Welcome to SoulFULLY Living #36... (Click for HTML Version)  . . . . . . WELCOME NEW Subscribers... Hope you've enjoyed a refreshing Labor Day Weekend.   FEATURES this week...SOULFULLY BEING - "Spirit vs. Ego" - Have you ever felt there were two opposing forces inside of you, each pulling in opposite directions?  Most humans do.  Learn 7 Keys to cultivating a stronger relationship to Spirit, the "force" that allows you full self-expression, freedom, joy, peace and fulfillment.MAGIC MOMENTS  - How a 6 year old understands "acceptance" and "trust" on her first day of school.LIVING IN CHOICE - a Coaching eCourse.   I've included details of my popular online program "Living in Choice" below, and on my site.  The NEXT course starts on September 8th.If this week's article about Spirit vs. Ego intrigues you, and you'd like to cultivate a your relationship with Spirit and reap its rewards, I highly recommend the eCourse, which includes FOUR group coaching sessions, and the best of what I bring to my clients.  If you've been thinking about signing up before, now is the time.  I am truly passionate and committed to living life FULLY, and helping as many others live the life they CHOOSE.  I've designed this program to do just that.  Come play with us! Peace, Joy and Love, Mary Allen, CPCC, PCC SUBSCRIBE/unsubscribe

