I’ve Got Some Bad News and Good News

How many times have we heard that statement? We’re reluctant to hear the bad news but at the same time so relieved to hear there’s some good in the mix. The only question that remains is which to hear first.

Recently I had a revelation; a big ah-ha moment that has changed forever the way I think about the “good news-bad news” phenomenon. What if the “bad” news was also the “good” news? Bear with me a moment and let me roll out my thought process…

A few months ago when I was in Tampa for the “I Can Do It” seminar I called home to check in with the hubby. I could sense immediately that something was wrong and sure enough his mother had fallen and broken her leg. Mom celebrated her 86th birthday in August and has been struggling with foot and leg pain for a while now, and her eyesight has been deteriorating as well; all a result of diabetes. Getting around was a challenge for her already and now a broken leg…yes, this was definitely bad news.

However, I was already in day three of my “I Can Do It” experience. I had received a hug and a kiss from Wayne Dyer, saw Louise Hay gush over pictures of my niece and nephew, heard the greatest motivational speakers share about God’s hand in our lives and His miracles (not their rarity, but their frequency), and saw scientific evidence proving the existence of Divine support (as if I needed more). The underlying message throughout the event was that we are part of a greater plan, contributing to a greater purpose, supported and loved by a greater Power. Thus, everything that happens, happens for a reason.

But what could possibly be the reason for my mother-in-law having to suffer yet another blow to her health? Well…with the broken bone and surgery to repair it, Mom will be getting some physical therapy; I’m sure that will contribute to her ability to get around in a more stable fashion in the future. Maybe eating meals and taking her medications under the supervision of medical staff will improve her health overall. And Dad…well the best of Dad comes out in times like these. At the age of 90, his Marine training kicks in and…how shall I say it…everything from meals to laundry becomes a little more regimented.

Wow, maybe some “good” could come out of this. I started to think back at other “bad” experiences from my past and found that even the “worst of the worst” of them had set into motion events that in hindsight support my happiness today.

From our vantage point it’s impossible for us to see the greater plan for our lives. We must stop labeling anything as “bad” because it might actually be for our “good”. What if instead we imagine the best that could arise from the situation and look for the lesson or gift that is hiding there for us?

O.k., humor me one last time… “I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news IS the good news.”

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“If you don't change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news?” ~ W. Somerset Maugham

Get Reacquainted With Your Imagination

My four year old just entered an expressive new stage; imaginary friends. Seems as though she is very popular with these friends of the invisible sort, as she’s introduced me to about ten of them over the last week. A couple days ago I had to do everything in my power to keep from laughing as I watched her making “friends” with the knots in our dining room table. I had to be grateful though; they were very polite knots. As one knot said to the other, “Hello, my name is Evan, it’s very nice to meet you.”

At first I was a little worried thinking about how this might be a precursor to schizophrenia. As my mind wandered into the future I saw visions of critics blaming me, as the parent, for my daughter’s mental illness. But as I took a step back I realized what a special gift my four year old, and most I’m assuming, have at this age; the gift of imagination.

Children have the ability to turn a puddle into a vast ocean that takes days to cross. Or they can take the living room couch and turn it into a car, complete with front seat, back seat, and trunk. And give them a cardboard box and the possibilities are truly endless to what they can create and discover. But what happens to that imagination?

As we grow older and are faced with adult responsibilities, harsh lessons, and become more aware of reality, we lose the same kind of imagination that we all once possessed. As children, we’d fall asleep imagining all the fun things we can do the next day with the big sticks in the backyard and the old bucket in the basement. Then we’d wake up the very next day and make it happen. There was nothing holding us back. Now as adults, we daydream while stuck in traffic about our future, but just as quick as those visions come to us they are snatched away by our assumptions of what is possible.

Dr. Wayne Dyer teaches that imagination is the most important resource we have in achieving our dreams. How is it possible for us to attain something if we can’t first imagine it? Not very. We must first expand our imagination by letting our minds run wild. And then when we tap into what we really imagine for our futures, we need to believe that it is possible; question every corrupting thought you have.

And if your “imaginator” is still broke…seek out the help of a 4 year old!

Becky,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” ~ Gloria Steinman

Who Says Customer Service is Only for the Customer?

Over the course of the past two weeks I’ve noticed a common thread weave through my daily life over and over again. A co-worker recently attended a Customer Service workshop and that, it seems, is when this repeated theme began. She returned from this seminar excited and eager to share what she had learned. If you read last week’s blog then you know that the Soul Sisters attended "Wishes Fulfilled", a cinema event featuring Dr. Wayne Dyer. It was an amazing evening with a great message. We highly recommend it. Dr. Dyer also touched briefly on Customer Service. “Ducks quack and complain and eagles soar above the crowd,” was his lead in to the story about Wally the Cab Driver.

