Welcome to SoulFULLY Living #68...
(Click for HTML Version - www.lifecoachmary.com/issue68.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.  My good intention to send this "feature article" earlier was thwarted by a flurry of activities, including final preparation for my book tour.  I leave Saturday, and will return on October 3rd.  I'm looking forward to seeing MANY of you along the way.  Because of the travels, it's likely to be four or more weeks before the next issue, although there may be a periodic announcement or update to the schedule.  Thanks for your patience.  I do promise there will be MANY more feature article issues to come, as "birthing a book" offers a field of rich content and new distinctions.There is much to say about the adventure I'm in the middle of.  Can't help but think that this is what other budding authors experienced before their book became household words.  Perhaps there comes a point in everyone's life where the illusion of control simply bursts, and it's evident that we're merely along for the ride.  We can either resist it...or let it unfold.  I see how my little activities can influence a few books sells here and there, but the destiny of this book is not in my hands.  My publisher was pleased with the "book trade" numbers (those sold in book stores), which were significantly up in August!!  I can only assume that many of YOU are being generous with your words...and slowly, but surely more books are seeping into the market.  Thank you!!  I've also gotten word that The Power of Inner Choice is becoming a popular "group study" book, much like Cheryl Richardson's Life Makeovers book.  If you're visiting your local book store and have a free minute, ask if they stock The Power of Inner Choice.  If not, perhaps a few of you will recommend they order it.  It happens one bookstore at a time.  

Feature Articles

SoulFULLY Being - The Power of NOW during Chaos and Transformation.  Why practicing "being present" can pay off in times of chaos and transformation.  Another look at the power of NOW.

One of the central themes in my new book The Power of Inner Choice is about "being present."   In general, I've found "being present" is easier during fulfilling moments, and less so during chaotic, challenging and changing times.  As you may suspect, I've been experiencing heap-loads of change over the last two months.  This has given me an opportunity to "be present" to transition in a whole new way.  In this issue, I'd like to offer some fresh distinctions about "being present," particularly during a time of intense change.   During stressful periods, it's easy to get caught up in the mind that is juggling a thousand thoughts, or consumed with emotion.  Or perhaps to avoid a time of chaos, we predominantly "check-out" -- missing the vast majority of the experience.  No doubt "transitions" are filled with uncertainty.  How would it be to bear witness to transition, uncertainty and mixed emotion in a non-judgmental way -- and not miss the evolution happening before your eyes?  My experience says this is a worthy endeavor.  "Being present" is a fabulous way to stay in your power.  

Conversations with the Masters
OCTOBER 25th at 12 Noon PST

The next "Conversations with the Masters" - featuring the Peter Rengel and Anne Watts of The Human Awareness Institute (HAI)   Come deepen your understanding of "Love, Intimacy and Sexuality."  John and I had an amazing experience at the latest Couple's Workshop, and HAI has been one of the most significant influences in my life.  Now you can get a taste of HAI and begin to learn about this beautiful resource and essential principles for loving relationships.  Tuesday, October 25th at 12 Noon PST (3pm EST). REGISTER today.  HAI@powerofinnerchoice.com 

Visit www.lifecoachmary.com/hai.htm for more information.

FREE 2 CD-Set 

SUMMER SPECIAL.  Buy The Power of Inner Choice and receive the "Book Release Party Sampler" featuring the BEST Conversations with the Masters (Dr. Wayne Dyer, Debbie Ford, Dr. David Hawkins, and Byron Katie) and a 25 minute message from "the author."  The owner of the Bikram studio in San Jose has listened to it 11 times!  Order HERE.   

"Oh my gosh... maybe it is even more than 11 times... honestly... like the yoga, I get more and more out of it each time I hear the interviews. I am not sure that you realize how powerful these are... truly AWESOME and you have them at their best..."

---Michele Vennard
Owner Bikram Yoga San Jose

Graciously,

A little background first.  The first lesson in my book The Power of Inner Choice is "The Power of the NOW."   In cultivating "living in the present," you are invited to identify current "practices" in your life...a practice being something that you do on a regular basis.   For example, working out, showering, driving, listening to spouse, walking the dog, doing the dishes, eating, sex...are all examples of practices -- to turn into NOW Practices.   Some of these we may experience "consciously", some "partially consciously" and others very "unconsciously."  I suggest selecting TWO NOW Practices (activities) to purposefully and consciously "practice" being MORE present by applying principles outlined in the book.  The idea being, as we consciously cultivate "being present" when it's EASY, during a task we already have mastered, we naturally become more present throughout our lives.  If you don't already have a copy of my book visit the link below to read Lesson #1, or refer to Chapter 4 in The Power of Inner Choice.

www.lifecoachmary.com/choicel1pon281.htm 

During the past two years, I've adopted several different NOW Practices and have consciously worked on cultivating "being present" in my own life.  Teaching this principle creates massive leverage to actually live it!  Thus, over time, I've found myself becoming more and more present without having to think about it (much as my clients experience).  Learning to "be present" is a  powerful muscle to access during times of chaos, because if you can BE PRESENT -- you CAN experience PEACE.  Being present also allows you to "witness" a transformation instead of "missing it" or "reacting to it."  Being present makes ordinary moments, quite extraordinary.  And fulfilling moments even grander.  Most importantly, when we are "present," we have POWER...and in that power, we have CHOICE.