SPIRIT vs. EGO  Has it ever felt that there were two opposing forces inside of you, each pulling in opposite directions?One, simply loves life and people, and is endlessly curious about exploring and experiencing the world. This "energy force" is ALIVE and free, creative, expressive, abundant and playful. This part of ourselves guides us calmly and adeptly through new and challenging experiences. It's guidance doesn't come from the "head's thinking", IT is much more powerful, wise, clear and knowing than the mind. Intuition, heart, inspiration, love, joy and peace are associated with this energy. When we access IT, we feel warmth, serenity, centered and connected to the world. Life flows. We're fulfilled, fully self-expressed, and every moment IS a "magic moment". When we live from this space, we KNOW -- "all is well" and life is a joy.I call this energy force "spirit" or soul. And, it's always there for us to access. The other "energy force" is more practical, cautious, judgmental, and protective. This force wants to look good for others, or at the very least, avoid looking bad. "It" likes to control, although pretends that it's not. "It" views the world as a potentially harmful place, fears being hurt and exposed, thus remains separate, isolated and closed from others. It blames, criticizes, compares, and makes excuses. "Should" is one of its favorite words. This energy looks for answers from its mind.although often confuses "reality" from something "made-up". Living isolated within the confines the body, "it" mostly just wants to be "safe" and "independent".I call this energy force "ego". And, it too, is always there for us to access.We've all experienced both of these forces in our life. As human beings, we need both to exist. Spirit is the "life force energy" that is about experiencing, creating, expressing and connecting in this world, while the ego is more like a "body guard" or "tour guide".  The Ego's job is to keep the physical body safe, and guide your "spirit" through the journey of life. However, it often oversteps its duties and responsibilities.Most people don't realize the nature of these two individual forces, and continue to struggle between these two energies. Sometimes, it feels like we have split personalities, but rest assured this is part of the human design. The Ego is much more forceful when it comes to being in control, and thus plays a more dominant role in our lives.often suppressing our true Spirit. Spirit shows up sporadically for most, when we let our our "thinking minds" go, spend time in nature, engage in something creative, meditate or get desperate enough to seek assistance.  Have you noticed, as soon as you "surrender" solutions appear?  When you become more conscious about the nature of these forces, you can learn to access this all-knowing, wise and powerful force in your life more consistently. The result is a life with MORE peace, joy, love, abundance and creative flow and LESS stress, overwhelm, scarcity and fear. DISTINGUISHING - Ego from SPIRIT Since the Ego can be sneaky in it's expression, it's important to recognize its nature. I've included a list below of Ego characteristics and its "Spirit counterpart". SEPARATION is the common theme to each word set below. The Ego strives to keep you separate from the world, separate in relationships and separate from your Spirit and its full self-expression, joy and inner peace. It does this through resistance, restriction, blaming, being self-righteous and fearful. The ego also expresses itself as "neediness", which is a form of separating from self (separating from your power).believing that YOU need something "over there" to complete you.  The ego has many faces, all working to keep you "separate". Separation vs. Connection      Mind vs. Heart       Victim vs. Taking Responsibility      Excuses vs. Results      SHOULDS vs. Inspiration      Resistance vs. Acceptance      Restricted vs. Freedom      Confusion vs. Clarity      Suppressed vs. Fully Self-Expressed      Worry vs. Anticipation      Stuck vs. Creativity      Stressed vs. Peace      Frustrated vs. Resourceful      Protection vs. Vulnerable      Fear vs. Love      Laziness vs. Nurturing      Doubt vs. Trust      Scarcity vs. Abundance      Shut-down vs. Open      Shame vs. Acceptance      Apprehension vs. Courageous      Struggle vs. Flow Take the first word in each pair. Perhaps you already recognize how familiar they are to you.as it is for most human beings. Imagine living your life predominantly from these states of being -- a life of separation, "shoulds", confusion, restriction, resistance, etc.? How would that feel?  Yuck.  Unfortunately, this is how 83% of the population lives (read Power vs. Force by David Hawkins)Take the second word in each pair. Imagine living a life lived predominantly from these states of being? Joy, peace, love, creativity, freedom and full self-expression. While it's not the norm of today, it is possible. Only 17% of the population access this way of being, and are still subject to the grips of the Ego.   CULTIVATING Connection with Spirit How can we access "spirit" so that it naturally becomes the dominant energy force in our lives? How can we maximize the peace, joy and flow in our lives? Below are 7 Keys to get started. Get Present. When we're truly in the present moment, we have great access to Spirit. When we're focused on the past, feelings of regret, pain and turmoil can overtake us, cutting us off from Spirit. When we're focused on the future, we often get distracted in feelings of worry, hope and fear. starving our energies from creating NOW. It is in the "present moment" where we find peace, joy and connection to Spirit. Choose High Vibrations - Consciously choosing high vibration states, such as peace, joy, love, appreciation, generosity and other "good feelings" strengthens connection to Spirit, and deflate the Ego. Anyone that teaches about manifesting abundance always emphasize the focus on "good feeling states". Like attracts like. The book "Power vs. Force" quantifies energetic qualities on a scale of 1 to 1000. In addition to empowering emotional states, you can raise your energetic vibration through movement and exercise, drinking water, practicing random acts of kindness, meditation, laughing, spending time in nature and contributing to others. David Hawkins second book "The Eye of the I" also talks about additional ways to cultivate higher energy states. Take Responsibility through Conscious Choices - Our Egos like to play "victim", and lead you to believe that you're not powerful or at choice in the matter. Drama. Drama. Drama. No matter what the circumstance, there is always a powerful, responsible choice available. What do you need to ask for? What do you need to let go of? Whose help could you request? What's the next step you could take? What is your ultimate outcome? When you take responsible action, you are "responding to Spirit".  Don't be a victim, make a conscious new choice. Radically reduce "thought". For most people, this is a tough one. Our human ego-dominated minds like to run non-stop. Many of us assume that "thinking" is intelligence. But, are you doing the "thinking", or is "it" thinking you? Even the most intelligent minds must ultimately learn to break free of "thought", finding stillness -- because this is where true freedom lies. It is only in the "stillness" of mind where a different type of "thought" appears and our connection to Spirit comes alive.  Eckhart Tolle, author of "Power of Now" was asked what his greatest accomplishment in life was.and his answer, "radically reducing the thoughts in my mind". Humility - Ego is about being right, criticizing, judging and making others wrong. Stepping into "humility" is the fastest way to release the ego's grip. (read "The Eye of the I").  Admitting critical, judging or self-righteous behavior is liberating. Stepping into "not knowing" is more powerful than "being right". Read the article on "Humility" from Soulfully Living Issue #25. Listen to Spirit - In my Mastermind Group, we explored, "How do you tell the difference between the "spirit voice" and the "ego voice"?". Simply put, the ego voice is almost always associated with feelings of angst, resistance, doubt, fear, questioning, guilt and confusion. Spirit's voice is clear, wise, knowing, precise and brings peace, more often serves your Greater Good.     SOULFUL CHALLENGE: One of my favorite practices is to "just act on Spirit's voice". Throughout the day, consciously listen for Spirit to guide your decisions. Clear your head, ask for guidance, and LISTEN. Then, act. It's important to act quickly, before your Ego can jump in and start analyzing Spirit's request. Just trust and go with it. If Spirit doesn't respond immediately with direction, just wait. An answer will show up. Then - act. Try this for ONE WEEK. Every time I make this conscious commitment, I'm amazed at where Spirit leads me. Often it doesn't make sense in the moment, but then becomes clear later. The gifts are incredible. Try this! Commit to the Process - To cultivate a deeper relationship to Spirit, and radically reduce the control of Ego in your life is a process. Life gets in the way. You'll notice yourself getting stuck, being fearful, resisting life, and blaming others. But, as you deepen your commitment to the process, you will find you're able to recognize the destructive and unconscious patterns in your life more quickly, and make responsible, conscious choices to take empowering action.  If you are inspired to live your life more from Spirit and less from Ego, you may be interested in taking advantage of my upcoming eCourse, beginning September 8th. "Living in Choice" is a 12-week program designed to help you integrate these principles into your life. I'm offering a special promotion including 4 group coaching calls (vs. 3 offered in previous eCourse).

