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get in gear newsletter
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a note from Cairene
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classescreate a living theme for 2010 with Laura Burkey bite the candy
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all because of seven wordsIt's an odd time of year, isn't it? It feels odd to me anyway. I am at once coming and going, finishing and starting, looking back and looking ahead. Which can give a gal a bit of whiplash, you know? But, as long as I remember to slow down a bit, the process of looking back on 2009 - reflecting on what I accomplished, what I want to carry forward and what I want to leave behind - and what new things I want to build and explore in the coming year is ultimately a rewarding and valuable process. Especially when I have a tool in my tool box like a Living Theme. Because questions like "What do I want to carry forward and what do I want to leave behind?" or "What to I want to achieve in the coming year?" can quickly devolve into -ick- new year's resolutions. Which are depressing and never work. Creating a Theme for each new year is a technique I learned from my life coach, Laura Burkey. I've participated in her annual tradition of creating a Living Theme since 2004 and haven't made a new year's resolution since. It's way more fun than making a list of shortcomings that need fixing and a whole lot more effective - and this past year was no exception. the theme My Living Theme for 2009 has been Relate Generously. For me, this had to do with everything from relating more generously to my spouse, family and friends; relating more generously to myself, my body and self-care; being more generous in my business with colleagues and clients; and having a more generous relationship with money. I wanted a greater sense of security, abundance, intimacy and connection in all these areas of my life. And in the mysterious way things so often happen when you set a clear intention and write some stuff down - I gained an astonishing amount of what I asked for at the beginning of 2009. the results Looking back on my notes I am most struck by how much I wanted a closer circle of professional peers and a just-right group of clients and students. Which I have been blessed with by the bucket-full in wonderful ways I could not have imagined a year ago. I adore you all. I am also struck by my wish for a greater sense of belonging and confidence, a greater willingness to take risks instead of delaying gratification or worrying about being good enough or what others thought. Wow did that come about in a big way, too. And it came about when I figured out the how that supported my theme of Relate Generously. the how Perhaps you're familiar with the idea that how we do one thing is how we do everything? Or, as Havi would put it, our patterns are all reflections of each other? If you can get at that core habit or behavior, you can shift a lot of stuff - which is one thing a Theme is really good for. For much of the year, I've had the phrase "do the half-right thing" stuck on my computer where I can see it every day. It reminds me to do what I can when I can't do what I want to do in the perfect way I want to do it. Wanting to do things in a precise way is a pattern that has often gotten in the way of me relating generously.
This year, because I was more focused on and committed to generosity than perfection, I was able to make big shifts in this pattern. Is it gone? Hardly. But the conscious practice of consistently putting half of myself out there has made a big difference. I can see it in my relationships, my business - even my bank balance. all because of seven words Relate Generously (do the half-right thing). This theme stuff works. It works so well and I love it so much, I asked Laura if she would pretty-please share this tradition with all of you. And - yay! - she said yes. You can learn more about her experience with annual Themes and register for an engaging tele-workshop with us at my website. A theme is a simple, yet powerful alternative to resolutions - and a tool I encourage you to add to your own toolbox. I hope you will join us. • • • • • This event is the first in a new monthly series - Guest Guides - in which I'll be introducing smart people who know cool stuff I want share with you. Announcements about future events to come.
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recently on the blogPolishing what is already smooth and shiny. | in honor of Freedom from Improvement week
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let's chatLike what you've read? Irked? Confused? Have a suggestion? Got a question? Let's start a conversation. I'd love to hear from you - send me a line, comment on the blog, or follow me on Twitter.
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subscription infoI encourage you to share this newsletter with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including my contact and copyright information. Thanks! If you received this issue of Get In Gear from a reader and would like your own subscription, please click here. To update your email address or unsubscribe, please click the link at the bottom of the newsletter. An archive of past issues of the Get In Gear newsletter can be browsed here. Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Cairene MacDonald. Cairene MacDonald from overwhelmed to ready for anything Third Hand Works | administrative guidance for independent creative professionals |
