Greetings!  Well!   This has been a busy summer for me (and it's not even over yet)!  :-) I have been working hard with GREAT coaching clients; being the chairperson for an AWESOME conference that is happening this October (see http://www.coachfederation.org/conference/namerica/index.htm); creating a new, EXCITING project that I will launch and share with you late this fall (watch www.innerpeaceproject.com); and even VACATIONING with my beautiful family.  This is an extraordinary time for personal and professional growth for me -- I am grateful!

What's going on with you?  Is your life inspiring these days?  If not, what can you do NOW to put some zest back into your daily living?  I encourage you to seek and become very "zesty."   :-)  If you are interested in partnering with a coach, I qualify, and would love to talk with you to see if we might be a strong match.  One of my clients recently wrote: "Thanks, Beth!  Again, I feel totally energized by our call and I feel like I have a whole new understanding of how to set priorities.  Thank you!!"

If you want to learn more about coaching, visit www.coachfederation.org or read a recent article on coaching in USA Today at: http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020806/4336029s.htm.

With Love,
Beth

If you ask me about my life, and ask if I have regrets, I would be pretty quick to acknowledge that I don't have regrets.   I've grown to be OK with "me." Don't be fooled by my answer though -- I have made plenty of mistakes!  I've been reckless and thoughtless, silly and some other unflattering descriptions.  I used to think that mistakes automatically equated with regrets.  On my personal path, however, I have learned to take responsibility for the actions (and inactions) of my past, to make peace with myself and others, and then to simply let go.

I've come to see life as this big journey ... the past is there for a reason ... a stepping stone to teach me a "bigger" lesson.  It simply HAD to be that way so that I can be who I am now and who I will become in the future.  I've learned lessons, yes, but I don't live with major regrets.  I believe here are no accidents or happenstance -- everything is intricately woven and occurs for a reason. Sometimes I have no *earthly* idea what the reason is, but I know there is a plan in the Universe and I am a part of the plan.  I can trust that all things (including the past) are working together for good.  And so, regrets can seem like a waste of energy to me.

But then, I started thinking on a smaller scale.  While I see past "mistakes" as stepping stones, what about the "little" things (which really aren't so little) in life that I have missed?  I DO have regrets!  I regret certain things ... what haven't I said or done that I needed to?  What about not reading to a child because I am too busy, or not saying "I love you" to someone, or not taking an afternoon off of work to have a long lunch with a friend?   What about not offering a hug when it is needed?

Here's a true story.  Recently, I spent some time in the hospital.  It was unexpected and so I had to go through lots of medical testing.  I remember being really sick and sitting in a wheelchair (they MAKE you use them whether you want to or not!) in a cold hallway, waiting for the next medical test.  It wasn't pleasant ... I felt sick and it was cold and lonely sitting in that hospital gown.  Anyhow, I did get better and left the hospital, but had to return for further testing.  The examination rooms were in the same chilly hallway, but this time I was dressed in my clothes and I felt healthy.  My experience was totally different from what it was the week before.  But, waiting in the hallway, as I had been, was a man who was sitting waiting to be tested for something.  He looked like he felt terrible and he had to have been chilly sitting in the drafty hallway.  I empathized because I had been in the same position a week earlier.  I wanted to encourage him ... to ask him if I could help him ... if he needed anything.  Instead, I watched from a distance ... not wanting to invade his privacy or make him feel uncomfortable.  Just as I was finally ready to approach the man and offer some sort of comfort, I was called in for my test.   I did not connect.  I wish I had behaved differently.  I didn't get involved and I regret that.

This may seem small but these are the regrets each of us live with.  I realize that there are things I really do regret and time that I cannot recreate.  And while, I have gotten pretty good at "living in the moment," I still have much to learn about slowing down and realizing that the tiniest regrets can sometimes be HUGE ones.

There is a fabulous book called War Letters, written by Andrew Carroll.  The author wanted to share the legacy of the American military personnel who have served in American Wars. (To learn more, check out www.warletters.com.)  The book is compelling, and a true historical gem.  It is emotional reading ... these real letters were sent back home from men and women who didn't know if they would see their beloved, their family, or their country again.  They are honest and full of raw emotion.  The letters show a clear example of people who realized what is important -- love and few regrets.  When their lives were on the line, these heroes recognized that emotional honesty and a spiritual connection to others was what they most needed.   This is what they needed to be at peace.

I propose we all make a conscious effort to begin REALLY LIVING today.  I propose we share our TRUE hearts with people.  I propose we knock down the walls that separate our egos from our spirit and we share ourselves with love.  I propose we live spontaneously and let our hearts be our guiding lights.  I propose that we seek God and consciously ask, "What is the loving thing to do here?"

What will you do differently?

~~~~~~~~~~~
Soul Restoration Tip

A Lot of Things Different
sung by Kenny Chesney, Lyrics by Bill Anderson

(International readers: this is sung with a country twang and not grammatically correct!   Note: I'da = I would have)  :-)

I'da spent a lot more time in the pouring rain without an umbrella covering my head,
And I'da stood up to that bully when he pushed and called me names, but I was afraid,
And I'da gone on and saw Elvis the night he came to town, but Mama said I couldn't,
And I'da went skinny dippin' with Jenny Carson that time she dared me to, but I didn't,
Oh, I'da done a lot of things different ...

I wish I'd spent more time with my Dad when he was alive, now I don't have the chance,
And I wish I had told my brother how much I loved him before he went off to war, but I just shook his hand,
And I wish I'd gone to church on Sunday morning when my Grandma begged me to, but I was afraid of God.
I wish I'd listened when they said, "Boy you're gonna wish you hadn't," but I wouldn't.

Oh, I'da done a lot of things different.
People say they wouldn't change a thing even if they could, but I would.

There was this red dress she wanted one time so bad she could taste it and I shoulda bought it, but I didn't,
She wanted to paint our bedroom yellow and trim it in blues and greens, but I wouldn't let her -- wouldn't have hurt nothin'.
She loved to held and kissed and touched, but I didn't do it -- not nearly enough,
And if I'd known that dance was going to be our last dance, I'd have asked that band to play on and on ...  on and on.

Oh, I'da done a lot of things different.
People say they wouldn't change a thing even if they could, but I would.
I'da done lot of things different ...
I think we'd all do a lot of things different.

To hear a clip of this song go to: http://www.kennychesney.com/nf_music.htm#214

~~~~~~~~~~
My Wish For You

I wish for you -- a BOLD life with few regrets; spontaneous ZeStY living; and a deep, abiding love for others,

Beth
Coach / Writer / Human Being