Bring Your Own Bliss (BYOB), Part 3

Last spring, I wrote 2 posts about bliss (BYOB), 3/28/13 and 4/4/13.  More recently, an enthusiastic reader suggested that I expand on the topic, so that's my mission for this post.  

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Igor Demchenkov

Reading through the first 2 posts on bliss, I see that I need to expand on the "doing" step of the "be, do, have" cycle.

"We are the gateway from the numinous world to the practical world."

~Rick Jarow

The tricky part about the "doing" step is learning to discern between an action that seems to be the most logical and obvious and the inspired action.  
  

If we dive into the first action we can think of just to get things moving, this will backfire!

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and all science."  ~Albert Einstein

In the quote above, Einstein praised "the mysterious."  In our "doing," we need to let go and wait for "the mysterious" synchronicity or intuition to tap our shoulders.  There's nothing to strive for, but we do need to be watchful for the "green light," and trust it when it arrives.  That's inspired action!   

"...somehow, perhaps beyond perception, there was a great click, after which suddenly a new friend appeared, an idea was imparted, or a connection established, causing the tides to turn and the floodgates to open."  ~Mike Dooley

  Photo (c) iStockphoto/Brian Jackson

When we come upon the moment for "inspired action," we must move on it right away.  The timing is very important!  We can't let "practical" thoughts deter us; we must go on faith.  When we do, we see the manifestation (the "have" part of the cycle).

"Dreams pass into the reality of action, from this action stems the dream again."  ~Anais Nin

BYOB!

Coach Susan

email

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The "Fall 15" Challenge!

Choose one of these 15-Day Challenges, follow through, and let us all know how it went!


Unplug the TV for 15 days.


Find 15 items in your home to donate to charity within the next 15 days.


Make an apology or accept one within the next 15 days.


P.S.  I'm choosing the second one, finding 15 items to donate.  My countdown starts today, November 3, 2013!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For Locals

The 2013 Senior Health Expo, Thursday, November 14
9:00 am till 1:30 pm, at the historic Sunnybrook Ballroom
50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown, PA

No admission fee for attendees!

Please stop by my exhibit! I'd like to get to know you better, and I have some great information and worksheets for you.  

Many thanks to our generous sponsors, Mark Painter (State Representative of District #146), the Pottstown Mercury, and the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Save the Date for My "Holiday Reiki Rescue" (from the mall madness!)

7:00 to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, December 3, 2013, in Douglassville, PA

Details, consisting of mostly pampering, will be announced in my next post! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All posts on creative4life are (c) Susan Cleaver.

The Hero's Journey, Part 3

In this post, we'll follow our hero-to-be (or heroine) as he moves through the "action" and "resolution" parts of his Quest.  To see the inner process he went through to get to this point of initiating action, please check out Part 2 of this series at my 12/22/12 post. You'll find an introduction to the topic in Part One, which is dated 11/17/12.

Step 5: Our hero steps into the unknown, along with his fears and self-doubt.  The unknown can be representing  one of many possible experiences, whether the Quest is fictional or one you may have experienced last year. Here are a few examples: dealing with illness or an injury, instead of trying to ignore it and hoping it'll go away, or maybe losing a job, and pounding the pavement every day to find a new one.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/frender

Step 6: The hero-to-be interacts with others during the Journey.  He often meets new people along the way, and they sometimes tend to be the kind of people who at first, seem like unlikely pals, or even enemies.  This is all part of the uncertainty he endures.

The friends usually play a part in helping the hero through the crises that he faces during the Quest.  As we'll see later, the hero faces the big, looming, ultimate challenge on his own.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Stefanie Timmermann

Step 7: He's faced with a series of inner and outer obstacles along the way.  While still dealing with inner conflicts, such as fear and resistance, our hero's integrity helps him find the courage to continue confronting the outer challenges.

For example, think of a father who confronts obstacles that he never thought he could, until it comes to the welfare of his child.

