Point Positive

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Transition Coaching & Event Planning, LLC Newsletter
Point Positive
February 2005
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in this issue
-- Article 1: Point Positive
-- Article 2: How Does the Teacher Know When to Arrive?

"When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else." Joseph Campbell

Article 1: Point Positive
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Recently, I read a book called "Creative Visualization" by Shakti Gawain, which discusses ways to apply the concept that the Universe responds by giving you more of whatever it is you are putting your energy into...that the Universe does not differentiate between whether you're saying Yes or No, only that you've invested energy there. She suggests ways to intentionally streamline this force as a means of creating what you DO want, rather than haphazardly creating what you don't. I recommend this book for anyone interested in exploring this topic further.

One way to apply this, (and something I often encourage my clients to do), is to make a practice of rephrasing complaints you may have about your life. In other words, rather than voice a complaint, state a requirement about what you want. Consistently making this subtle shift will reap surprisingly positive results!

Courtesy of my dear and fabulous friend Susan, the following is a paragraph from an email she sent to me a few months back. It displays, with perfect simplicity, an example of this concept:

"I am reminded of a time when I went river rafting up in Alaska and the rafting guide, this uber-athletic sister, was giving us the safety orientation speech, and she's warning us about the 34 degree glacier water that is not only a recipe for instant hypothermia but is also full of glacial silt, which will weigh you down and pull you under. In other words, not a place to be careless about safety--and she says, "If we get into danger, look to me and I will point positive. I'll tell you where to go, where it's safe. I'm not going to point at the jagged rocks or the whirlpools, but at the smooth waters, ok? So go where I point." I'll always remember that as an "all I need to know about life I learned river rafting"--just focus on what you DO want, don't waste your energy worrying about the rocks and whirlpools."

I couldn't have said it better. Thanks Susan!

Exercise: How would applying the "Point Positive" philosophy benefit your life? What requirements do you have for your future...be it a relationship, new job, creative community, financial goals...?

Empowerment practice: Make the commitment to rephrase any complaints you may have into a proclamation displaying a new standard you've set for the future. Experience the shift in energy that results!

Warning: Unpredictable amounts of joy and inspiration may result with little or no notice, and this may create a domino effect of exciting, positive changes in your life. Consider yourself warned.

Article 2: How Does the Teacher Know When to Arrive?
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While traveling last week, I had a powerful conversation with a woman I met along the way. She and I were exchanging experiences we've each had that seem to support the idea: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." We asked ourselves, how does the teacher know when to show up?

In awe, we considered the metaphysical factors way beyond our comprehension that might be in play...searching for some level of understanding associated with the uncanny coincidences that have occurred in each of our lives...how just when we've decided we were ready to learn something, the perfect opportunity has presented itself, almost simultaneously.

Our conversation concluded when we realized that there may be another possibility altogether. MAYBE it's not that the teacher magically hears our call, packs his/her bags, and sets out to make the trek to our doorstep; but instead, that the teacher is ALWAYS there.

Maybe, by the very act of deciding it's time to learn something, we acquire the ability to recognize the teacher's presence. Hmm... Upon realizing this profound possibility, there was no denying the irony that she and I had become one another's teacher.

We smiled in silence.

If you knew the teacher was already "in the room," what would you ask to be taught?


Copyright © Transition Coaching & Event Planning, LLC, 2005.


Contact Information
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email: tara@transitioncoachinginc.com
phone: 401.569.7017
web: http://www.transitioncoachinginc.com
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