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Who Wants to Win a Trip to Paris?

I know that I surely do.  Of course visiting Paris is on my "dream list" but I really want to visit and have someone along that "knows" the place, at least for part of the trip and that just happens to be part of this prize package (check out the link below where you can enter and get all of the details).

Jordan is a party planner and letterpress printer from San Francisco who currently lives abroad with her husband and children.  This is what she had to write about why she decided to give this fabulous prize away, "As a thank you I am doing a giveaway for a 7 DAY TRIP FOR TWO TO PARIS, FRANCE! It’s true. I’ve put together a major giveaway that includes 7 night stay at Mama Shelter, the hippest boutique hotel in Paris. Roundtrip Airfare from the continental United States to Paris, France. And on top of that I will personally host* the winner for two days and take them around to my favorite spots in Paris."

If you want a chance to win as well (and there are four different methods of entry which means four different chances to win) all you need to do is head on over to Oh Happy Days.

Bonne chance everyone!

(Although I am already off to plan what I'm going to take with me.)

7 Ways We Sabotage Our Own Powerful Intentions

by Christine Kane

Do you ever feel like you're just way too sensitive?

"Intention rules the earth," says Oprah.

It's true.

The first part of my Uplevel Your Life™ Mastery Program is devoted solely to intention. There are exercises to strengthen clarity and commitment as you answer the following question:

"What do you want?"

This question might totally throw you off. If you're like many of my clients, you've believed your limiting thoughts for so long, that you don't realize you can ask for what you truly want and that you have the power to attract it!

So, naturally, you might do some wonky things at first that actually sabotage an otherwise powerful intention! Here are seven of the most common ways we do that:

#1 - "So that."

Example: "I intend to lose weight and get in shape SO THAT I can be energetic and happy in my daily life."

"So that" says: "I can't have THIS if I don't have THAT." It is restricting. And intentions are about expansion!

Be brave enough to ask, "What do I ultimately want here?" If you want two things, you can divide the intentions with AND or WHILE. "I intend to lose weight while being happy and energetic in my daily life."

#2 - Implementing Bureaucrat Speak Calibrated to Leverage Maximum Capacity Mental Paralysis

Example: "I intend to leverage an incremental degree of financial stability insomuch as I can facilitate a reasonable facsimile of value-added methodology."

When you set an intention, you're speaking to your soul, not to the folks in HR. Intention is supposed to excite us a lot, and scare us a little. Pretend you never worked in corporate, and use language that feels good to you.

#3 - "Ing" Overdose

Example: "I intend that I am becoming clear about my career path while my health is getting better and I am attracting a loving romantic partner."

The Universe always says YES. In this case, it says, "Yes indeed. You ARE becoming clear. And you are, in fact, ATTRACTING a loving partner... any minute now!"

Stick with present tense even though it's scary.

#4 - Scattered, Splattered and Covered

Example: "I intend to get clear about the next steps I'm taking in my life with health, lifestyle, my relationship, and career. Oh, and I also want to lose weight, make more money, move somewhere else and write a novel."

I call this "Attention Splatter." It doesn't work. It's nothing more than sabotage.

Here's what's wild, though. When we allow ourselves to focus on one single intention, often the other things we want will begin to manifest effortlessly. (OR we come to realize that we no longer want all those things!)

Be willing to be unimpressive and boring. Start with just one thing.

#5 - Trying to figure out the HOW.

The reason my call tonight is called "The Unstoppable Power of Intention" is because it's true! When you set an intention, you don't have to know HOW.

Yes, of course, you take action. But you don't "figure it all out" first. Trying to figure out HOW it could possibly happen is just your scarcity mindset trying to take control. (And how's that been workin' for you so far?)

#6 - Worrying about your ego.

"Isn't this just my ego talking? How will I know if I'm honoring my deepest self? Is this intention my TRUE! LIFE! PURPOSE????"

You can spin your wheels for years trying to discover an Academy Award-Winning Life Purpose, or waiting til you're "totally at peace." Don't set this trap for yourself. The simple action right in front of you is all you need to take. (And sometimes, it might be deceptively boring!)

