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Welcome
Will the Real *YOU* Please Stand Up?
Soul Restoration Tip
Personality/Work Assessments
Contact Info
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Happy Spring! Welcome, new and seasoned subscribers, to The Bright Side e-zine! We've had many new folks join us and I want you to know that we are glad you are here. Please help us continue to grow by sharing these words with others who would be interested.

My webdesigner (and new friend!), Lori, was here visiting last week. We had a great visit and I am grateful to have someone like her in my circle. She added a new page to my website and you can now take a coaching assessment called Clean Sweep on our site. Please check it out and let me know if you think coaching might be right for you. The address is: www.brightsidecoaching.com/taste.htm. It's free -- enjoy!

With Love,
Beth
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Will the Real *YOU* Please Stand Up?

"If I calculate and put on phony behavior in order to please you, you may love my behavior, but you cannot love me, because I have hidden my real existence behind this artificial behavior."
-- Brad Blanton

In my continual love affair with human development, I have learned that each one of us have two sides to our personality. We are essentially two different selves. We all have our masks and we all have our authentic selves. One protects us while the other emits something within us that may be rejected by others. One is an image and the other is honesty. One hides who we are while the other allows our souls to sing.

What is a mask anyhow? Quite literally, a mask is a covering that conceals the true identity of someone. The masks we wear can be shrouded in the roles we play and what we do in our work. It's putting your best face forward at all times. But is it really you? Probably not.

Let's consider some common masks -- do any of these sound familiar? Consider these roles we play: martyr, victim, the moral compass for all of society, or the "host with the most." Ladies, how about Martha Stewart II, the "good" girl or Ms. Assertive (wording that nicely) in the workplace? Men, how about
Mr. Tough Guy or Mr. Insensitive? (Wording that nicely too.) :)

(By the way, as much as I love to hear from you, please don't email me to ask me if I am specifically writing about you -- I promise I am not! I am writing about ALL of us!) :)

What would it be like though, if we begin to share who we really are with others? It's a pretty scary thought for most folks. When we are accustomed to getting our self-esteem from the outside world, it's difficult to consider that a healthier source of esteem comes from within and from our intimate relationships. While the #1 fear across all cultures is the fear of rejection, the #1 desire for all humans is to be loved. One can't get the love they need if want if they cannot reveal who he/she is. Honesty opens the
door to healing and self-revelation about our unique greatness. Authentic self-love is where it all begins.

What would happen if you told the truth about your own humanness and vulnerabilities? Would you want others to know that you get lonely or scared sometimes? Or that you are incredibly funny when you take off those work clothes? How about that you are very spiritual and see God working daily in
your life? Would you allow someone to know that you can still rock out to an old Beatles tune or that you slow dance in your living room at night with your spouse? Would you share that old movies make you cry or that your kids are the most important thing that ever happened in your life? Does anyone know you can eat a half gallon of ice cream (quite an accomplishment!) in one
sitting or that you kiss your dog on the mouth? Would you share that you are quite the hedonist?

(No, no, no ... I am still not writing specifically about you.) :)

What do you want to share about "the secret you?" Why keep it a secret? These are the little pieces of you that make you special. They are what define you in the quiet moments and are what will sustain you throughout life. Think back to when you were a child. Did you share that you were scared or sad? Did you laugh at something from the depths of your belly? I bet you did! Where did that person go? He/she is still there longing to come back out and play in the world!

I like this quote from Howard Jones: "Get your hands dirty, get a little insane; come out and play with me, barefoot in the rain." That sorta gives one the picture of a person living without the self-imposed limitations, doesn't it?

Whether we show it or not, each one of us longs for the soulful feeling that gives us a feeling of connectedness and belonging. I propose we quit interacting mask to mask and begin engaging with one another heart to heart.

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Soul Restoration Tip

Nothing worse could happen to one than to be completely understood.
~ C. G. Jung

I'd like to give you permission to be your "bad" self. :) Take off that mask! What would you say if you shared who you really are with someone trusted and special? What secrets are longing to come out? Let them go ...
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Personality/Work Assessments

Having a little trouble getting back in touch with that "authentic" you? Need a reminder about what your special gifts are and what you bring to your family, team or organization? Want to take an honest look at some of your challenges and then get coaching feedback on how to get past them?

Then the DISC assessments may be for you! They are taken online and can be completed in 20 minutes. You are emailed reports totaling 38 pages about your personality and your style. Afterwards we arrange a 90 minute phone consultation in which I guide you through each line of the report so that you are able to formulate a strategy to be your *best* self!

Cost for this service is $150.00 in advance. For more information email me at Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com  or give me a call at 678-938-0419.
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Wishing you a joyous Spring filled with many "real" moments and new beginnings,

Beth
Professional Life Coach /Writer / Human Being
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Contact Info

Copyright 2001 Beth Pugh
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To subscribe to The Bright Side and Growth, please go to
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Beth Pugh is a Professional Life Coach -- partnering with motivated people on their personal and professional goals. Her mission is to teach people to love themselves and love their life! She offers two free email newsletters and can be visited on the web at www.BrightSideCoaching.com She can also be
reached by calling 678-938-0419 or by email Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com
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