"There are some things you learn best in calm,

 and some in storm." ~~Willa Cather

Step 8: The most crucial part of the mission must be faced by the hero alone.  I believe this is because Universal Wisdom wants it to be very clear that, whatever the outcome, it is the actions of the hero that have brought him to the end of his Journey.  He now feels things inside him that he did not know were there.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Daniel Halvorson


"A change of feeling is a change of destiny."  ~~Neville Goddard

Step 9: The successful hero returns home with a new perspective of others, himself, and of life.  The hero may not have been successful at what he thought he was supposed to do.  However, a different kind of success can emerge from the parts of the Journey where he feels he didn't do well.

I have experienced this several times!  For me, it often seems that I've wasted a lot of time and effort on something, only to find later that it was preparing me for a new, exciting part of my life. Remember this when you experience and unwanted "nub" in the tapestry of your life!

"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."  

~~Auguste Rodin

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/creativeye99 

Thanks for reading!

Susan   
                            

The Great-Life Advocate (TM)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Denise Kappa

~~Odds and Ends~~

What I Bring to Our Coaching Relationship, Part 3

You can find Parts 1 and 2 at my posts dated 11/17/12 and 12/22/12.

Today's Topic: I'm a catalyst for positive changes in you, so you can become the person you need to be to reach your goals, by providing...

*Challenge
*Accountability
*Feedback

In my next post, I'll explain how we work together to create your action plans.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My post from 6 /21 /12, called "Enlightenment, the Sequel" is currently on my top-ten list of posts, according to my Blogger stats.  Please check it out!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Attention, Locals....  Save the Dates!  

Boyertown Wellness Fair, Saturday, March 23, 2013; complimentary Reiki samples at my exhibit table! 

Boyertown Continuing Education Program; Wednesday nights in April, I'll be teaching "Audacious Self-Care"!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***All of my posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

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

Adults Aren't the Only Ones: Over-Scheduled Kids

Do you want your children to grow up knowing how to live creatively and how to be independent thinkers? Here's my two cents...don't let them over-schedule themselves now, while they're young!

Constantly running from one structured activity to another gives kids little time to just "be." Kids need to learn how to use unstructured time in ways they will enjoy.

Kids don't have the judgement and experience to know when they're setting themselves up for stress and overwhelm. It's up to the parents to guide them about leaving time to "chill out" and time for unexpected things that may crop up.

Let's give the kids a chance to hear the "still, small voice" that invites creativity into their lives!

All my best,
Susan

P.S. Try a complimentary coaching session with me called...
.

Start Here; Grow to There!

.

Are you embarking on a huge project or challenge?

.

During your phone or in-person session, we'll take a personalized look at three areas where you can take action RIGHT AWAY!

.

~~We'll get a clear picture of who you'll need to be to best meet your challenge.~~

.

~~We'll develop a strategy to invite those changes.~~

.

~~We'll break the project or challenge down into steps that will make it easiest for you to tackle, given your strengths and preferences.~~

.

To set up a time, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Let's get you moving!

.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.

P.P.S. for Locals:

.

Family Services in Pottstown, PA, Presents an...

.

Anxiety and Stress Management Group

.

Facilitated by Sarah Lebo

.

Six Tuesday Evenings Beginning October 13, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at

Family Services, 1976 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

.

This program is FREE.

.

For more information or to register, contact Sarah Lebo at 610-326-1610 ext. 499 or slebo@fsmontco.org.

.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.

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

.

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network, a local human services resource at www.tcnetwork.info.

.

Mike Dooley: "Thoughts Become Things!"

Book Review: Choose Them Wisely: Thoughts Become Things!

by Mike Dooley

copyright 2009; published by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

If you haven't read or listened to this book yet, you're in for a treat! (It's also available as an audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio, copyright 2009, unbridged. I experienced the audio version.) The book is encouraging, inspiring, and soothing.

Dooley wrote the book from the point of view of the Universe as he understands it, and he speaks to the reader directly and casually. This style and use of a persona allowed him to add gentle humor and convincing but gentle nudges to the brief messages that make up the book.

I'm sure I would enjoy the print version, but the audiobook is great...it's read by the author in a very centered, soothing, and reassuring way. I like to listen to it before I go to sleep at night!

In his "Universe" persona, Dooley reminds us that we are all parts of something grander and larger than we can even imagine. The "Universe" reminds us of our full power and potential!

