A few weeks ago, I flew to Dallas to reconnect with my work colleagues from 20+ years ago. My first real job was with “Technical Recruiting Associates”. Yes, for the first four years out of college I was a “headhunter,” finding top-notch computer programmers for my favorite clients, including Price Waterhouse, IBM and American Express. We were a tight-knit group, who celebrated top performance by going on a cruise each year (I was #2 in the company for three of my four years).
Facebook reunited many of us “old-timers” this past Fall via internet. Then, the owners thought it would be fun to host a reunion at the end of January. How could I miss seeing all the people who had shaped my early years?
Not only did this small company set the stage for business practices that would shape my life forever, this is where my path of “personal development” began. Through tears of gratitude, I finally got to express my appreciation to Karen DeGraffenreid — in person, 22+ years later. I wouldn’t be who I am today without THIS beginning.
KAREN & MARY
It was surreal to step back into a “happy hour” setting with all of my old colleagues — who pretty much looked the same. Maybe a few extra creases around the eyes marking the passage of two decades. And, all the personalities I knew and loved are as vibrant as ever!
TRA ALUMS – 20+ Years Later
DuWee, Anji, Diana, Mary & Kristin
Of course, a few things have changed and evolved since our journeys began at TRA back in 1988. Why oh why was it cool to have “big hair” back in the day?
In a spontaneous email, I promised I’d share a few old photos of my “big hair” days. Here I am at one of my infamous Xmas Parties. You’ll see I pretty much look “the same” — except for the BIG hair, shoulder pads and a few creases around the eyes. Oh to be young again!
Mary in 1989ish
Don’t you just love that belt?
…and those shoulder pads!
Share a Magic Moment email: mary@lifecoachmary.com
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Uncategorized | Comment (0)If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then You Are Probably “The Family Dog”!
And … you thought I was going to get all spiritual …
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Moments | Comment (0)“It seems that most people need
to experience a great deal of suffering
before they will relinquish resistance and accept
– before they will forgive.”
- Eckhart Tolle
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“In just 4 days, you can learn how to quickly return to your powerful center, activate your reservoir of quiet strength and enjoy ‘inner peace’ as your predominant way of being …no matter what is going on in your world.”
Even the smartest, wisest and most spiritually evolved are being tested today.
How would you like to push the pause button – and learn how to effectively transform inner turmoil to inner peace – for yourself or others - in the most challenging of moments?
Introducing… The Most Comprehensive Workshop on Cultivating Personal Inner Peace!
Inner Peace Immersion Retreat
October 20-24th, 2010
Joshua Tree, California, USA
What Is It Costing You to NOT be at Peace?
www.innerpeaceimmersionretreat.com
Register now to be notified as more information becomes available about this Retreat and receive
5 Cool Bonus Gifts at No-Cost!
Hurry… special pricing available until February 28th Only!
Filed under SPECIAL OFFERS | Comment (0)Below are four related processes for a clarifying your 2010 vision. Since each of us is wired differently, it’s useful to find the most effective visioning strategy for you. Some people LOVE to write goals, others avoid the process. Some love details, while others are big picture people. Some people LOVE visualizations, and yet others do best in verbalizing their dreams to others. Which style or styles resonate with you?
The most important element in crystallizing your vision is finding a medium that allows you to connect “emotionally” to your vision. We often identify goals and visions intellectually, yet find ourselves disassociated and not inspired to achieve them. The juice, inspiration and magic unfolds when we are “emotionally engaged” with our visions.
If you desire an amazing relationship, how would you FEEL if that partner was already in your life? How would you treat them? What activities would you enjoy together? If you desire a thriving business, what activities would fill up your day? Who would you spend time with? How confident and decisive would you be? If you desire a fit and trim body, can you imagine yourself eating healthy foods and looking forward to visiting the gym? What would it feel like to be 15 pounds lighter? If you desire a year filled with INNER PEACE, what practices would you relax into daily? What would you say “no” to? How would it feel to bathe in bliss at any moment?
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With all the choices available to us each day, month and year, how do we optimize our path? To help me clarify my focus for the new year, I added a new ritual — the “Yes/No List.”
Knowing what I want to say YES to consistently, and what I want to say NO to consistently, is proving a valuable compass over the last several weeks. Every time I bump up against a “choice point,” I go inside and see how my YES/NO list could nudge me.
To create your own Yes/No List, pull out a sheet of paper, drawing a line down the center. On the left column, label it “YES TO” and on the top of the right column, label it “NO TO.”
Then allow the inspiration to flow. (I spent a week or so contemplating my yes’s and no’s…so when I got to my sheet of paper, it was a breeze.)
Here are some of the items that made my YES to list.
Continue reading »
“Let yourself be silently drawn
by the stronger pull of what
you really love.”
– Rumi, Sufi poet
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People express and receive love in different ways. Dr. Gary Chapman identifies these as “the five languages of love”.
1. Quality Time – Attention, quality conversation, time spent together doing something meaningful or enjoyable. Time is Love. Attention is love.
2. Words of Affirmation – “You are beautiful”. Words of acknowledgment, encouragement, or appreciation. “You are a giving, loving, kind, warm person. I love who you are”. Words of affirmation are words of love.
3. Gifts - From big to small. Flowers. Gifts. Cards. Cars. Houses. Jewelry. Stuffed Animals. Clothing. A gift can be a great gift of love. Some people feel most loved with a gift.
4. Acts of Service - Cooking dinner, washing the car, running an errand, cleaning the house, helping with a task, time spent in contribution to another.
5. Physical Touch – Affection. Massage. Making love. Of course, everyone has their favorite way to be touched. And, touch equals love to many.
Knowing these 5 Love Languages allows you to GIVE and RECEIVE love from others more fully. Of course, we all can appreciate and enjoy each “love language”, however there is typically one or two that make you feel MOST LOVED.
Which one is your primary love language?
How do YOU show love toward those you love?
What we tend to do for others, is often a clue to what we enjoy receiving most…
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“Conversations with
the Masters”
Hosted By Mary Allen
Arielle Ford
Author of seven books including the popular Hot Chocolate For The Mystical Soul, and her most recent book The Soulmate Secret: How To Manifest The Love of Your Life with the Law of Attraction.
Arielle Ford
CONVERSATIONS with the MASTERS
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
12pm Pacific (3pm Eastern)
Cost: No Charge
Register Now by Visiting:
www.lifecoachmary.com/arielleford.htm
During This Interview We’ll Explore:
Accepting YOU or Accepting YOUR EGO?
Ok, let’s face it. We LOVE it when everyone in our lives loves and accepts us unconditionally. That’s a true friend, right? Or is it…?
When we’re running late or irresponsible, and they don’t give us a hard time. When we’re a mess emotionally, and they listen to our “story”…over and over again, and continue to offer their support. When we’re PMS-ing (aka “being bitchy, whiney or needy” for women) or “isolating” (for men). I appreciate it when others overlook my flaws and the poor emotional states I’m in, AND still want to spend time with me, accept me and love me.
Have you ever gotten frustrated with someone, when you thought they weren’t “accepting who you are”? I’ve had that experience more than once. I thought, “Gosh, other people seem to accept me as I am, why can’t THEY?”
Then it dawned on me.
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Everyday Inner Peace is about maximizing YOUR inner peace. Whatever is interfering with your inner peace is temporary, unnecessary suffering. Here you’ll find tips, strategies and inspiration to return to relaxed bliss … in minutes. Everything is better in life with an abundance of "inner peace."
