In this issue:
- Quote of the month
- Current Events
- Article of the month: You are what you eat ... and what you think!
- Question of the month
- Recommended book
- Upcoming Events
Quote of the Month:
"It's not what you are that holds you back, it's what you think you are not."
--- Denis Waitley
Current Events:
Women's Circle:
Come and join us and invite your friend to our ongoing monthly women's circle held the third Tuesday of every month . Take the opportunity to learn, listen, share and laugh. The evening focus es on women's challenges, strategies and energizing exercise s to promote happiness and well-being.
The next circle is on April 19th at 190 Robert Speck Parkway in Mississauga.
From Hurontario St.: Coming N or S on Hurontario, turn on Robert Speck Parkway, away from Sq 1 shopping mall. On Robert Speck, on your RIGHT side, go past the business buildings, and the field and the first laneway on your right, where there are 3 red mailboxes, The Treetops sign, turn in and find a parking spot. #190 is the building closest to Robert Speck. From Burnhamthorpe Rd.: Turn onto Robert Speck Parkway. On your LEFT is a condo then a laneway with 3 red mailboxes and a Treetops sign. Turn in and #190 is the building closest to Robert Speck. Topic for that evening will be:
Mothers and Daughters -
A mother is a primary life support and a role model. This significant and complex relationship embeds messages in our emotional belief system. Come and explore these patterns and beliefs present in our lives today and gain insights so that you can celebrate the messages that support your growth and to let go of and change the ones that don't. Please call 905-821-4361 or email: eskronski@riseinternational.ca to reserve your space for the circle to be held on April 19 , 2005 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm . Registration at the door from 7:00 pm. to 7:20 pm.
Cost: $10.00
Cancellation policy: We require at least 24 hours notice prior to the day of the event for cancellations. Late cancellations and no-shows will be required to pay an administration fee of $10.00
Facilitators: Anne Bourke and Elizabeth Skronski
Article of the month:
You are what you eat ….. And what you think!
How many times have you given yourself a “ Attaboy” or Attagirl” pat on the back today? Sounds ludicrous?
How many times have you made a negative or self-deprecating comment to yourself today? Now we're talking, right?
It's always interesting to hear someone talk about that friend who is so negative about everything, who complains all the time or who has little or no self-confidence. What's even more interesting is that we, as individuals, rarely are aware of how many times we do it as well. This way of thinking has become so ingrained in our habits that thinking positively, appreciating what we have and what is offered to us everyday, requires some sort of reminder.
That little voice inside our head
You know the one I'm talking about… The inner critic who never finds anything good enough about ourselves or about what we do, or about what we have. Sometimes that little voice tries to put a positive spin , but for some reason, we don't believe it and we quickly revert back to our comfort zone of negative thinking.
That habit of negative thinking becomes a difficult habit to change exactly because it is comfortable.
Now how can something that is negative be comfortable, you may ask?
I remember telling a friend of mine recently that everything was going so well in my life that I also missed the “ drama” I used to create. It was almost tempting to find something wrong in my life. And that's because there is still a part of me that wants to believe that it's too good to be true… or I don't deserve this happiness and something bad will happen… so I might as well create through my thinking that “ bad thing “, whatever it might be, and get it over with.
Which ones are yours?
Negative thinking takes on many forms.
I know someone who used to worry all the time, no matter what and no matter about what. And, of course , if it did happen, she would tell
me … see I told you so! It would be useless to point out to her that the mole had become a mountain through her negative thinking.
Then, there's the “keeping up with the Jones… Comparing ourselves to others, and not in a favorable way. Everyone seems to have more than we do, do better than we do; even it is hitting a golf ball.
And my favorite one…. The sense that we have lost control over our lives… that sinking feeling of being overwhelmed.
Trust me: the moment you think you are overwhelmed, you are! This feeling of being overwhelmed is often caused by the “ shouldism”… I should do this, I should do that, I should be this or that!
Which other ones are your favorites?
Where to begin?
Awareness …! Awareness of our thinking habits is crucial if we want to start living a happier, calmer, more satisfying life.
Just start to pay attention to the way you think. Don't pass any judgment. Just notice and be an observer of yourself.
Then imagine you have a friend living in your mind. Imagine how this friend feels everything you have a negative thought about yourself, external situations, events.
And then, create a strategy that will stop that negative thought before it goes into your unconscious mind. It might be something as simple as saying to yourself … Excuse me … what did you just say? And then re-frame that thought in a more positive way.
This is not an easy process. Remember, you have potentially a lifetime of thought pattern to reverse. There will come a time when noticing these negative thoughts will become automatic and you will deliberately discard them and re-frame them in a positive way.
Start today by allowing yourself to be gentle with yourself while you learn that … you are what you think!
I leave you with this quote, which I received from a dear friend of mine, Doug Goodhue: The Magic Moment There comes that magical moment. It comes to you quietly in a feeling of peace and self-awareness. It is the moment that you realize you have fully arrived. You are magnificent just as you are. When that moment comes, you will never be the same. May your season be filled with growth, renewal and miracles!
Question of the Month:
What do you like most about yourself ?
Recommended Book:
A Short Guide to a Happy Life, from Anna Quindlen
Upcoming Events:
Women's Retreats
A w eek-end intensive that provides a natural setting and personal discovery experiences to increase self-esteem, energy, self-nurturing and connection to other women who share similar challenges.
Please call 905-821-4361 or 905-785-6383 for information. Facilitators: Anne Bourke and Elizabeth Skronski
Relationship Renewal
A 4-week course for couples that benefits the relationship by providing:
Experiential exercise s that promote personal and couple awareness of beliefs and values
Informative presentations to guide couples toward realistic expectations and goals
Weekly instruction and practice of constructive communication skills to enhance understanding & intimacy
Please call for 905-785-6383 further information on course dates, location, cost, to request a brochure and to register.
Facilitators: Anne Bourke and Wendy Saxe
Anger Management Course
A 4 week group interactive course that provides self-awareness and understanding of your anger style, the purpose of your anger, naming your stressors and practicing constructive strategies to make changes at all levels: mentally, physiologically and emotionally.
Please call 905-785-6383 for further information. Facilitator: Anne Bourke
Have a wonderful month of April and Enjoy the beginning of Spring! |
