THE BRIGHT SIDE!   8-)

Because the most EXTRAORDINARY soul to love is your own.

Volume 1                                                April 5.2000
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Hi and Welcome to the first edition of The Bright Side!  8-)

It is my hope that you will find this newsletter to be of value
and will share with others. I'd like to see this grow (and grow and grow) to reach many people throughout the world.  If you like what you read here, please forward this newsletter in its entirety to friends who you think might benefit from it.  Thank you so much!  If you do not wish to receive this biweekly newsletter again please go to my website to unsubscribe.

In this edition, I would like for us to look at some of our relationships. 
Whether it be with partners, coworkers, family or friends, we all strive for healthy relationships.  What I want for you is to have the best ones you can possibly have!

With Love,
Beth 

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TOP TEN TOOLS:

The Top 10 Ways to Create Emotional Safety in Relationships

We all want to have healthy relationships with those who are important in our lives. Often the level of emotional safety can be determined by the quality of our conversations. How have YOU been communicating lately?

1. Listen without interrupting.
Hear what is really being said and what is not being said. Watch for obvious body language.

2. Give your partner space to have his/her feelings and be authentic.
Accept who he/she truly is. Remember why your were drawn together in the first place.

3. Establish and maintain your own boundaries and limits very clearly. 
These are what keep our integrity in check.

4. When there is a conflict, attack the problem, not your partner.
Be aware of judgments and criticisms.

5. Do not back your partner into a corner by giving ultimatums or by making threats.
It will eventually backfire.

6. Be responsible for your own behaviors and see your partner accountable for his/hers.
Ditch 'The Blame Game'.  No matter how you look at it, you are 50% 
responsible for the conditions of your relationships.

7. Communicate your feelings in a thoughtful and responsible way.
Do not use feelings to control.

8. Follow through with what you say you will do.
Honor your agreements so that your partner does not feel rejected.  In this way, you are honoring your relationship.

9. Remember there is power in forgiveness, both in forgiving yourself and in forgiving others.
There is also strength in touch when words are inadequate.

10. The most powerful resource in creating emotional safety is unconditional love.
May you be blessed to both give it and receive it. It is a gift.
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SOUL RESTORATION TIP: 

"Because the most EXTRAORDINARY soul to love is your own..." 
This is my own quote and something I truly believe!  We are all amazing 
people who are on the path together.  Above, we talked about your 
relationships with others, but I would now like you to consider what your 
relationship to YOURSELF is like.

Do you honor yourself?  Do you take time for yourself in ways that nurture who you are?  Are you a friend to yourself? Is your self-talk positive and encouraging to yourself?

ACTION: Begin to think about these things and consider how you might become more loving toward yourself.  Write down your ideas in a journal and then DO  THEM!  Everytime you begin to talk negatively to yourself, make a point to notice it and STOP!

If I can support you in getting past some of these blocks, please email me at Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com and we can set up a complimentary coaching session.
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SIMPLY LIVING:

Need a little more time in your day?  Here are some ways to get an extra hour or so each day.  You have to promise, though, to use the extra hour to nurture YOURSELF!  :)

1.Get up an hour earlier.  Use the time to think, plan, pray, meditate, 
exercise or just enjoy time to read.

2. Let the answering machine get the phone for you ... return calls when the timing is right for you.

3. Unplug the TV.  Yes, you CAN do that!

4. Keep your lunch hour free of meetings so that you can use the time for 
yourself.

5.  Learn to say NO to those obligations and people that do not honor who you are and rob you of your energy.

Need help with implementing these ideas?  Email me at 
Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com and we can set something up.
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RESOURCES YOU CAN USE:

With each issue I will spotlight some things that I have found useful to 
me while growing daily.  I hope you will find helpful to you too. Some of these you may know of, but others a well kept secrets!  :)

Books:
Take Time for Your Life, by Cheryl Richardson
A master coach helps you to design a life of quality and extreme self-care, I 
love this book!

The Inner Game of Work, by Timothy Gallwey
This book teaches you how to overcome obstacles that sabotage your best efforts on the job.  Gallwey is the master, having written The Inner Game of Golf and The Inner Game of Tennis.

Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
If you need to deal with some changes, do yourself a favor and read this little gem.

How Much Joy Can You Stand?, by Suzanne Falter-Barns
Push past your fears and create your dreams.

And just for FUN!!!  Go play at:
www.ben2ucla.edu/~permadi/java/spaint/spaint.html

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Thanks for reading this first edition of The Bright Side.  I hope you enjoyed reading it and will feel free to share it with others. Please take a moment to explore my website at www.brightsidecoaching.com and let me know if I can partner with you on any of your life endeavors! 

Until next time,
Beth