The Flourishing Woman

“What you persistently think eventually but inevitably crystallizes into the words you speak and then the things you do.”
~Tom Newberry

Tom Newberry’s book, The 4:8 Principle, is about living a joy journey. A life of joy. A choice of joy. The 4:8 comes from the Philippians which says, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, nobel, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious–the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (Message)

The mind is a battlefield. As an abusive survivor and recovering caretaker, the thoughts in my mind can take me places I just don’t want to go…but, at times, do.

Being a mother and grandmother are the absolute best and the most challenging parts of my life. If you’ve even seen a real or stuffed grizzly bear that’s standing up…that would be me. When my perception of things in their lives go south, that’s where my thoughts take a hike through the dark zone. The centered Lee goes AWOL. And it’s not pretty.

To redirect, to replant, to restore and to replace the activity of the thoughts in my dear mind, my focus this year has been, and continues to be, on Gratitude, Gratitude and more Gratitude.

Now, I’m writing new stories. New stories that see the positive possibilities. It’s like prayer walking on paper. It’s really nice because it flips my mind into the Garden of Possibilities. This is lovely. This feels very good. This revives me.

So between camping in moment-by-moment Gratitude and writing New Stories–there have been some amazing shifts. Mama Bear and Granny Bear still lives, but in a different way now. I can hibernate with love and positive possibility and prayer.

All things be ready if our minds be so. ~William Shakespeare

Success Challenge:

For the next 7 days, continuously jot down anything that you are grateful for. On the last day, journal about the New Story that emerges from what you are grateful for. It’s a Shazam moment, trust me!

Dancing with grateful legs!
Coach Lee

The devastation in Japan has brought most of us to a sobering place. A place of shock and disbelief. A place of sadness. A place of reaching out…giving. A place of prayer. A place of oneness…of the world as a community. A place of reflection.

Japan was as prepared as any nation could be. But a tsunami…no one could prepare for that.

Lately my life has been consumed. As a grandmother, my worst nightmare is seeing my grandkids really struggle from the ripples of divorce. The terrible events in Japan gave me fresh glasses to see life. It gave me a broader perspective. Context. An outward focus and concern. Gratitude of enormous proportion.

I am forever changed…again. Being grateful is where I want to dwell. I believe that is where love stems from.

How did this disaster affect you–personally? How will your life…your actions…your perspective…your focus…your gratitude be different now?

“Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Start bringing gratitude to your experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful.” ~Marelisa Fábrega

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” ~Denis Waitley

United in prayer for the people of Japan,

Coach Lee

I was walking in the woods with my dogs today (these are not my dogs…but aren’t they cute?) and I was full of excitement about my upcoming trip to California. And no, it’s not because I will be leaving tons of snow and really cold weather in Wisconsin. My trip matters because of who is there.

I’ve been looking for my childhood friend, Laura Renker, for over 30 years. She and I were kind of like the photo of the dogs–different…like night and day, but similar…in our hearts. Our relationship is built to last.

I am elated. I found Laura through Facebook. She and I could hardly believe it. Excitement. Pure joy. And full of anticipation of my visit to California (she lives there). We get to hang out. Sure we’ve changed. We’ve both weathered some storms. But our heart, our love–still the same. This is the stuff in life that matters.

I’ve been pondering the question, what is built to last in my life? Here’s what I came up with.

• Relationships. Invest in. Being in. Supportive. Full of grace. Full of truth. Highs. Lows.
• God. Guidance. Grace. Love.
• Love. Open. Truthful. Without strings. Willing. Candid. Silly. Serious. Playful.
• Memories. Enjoying them. Building them.
• Integrity. Honesty. Truth. Reliability.
• Encouragement. No strings attached support. Kind words. Noticing. Expressing. Uplifting.
• Legacy. Leaving something of value that matters.

These are the guiding principles for my life. My values. What’s important is that I want them to last. To be there every day in my actions and my words.

What about you? I invite you to consider what your “Built To Last For Life” list is. It can bring clarity to where you are and where you might want to go.

Hot off the press…five key ingredients to Clear Your Energy Blocks. Get your Free copy–Sign Up Today!

Blessings,
Coach Lee