Moving History

Fortunately or unfortunately, I've had the opportunity to move frequently in the last 7 years.  This has caused me to become rather adept at moving.  It has also become a personal litmus test to measure how much I've evolved since the last move.  Since moving is typically a stressful experience, the challenge of remaining "at peace" throughout the move is greater than just living daily life.  As a coach, and a teacher of "living in peace" - learning how I can be "at peace" in ANY situation is ALWAYS of interest to me.  

I believe ANYTHING can be lived
 from a place of peace. 

Thus, I've always looked forward to a move, much like an athlete would look forward to a championship game.  It's  something that calls forth the best from them, offering an opportunity to perform and see how all the practice pays off.

NOW Practices on Move Day

In essence, move day became a living NOW Practice.  For those not familiar, there are several keys to cultivating presence, or "being present."  Simply, it's about engaging the senses, feeling gratitude and appreciation, connecting to your body and self, connecting outside yourself and embracing reality.  It's also about NOTICING what "thoughts" come and go.  A NOW Practice is simply about NOTICING everything, One of the other keys to a NOW Practice is "non-judgment."  It's not about DOING something right or wrong, it's simply about "being present" to everything and anything that is here in the NOW.  Being present to the experience.  The good, the bad and the neutral.  

The great thing about declaring a move into a NOW Practice is there that is SO much to notice and be present to.  And, there are LOTS of thoughts of ALL varieties.  Below was my experience in chaos and transformation.  Perhaps you'll have a different "noticing" experience during your next time of chaos and change.  

