“What’s Possible When You Own Your Power” by Gaile Burchill
Note From Mary: One of the women I admire deeply is Gaile Burchill. She’s not only been a client and student of mine, she was instrumental in the success of the Awakening Beyond Achievement Tour. She happens to be participating in my latest Ultimate Impact Program: Peace, Power and Prosperity for Transformational Leaders.
Since enrollments started rolling in weeks ago, we started pre-calls to support those coaches ready to begin. When Gaile shared with me her “shift” – and all of the tangible results she recently experienced, it was so inspiring – it deserved to be a feature article.
As you hear Gaile’s story, perhaps you may find yourself connecting more deeply to what’s possible for you when you OWN your power in a new way. So often we minimize our gifts, allowing procrastination and distraction to thwart our good intentions. You’ll see how quickly this can change … when you make ONE decision.
Gaile’s Story: I’ve had the privilege of participating in the pre-calls for the upcoming Ultimate Impact Program: Peace, Power and Prosperity for Transformational Leaders. To be honest, as soon as I knew Mary was developing a new program, I was in. I’m a graduate of one of her original year long courses many years ago, and participating in that program made a huge difference for me at the time. Having the distinctions of inner peace and success I started to practice back then, continue to make a difference for me to this day.
But I digress. What I wanted to share with you is the difference this course has already made in my life … AND THE COURSE HASN’T EVEN OFFICIALLY BEGUN!
First, out of just committing to participate, I find that I am able to finally OWN that I am a transformational leader and I have something to offer others. It looks different than I thought it would, but I’m clear that what I’m up to is providing something others are looking for.
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I could go on and on about other elements contributing to my happiness (but this series is getting a bit long!). When you’re profoundly happy, it seems that EVERYTHING is adding to it. Some of the other biggies include laughter, living squarely in the present moment, aligning with reality (however it unfolds), being silly, snuggling on the couch, watching sunsets, daily walks, reading inspiring books, staying at choice and being surrounded by people you love.
One of the biggest bonuses of being profoundly happy is seeing the look on my husband’s face as he witnesses my happiness. I’m not faking it. Nor am I “trying” to be happy to please him. It’s the natural result of intention + responding to spirit + grounding in stillness + focusing on strengths + gratitude + weekly check-ins. It’s the natural result of dropping all resistance to life.
Maybe next month will be different. But, for now I wouldn’t trade any of these elements from my life. Maybe they’ll work for you too. Enjoy!
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You received bad news. You were just fired. Your significant other didn’t keep their word. You lost a client. You didn’t win the proposal.
There are a myriad of ways, we humans, can get disappointed in life.
Disappointment only comes when we get attached to life unfolding a certain way, and then resist what happens in reality.
Here are two tips:
First, see each disappointment as a mini-death of “a future you were hoping would happen.” The greater the disappointment, the greater the grief is to process. That means “feeling into the feelings of loss,” however painful it may be. Perhaps there are tears. Perhaps there is rage. The key is to FEEL into whatever feelings are associated with your disappointment. Of course, the more you feel into any feeling, the more quickly it will transform into something else.
Secondly, see each happening in life as a guide or nudge from the Universe. You may have wanted a different outcome, but how do you know THIS path doesn’t have even more gifts in store for you? By
focusing on the perfection of the Universe, trusting its twists and turns, inner peace quickly returns.
People and customers will be unreasonable some of the time. It’s unreasonable to think people and customers shouldn’t be unreasonable – at least some of the time. Have you ever had an unreasonable moment? I sure have. Typically, my unreasonable moments happen when I get attached to an idea or thought, that isn’t happening in reality – and I’m mentally and emotionally fighting the reality. As I’ve learned to have more compassion for my own “unreasonable” moments, I find it easier to have compassion for others when they lapse into this semi-unconscious state.