I’ve always been an advocate for great customer service. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain if you provide exceptional service to those you serve. It’s a skill that is learned and acquired that improves with experience and practice; something I think that has gone by the wayside in some of our businesses, stores, and restaurants of today. That is a whole other blog topic that I will save for another time.

When we talk about customer service usually the first question we ask is, who is our customer? Depending on your type of business some of the answers might be: Clients, patients, homeowners, patrons, parishioners, or students. But, I can almost guarantee on your list of customers that we very rarely see the word, “ME”.

Do we strive to provide ourselves with the special treatment we usually save for our best client? Do we under promise and over deliver when is comes to taking care of us? Do we cut corners, constantly complain, come up with excuse after excuse rather than fix the problem? Or do we simply just exhibit a lack of self respect?

They say that customers know within the first 3 seconds whether they will have a pleasant experience or one that will leave them feeling unhappy and unsatisfied. It all comes down to the first impression. As weird as it seems, we are given regular opportunities to wow ourselves with our own first impression.

Ask yourself, “Do I give myself the best I have?" If we provide ourselves with the service normally found in the five star hotels or the most luxurious restaurants then we have the power to make ourselves feel like queens everyday.

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

"Customer service is not a department, it's an attitude!" ~Unknown

Wishes Fulfilled

I’ve always been a fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer. If you are unfamiliar with his work, he’s an inspiring international speaker and renowned author of best selling books like “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life”, “The Power of Intention”, and most recently “Excuses Begone”.

A few months back I set my sites on manifesting a meeting with him. Actually the thought never really entered my mind until one day last summer when several coincidences brought his name to my attention repeatedly. As one who tries to live open to all possibilities and opportunities, I wasn’t about to turn my back on this message from the Universe.

It all started when I saw PBS was going to be airing a special broadcast of Dr. Wayne Dyer based on his newly released book “Excuses Begone”. Then I received an email announcing Dyer’s “Excuses Begone” tour and seminar, which was being held in one of my favorite destinations in the world, Maui, HI. And, the event was to take place…on my birthday! As if this wasn’t enough to pique my interest, there was a contest...airfare to Maui, tickets to the workshop, and lodging for two. Yes, it was definitely a sign and the only obstacles that stood in my way was winning the contest, and then deciding how to get the third soul sister in on the deal!

I wasn’t about to take any chances. I immediately created my vision board to manifest my sisters and me meeting Wayne Dyer in Maui on October 23. I assembled pictures of a smiling and friendly Dr. Dyer along with beautiful scenes from a past visit to Maui. One picture of Dr. Dyer showed him with an arm around a smiling woman. I set to work cropping out her face and inserting mine. I thought it looked very realistic. My husband thought it looked a little creepy and remarked that he sincerely hoped nothing mysterious happened to Dr. Dyer or the FBI would be knocking at our door! (Tell me what do you think. The picture appears above).

I wasn’t worried; I’m no stalker. I did keep the board out on my desk so I could see it daily however, and visualized the experience including the feelings, sights, and smells. I even practiced what I would say when I was called with the news of winning, “Please tell Dr. Dyer I’ve been expecting this call.”

September 1 came around, the date when the winner was to be contacted. The phone didn’t ring and I didn’t receive an email either. No special delivery letter…was there some mistake? My initial disappointment gave way to acceptance. It must not have been my time and reconciled myself to the fact that my wishes would not be fulfilled.

Then, another coincidence…I’ve recently learned of a special Wayne Dyer opportunity that I would love to pass along. It’s not the face-to-face meeting I had hoped for but this meeting has some perks of its own, including the opportunity for you to join us!

Yes, Dr. Wayne Dyer will be coming to your local cinema to talk about how to live your true life purpose. And get a load of this title…The “Wishes Fulfilled” event will be taking place on January 28, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. (with an encore performance February 4 at 7:30 p.m.)! It’s not Wayne Dyer “live” but it is a professionally directed taping of a recent live performance. Plus, everyone who attends receives a special gift (a recording of “Putting the Excuses Begone Paradigm to Work in Your Life” which is a $20 value). I’m looking forward to this unique opportunity for self-development and personal empowerment and encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity too! No airfare or overnight accommodations required, and that makes it an opportunity that everyone can take part in! Yes, in a way this event will live up to its name for me. Finally, my wishes will be fulfilled!

You can find participating theaters in your area here.

And, if by chance Dr. Dyer does appear live at your location, please tell him I’m awaiting his call!

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~Dr. Wayne Dyer