the holidays might feel like yet another daunting chore. I'll share 5 key strategies to help you pressure-proof your holidays, so you can enjoy instead of "endure" your holidays.

1. Focus on what's important

What does the holidays mean to you? Is it the special time with loved ones, gratitude, renewal, hope, cultural or family traditions, reconnecting with old friends, serving the community, religious meaning, etc.? Find out what's important to you, and set a clear intention to focus only on those things.

2. Practice the 3-D Rule: Do, Delegate or Delete

Once you've decided what's important to you, you can then make a to-do list, and use the 3-D Rule to decide whether you will do it yourself, delegate to someone else, or delete it altogether from your list. Ask yourself: What am I trying to accomplish? How important is it to do this task/activity? Is it really necessary to do this task/activity, or go to this function? (if not, delete it from your to-do list) Am I doing it because I want to, or because I feel obligated to do it?

Is this activity (cooking, cleaning, baking, shopping, hosting a family reunion, seeing your in-laws, etc) giving me joy or stress? Can someone else do it for me? Reach out to your family, friends and people in your community. It's a great time to reach out to your support network, and/or be a part of someone else's support network. Can you help lessen the burden of someone else and help them celebrate the holidays with more ease?

3. Simplify your holiday traditions

Forget about being perfect. Focus on what's important and the meaning of each tradition, but be flexible about how it's done. Stick with a few holiday traditions that you truly enjoy and try to simplify the rest.

Always ask yourself: "Are there other (easier) ways to do it that will serve the same purpose?" For example, do you really have to bring out every single holiday decoration you own?

If the purpose of sending out holiday cards is to reconnect with your family and friends, is it really necessary to send hand-written or even hand-made cards? Must you send out all of your cards before Christmas? My graduate school professor has been sending me his "holiday greetings" in March, for the past few years. I'm just as thrilled to receive his cards, letters or pictures. Actually, it seems more special when it arrives on a non-holiday.

If buying a gift for every family and extended family member is a daunting (not to mention expensive) task, why not play "Secret Santa" game this year so that each person only has to buy a gift for one person?

If your goal is to enjoy quality time with your family & relatives at the party, is it really necessary for you to cook up the entire feast all by yourself? I have a client who ended up cooking a huge Thanksgiving meal, because she couldn't say no and didn't ask for help. If you enjoy cooking or baking, then by all means, show off your best dishes. But, if you feel overwhelmed by the thought of entertaining a full house with your home cooking, ask yourself: Can I ask some family members to bring some dishes? Or, like some of my friends did for this Thanksgiving, you can order the entire dinner from somewhere else and forget cooking altogether. Instead of spending hours laboring in the kitchen, you can actually sit back and relax, and have a heart-to-heart conversation with your loved ones.

4. Take care of yourself

One of your goals should be taking good care of yourself so you can enjoy the holidays too. Practicing Intensive Self-Care is extremely important, especially when you are under pressure.

"Many people try to do too much, try to please too many people", says Kenneth Goodrick, PhD, associate professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is a psychotherapist and author of the book, Energy, Peace, Purpose. "Remember that happiness and fulfillment lie in the balance between self-care and caring for others," he says. "Take care of yourself so you won't burn out, so you will be of maximum help to others. That's where you will get maximum fulfillment."

I can't agree more. Nobody benefits when you are stressed out and burned out during the holidays. So, make sure you plan enough breaks and fun activities for yourself throughout the holiday season. Choose healthy foods and try to get some exercise from holiday-related activities. Stick with your favorite self-care routines and spiritual practices (e.g. yoga, meditation, reading), so you will be nurtured and centered. Don't forget to also reward yourself for a job well done!

5. Enjoy the present moment

Holidays are supposed to be joyful and fun! I often use "fun" as a criteria in choosing the activities/projects I pursue, because it's one of my core values. Perhaps you do not think of fun as an important element for the holidays. Perhaps there are other meanings (religious or not) that are important to you. It doesn't matter. The important thing is to be fully present in every activity you choose to do during the holidays, enjoy the present moment and enjoy each other. Don't worry about what still needs to be done or what you didn't do perfectly.

Embrace the experience and meaning of every activity. You will have much richer experiences and less stressful holidays.

Labels: fun, holiday stress, Intensive Self-Care, intention, present moment, priority, setting boundaries, stress management, time management

posted by Hueina Su at 8:32 AM

| Permalink | 4 comments

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Rewire Your Brain to Control Your Emotions and Behaviors

In my experience as a life coach and counselor, I've met many people who are "stuck" in their life because they cannot overcome the "inner blocks" created from their past (often early childhood) experiences. They are plagued by many limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and what I call "gremlins". When I tried to change their beliefs and behaviors, they were usually very resistant. That's because these "gremlins" or negative messages were created (usually in childhood) as a coping mechanism when they were faced with unpleasant situations. That's what helped them "survive" back then, and it might be the only coping mechanism they have. Some people might even identify with the gremlins as part of "who they are". It's no wonder that they were too scared to even think of giving up these gremlins, even though they knew the gremlins were holding them back and preventing them from living the life they wanted.

