Stewardship, Self-Care, and...Multi-Tasking?

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/ooyoo

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

--Maya Angelou

Stewardship is perhaps the highest level of self-care there is.  That may sound surprising at first, but look at the area that comes to mind first for many of us.  When we're working toward a cleaner environment, we're serving the Earth and all its present and future inhabitants, including ourselves!

Stewardship is a great example of "what goes around comes around."  Receiving is just as much a part of stewardship as serving is.

Have you ever noticed what a deflating feeling it is when someone refuses your act of kindness?  Giving is very rewarding, and so is graciously receiving from others.  Acts of stewardship are the multi-taskers of life!

Below is a list of several things we do in everyday life that help others and ourselves (multi-tasking), often without thinking about their value as acts of stewardship:

• Caring for your personal environment, including your physical well-being.
• Working in the helping professions and/or the non-profit sector.
• Volunteering.
• Sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
• Cooperating and collaborating with others.
• Letting it be known when you need help.
• Taking responsibility for your roles in your family.
• Developing compassionate and effective leadership skills.
• Being a great role model.
• Being responsible with money.
• Adopting a pet from a shelter.
• Helping people in need with compassion and respect.
• Envisioning the potential of the person you're helping.
• Teaching others how to help themselves over the long term.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Brian Jackson

One of the best books I've seen on the possible frustrations of trying to help others is Do It Anyway, by Kent M. Keith.  He has a list of ten "Paradoxical Commandments," such as "If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.  Do good anyway."  Another of my favorites is, "Honesty and frankness make you vunerable.  Be honest and frank anyway."

Please don't give up on your stewardship efforts without reading Keith's book!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Ivan Bajic

 

Handling your money wisely and teaching your children to do so is great role modeling.  And the kids will be more likely to teach their own children this skill when they're ready for it.  Now that's multitaking at its best!

I want to finish this post with a quote from David Heller's book, Children on Happiness.

"The secret of happiness is kindness...not just toward other people but being kind to yourself too."  --Michael Y., at the age of ten

Your comments are welcome,

Susan

Mind Spa Coaching & Reiki

with Susan Cleaver

scleaver@dejazzd.com

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/CGinspiration

If you live in the greater Philadelphia or Reading, PA, area....

The Boyertown Health Fair will be on Saturday, March 31, 2012.  It's organized by the Boyertown Area Community Wellness Council, and it's very family oriented.  In fact, it's grandson-tested.  We took ours three years in a row, and he loved it.  This year, in January, he asked us if he could come with us this year.  This kid really plans ahead!

The fair takes place at the Boyertown Area Senior High School.  Please contact me for details at scleaver@dejazzd.com.  The fair is complimentary, and I'll be giving free samples of Reiki and Life Coaching plus lots of resources!

P.S. to kids planning to attend:  Feel welcome to bring along parents, grandparents, etc.  They'll love it, too! 

If you live ANYWHERE....

I'm offering special pricing of 25% off ALL of my services.  And remember, Life Coaching can be done by phone or in person!  The special pricing is subject to change after June 30, 2012.

**All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.**

**Member of the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org.**



Check out my post from April 1, 2008...it has been in the #1 spot for a while now as my most popular post!  It's called, "When Opportunity Knocks....".  Happy reading, and thanks for your support!

   

Leadership: Walking Our Talk

Some of you may remember my theme from 2011, which was "Audacious Self-Care."  Well, I guess I teach what I need to learn...when I need to learn it!

The last quarter of 2010 (when I picked the topic) and all of 2011 offered some very difficult challenges for my family and me, so putting reminders about self-care in this blog throughout the year was helpful to me.  Then things caught up with me, and I had to stop blogging for a while in favor of my self-care.  The irony was not lost on me!

I apologize for disappearing, and I will finish covering all the sub-topics of self-care that I promised my readers a year ago. Thank you for your patience.

Before we move on to talking about leadership, I would also like to announce that I've expanded my business name from the same as my name to...(drum roll please)...