So, when facing a real-life unreasonable customer, here’s what I suggest:
First, recognize what is really happening. Your customer is attached to an idea or thought that is NOT happening in reality. Perhaps, they didn’t meet some qualification or deadline, and are upset. Perhaps, they had an expectation of you or your business or program, yet it wasn’t part of the offering. Perhaps, their “unreasonableness” is about something else going on in their life, which has nothing to do with you. In any case, they are attached to an idea or thought, not happening in reality. By seeing things objectively, and not thinking it should be another way – it’s easier to stay in your peace.
Second, really, really, really acknowledge that this is just one “moment in time.” It’s not permanent. Unreasonable customers can transform into reasonable ones in minutes.
Third, stay focused on the “issue” being resolved peacefully. Just your calm, soothing presence can be enough to re-ground your customer. As you maintain your sanity, it helps them regain theirs.
Remember, every situation is going to be resolved one of two ways. Either your customer begins to accept the reality of the situation (even if they aren’t jumping for joy). Or they remain upset forever. I know, that one isn’t my favorite. However, if inner peace is a priority, it means accepting that some customers could remain unreasonable for life. Funny thing is … when you can authentically accept someone’s unreasonableness, you won’t need them to change.
Filed under Emotional Muscles, Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices | Comment (0)2. Daily Gratitude.
This isn’t a new concept. However, putting it CONSISTENTLY into practice IS new, at least for me.
At the Mega-Book Marketing conference, I heard Jack Canfield speak about the “gratitude rituals” of featured speakers in The Secret. Apparently, each morning before Rhonda Byrne gets out of bed, she connects with feelings of “gratitude” until a tear comes to her eye. Jack writes several “gratitudes” in his journal each morning before he gets up. I also know Oprah has been flexing the “gratitude” muscle for years. She writes down at least five things she’s grateful for at the end of each day. Hmmmm.
In my book, The Power of Inner Choice, and in my upcoming Momentum Circle (more on that coming!), I talk about the importance of keeping your energy vibration high. One of the most effective is through “daily gratitude.” I haven’t always been consistent. But, I got inspired.
At the end of EACH day, I go to a Word document in my computer called “Gratitudes.doc”. I type in my “gratitudes,” which for me, also include the big and little successes of the day. Completing the day on a high note of appreciation is amazing. And, it’s much harder to forget the good stuff pouring in when you’re writing it down each day. The compounding effect of this simple choice each day has contributed significantly to my happiness. And, it seems to be attracting more and more items to include on my ever-expanding gratitude list.
If you like to journal, you may want to pick up the 365 Days of Gratitude journal by Sherrie Austin. On her website you may also sign-up for a “daily dose of gratitude” at www.365DaysofGratitude.com
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I have tremendous compassion and empathy for anyone having to face a terminal disease or who has a loved one facing this diagnosis. First and foremost, it’s important to understand how anything but inner peace can exasperate and even accelerate disease. If you’re supporting a loved one, your added stress can be contagious too.
Instead, this is the single most important time to surrender into inner peace. Focus and align squarely on the present moment without resistance. Expand your feelings of gratitude for every aspect of your life. If you’re not already a meditator, this is a great time to begin.
Scientific research shows how “meditation” directly correlates with a myriad of physiological benefits including improved immune function; reducing activity of viruses and emotional distress; increases blood flow; improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing; harmonizes endocrine system; relaxes nervous system; and prevents, slows or controls pain of chronic diseases.
Keep bringing yourself back to this moment, enjoying it fully, while making choices supporting your highest well-being. I know of a young gal who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, and wholly stepped into the present moment – becoming completely ONE with “what is.” Something miraculous happens when we do this. The doctors were amazed when her disease began reversing to Stage 2, then Stage 1. A few months later, she was entirely healed and went off and joined the Peace Corp.
Filed under Emotional Muscles, Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices | Comments (2)Some days my happiness quotient feels like it’s sailing off the charts. Maybe it seems I’m always rather cheerful. Trust me, I’ve ridden my share of emotional roller coasters. I’ve prided myself in being “very human,” which — in my mind — meant feeling every human emotion. But, maybe my husband is right. Maybe HAPPINESS IS the default state. Maybe if all resistance is simply removed from life, happiness naturally emerges.
