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THE BRIGHT SIDE! 8-) Design a DELIGHTFUL life! Volume 5 May 17, 2000 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi everybody! I am not sure how it happened but we have passed through spring here in Atlanta and are already into summer weather. It's beautiful with everything so green and lush! I planted a garden this year for the first time ever. This was big because I do NOT have a green thumb. Sure enough, though, I am actually growing tomatoes, squash, peppers, watermelons, cucumbers and herbs. Wow. I'm impressed! Somebody should have told me how satisfying growing a garden is earlier. I would have done it sooner. I like it! Very cool! Of course, I have always been much better at growing myself and growing people, rather than 'things'. It is my love and I hope you will find this issue of The Bright Side! helps you to grow in a new way! With Love, I had a conversation with a friend of mine
yesterday. The last time we Huh? Why? In the middle of the work week? What happened to you? Who ARE you? He told me that he had been burned out, tired, grumpy, spent. He needed to regroup, recharge and rethink his priorities. I agreed and I was pleased. This is something I help clients to develop and I do it myself on a regular basis. I call them Soulful Sabbaticals. You are in need of a Soulful Sabbatical if you ever have the feeling you want to shout, "Stop the world! I wanna get off!" Sound familiar? I know you know what I mean! :) Think of your body as having an emotional tank. When the tank is drained, so is the rest of you. But what fills you up emotionally? What restores your soul? What gives you a sense of peace? What rejuvenates your spirit? I encourage you to think about these things and honor yourself by having them in your life. Remember that when you honor yourself, you also honor others. Taking care of yourself is NOT an ugly egocentric thing to do. The truth is that a reasonable amount of self-care will build long term benefits for those you care about. There is only one rule in creating your Soulful Sabbatical ... you must do it ALONE. It is not to be confused with a family vacation (Be real honest ... how 'soulful' are THOSE by the time you reach your destination???) Alone. No one else. You must be comfortable enough with yourself to enjoy your own company. You must be able to hear your own silence. You must be brave and disregard your perception of what other people think. You must treat yourself very, very well! If your significant other cannot understand or support you in this (afterall this may seem a bit out of character), then offer the same in return for him/her. Explain to him/her that any type of personal or professional breakthrough requires a quiet heart and intentional focus. Barter, if you must, even if it is just for a few hours away. Over the course of the past year, I have taken
several mini Soulful There are many, many other ways to nurture your soul in this way. Perhaps an afternoon alone in the park? How about spending time in a book store with a cup of tea? How about a warm, uninterrupted bath? How about being brave enough to go out to a fabulous dinner alone? What about a walk? Or can you give yourself permission to simply do NOTHING? Our lives are filled with so much busyness that we no longer know how to get really quiet and do nothing. Think about what goes into your brain daily ... mindless TV, the news, songs on the radio, emails, phone calls, work, home life. Is it any wonder we have forgotten how to just enjoy stillness? If the idea of being alone or of silence scares you, intimidates you or makes you uncomfortable, then you are DEFINITELY in need of Soulful Sabbatical! The time in your sabbatical is yours to do as you
wish to refill that Again, if you think that taking time for yourself is being too selfish, keep up the 70 hour work weeks and constant activity. Watch what eventually happens. Sooner or later, there will be a breakdown whether it be emotionally, mentally, spiritually or physically. If you are a parent, ask your kids what they really want from you. I guarantee you that it is not some stressed out, uptight parent who could snap in an instant. [Gee, does it sound like I know something firsthand about this?!] Kids want you to make a positive contribution in their lives and they want you to be at peace with who you are. Another way to look at this is to consider calling
it what it really is ... My challenge to you is to think about and plan a
Soulful Sabbatical. Don't wait ... plan it NOW! In fact, send an email with
the following information to Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com: your name, your Soulful
Sabbatical and the date that you have marked in your calendar for this to take
place. There is something about writing it down the makes it officially sacred ...
do not erase or plan other things in this special time for yourself. Get creative
and come up with something that really lights you up! I'll look forward to your
responses and experiences. :) The Gift of a Year, by Mira Kirshenbaum. This book helps you create the type of life you would like by creating a project that you feel will ultimately enhance who you are. Very cool concept and is quite useful. Self-Nurture: Learning to care for yourself as effectively as you care for everyone else, by Alice D. Domar, Ph.D. Ummm. That says it all. Great website! Are you a stressed out parent
of a teen? Check out Lots of interesting things in the works at BrightSide Coaching! Stay tuned ... :) All the best, Beth BrightSideCoaching Your name is secure and will not be sold or used
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Copyright 2000 Beth Pugh |
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Because the most EXTRAORDINARY soul to love is your own ..
