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| ISPARCS |
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|  Imagine the Possibilities
Remember when you were a child and you really believed that anything was possible? Maybe you wished upon a star: “Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight” No holds barred – you asked for what you wanted. I’ll bet you didn’t think “Is it practical, logical, doable, or reasonable?” You simply let your imagination work and asked for your wish. That’s what “Imagine the Possibilities” ISPARC ™ is all about -- recalling and reclaiming your ability to dream, imagine, and wish with the unbridled faith of a child. I’m not sure when we begin to lose this ability, but I see it absent or hidden in many people I know. My, how we deprive ourselves when we bury that child-like openness, excitement and belief in the possibilities. Start now to reignite your spark to “Imagine the Possibilities.” Brainstorm all the wishes you have for your life. Include a friend you trust and who will encourage you. Stop yourself when you begin to think about reality (practical, doable, reasonable, etc.) Just let your imagination play! Read your wishes often, with the playful innocence of a child. Do this daily at first, then as often as you feel compelled. If you get stuck, look up at Father Sky, especially on a starlit night. Let yourself be inspired by the vastness that represents the possibilities for you. Be reminded of the unending and ever-present potential that is a part of your humanness. Imagine the Possibilities – it will be fun! |
|  Live in Serenity
Life can be hectic, full of “to do,” “not done,” “wish I hadn’t done,” “if only.” You could probably add more of your own. When we allow our lives to be dominated by all these “should’a,” “would’a,” “could’a,” we lose focus on the soul of our lives. This is a challenge that isn’t unique to today’s world. The Serenity Prayer was written over six decades ago and is equally relevant today. “God, grant me
The Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
The Courage
to change the things I can, and
The Wisdom
to know the difference.”
Adapted from Reinhold Neibur Of the things we cannot change, one thing is certain. We cannot change anything that has happened in the past. No amount of regret, guilt, or worry will change past events. We also cannot change another person. Only that person has the will and power to make changes in his or her life. However, we can change how we respond to people and events around us. This is a conscious decision to choose how we are in the world. It is about choosing to be grateful and living a life of abundance. The “Live in Serenity” ISPARC ™ is about adopting a gentle acceptance of our past mistakes and failures. It is about being comfortable in our humanness. It is also about choosing and deciding to focus on the impact we can have in the world – from this moment on – all the time honoring our uniqueness and gifts. Imagine the serene feeling of lying in a lush meadow, gazing up into a blue sky, with white clouds gently moving with the breeze. When you find yourself faced with a difficulty, ask yourself whether the situation is something you can change. Write down the situation and what needs to be changed. If you can truly do something about it and choose to, put the paper in an obvious place for your action. If not, ceremoniously tear it up, throw it away, or burn it. Let it go. Live in Serenity – it will add peace to your life. |
|  Claim Your Personal Power
The “Claim your Personal Power” ISPARC ™ reminds you that as a human creature, you have enormous personal power. You are gifted with the intellect to learn, reason, and choose your path. All too often, though, we give away our inherent power to people and circumstances in our lives. We tell ourselves, “I can’t,” or equally as disempowering, “I have to,” or we blame others for the circumstances of our lives. In all cases, we give our power to another person. In effect, we are saying, “I have no control. I have no choice. I have no power.” In the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey talks about responsibility by separating the components of the word: response – ability. He teaches that we all have the ability to choose our response to life’s situations. The next time you’re about to blame someone else for a circumstance, reconsider the role you play and the choices you have. Then, move forward from a place of knowing your personal power. Begin by noticing when you use words or have thoughts or beliefs that give away your personal power. Then, make a small change to reclaim your power, such as replacing the words “I have to” with “I choose to.” This simple act will raise your awareness of your power to choose. Visualize the power released in a thunderstorm – the sharp glow of the lightning, followed by the rumble of thunder. This is truly power in action! You are no less than the thunderstorm. You have your power to release to the world. Stand firmly in your personal power and use it wisely with love. Claim Your Personal Power – it will give direction to your life. |
|  Awaken to New Beginnings