Observations and Noticing
on 
MOVE DAY

For starters, my nasty chest virus was returning, so a wheezing chest, spasmodic cough and sluggish energy were things to notice.  I noticed that I had enough energy to move anyway and was excited and committed to do so.  Isn't it interesting that it's okay that we sometimes keep going when we don't feel optimal?I was present to the shiny diamond ring on my finger, and how I was excited about being engaged.  I noticed great sensations of joy as I gazed at the trilogy of diamonds.  I also noticed that because my energy had been lower, I hadn't fully stepped into the joy and expression of that excitement.  I noticed that was okay and John didn't seem affected.  I noticed this myriad of emotions felt strange and foreign.  Isn't it interesting how we can FEEL an underlying emotion, and not be expressing it fully to the outside world?I noticed how I felt a little grubbier than normal, and that was one of the first times I'd been that grubby with John.  Hmmm.  Perhaps, we were entering another level of comfort with each other.  I remembered that I hadn't been present to that transition in previous relationships. I wondered if seeing me grubby would turn John off and ruin the relationship.  I noticed that I like to wear white when I move, even though it makes no sense on move day.  Hmmm.I noticed the clarity I had about which boxes were going to storage or to John's.  I also noticed what boxes I wasn't ready to deal with until later.  I noticed I wasn't judging that, and that was nice.  I appreciated John and my own willingness for taking on the task of moving.  I noticed that he wasn't complaining, and I was reminded that past boyfriends hadn't really extended themselves in my other moves.  I noticed this affirmed my choice to marry John.  I noticed my appreciation grow.I was particularly present to lifting my desk hutch as I assisted John in moving this HEAVY piece of furniture to storage -- by ourselves.  I noticed that I needed to lay down after that run to storage.  I noticed that I did, and what a delightful experience laying on the floor can be.  Even if for only 15 minutes.  I noticed feelings that could have been guilt, as I watched John carry case after case of books to the truck.  I noticed that I wasn't indulging in guilt, but rather enjoying the peace of my choice.  I wondered what John was thinking.  And, then I returned to the calm in my mind and body.  Is it possible to experience "peace" and "guilt" so closely together?  Or was the "peace" muting out the "guilt"?After moving the first batch to storage, we went to Home Depot and picked up two day-laborers to help us move the HEAVIEST items into and out of John's place.   I had noticed that lifting these wasn't going to be possible for me.   We started at John's place, and I was present to the enthusiasm and strength of one of the guys.  We all noticed it was hot.  In fact, it was 103 degrees.  At my place, I noticed one of the men complaining about the heat.  I noticed my irritation.  I noticed a nasty, sarcastic thought in my mind!!!  I noticed I was being human.  I felt a sweet compassion and non-judgment of that thought.  I noticed that in the past, I may have dwelled on the sarcastic comment and let that be my focus for many minutes.  I was present to "the noticer" laughing at my human-ness.  Isn't humor a wonderful way to meet our thoughts at times?When the truck was loaded, John got in the truck and I was headed to the ATM machine to get cash to pay the workers.  I noticed the two helper guys were walking away!!!!  They said it was too hot, and they were "done."I noticed some major resistance to reality.  I thought this surely must be a dream.  I noticed how fighting reality is STRESSFUL!!!  I noticed the choice to accept reality -- a full truck, three hours to return it, and a desire to complete the task.   I also noticed the willingness to rent the truck for another day, if need be.   I asked, "So, what are our options?"   I noticed John's irritation.  I noticed my enthusiasm and decision to go find two more day-laborers at Home Depot.  We drove the workers back to Home Depot and were successful.On the way back to John's, I noticed that John wasn't being very present.  I noticed that I could have gotten irritated about this in the past.  I was present when he took a left turn down a wrong street.  It was amusing.  I noticed that not resisting it was more enjoyable than making him wrong for being human.As the boxes and furniture began to fill John's living room, I noticed John getting more and more irritable.  I noticed that this was not like John.  He was concerned that everything wasn't going to fit, and we'd have to carry everything back out.  John was tired and hungry.  As I noticed nearly EVERY heavy box or item he carried,  I noticed Mr. Grumpy growing larger.  I noticed that I was okay with this.  I noticed the reasons for his upset.  I noticed my clarity in where the items of each box would go.  I noticed I was TOTALLY at peace with the situation.  I noticed the humor of this human situation.  Tired. Hungry.  Moving all day.  HEAT. Workers walking off the job.  Endless boxes.  LOTS of stairs.  Lots of walking.  I noticed that in the past I may have gotten really upset and copped an attitude because my fiance was irritable on the  FIRST night I moved in.  I noticed that part of me that would have liked a different scenario.   I noticed myself not getting upset, but rather humored by our reality.I noticed that after our meal from Wendy's that Mr. Grumpy started disappearing, and even John could start to laugh at the mini-drama.Most of all, I noticed -- that in noticing everything -- without judgment -- it's easy to let go of attachments to how things SHOULD be, as there is always another thought coming, another beautiful moment coming, another something to be present to.

I wish you endless noticing.

What are you "noticing", 
right now?

The Minders CollectionT

The Minders CollectionT is officially launched.  If you missed the announcement last week, these product lines were designed to keep the lessons of my book alive in YOUR life.  One of the greatest challenges we all face is remembering to put ideas into practice.  How many times have you read a book, got inspired to incorporate an idea -- then quickly forgotten?  Me too!! Both series have been well received so far.  

Gem-MindersT 

The Gem-MindersT subtlety remind you with beautiiful colors and symbols on your wrist. Look good and carry inspired meaning with you every where you go.  Elaine Sonne is an amazing jewelry designer, well-known for her story bracelets www.ancientdesign.com .  I fell in love with her work, and I was delighted that she felt inspired to assist me in my vision.  Each Gem-Minder was divinely inspired, and as you'll learn on the website - each stone, color and symbol carries embedded meaning. Combine more than one Gem-Minder bracelet, and create your own power combination.  I've already sold dozens of these, and personally LOVE wearing them.  While I have several favorites, the one I wear most these days is Lesson #3, the "Spirit" Gem-Minder, which reminds me to go within to listen to my "inner voice" and respond to spirit's Guidance.  The mother-of-pearl is symbolic of innocence and purity. Every step on our divine path is here to guide us and serve us for the greater good...and that is always pure.Visit www.powerofinnerchoice.com/gem-minders.html to see this stunning line and order the one (or ones) that you feel most attracted too.  I've found that the first one people are automatically drawn toward, is usually "the one".  Gem-Minders ship within one week.The Gem-Minder line is a limited edition.  Designs will periodically be discontinued or replaced with a new design.

Gra-MindersT 

The Gra-MindersT offer steadyy reminders in your home or office through a colorful 11x17 frame-able print.  A quick glance or soulful meditation on these thoughtful images, supports you visually and emotionally.  I have the entire set on the walls of my office.  And, just as other pictures "anchor" you to a memory or state-of-mind...Gra-MindersT inspire.  You'll find more meaning in these images every day.  

Visit www.powerofinnerchoice.com/gra-minders.html to see which images speak to you.