Most people have these negative beliefs and behavior patterns. Chances are, you can relate to it too. But, there are ways to "tame the gremlin" and break free from your past, so you can move forward. Once you are aware of your gremlins, you can choose to create new, positive beliefs and new behavior patterns to replace the old ones. Just like creating a new habit, it takes conscious choice and lot of practice. The article below, written by Karen Sherman, will help you understand your old, knee-jerk reactions, and offer an exercise to create more positive responses and behaviors.

=====================================================
Life Changing Tips for Boomers: Rewire Your Brain to Control Your Emotions, and Make Positive Life Choices
- By Karen Sherman
================================================

*** Do You Seem to Get Caught Up in the Same Old Reactions? ***

Have you ever blown up at your spouse only to realize -- after the smoke cleared -- that you might have overreacted just a tad? Maybe you learn that you haven't been invited to your uncle's friend's sister's birthday party and you behave as if it's the slight of the century.

Sometimes even the most minor snafu can send us storming out of the room, slamming down a phone, or just shutting down entirely. It's like we just can't help it -- the reaction is as automatic as a mallet to the knee.

*** Science Reveals It May Not Be Your Fault ***

New research indicates that these habitual, knee-jerk responses go way back to our childhood. As youngsters, we learned to adapt to our families' idiosyncrasies as a way of survival. Psychologists used to refer to these coping mechanisms as our baggage -- but what science has now shown us is that these responses are actually hard-wired into our brains. And because our responses are so ingrained, they have become our filtering system for future incidents. In other words, if something happens today that the brain reads as being similar to something that happened in the past, it will respond as if it were the first time, even though you may be in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.

*** Bringing This to Life ***

For example, let's say a child comes from a home where the parents fight frequently. That child is going to associate yelling with bad feelings. In later years, if his spouse raises her voice, he's likely to shut down like when he was a kid -- metaphorically running to his room, closing the door, and essentially blocking out the noise.

Does this mean if you come from a family of yellers you're doomed to hide under your bed every time someone raises a voice? Luckily, recent research indicates that the brain continues to grow throughout our lives -- and old patterns can be released as new ones are formed in your boomer years.

*** Help Is On the Way ***

The way to managing your anger and knee jerk reactions is to establish new connections by refocusing your attention to a different outcome or possibility. But, before you can foster these new connections in your brain, you have to be aware of the old brain triggers.

When I try and distinguish whether someone's reaction is a past association, I look to see if their reaction to the situation is automatic and intense. Additionally, when I try and offer an alternative to why they're behaving that way, the person is resistant and reluctant to consider any other view or interpretation of the situation -- other than their own.

In my practice, I work extensively with clients to help them rewire and rewrite their lives. Here is an easy exercise to get you started on rewiring your brain to control your anger and over-reactions that will bring about positive changes in your life-today!

1. Thinking of Alternatives:

a. When you're projecting your past experience onto a present one, try and imagine alternative ways to handle the situation. For example, let's say you have lunch plans with a friend -- who cancels at the last minute. Immediately, you feel an overwhelming sense of hurt and rejection. Which is how you always feel in similar situations, indicating - voila -- a past pattern! Be conscious of this and take a step back to recognize it.

b. Then, approach the situation from an entirely different perspective. Maybe you use humor to deflect the bad feelings, thinking to yourself, "Gee, I guess it's my deodorant." Or, you choose the direct approach and ask your friend if you've done something to upset her. Or, you take the practical route and figure your friend just overbooked, overextended, or over-promised -- and give her a get-out-of-jail-free card. (Hint: If you have difficulty coming up with alternative ways to handle the situation, think about how someone else - your mother, a childhood friend, an admired acquaintance - might handle the same situation.)

2. Plugging in New Choices:

a. Now, replay the actual situation as vividly as possible -- the phone ringing, the sound of your friend's voice, the awkward goodbyes -- and imagine yourself carrying out one of your new solutions. Maybe you decide that being understanding of your friend's busy schedule is the best choice.

b. Replay the phone call and plug in your new behavior, the understanding you, rather than playing out your old behavior of feeling rejected and hurt.

*** Making it Last ***

Before long, you will begin to see a slight shift in how you feel. By doing this exercise again and again, you will refocus your attention on a new outcome. This will rewire your brain and make a new neural connection -- a connection to positive change!

About the Author: A psychologist in private practice, Dr. Karen Sherman specializes in relationships and lifestyle issues. Her first book, Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, Make It Last, was published in 2004, and The Choice is Yours: Rewire Your Past to Create a New Future will soon be published. She's in the media frequently for her expert opinion and also does speaking engagements, workshops, and tele-seminars. She's dedicated to helping people learn how to make choices that will offer them richer lives, both individually and in relationships. You can subscribe to her free newsletter at http://www.drkarensherman.com/.

