TiME TO SAY YES!
By Dominique Bell
I’m saying YES.
All over the place in my life—yes, yes, yes.
One of the foundations of my coaching work is to help clients to see their automatic behavior patterns, and to explore options, to increase range.
My own “automatic” is to say maybe. Maybe, as in, I’ll mull it over. My approach is much like a chess master at a board. I consider each possibility, and try to predict the results five moves into the future. Not a bad skill, however, the result is a very intellectual experience of my life. Roads taken, successes, dead-ends, regrets, celebrations—all in my imagination.
No and maybe, come from an instinct to self-protect. A valid desire, but an incredibly limiting one.
I am saying yes so as to experience more and think less.
I am saying yes to invitations to socialize with people I imagine I have nothing in common with, and I am finding remarkable connections in unlikely places.
I am saying yes to sex with my sweet wonderful boyfriend, because there is nothing better for our relationship, or for my skin, or for my sense of my body.
I am saying yes to my own strengths. I am, intrinsically a powerful woman, a leader. And so, I am saying yes to opportunities to experience myself as leader.
I am saying yes to my body’s desire to move—whether it’s a rigorous yoga class, a walk around the park, or dancing like a silly goose in my living room.
I am saying yes to dark chocolate, satisfying rather than denying my appetite.
I am saying yes to playing a really big game. I am saying yes to playing for a truly extraordinary life.
Yes is not without consequences—getting away from the certainty of my own calculations introduces all sorts of variables. But time, and scheduling are things that I am entirely capable of handling. My fear is the only true obstacle. And with even fear, I have a choice. I picture myself climbing a tree—hugging tight to the great trunk, and then inching my way out onto a skinny branch. Yes it's scary, AND that’s where the fruit is. 
I have a brilliant teacher who likes to say, “Walk through open doors.” He points out that we often think that achievement comes from tackling, barreling through, scaling heights. And that maybe it can be as simple as an open door.
I am saying yes—and in doing so, I am surrendering to the fact that maybe I don’t always know what is best for me. YES is an act of faith. A way of saying put me where I am meant to be. A way of taking my body and brain into the experience of life—to taste, to feel, to grow.
In saying yes, I am experiencing more and more opportunities coming my way. Is it because I am more approachable? Is it because with a little less know-it-all arrogance, my whole being is radiating welcome!? Is it because we live in a benevolent universe that rewards openness with opportunity? I am not sure of how it works, but I sure am having fun.
Have a look at your own life—where might you say YES? Back to Top
A Life WIthout Limits: Helen Keller
- Marianne Merritt Talbot
March is Women’s History Month! One legendary woman who never ceases to inspire and amaze me is Helen Keller (1880-1968). Yes, we all know the story about how she became deaf and blind as an infant, but did you know that she was an international humanitarian and prolific author and lecturer?
The photograph below is one that was just recently discovered. It beautifully reflects the love between Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, who gave Helen back her language (Helen always referred to Anne as “Teacher.”). Indeed the two women were inseparable until Ms. Sullivan passed away in 1936.
Helen Keller always said: “Someday I shall go to college.” And so she did – graduating from Radcliffe College cum laude in 1904.
Anne Sullivan was always by Helen's side, spelling book after book and lecture after lecture into Helen’s hand. Helen ultimately received honorary doctoral degrees from Temple University and Harvard University and from the Universities of Glasgow, Scotland; Berlin, Germany; Delhi, India; and Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was also an Honorary Fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland.
Helen Keller was a prolific author. Her autobiography “The Story of My Life” (written in 1903) is available in more than 50 languages. Helen Keller receives reams of international accolades for her work, including Brazil's Order of the Southern Cross; Japan's Sacred Treasure; the Philippines' Golden Heart; Lebanon's Gold Medal of Merit; the French Legion of Honor, and the U.S.’s highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Helen Keller met and inspired many world figures, from Grover Cleveland to Charlie Chaplin, Nehru, and John F. Kennedy. Two friends she knew from childhood, Mark Twain and William James, expressed beautifully what most of her friends felt about her. Mark Twain said, "The two most interesting characters of the 19th century are Napoleon and Helen Keller." William James wrote, "But whatever you were or are, you're a blessing!"