If you can't hear your deepest self yet, then just start somewhere. Maybe your ego's desires will open up a deeper path.

#7 - Removing, obliterating, or ridding yourself of obstacles, weakness, and issues.

Example: I intend to rid myself of all of my anger and addictions and stop letting my ego run the show and never have emotions again.

Dude.

This is SO not gonna happen.

You don't have to focus on your "stuff" just to prove that you're not in denial.

Remember this: Energy flows where attention goes. When you include your "issues" in your intention, then you are, in essence, saying, "Let's really give this my energy. Let's dredge it up, shall we?"

Focus instead on the things that you DO want. That way, the obstacles and issues will naturally come up for release in their perfect and right time.

*~*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

Is Your Clutter Destructive?

One of my words for this year is PURGE (you will probably be reading a lot about it in this blog) and I don't know how Christine Kane does it but this morning I received the following article through email... exactly what I wanted to write about, so I thought I'd share it with you as well.

9 Destructive Reasons We Cling to Clutter

"Perfection is not when there is no more to add, but no more to take away."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A retired man once told me he loved going camping with his wife because camping showed her how simple life can be "without all that bloomin' stuff she keeps everywhere!"

He's right!

Our lives are meant to be simple. Our intuition and creativity thrive when given freedom and space. Clutter is a disease. Each moment we ignore the reasons we hold on to things we don't want, those things rob us of energy, health, and clarity. Yes, clutter is destructive!

If you're a clutter-clinger, be kind to yourself. Begin with an awareness of your thoughts and excuses. For starters, read over this list to see if you can find YOUR excuse!

Clutter Excuse #1: "I'd be a mean horrible person if I..."

Guilt is heavy gooey energy that convinces us we're bad people if we let go of heirlooms, knick-knacks, unwanted clothing or gifts.

These items clutter up our lives and keep us in a comfortable - but draining - place. And conveniently, we never have to decide what we actually do want in our environment. We become environmental victims. Often, that spreads into other parts of our lives too!

Clutter Excuse #2 - "I spent so much on it!"

Do you punish yourself for having made a bad choice by keeping the item around? Or convince yourself that you're going to get your money's worth - even if it drains the heck out of you?

You won't. And it will.

We've all done stupid things. And we've all had to let them go. Now it's your turn.

Clutter Excuse #3 - "I might need this someday."

I often wonder how many idle telephone cords exist in the world. Way in the back of old desk drawers. Stuffed on closet shelves. They can't be gotten rid of.

Why?

Because we might need them some day.

Evidently, some day - in spite of technological progress - you're going to need that particular grey phone cord that came in the box with a phone you bought in 1989.

Throw it out. Now.

Same thing goes for: The broken fax machine, switch plates from your first house, and every glass flower vase that came with deliveries.

Clutter Excuse #4 - "I might do this someday."

I know. I know.

Someday you'll take those broken pieces of china you've collected and create a beautiful mosaic birdbath. And you'll go through those stacks of magazines and make that collage for your sister's 30th birthday party. (She's 51 now.)

Now - I don't mean to deny you your plans and dreams. However, I urge you to consider experiencing the infinite relief that appears when you let old project ideas go.

Call your sister and tell her the collage ain't gonna happen. Buy a mosaic birdbath from an artist who makes her living from creating such treasures.

And then, make space for what you want to do. Don't fill your space with what you should do.

Clutter Excuse #5 - "I gotta look good to my guests."

CD's. Books. DVD's. Are these items treasured? Or are they simply a prop so your guests will be impressed by your intelligence and diverse tastes?

Remember this: we are motivated by two things: Fear or Love. Which of these keeps you clinging to items because of appearances?

Clutter Excuse #6 - "I Don't Know Where It Goes."

When items don't have a home, it's harder to determine whether or not they are clutter. Some things may seem like clutter - like the cute card that your daughter made that floats around from drawer to drawer - but they're not clutter.

They're homeless.

Once you start defining spaces for items, then it's easier to see when something doesn't fit anywhere and should just get tossed.

Clutter Excuse #7 - "My thoughts don't have any power. Do they?"

