Welcome to SoulFULLY Living #65...
(Click for HTML Version - www.lifecoachmary.com/issue65.htm) 
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Welcome New Subscribers! You may view ISSUE #1 at www.lifecoachmary.com/issue1.htm. Click HERE for archived issues. Soulfully Living's intention is to deliver inspiring ideas, articles and resources that positively impact the quality of your life. 

Greetings!! Thank you to those who have already purchased my new book, and are spreading the word so generously.  It's been fun and rewarding to hear the feedback.

"Mary I started your book last night it is thrilling to read you.  The introductory material, the acknowledgements and your journal is packed, rich and inspiring.  Your book feels in every sense of the word ' substantial.'"
                                   --- Patricia Watson

"There's something inviting about this book.  It's not intimidating, but looks easy and fun to do.  I can't wait to jump into it."
                                   ---David Neeve

All orders have been shipped (except Susan W. - yours is going today).  There was a glitch with the bookmarks, so I'm sending those separately.  The Power of Inner Choice is now 20% off through May 31st.  CLICK HERE to ORDER your own copy.In the last issue, I mentioned that a myriad of situations and conversations have caused me to pause and reflect intently on these three simple words - Excellence, Integrity and Standards.  This week begins a series of articles exploring these important values.  What it is?  What inspires or minimizes these qualities?  Lots to explore. And, there are lots of announcements below...and even more exciting news to come!!  Stay tuned.

FEATURES this week...SoulFULLY Being - Excellence, Integrity and Standards.  These three words open a big subject - and one that is often set aside in today's fast-paced, instant gratification, media-blitzed world.  What is excellence?  What is integrity?  And, what does it mean to hold high standards?  Where are we LIVING or  compromising these values as a society or as individuals?  Let's begin the exploration of excellence, integrity and standards.Magic Moments - Synchronicity Among Friends.  Sometimes the stars align and we can create magic moments out of a few meaningful minutes. 

Also in this issue:

• "Conversations with the Masters" - featuring Byron Katie -Monday, May 16th at 12 Noon PST (3pm EST). REGISTER today. Book Release Party - Sunday, June 5th - 2-5pm in Los Gatos. Bay area residents...please join in the celebration. Book Tour and Learning Annex dates below. A deeper look at The Power of Inner Choice - FREE conference call on May 25th at 4pm PST (7pm EST).  
• The Power of Inner Choice is available now. ORDER HERE.

What is Excellence, Integrity and Standards?

Excellence means calling forth the best from you.  That is innately fulfilling.  Living in integrity is honoring your personal values and code of conduct, and not compromising them even when persuaded by others.  Standards is the qualitative value of degree of excellence that you choose for yourself.  There are rewards and consequences associated with our choices to live or deny these values.  While each distinct, they are integrally linked and displayed together.I've been blessed to work with a client base of men and women who exemplify excellence, integrity and high standards.  I'm frequently inspired by how they honor this code, rarely needing a nudge back to full alignment.  What  I see in my clients represents a Universal Truth. Those who strive diligently towards excellence, integrity and high standards are generally happier, more financially successful and well balanced -- especially long-term.  Those who compromise excellence, integrity and standards may appear to win short-term, but ultimately face consequences, costs and conflicts -- both inside themselves and in the business world.  We've all seen examples of both in our lives.  It's particularly easy to spot those who characterize the extremes.  Those demonstrating excellence, integrity and high standards stand out in their fields -- we trust them, and eagerly buy their products and services.  Those at the opposite extreme also stand out -- repelling us or giving us an uneasy feeling. What attracts or repels us to others, also attracts or repels us from ourselves.  The more these qualities are cultivated in our lives, the higher our esteem and the more fulfilled we are.  When we aren't giving our best efforts, lower our standards or fudge our integrity -- we tend to like ourselves less.

While the world offers benchmarks of excellence, integrity and standards, the real test is INSIDE of you.  YOU know inside if you've really given something your all or not.  YOU know when you've crossed an integrity line for yourself.  YOU know when you've lowered a standard.  It all comes down to a FEELING inside.  When we compromise our excellence, integrity or standards, the result is a "feeling" inside of us that tells us something is OFF.However, sometimes we can fool ourselves or be innocently seduced to compromise a value, and we learn to justify our actions by saying, "the end justifies the means," or "others are doing it," or perhaps we feel that we don't have a choice.  This can begin a cycle of lowering standards. The cost is that it takes us further away from our true selves, our ultimate purpose, long-lasting success and our sense of fulfillment.  This is one of the most essential ingredients to living the life of your dreams.  More about this in future articles.What inspires YOU to strive for excellence?  What is that force inside of you guiding you morally and ethically with yes's and no's?  Is that signal strong or weak?  What standards are you choosing?  And, are you choosing them consciously?  

Soulful CHALLENGE:  Check in with yourself.  Where are you exemplifying excellence and high standards, and where are you not?  Where are you in full alignment and integrity with yourself, and where are you compromising?  What is ONE action you can take today to honor these values within yourself on a deeper level?  Take one action today.

Synchronicity Among Friends - I was in Newport Beach supporting a clients and his team at a "Ropes Course."  I had flown in the night before, and was flying out a few hours after the event.  Since I used to live in the area, I called one of my dear girlfriends in hopes of squeezing in a quick visit.  We scanned our availability, and determined there could be a 45 minute window, after our meetings and before my flight.   Neither of us was sure when we'd be done with our commitments -- so we left it up to synchronicity -- unattached to the visit.After the training, I left Gail a message, but didn't speak with her directly. On the way to the airport, I stopped and filled my rental car with gas.  I hopped back in the car, and Gail called.  She and I were BOTH driving toward the airport, just minutes away.  Would timing work in our favor?  We created a plan.  I would return the rental car, and go in and confirm my seat with the airline.  We would meet outside the security area, and have about 20 minutes together if it all flowed smoothly.  We decided to go for it.I returned the car and checked in.  Seconds later, my phone rang, and it was Gail.  She had parked her car and was heading toward the security area.  I turned and looked -- and there she was walking briskly down the hallway at John Wayne Airport.  We found an empty bench, and started catching up at lightening speed.  I hadn't seen her in months.  I showed her a galley copy of my book.  She "oohed" and "awed."  We covered updates on relationships, business, investments and complimented each other on looking fabulous.  It was absolutely perfect.  Real in every regard.We squeezed 30 minutes into twenty, but it felt longer.  We hugged and did our "bye-bye's", and I zipped through security -- dashing to the very end terminal.  I was indeed the last person on the plane, and as I relaxed into my seat...my cell phone rang again.  It was Gail.  A final moment to say goodbye and top off the perfect exchange between girlfriends.  Who says there isn't divine synchronicity?

What Magic Moments stands out in your life? Please share them with us. Forward to mary@lifecoachmary.com .  Thank you!