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Living in CHOICE "A Coaching eCourse" As a Professional Life Coach for nearly five years, I've worked with hundreds a clients to help them live more fulfilling lives, achieve their dreams and LIVE in CHOICE.  I know what my clients want...and, more importantly, how to help them create that for themselves.  I've refined and integrated the insights, strategies and exercises that have proven effective for my clients and myself, into a 12-week Coaching ECourse.  It's the BEST of what I've delivered to my clients in a unique and highly concentrated program.  I've witnessed the transformation in my clients, and in my own life, and now want to share those SECRETS with you in a convenient and affordable manner.  So, if you're ready to truly stand in your POWER, allow your life to flow, give up old patterns that don't serve you, and finally enjoy a deep sense of inner peace, I highly encourage you to take advantage of this program.  Each week you'll receive one lesson presented as a "choice", along with SIMPLE, yet potent exercises to integrate into your life.  This is the KEY, using the worksheets and LIVING the exercises. As a BONUS, take advantage of email coaching with Mary each week, and FOUR "optional" Group Coaching Sessions (only three offered previously). BENEFITS... Radically reduce the "mental noise" in your head, so you can tap into your creativity and brilliance more effortlessly and consistently. Eliminate distractions that stand in the way of your productivity, creativity and peace of mind. Develop the habits to support your "natural flow".  Learn to finally TRUST your Inner Wisdom implicitly to guide you in taking "perfect action".  Become a MAGNET for what you want and ATTRACT what you desire easily.  Cultivate the practice of taking INSPIRED Action to create results effortlessly.  Master the Secrets to releasing stressful thoughts that are responsible for the stress, anxiety and overwhelm in your life.  Increase CLARITY and let go of confusion.  Bask and delight in feelings of  Inner Peace, Joy, Love and Freedom ANYTIME you choose.  The "Living In CHOICE" eCourse integrates the most powerful principles I utilize in coaching my clients, and in living my own life.  These include the "Laws of Attraction", "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie, "The Power of NOW" by Eckhart Tolle, "Power vs. Force" by David Hawkins.  Receive ALL THIS, personal email support and group coaching -- for a fraction of the cost it would take to hire me as your personal coach. It's truly a phenomenal way to "get it all". If you're ready to let go of overwhelm, stress, confusion, anxiety, difficulty, exhausting, and force...and SURRENDER to the True CHOICES of your Soul, this course is for you.I'm personally committed to helping each individual who enrolls in the program get the most from YOUR LIFE and this course.  I want you to experience what I've discovered for myself, and what my clients enjoy in their lives. That's my promise to you.  Hope that many of you join me on next 90 Day journey!! Next Course StartsSeptember 8th To register, or for more information visit www.lifecoachmary.com/livinginchoice.htm, or email me personally mary@lifecoachmary.com if you have questions that would help you determine if this program is for you.

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We hope you've enjoyed reading this issue of the Soulfully Living.  We LOVE hearing feedback....especially if you've enjoyed this issue.  Let us know what you like, so we can give you more of what you want.  And, if you've got a suggestion of how we might improve or enhance SoulFULLY Living, please email mary@lifecoachmary.com .   If you'd like to make a contribution to one of our topics areas in SoulFULLY Living, please email mary@lifecoachmary.com, we're always looking for valuable material to pass on to our readers. Soulfully Living encourages reproduction of the contents of this newsletter with proper attribution. Soulfully Living is a trademark. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.

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Creating Fulfillment
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Issue #36 . < 09/02/03 >

"Follow your Divine Guidance, consciously choose your own unique path, and learn how to master living in states of peace, joy and love.
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