Hello and WELCOME!  I appreciate you being here and for sharing this e-zine with others who are like-minded.  Your generous "forwarding" is how we grow and growth is progress!  Thank you!

I have had an extraordinary few weeks and have learned many things as I have closed on my house, had kids home for a week of spring break, planned a wedding, got married, had a honeymoon, began living with my new husband and turned 40 years old!  WHEW!  I am tired, but very happy!

One thing I hear consistently from readers of this e-zine is that they like the way I openly share who I am.  Please indulge me to an even greater degree in this issue as I share one of my recent experiences with you.  Maybe you'll read something that causes a gentle shift in you ...

With Love,
Beth

OK, so I turned 40.  It wasn't a real big deal in my mind as I had many other things going on in my life.  I simply didn't have the time to focus on a mere birthday -- it just another day.  My husband, John, and I went out browsing at an antique market and spent the day just enjoying the free time, with no expectations.  It was a relaxing day.

As we returned home, I noticed there was sign that read "40" posted on the back door of the house.  I smiled and commented that my daughter, Anna, must have put it up.  How nice!  I have very thoughtful kids (I know, I am a biased Mom, but other people say it too so that makes it valid!).  :-)  A congratulatory sign or a love note is not unusual around here.

As John and I walked in the kitchen, much to my SURPRISE, there were lots of my friends!   They were having a party for my fortieth birthday!  I was just blown away and shocked.  It was great!  What a happy day!   

I knew exactly who had arranged and executed the party plan -- Anna!  My precious daughter is 12 years old!  Her brothers, Chris and Michael are 16 and 14 respectively.  I knew they were involved to a certain degree but I knew it was Anna who really made it happen.  A twelve year old girl -- a mere kid -- pulled off this wonderful gift. I am so impressed.  Surely, I am blessed among Moms!

Through this kind and giving act, here are some things I learned from Anna:

1. TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, YOU MUST HAVE A VISION.  Anna told me long ago that she would have a party for me when I turned 40.  Of course, I didn't think much about it then and it was certainly not expected, but she had a vision and she stayed the course with it.   She wanted to have that party and she did.  She didn't just WISH for the party to happen, she INTENDED to make it happen.  This took months of planning on her part, but she kept her vision.

2.  TO MAKE IT HAPPEN YOU MUST STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND BE BOLD.  With a little direction from John, Anna took it upon herself to go through my address book and call to invite our friends to this party.  This child took matters into her own hands and made phone calls to adults giving them the necessary information and details about the event.

Anna is one of those people who will try anything.  She doesn't care much if she is the best at it -- she merely wants the experience.  This kid tries out for plays, chorus solos, cheerleading, basketball and softball -- WITH NO EXPERIENCE.  She just expects the best will happen and she has fun.  We should all be so bold, eh?

3.  TO MAKE IT HAPPEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN. Anna not only called the adults to give them the details, she coordinated what they should bring in order to help out with the food.  She told them what time to arrive and where to park  their cars so that the surprise would not be spoiled.  She got help in ordering the cakes and focused in on each detail.  She and her friends cleaned the house and they baked cookies while we were away.  Then they decorated with all the celebratory items -- confetti, streamers, signs and such.  What a sight it was!

4. TO MAKE IT HAPPEN YOU NEED A TEAM.  Since Anna is only twelve (I know, I keep emphasizing that -- she is a KID!), naturally, she could not pay for all these things.   John took care of that for her when they went out shopping together.  He also ordered the cakes and my oldest son, Chris, picked them up.  Friends helped with food and beverages.  It took the efforts of a team to make it happen and everyone had fun in the process.  Asking for help is a critical link in making it happen.  Most people like to be part of a team and make a contribution.  Let them!

And so, I sit here and bask in the afterglow of love and admiration for my young daughter.   I give thanks for family and friends who helped her with her vision.  I reflect back on these lessons that my wise and thoughtful daughter taught me and I know I am blessed.

Are you ready to make your vision happen? 

Give a smile to everyone you meet.  The more you smile, the more you'll receive smiles.
Give a kind word -- you will feel kind and receive kind words.
Give appreciation -- you will appreciate and be appreciated.
Give honor, credit and applause -- you will be honored and receive credit and applause.
Give time to a worthy cause -- you will be worthy and richly rewarded.
Give hope -- you will have hope and be made hopeful.
Give happiness -- you will be happy and be encouraged.
Give cheer -- the verbal sunshine -- you will be cheerful.
Give a pleasant response -- you will be pleasant and receive pleasant responses.

~ Unknown

John and I wish to thank all of you for your warm wishes on our wedding day.  We created most of the ceremony ourselves and we had a special prayer of thanksgiving -- for our friends and family, for the people in our past who helped shape who we are today, and for all those around the world who were with us in spirit.  That is you!  Thank you for "being" with us.  You were remembered!

So now it is a new life for me, but it is also time to get back to work.  I enjoyed a break from my routine and I am now renewed and ready to get back to implementing my vision of partnering with people -- teaching them to love themselves and the life they create.   If that is what you is missing for you, please let me know.  We can make it happen!

Wishing you visions that are continually fulfilled,
Beth

Coach / Writer / Human Being
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Beth Burns 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 to love the life they create.  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 at Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com
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Copyright 2002 Beth Burns
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