Mind Spa Coaching and Reiki

with Susan Cleaver

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Now for today's topic:

Leadership: Walking our Talk





Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Mats Persson



Last spring, on 6/3/11, I wrote a post about the value of personal leadership in preparation for this one on walking our talk as leaders.  Long-term success in leading others is based on how you manage yourself.

In the photo above, one of the components is "Lead by Example."  That would be problem if the "example," or role model, had the basics of his own life in disarray!  Poor role models either forget this, or they think it won't show.

For example, the poor role model may think it doesn't matter if their home office is messy and disorganized, because his followers never see it.  Well, they do see it...in the role model's stress level, even if his desk at work looks great.  What's more is that they can feel it on an energetic level, and they won't feel motivated by the leader.

This concept also applies to the leader's stewardship in these areas:

*integrity

*health

*finances

*lifestyle

*relationships

Think of this as if it were a pillow sham.  It looks great on the outside.  But if the pillow inside is filled with stones, it's useless to followers and leaders alike.  No wonder so many people come home from work with a headache!

Here's to great leadership,

Susan

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Jacob Wackerhausen

**Written material in all posts of this blog is (c) Susan Cleaver**

**Member of TCN, a local non-profit organization at www.tcnetwork.org**  

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/CGinspiration

Stop by my Exhibit for a Coaching or Reiki Sample!

Here are the three local Health Fairs where I'll be exhibiting:

Saturday, 3/31/12, The Boyertown Health Fair

Wednesday, 4/4/12, Health, Fitness, and Safety Fair, Blue Bell, PA

Friday, 4/20/12, Healthy Lifestyles Expo, Pottstown, PA

To the best of my knowledge, there will be NO entry fee for any of these three events.  For more information, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.



Hidden in Plain Sight

       Boundaries and Bridges: Your Interactions with Others

As we move into this new subtopic in our search for "Audacious Self-Care" this year, I want to explore our interactions with a rather ethereal other...the creative Muse.

O.K., I think I know what you're saying....

"'Sounds like fun...you go first, Susan!"

Well, it is a little unusual, so I'll excuse your sarcasm. :-)

And I will go first.

  Hidden in Plain Sight

I was five years old when I got my first glimpse of her. She was walking past the classroom, just as I’d finished making my first collage. At that age, I didn’t even know what a Muse was. But the thrill of making a piece of art that I loved was unmistakable.

As an adult, I tried my hand at writing children’s fiction. At first, my Muse and I were bubbling over with enthusiasm.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/kemie

When the reality of being a writer settled in, I tried to offset this by striving. That was the absolute worst thing to do! My Muse wanted nothing to do with that writing environment, so I began seeing her less and less.

One day, my Muse stopped by with wise advice. She said, “Let writing go. If it’s meant to be part of your life, it will return.” I knew she was right; I had nearly ruined my health from the stress.

Later, my Muse and I developed a class on journal writing. We had found journal writing to be our easiest way to communicate with each other and strengthen our friendship, so the class was a natural for us to design.

Not long after that, I took training to become a Life Coach. Growing my practice in partnership with my Muse has been a delightful creative challenge!

The four photos below are the facets and moods of my Muse. 

photo (c) iStock/Alina Solovyova-Vincent

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/ChristopherBernard

                                                 photo (c) iStockphoto.com/kate_sept2004    

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/THEPALMER

My Muse may seem like a silent, invisible partner to anyone else. But for me, she has been an inspiring friend…a true catalyst for my creativity.

Now it's your turn!  Please click the "Comments" button below
and let us know about your relationship with your Muse.
Thanks,
        Susan

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/CGinspiration

Attention Local Folks ~ I hope to see you at these events!

"You Can Heal Yourself from Cancer" 

Saturday Morning, October 8, 2011

Presented by McCormick Chiropractic, Pottstown, PA

Come and hear some very down-to-earth speakers talking about prevention and cures!