Everything has energy. The thoughts you have about the things in your home CREATE energy. If you are surrounded by stuff you keep out of guilt, then your environment holds guilt. If you hang on to stuff given to you by your ex, and you still feel bitter - then there is bitterness in your home.

Get it?

It's either fueling you or draining you. If anything triggers you, then that is your barometer. Let it go.

Clutter Excuse #8 - "But I never wore it!"

See Clutter Excuse #2.

Clutter Excuse #9 - "There's too much stuff!"

Overwhelm can stop us in our tracks. If this article makes you aware that there are lots of items in your life you don't like, then go slow. Schedule small chunks of time each day. It takes time to be clutter-free! But the newfound clarity and lightness are worth it!

*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

If You Want a Powerful Day, Create a Personal Morning Ritual

Here's another great article from Christine Kane...

Your habits create your destiny. Have you ever heard that one? Even if you have, read it again. Then read it again. And yea, one more time. :-)

Then, consider this:

Your habits also create your confidence, courage and even your creativity!

Don't believe me? Read on ...

I used to be a creature of zero habits. As a result, I didn't have much direction or focus. Then, I began to shift. I began to create my life. I turned things around. I created habits and rituals - something I had previously dismissed as "too driven" or "too robotic." (Let the winds blow where they will, right?)

For the record, it IS good to be in the present moment and adopt the principle of surrender. But many people use these ideas as an excuse for not even trying to "Live Creative." They allow themselves to become "reactors" of their day, rather than the creators they were born to be.

So, how do you change that? How do you manage all the stuff on your plate? How do you create your day, rather than react to it?

Well, for starters, begin with your own personal morning ritual. Your morning ritual sets the tone for your day, your productivity and even your life.

Your morning ritual is personal. Your morning ritual is what gets YOU on track to create your best day. (And subsequently, your best life!) It can be simple or complex. The important thing is that it becomes a HABIT. (Which is why it's best to start simple.)

My morning ritual combines a mixture of physical, mental and heart-centered activities to engage each of these human power centers!

Here are some easy ideas you can choose from to help you create your own powerful morning ritual.

Hydrate First

Many Eastern health practitioners recommend chugging down at least a half-liter of filtered room-temperature water first thing. (Yes, before your coffee!)

Upon waking, your body has spent hours without hydration. Drinking pure water at this time triggers a series of physiological functions that keep your body super healthy. Some report that this one practice can actually heal many diseases. (I'm not a scientist - but I can attest to the amazing results!)

Get Moving

Exercise is called "The Number One Form of Preventive Medicine."

It is also a prescription for happiness and a cure for depression! Getting exercise first thing sets your day off right. You can do a simple stretching routine, yoga or an all-out heart-pounding hour at the gym. Pick something do-able and then do it.

Meditate

Start with just 5 minutes. Meditation connects you to your center and to the deep silence that surpasses any drama that might be happening in the world of your personality. Don't worry about doing it right. Just allow yourself the time to BE.

Set Intention

Your intention is everything. It is your daily GPS.

Your intention sets the course and brings focus.

Reflect for a moment on your Word of the Year. Read a goal you've written down for yourself. Remind yourself of a financial dream. (If you're one of my Gold or Platinum coaching clients, read your Goal Cards!)

You don't have to know the HOW. You just need to set the intention so your inner GPS stays on target!

Be Grateful

Before I get out of bed, I silently create a morning gratitude list. When I begin my day remembering my "gratitudes," (instead of my "anxieties") my heart fills with extreme joy and deep awareness. I then bring that energy into everything I do - and to everyone with whom I connect.

Eat Creative

Your choice of breakfast foods can set up your success with other meals as well. Start your day off in the healthiest way possible for you - and make it a ritual, not a chore. And yes, it's true what they say: Breakfast is essential!

Be Prepared: Create a Not-to-Do List

Create a "Not To Do" morning list so that you are aware of your Default Activities in advance, and you can catch yourself before you fall into their trap!

Suggestions here include anything that brings up a "reactive" state: Turning on Fox news. Checking email. Answering texts. Answering the phone.

Let these things wait until AFTER your ritual has been completed!

Do it!