I'd like to add a bit of inspiration here for you writers and other creatives out there. When Dooley first started doing this type of writing many years ago, he felt very unsure of himself. Can you relate?? Most of us can! Now Dooley has at least 4 books out, he's an inspirational speaker, and he was one of the featured teachers in the movie "The Secret"!

And wait till you see his website at http://www.tut.com/. I think you will love it! There are lots of free, fun goodies there! As with the book, the site is great for Law of Attraction fans who are looking for practical understanding but who don't want and/or need the scientific details. (By the way, scientific support for the Law of Attraction is out there from other sources, for any of you who aren't fans of it...yet!)

Please share your opinions and experiences with the book and/or the site with my other readers and me!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. Shameless Plug! Try a complimentary coaching session with me called...

Start Here; Grow to There!

For those who are embarking on a humongous challenge!

During your phone or in-person session, we'll take a personalized look at three areas where you can take action RIGHT AWAY!

~~We'll get a clear picture of who you'll need to become to best meet the challenge.~~

~~We'll develop a strategy to invite those changes. (Hint: Your challenge will "grow" you!)~~

~~We'll break the challenge down into the steps that will make it easiest for you to tackle, given your strengths and preferences.~~

To set up a time, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Let's get you moving!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

.

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network, a local human services resource at http://www.tcnetwork.info/.***

.

My 100-Hour Clutter-Zapping Report, Month One

As I promised in my June 10 post, here's an update on my first month of my 100-hour clearing and organizing challenge! I've worked 14 hours on it so far...not too bad considering I was gone for a week, but I will need to pick up the pace for the next two months.

Shortly after I got into the project, I realized that I needed to tweak the details slightly. It still adds up to 100 hours of work in three months, but it's a simpler, clearer, more practical way to state the goal. It's more motivating and flexible to say, "I'll do 100 hours in 3 months," rather than "2 hours per day on 50 days out of the next three months."

You'll probably find this to be true when you set a challenge for yourself, too, if you haven't already. Plans are great; they get us moving and motivated and offer structure. As you get into action, though, you may need to make some modifications.

Also in setting up the details on July 10, I mentioned that I need to develop an easy way to maintain the systems and level of order I'm creating. I think the easiest way for me is to figure in 6 hours a week of the same thing I'm doing now as a maintenance schedule that I'll start as soon as I'm done this challenge on October 10.

As with dieting, this maintenance schedule will have to be a permanent lifestyle change for me. I believe it'll be worth it! And by then it'll be a habit, and it will seem easy compared to doing 100 hours in three months!

When I hosted my last Dig-In Tele-Party on June 28, I cleaned out my office, and I'm happy to say that this 100-hour challenge has helped me keep it neat for 1 and 1/2 months now while I'm also working on other areas of my home. (See the P.S. below for info on the next Dig-In Tele-Party.)

Generally I've been working on the challenge in 30-minute segments so I don't feel overwhelmed. This has helped me in other ways, too. It's easier to set aside time for a 30-minute sweep, so when I see a messy area, it doesn't drag me down so much. I know I'll probably have a chance to work on it soon, probably that same day, for at least a little while.

I set a timer for these 30-minute clutter-zapping sessions, and that helps me reframe the task. Instead of seeing clutter, turning my head, and saying "Ugh!", I'm actually looking for areas to tackle, and it becomes more like a game and provides focus!

What does all of this have to do with our creativity? More than you might think! We clean up for other visitors, so why not for our Muses...and ourselves?

If you like the idea of improving the Feng Shui in your home, office, and/or studio, clutter-zapping is a great place to start! Clutter causes stagnant energy that zaps your energy and tends to keep your Muse away.

What about you? Have you committed to a plan that will move you forward in some area of your life? Please leave a comment about your progress so we can cheer you on!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. I have two tele-parties slated! The first one is the "Do What You Love" Tele-Party on August 15. See my August 4 post for details or contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

The second tele-party is the "Fall Sweep Dig-In Tele-Party" for zapping clutter or other tasks that you want to get off your plate. It's on the first day of fall, September 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 Eastern. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com by September 19, and I'll make sure you get the phone number and the access code.

For both tele-parties, your only expense is your long-distances charges for the brief check-in calls. My hosting of the tele-parties is complimentary!

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

.