Helen Keller worked tirelessly for the blind around the world, with particular concern for those in underdeveloped and war-torn countries. During seven trips between 1946 and 1957, Helen visited 35 countries on five continents. In 1955, when she was 75 years old, she took her longest journey, a 40,000-mile, five-month-long tour through Asia.
After Helen Keller’s death in 1968, her ashes were placed next to those of Anne Sullivan. In his eulogy, Senator Lister Hill of Alabama stated, "She will live on, one of the few, the immortal names not born to die. Her spirit will endure as long as man can read and stories can be told of the woman who showed the world there are no boundaries to courage and faith."
My favorite quote from Helen Keller is "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face."
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Principles of play: LEssons from our fuzzy FRIENDS
By Janet Aptaker, LCSW
Spring is in the air and we are beginning to say goodbye to the cold gray winter months! With the onset of spring comes an increase in energy and you may no longer feel like isolating yourself inside quite as much, and might even feel more playful! Becoming more playful in your life is an approach I take in my coaching practice because I find that as we get older, the less “play” we engage in. Here’s a statistic that may shock you: children laugh an average of 400 times a day – and adults an average of 15!
I am personally very inspired by the playfulness of my companion animals – in particular, my cat Alice, who just recently passed away. Have you ever noticed that your companion animals are very talented at getting the attention they want? Have you observed how they may devour the food they love with gusto? Or how if they are feeling particularly playful, they’ll drop toys at your feet for you to throw and won’t take “no” for an answer?
Alice always chose when she wanted to engage with me, her human, or her brother Butchie. She could never be forced to be playful (in opposition to us humans and our forced laughter). She loved to go off to dreamland and would stretch out on her back, with languor. What a joy it was observe her basking in the single ray of sunshine her half-lidded eyes so luxuriantly looking out on her world!
What I took from her life is that she always prioritized ways to increase her pleasure. Her view of the world is something to emulate- giving and receiving pleasure to those around us. When we interact with animals, our stress levels can decrease appreciably and bring us in to the moment, stopping the chatter in our minds of the past and the future. As we stroke their fur and feel the vulnerable, loving bodies under our fingers we can feel a surge of love and appreciation for the sweet animal that trusts us to meet all their needs.
Alice’s existence remains an inspiration to me – not only because of the love she brought me, but also because she taught me how to be more playful, peaceful and passionate about my life. I encourage you take a moment to observe the furry companions you may share your lives with – or those who crossed your paths – and take inspiration from them!
Alice, 1995-2008
A blurb from T. Harv Eker's "Wealth File No. 17" from "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind"
"1. Commit to your growth. Each month read at least one book, listen to one educational tape or CD, or take a seminar on money, business, or personal development. Your knowledge, your confidence, and your success will soar!
2. Consider hiring a personal coach to keep you on track!"
SPRING FORWARD SPECIAL!
Is coaching right for you? Is it time to try something different to get you to the next level of your career, love, life, wealth, overall wellness? Remember, Einstein’s definition of “insanity” was “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” We here at Modern Venus Ltd. are dedicated – and will do whatever it takes! – to take your life to new levels.
So here is a delicious sample of what coaching can do for you: between today and April 30, 2008, any new client can take advantage of our “Spring Forward” special – three 45-minute sessions with any coach of your choice for only $475! Simply register by April 30, 2008 to see how three sessions can begin a gorgeous blossoming of your life in new directions!
Not sure what three sessions can do for you? Here is a testimonial from R. Keis from Ontario Canada, who spent three sessions with Marianne:
"Your generous wisdom, and the professional expertise in enlightened insights that you combine with such a range of tools helped me work through [my] concerns. You provided a focus that enabled and empowered me to move on, and to be open to new possibilities again . . . You're a wonderful inspiration by your very own example, Marianne, successfully happy in all your life areas, and for just being such a beautiful woman inside and out . . . You absolutely sparkle -- it's in your voice and mannerisms, personability and professionalism, and the oversall way that you handle your life with such grace and bona fide attitude, which I feel so many more women could uas an extra helping of, myself included -- I celebrate the privilege of having worked with you."
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