After reading this article, don't just think, "Wow. Those are good ideas. I should try one or two."

Instead, deliberately create your morning ritual now. Take about 20 minutes to think about and write down what your ritual will be each morning. Start simple at first. Choose one or two items from this menu. Or come up with your own. Write out your personal morning ritual in detail.

Begin first thing tomorrow morning, and let your habits create YOUR destiny starting now!

*~*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

The Universe is Your Dog

by Christine Kane

"Start by becoming a pack leader in your own world and healing your own world, and the effects will ripple." - Cesar Millan,
The Dog Whisperer

One of the fun assignments in my Uplevel Your Life Mastery Program is what I call "Mental Dress Up."

This is a game that you can play daily. It is designed to bring intentions to life by literally embodying them in your own being.

Here's how it works:

Take a few moments throughout your day and Be [Fill in the Blank with Desired Thing].

As you're driving you can become a published writer. What would that feel like? When you're at a party, try being someone that everyone wants to talk to. Be wise. Be someone who has so many clients, you can hardly get through a day without turning people down. Be someone who is certain of what she wants. What does that feel like?

Don't get all scrunchy-faced and try to VISUALIZE - which is a very high-pressure word.

Instead feel the effortless shift in you, and BE successful. BE a fun person. BE wealthy. BE a rock star. Whatever!

My client Isabella started using this technique when she decided to "be someone who loves to run with her dog in the morning." She was amazed at the results.

Typically after a few blocks of running, she'd start wheezing and feel awful. But when she became "someone who loved running with her dog," she had more stamina and felt great during the run. She got better and better at this game until she actually began to love running with her dog!

One morning, she was returning from a run. Another dog and his owner were walking in her direction. Isabella's dog, Bruno, is still healing from an abusive past and can be aggressive with other dogs. So, Isabella started to get anxious, clinging to Bruno's leash.

Then, she remembered Mental Dress Up.

Instead of getting nervous and reacting to her dog's bad behavior, she focused on how calm she felt and how much she loved her dog. She also played Mental Dress Up on Bruno, feeling that he was always very loving and peaceful around other dogs.

It worked! Bruno was fine. He followed her energy, and they both headed home without incident. To Isabella, this was a nice little miracle.

At this same time, Isabella was beginning a new business. She had experienced a whole range of emotions from enthusiasm to fear to excitement to disappointment during the process. At one point, she met with her accountant. The accountant was skeptical, issuing warnings to Isabella about the numbers and telling her the reasons why the business wouldn't work.

During our coaching call, she shared these stories - about the triumph with her dog, and about the discouragement from her accountant. She wanted to know how to deal with her emotions after this deflating meeting.

Here's what I told her:

I said, "Your accountant is your dog."

Huh?

It's true!

People follow your energy. It doesn't matter if they are mentors, accountants, lawyers, audience members, listeners, friends, or customers. People follow your energy, just like dogs. You always have a choice to step up and lead them. Just like Cesar Millan has been telling dog owners for years. And just like Bruno showed Isabella in that one situation.

I told her that the success of her business would always be up to her. I told her that every business owner, artist or entrepreneur experiences bad news, good news, depression, loss, gain and insecurity. The decision to quit, fail, or succeed is always hers.

In that moment, her accountant might have sensed her fear and found all the negative stuff he could muster up to dissuade her. He became her dog and followed her energy.

You don't have to be a Jedi master to tap into someone's emotional state of being. You just have to be human. Had Isabella been feeling confident, most likely the accountant would have presented his views in a different light.

Ultimately, during our coaching call, I told Isabella this:

"The Universe is your dog."

Everything and everyone follows the energy and emotional state you bring to it. Decide that you can do something, and the Universe follows that decision. Choose to radiate love and wisdom, and the Universe follows that radiance. This is not always an easy place to go. But it almost always teaches us about our own power to create or transform any situation.

*~*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

How to Have Unwavering Faith in Your Own Ideas

by Christine Kane

Have you ever said something like this to a friend:

 

"Okay - I have this idea...

[You then spend a good three minutes explaining your idea - and you finish off by asking,]

"...Is that a good idea? Or am I just, like, COMPLETELY freakin' NUTS?"

