Welcome and Notes from Beth

Welcome -- I am so glad to have you join us and I am elated that I am back on board with our regular e-zine schedule! I have missed the close connection! Now I am back 100% doing what I love most -- coaching, writing, and volunteering in new ways! It just feels soooo right!

The International Coach Federation annual conference is finally over. For the past 15 months, it has been an extraordinary experience being the Chair of this excellent conference. I had the privilege of getting to know Ken Blanchard, Jack Canfield, Mark Bryan, Ben Zander, Cheryl Richardson and 850 fun-loving, hugging coaches from around the world! What an amazing group of inspirational leaders!

One of the highlights of my year was meeting and spending time with former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter -- the 2002 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The President honored us by sharing an important message about coaching and the parallels of the work we do with the work the Carter Center does. Please take a couple of minutes and listen to Mr. Carter's message at www.coachfederation.org. It's a wonderful endorsement of the what coaches are up to!

I also encourage you to check out The Carter Center. Their global mission is to wage peace, fight disease, and build hope. To learn more about the essential work The Carter Center does all over the world, please visit: www.cartercenter.org.

I also want to point you to a valuable resource available on the web. Internet Radio is a great tool for enhancing your personal development. I recommend you check out www.wsradio.com. I am particularly fond of The Coaching Show! (duh!)

It's so nice to be in your company! :-)

With Love,
Beth

From the Outside Looking In

There's this little place I like to go. It's at the beach, a quiet spot, where tourists are few. At night, when the sun fades out and the moon rises, you can look across the bay and see the lights from the homes of the people who live there. If you time it just right at dusk, you can see people return home from their day and turn on the lights. As the night gets darker, you can see people moving around -- preparing dinner, reading and talking. I watch and wonder who they are and what life is like in their world.

It's interesting being an outsider looking in. I look and I can see all kinds of scenarios taking place. I can make assumptions based on my perception of what I think life might be like in the households across the way. And yet, I am just on the outside and the only thing I am really seeing is an image. I have no idea what is happening inside.

And that's the way it is with us too. We can't possibly know what is going on with others, unless we know them and they invite us into their lives. I often work with folks who are concerned about their outer image -- it's when we change the inner image that the real beauty emerges. What a magical transformation!

My Grandmother used to say to me, "Pretty is as pretty does." These are simple words with profound meaning. What if we were all pretty (better yet ... gorgoeus!) :-) just by virtue of our "pretty" actions, attitudes, and behaviors? I can imagine that our personal lives would be lovely, as would the entire world.

So, I challenge you to think of ways you can be "pretty" in your thoughts, words and actions. Practice compassion, kindness, understanding, tenderness, mercy and faith. Like the homes across the bay, turn on your light and let it shine as a beacon for those who are sitting outside in the dark.


Soul Restoration Tip

Keep your thoughts positive
because they become your words
Keep your words positive
because they become your behavior
Keep your behavior positive
because they become your habits
Keep your habits positive
because they become your values
Keep your values positive
because they become your destiny.

~ Mahatma Ghandi
~~~~~
Philippians 4:8 -- Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

My Wish for You

What a joy it is to have the time to reconnect and write! I am fervently working on my book and am excited to share that information with you in 2003!

What I want for you is for you to take the time to do those things which mean the most to you and with the people who matter most to you. Honor yourself in this way and you will also honor others!

Until next time,
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 is also the Founder and Creator of The Inner Peace Project (www.innerpeaceproject.com), a journey in celebrating the masterpiece and divine person you are, no matter what circumstances you are in. She can be reached by calling 678-938-0419 or by email at Beth@BrightSideCoaching.com


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