For details, please see www.mcccormickchiropractic.com

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Boyertown Area School District Continuing Education

Two Personal Enrichment Classes by Yours Truly

Starting on October 17 and 20

For details, please see www.boyertownasd.org

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"Inner Light Spiritual Holistic Expo"

Weekend of November 12 and 13 in Pottstown, PA

Presented by Inner Light Holistic Center, Gilbertsville, PA

For details, please see www.INNERLIGHTHC.com

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**All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.** 

**Active Member of the TriCounty Community Network at

www.tcnetwork.org **

Stewardship of Ideas in Your Environment

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Creativeye 99

"True wisdom is the integration of knowledge." ~Lise Janelle, Coach


I love this quote! I love to learn from big ideas and worthwhile knowledge, and then synthesize them into wisdom that I can share with others and use to improve my own life.

For my last post on environments, I'd like to talk about our environment of ideas. Ideas like to hitch-hike from one mind to the next, then the next...you get the drift.



While they're traveling, ideas usually change in some way, big or small, at each hop from mind to mind...and they leave their mark on each mind they hop from.

So, what kind of ideas are we allowing into our environment? Not only do they leave their mark, but ideas take up thinking space in our minds! Let's keep the space available for uplifting ideas; let's not waste the space on negative, destructive ideas that drag us down.

Remember, ideas wilt, grow, or mutate as they hop from mind to mind. When you encounter an idea that you see as positive and useful, give it a safe place to grow, and allow others that you trust to help you tend it. And don't forget to give the same care to your own ideas!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Andrei Nicholaevich Rybachuk

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Special Event Announcement for Local Women....

"Ladies' Night Out...A Time to Indulge"

Friday, August 19, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm

Created and Hosted by McCormick Chiropractic

92 Kemp Road, Pottstown, PA 19465

Wine Tasting ** Manicures ** Chocolate Fondue Fountain ** Hors d'oeuvres

Mini Tutorials on Make-Up, Image, Fashion, & Accessorizing!

:-) I'll be there to offer Reiki and Coaching :-)

$10 Registration Deadline is August 11! Call McCormick's at 610-705-0201 ASAP.

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**All of Susan's posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.**

**Active member of the TriCounty Community Network at http://www.tcnetwork.org/**
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Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Warchi
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Personal Leadership: Your Strongest Foundation

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Amanda Rohde

Starting in July, the Audacious Self-Care Community will be moving on to our next subtopic for the year, which will be "Boundaries and Bridges: Interacting with Others," and Leadership will be an important part of that segment.

So today, while we're still discussing our personal environments and how they affect us, I want to discuss Personal Leadership, which will be the foundation for leading others in the future.

Like the blue fish in the photo above, you may be starting to see untested leadership qualities in yourself. The fish is just at the point when he suspects that he is willing and able to be more than a couch potato (or "reef potato," in this case).

This is the humble beginning of "Blue's" future as a leader. He needs to have the courage to swim the other way for a long time before the other fish even think of following him. Some say it's lonely at the top. There's one thing for sure...it's lonely on the way to the top!

So, what is a fish (or a human) to do? Well, this is where Personal Leadership comes into the picture. Take a quick assessment of how well you lead yourself.

Do you have a role model, or even a mentor, who is not only a leader of others, but who has his or her own act together? Develop the characteristics in yourself that you'll be expecting in your followers.

A Few Examples...how are your:

~Communication Skills?

~Character Traits?

~Organizational Skills?

~Time Management Skills?

~Personal Finance Management Skills?

~...And of course your Audacious Self-Care Skills?

Just take it one block at a time, like the guy in the photo below. Over time, you'll be amazed at the changes you were able to make! And no matter how you end up using your leadership skills in the future, you'll always value the personal leadership skills you're building upon now.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Henrik Jonsson

"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's

plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." -Jim Rohn

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Silense

'Any comments, experiences, or questions?

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. Please join us for these global, complimentary activities via telephone!

Are there any projects you've been putting off in your office, home, or studio?

Call into my teleconference line at 7:00 pm Eastern on Tuesday, June 21st, and we'll tackle our projects together (well, sort of...).

No registration is necessary. We all call in at the tops of the hours 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 pm

Eastern for brief check-in calls about what we we're each declaring as our project of the hour, and/or an update on the previous hour's success!