I believe there are seven distinct elements, which have to come together. I imagine if you focused on these elements … you’d be deliriously happy too.
I’ll share one with you here each week.
Happiness Key #1 – Weekly Check-Ups
For my Success and Inner Peace Bootcamps, I created a weekly preparation form, supporting participants to integrate key elements of the program. Participants share progress towards top goals, and elements relating to “inner peace.” After seeing participants share for several weeks, I committed to completing the form too.
There is something profound about reporting your life to another, whether to a coach or group. This is where happiness starts to swell for me.
Some of my favorite questions on the Bootcamp Prep Form include:
Why not give the Weekly Check-Up a try? Let me know how it works for you!
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Living Life to the FULLEST
Honoring…Our Friend
Vytas Pazemenas
1938 – 2009
On November 15, 2009, we gathered for Vytas Pazemenas’ Memorial at Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach. I found myself even more honored to know this unique man.
Born in Lithuania in 1938, as a child Vytas was smack in the middle of World War II, between the German Army and Red Army of Russia. His family once hid under a train, protecting themselves from gun-fire. His father was captured by the Russians…and later escaped. They finally fled Lithuania. Vytas was a refugee.
As a young man, Vytas came to the USA to attend college, graduating from Penn State with a degree in engineering. He chose the medical device industry, and steadily worked his way into management in Silicon Valley. He had a knack for recognizing and developing talent. In 1999, Vytas was invited to southern California to lead a company in distress. As CEO, he turned it around! When that company sold, Vytas decided it was time to start his own medical device company. Vytas was an avid sailor, and a fan of the book series about Jack Aubrey, a man of high character and integrity…hence the company name: The Aubrey Group. Vytas was a leader.
Vytas built a top notch engineering team through his somewhat unusual interviewing techniques. Nearly every man who spoke at the Memorial chuckled as they remembered how Vytas presented a “puzzle” for them to solve in that initial interview. It quickly revealed one’s “on-the-spot” thinking skills. Apparently these “puzzles” were Vytas’ secret for culling talent. Vytas was discerning.
Collectively, this talent has saved countless lives and silently impacted the world in a myriad of ways. The first time I visited Aubrey Group, tears came to my eyes as I learned about project after project.
Filed under Emotional Muscles, Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Moments, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (1)“GRATITUDE unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough . . . and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order,
Confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
A stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
And creates a vision for tomorrow.”
-M. Beattie
This week, gratitude is the perfect emotion to adopt. Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. Appreciation and gratitude are interchangeable. In gratitude there is acceptance, love and acknowledgment of “what is”. In gratitude, there is spaciousness and connectedness.
APPLICATION – Appreciate the moment. Appreciate your strengths and weaknesses. Appreciate who you are, a unique being with personality and soul. Appreciate the gifts and challenges in your life. Appreciate your work, income, clients, employer, employees and referrals. Appreciate your health, your body, your senses, your ability to walk and live. Appreciate the acts of kindness and contribution you offer others, and that others contribute to you. Appreciate others’ unique qualities, their foibles, quirks and gifts. Appreciate your environment, your neighborhood, city, state, country and planet. Appreciate the government for providing a structure that strives for order, safety, education, services and justice. Appreciate the entertainers, the artists, the business owners and entrepreneurs, laymen, doctors, lawyers, dentists, massage therapists, dry cleaners, yoga teachers, manufacturers, farmers, teachers, executives, cab drivers, salesmen, managers, photographers, wedding planners, electricians and garbage collectors. Appreciate freedom, free-trade, the stock market, opportunity, creativity and choice. Appreciate joy, love, peace, kindness, humility, forgiveness, truth, honesty, integrity, knowledge, wisdom and grace. Appreciate your stressful thoughts for expanding your awareness and allowing you to discover the truth. Appreciate the thoughts that allow joy and bliss to electrify your being. Appreciate your vulnerability, your humanity and your willingness to grow and learn.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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