Labels: being mindful, conscious choice, making changes, managing emotions, perspective, transforming limiting beliefs

posted by Hueina Su at 10:16 AM

| Permalink | 3 comments

Friday, December 01, 2006

10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Tis the season of endless feasts and parties. If you're like most Americans, you'll put on a pound or two by New Year's Day. According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, most Americans never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain an important factor in adult obesity.

Will you be able to avoid holiday binge and keep your waistline while enjoying yourself at the parties? This article from WebMD offers 10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain (written by Sherry Rauh).

================================
10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
================================

It's that time of year when extra calories lurk around every corner -- frosted cookies at the office, eggnog at your neighbor's, jelly doughnuts for Hanukkah or chocolates in your stocking.

All these extras add up, and if you're like most Americans, you'll put on a pound or two by New Year's Day.

So what's the harm in a little holiday weight gain, especially if it's just a pound? According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, most Americans never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain an important factor in adult obesity.

But you don't have to fall into this trap. It is possible to enjoy holiday goodies without putting on a single pound. "Portion control is the key," says Susan Finn, PhD, RD. Finn serves as chairwoman of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition. "I don't believe you can't eat food that you like -- even indulgences -- but it is the amount you eat," she tells WebMD.

Of course, it's not easy to go on portion patrol when the temptations are endless. That's why WebMD compiled these tips to help you avoid overindulging.

1. Never Arrive Hungry
New York psychologist Carol Goldberg, PhD, says planning ahead can help you maintain discipline in the face of temptation. "Don't go to a party when you're starving," she warns. Try to have a nutritious snack beforehand. If you do arrive hungry, drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.

2. Divert Your Attention
Many people forget that there's more to a holiday party than food, Goldberg tells WebMD. "Don't look at the party as just a food event," she says. "Enjoy your friends' company or dancing. Focus on something other than food."

Finn agrees. She says chatting is a great diversion, whether you're at a small family dinner or a large party. "Take your mind off of food and focus on the conversation."

3. Pace Yourself
Have you ever tried telling yourself you'll only eat during the first half hour of a party? Goldberg says this strategy is a mistake. "If you cram in as much as you can in half an hour, you chew faster. Chewing more slowly will fill you up with less food."

To munch at a leisurely pace, Finn recommends putting your fork down between every bite. "This puts you in control."

4. Count Your Canapés
When there are canapés, it's easy to lose count of how many you eat. Keep track by stashing a toothpick in your pocket for each one. Set a limit and stick to it.

5. Outsmart the Buffet
When dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. "Go for the simplest foods on the buffet," Finn says. "Fresh fruits and vegetables and shrimp cocktail are good choices. Watch out for sauces and dips."

6. Limit Alcohol
Avoid drinking too much alcohol at holiday parties. "It's not just about calories but about control," Finn explains. "If you drink a lot you, won't have as much control over what you eat."
If you feel out of place without a drink, Goldberg suggests sipping water or club soda, "so you have something to carry like everyone else."

7. Be Choosy About Sweets
When it comes to dessert, be very selective. "Limit your indulgences to small portions and only what is very sensual to you," Goldberg says. Her personal rule on sweets: "If it's going to have calories, it has to be chocolate."

What about sampling several desserts, if you only take a tiny bite of each one? "You have to know yourself," Goldberg says. "Some people can eat one bite of something and stop. I don't think most people can do that. "If you know you're the type who can't stop at one bite, you're better off taking a small portion of a single dessert than piling your plate with several treats you plan to "try."

8. Bring Your Own Treats
Whether you're going to a friend's party or an office potluck, consider bringing a low-calorie treat that you know you'll enjoy. Bringing your own dessert will make the more fattening alternatives less tempting.

And don't feel your dessert has to be typical holiday fare. "Get away from rigid thinking about what holiday food has to be," Goldberg says. "People love fruit."

9. Limit 'Tastes' While Cooking
If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays, crack down on all those "tastes." "People lose their appetites when they've been cooking because they've been eating the whole time," Finn tells WebMD. Instead of tasting mindlessly every few minutes, limit yourself to two small bites of each item pre- and post-seasoning. "Just put the spoon in and taste a little bit," Finn says. "It's not grounds for a big scoop."

For tried-and-true recipes, dare yourself not to taste the dish at all until it is served.

10. Walk It Off
Make a new holiday tradition: the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for awhile.

"Get people off the couch and move," Finn says. "Go out for a walk as a family before or after the meal." She says walking not only benefits you physically but also puts you in a mindset to be more careful about what you eat. "There's something about activity that puts you in control."

Labels: commitment, health, holiday stress, holidays

posted by Hueina Su at 8:35 AM

| Permalink | 1 comments

Your Name*
Your Email*
Your Biggest Challenge

Name*
Email*