Between calls, when we're actually doing the projects, you'll feel more focused and accountable, knowing that you'll be reporting back to us!

Here's the number to call: 712-432-3973, PIN Code 7280202

I'm hosting at no charge, and there's no extra charge for using the teleconferencing service. Your only expense will be from your regular long-distance carrier. Questions? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

We'd love to have you on the calls!

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Do you have a burning question? Call my COACHING HOT LINE on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, between 7:00 and 9:00 pm Eastern for a complimentary 20-minute coaching session! Call: 610-385-3766.

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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***Active member of the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org. ***

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You and Your Environment as Partners

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Kemal Bas

Twenty years ago, clutter in my home and office was still a sizable impediment and irritation for me. Our son, Dave, stilled lived here with us at the time. Whenever Dave would see me trying to clean up, he would quip, "Who's coming to visit?" I'm sad to say that it was often a valid question! Ugh. It pulls my energy down just to think about it.

Fortunately, since then I've learned to work with my environment instead of against it. In this holistic world of ours, our personal environments have an inter-developmental relationship. The task of decluttering our home and office spaces feels very daunting at first. I like to begin with the exposed surfaces that I use the most. This gives me a lift both emotionally and practically.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Luis Pedrosa

So, once you've established momentum with this cycle, you climb "mountains"! Be ruthless about things in your environment that you have psychologically outgrown. Donate, recycle, up-cycle, or otherwise dispose of the things in your environment that are not serving your current best interest!

If you have trouble parting with things that you know you need to get out of your environment, here's a tip to try. You'll need a friend or family member to help you, because the trick is to not to touch the items!

Ask the other person to hold up each item so you can decide, hands free, whether you really want to keep the item. Make sure they take all the "no" items with them for proper distribution when they leave. You don't want to take the chance of regressing, which can be very tempting, so ask someone to get it out of your sphere right away!

My Dream House

A mansion with six bedrooms and filled with antiques? No thanks. Actually, I don't have to find my dream house...I just need to finish uncovering it! Michelangelo said that, to make the statue "David," he chipped away all the stone that was not part of "David," and there he was inside! I don't think I could sculpt a statue that way, but I can find my Dream House that way! I'm steadily removing all that does not reflect my husband and I as we are now.

We both run home-based businesses, so right now it's still a bit crowded in our modest home. We also have a little dog, toys and books for our grandson, and several hobbies! All of these are important to us and will definitely stay. But when I finish chipping away everything that is out of place in my Dream House, we'll have plenty of space and great Feng Shui, right here where we've been living for over 30 years!

Best of luck with your masterpiece,

Susan

Click on the comment button below to let us know how it's going. Questions are also welcome!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

P. S. to those on my snail mail list: I'm discontinuing my paper newsletter, and I'll be communicating mainly on this blog from now on. Many thanks to those of you who, over the years, have told me that it has made a difference for you! May creative4life be useful and inspiring to you as we continue with 2011: The Year of Audacious Self-Care!

***Active Member of the TriCounty Community Network at http://www.tcnetwork.org/.***

And a P.S. for all readers: contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 if you'd like a tour guide for the adventure of Creative Living!

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Reminder! Global Teleconference Event Tomorrow, May 3, 2011!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Jeff Irving

Global Spring Cleaning Party via Teleconference Line!

Autumn Cleaning Party for Folks in the Southern Hemispere!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern

Cleaning by yourself isn't much fun! Call in at the top of each hour (7, 8, and 9) to support others and be supported.

During our breif calls, we'll declare to each other what we'll be working on for the coming hour and what we accomplished in the previous hour.

I'm not charging to host this event and no RSVP is required. Your only expense is whatever your long-distance carrier normally charges you for calls to the 712 Area Code in the US. The teleconference service itself is complimnetary.

Here's the number to call:

712-432-3973, PIN Code 7280202

Questions? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, 610-385-3766, or by using the comment button below.

We'd love to have you on the calls!

Thanks,

Susan

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