Imagine what might be possible, if you could know that you are truly beginning anew. This, in fact, is the reality. Every last day, every last moment, every last second has passed. The reality and the opportunity exist only in the NOW! It’s pretty easy to identify the obvious opportunities for new beginnings: a new year, marriage, divorce, birth, death, new location, new job, new school, or new career. These are significant life changes that can trigger the desire and dedication to make changes in our lives. I encourage you to look at all these, and other major life events, as new beginnings – the time to let go of unhealthy, disempowering habits and beliefs and adopt the habits that bring you joy and happiness. Less obvious are the everyday opportunities to create new beginnings. Sometimes we let our lives get in a rut and the longer we stay there, the deeper it gets. Pretty soon, it’s almost impossible to see the way out. The weeds of complacency take over where blossoms could thrive. Try this exercise. Stand with your weight firmly planted on both feet. Then, begin to release one foot, then the other, shifting your weight at an even pace. Let this remind you of the ticking of time. Let it also remind you that each moment brings the opportunity for a new beginning. The last moment has passed; the current moment is an opening for creation. It is as certain as the dawn of a new day. Awaken to New Beginnings – it will bring hope to your life. |
|  Release Your Radiance
Recall a time when your world was filled with radiance. Perhaps it was when a child was born or you met a person whose presence filled the room. Perhaps it was when you observed a sunset that filled the horizon and touched the heavens. You couldn’t help but notice. Sunset is the inspiration for the “Release Your Radiance” ISPARC™. It’s about your not holding back and playing small. It’s about letting your internal beauty shine forth in a way that cannot be overlooked. It’s about knowing your impact and standing in it – full out! The key to releasing your radiance is to know and appreciate your internal beauty. Write down all the gifts you bring to the world – yes, ALL of them. Focus on who you are (e.g., sincere, honest, trustworthy, generous), as well as what you do (e.g., run fast, lead people, manage projects). Let your gifts vibrantly radiate to those around you. Add to your list as you discover more of your gifts. Release Your Radiance – it will impact the world! |
|  Act With Confidence
You know confidence when you see it. It is often associated with standing tall, holding the head erect and maintaining eye contact. Confidence is also associated with the clear and direct expression of thoughts and ideas. These actions send the message that the person is sure of herself and her position. But, what is really going on inside? Only one person knows. She may be feeling squirmish like a bowl of Jell-O or as strong as steel. In either case, she is projecting a sense of confidence, which engenders confidence from others. She is acting “as if” she is totally sure of her value and her message. People aren’t born with confidence. We acquire it through recognizing our knowledge, skills and value throughout life. And, sometimes, we have to fake it, because inside we are as wobbly as a toddler. It doesn’t matter. The perception of confidence is largely in the eyes of the beholder. Spend time in front of a mirror. Examine your posture. Bring your shoulders down and back, spine erect, vertically aligned from head to toe. Practice breathing deeply and easily, while holding your abdominal muscles taut. Keep your hands at your sides. Now, stare yourself down. Look yourself squarely in the eyes for two minutes. As you do so, notice the amazing person staring back at you. What an unbeatable pair! Act with Confidence – it will boost yourself and others. |
|  Soar With Synergy
Visualize a rainbow. Individually, each arc of a rainbow is beautiful. Joined in balance and harmony, the arcs unify into something truly magnificent. This is synergy. The “Soar with Synergy” ISARC™ reminds you to pay attention to balance in your life, with all aspects gently supportive of and contributing to the landscape you create. To achieve synergy, look for balance and harmony among the aspects of your life. It is very easy to allow our lives to get out of balance due to everyday demands. Please note that synergy does not always mean equal – in other words, synergy isn’t achieved because you devote an equal amount of time to various aspects of your life. Synergy is achieved when you consciously allocate your time, energy and resources in a way that serves the needs of the situation. There may be times when it is perfectly desirable for you to devote more to a certain aspect of your life (e.g., caring for an ill relative, completing your MBA, training for a marathon). The key is to be conscious of the choices you make, keeping a healthy respect for all aspects of your life. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and divide it into the aspects of your life; e.g., family, career, health, finances. Use names that are relevant to you. Taking the center of the wheel as 0 and the outer edge as 10, rate your satisfaction with each aspect by drawing a line (10 is best). Notice where your satisfaction is low. Think about what balance would look like at this time in your life. Identify action plans to bring balance. Soar with Synergy – it will add fullness to your life. | |
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