 

So, let's talk about this little habit for a moment, okay?

 

Here's why.

 

Because #1: The IDEA is not the problem.

 

And #2: YOU are! :-)

 

If you recognize yourself in that above example, it's okay. But please understand the REAL ISSUE.

 

The real issue is not about the idea. The real issue is about DOING IT. And the even realer issue is about fear. As Seth Godin says: "There isn't a shortage of ideas. There's a shortage of execution."

 

So here's a few simple ways to begin creating unwavering faith in your ideas - so you can (gasp!) DO something about them.

 

1. Consider HOW you share your ideas.

 

Say you're sharing your idea with a friend. And say you add the self-deprecating "finisher." (ie, "...or is that the stupidest thing you've ever heard?")

This is the "smoke and mirrors" approach to sharing an idea. The share-ee, rather than getting to help you with your idea - now has to deal with the QUESTION you've presented - which is dramatic, self-defacing, and has nothing at all to do with your idea.

 

Imagine you're sitting in front of Donald Trump, and he's considering investing in your idea. Would he even give you a second of his time if you closed with one of your self-deprecating questions?

 

No way!

 

Your friend has the same dilemma.

 

When it comes right down to it, people read your energy MORE THAN they absorb your idea. If your energy is all over the place, it's hard for them to take your idea seriously.

 

2 - "Procrastination-by-Inquiry."

 

One night I caught an MTV video with an electric guitar player surrounded by women clad in nothing but plastic thongs. I got an idea for a song.

Rather than pick up my guitar and begin writing, I did the next best thing.

I waited.

 

Later, I called my friend Kathy. I explained about the video and about my song idea- and shared a list of reasons my idea was boring, and should I just give up on everything in my life?

After a long pause, Kathy said, "Tell you what Christine. You write the song. Then we'll decide if it's good."

 

Face it. There's absolutely NO way to know if an idea is going to be "a good idea." In fact, there's at least 10 good reasons it's NOT going to work. Asking people about your idea is often just "Procrastination-by-Inquiry." You aren't going to know if it's good until you start DOING something about it.

 

(By the way, that song I mentioned became my most requested song ever.)

 

3 - Be careful WHO you share your idea with.

 

I'm guessing there's at least five people in your life with one common trait:

They're the WORST people you could EVER share a new idea with. They'll tell you it's a terrible idea - and that yes you ARE, in fact, insane.

 

So, then, why are we compelled to share our ideas with these five folks?

Well, they provide an amazing service. In fact, we secretly LOVE these people!

Why?

 

Because then we never have to do anything! We don't have to take action. After all, if Uncle Richie says that your idea for a vegetarian catering service stinks - then hey, good news! You don't have to face your fears! Now you get to head home and dive headlong into a bag of Cheeto's and watch reruns of The Biggest Loser!

 

Do yourself a favor. For the sake of your spirit and your ability to take action - be mindful of who gets to hear about ANY of your ideas.

 

4 - The most crucial question of all.

 

Here's a question that will end all questioning and make you the most productive kid on your block.

 

"What is the very next step I need to take?"

 

When I knew I wanted to be a songwriter, I bought a guitar. I'd sit in my apartment and learn riffs while a metronome ticked along in the background.

At no time, during the implementing of these steps could anyone say to me: "Are you INSANE? You're playing SCALES? Have you LOST YOUR MIND?"

 

No. Because I was simply taking the next step.

 

Here's a secret:

 

Getting the idea is step one. The rest of the steps are all about tricking your ego into shutting up so you can get stuff done. The ego would prefer it if you'd just continue getting big ideas. The ego LOVES your big ideas because then it can reach into its arsenal of big fears and big dramas - and it can MATCH your big idea.

 

The ego doesn't have much to say when you sit down and do some work for 30 minutes. That's not nearly dramatic enough.

 

So, what's the next step you need to take?

 

5 - Give it Legs.

 

The most successful people make decisions quickly.

 

Even if that doesn't apply to every single decision, it makes perfect sense. Many of us let our emotions, our hooks, and our drama become the perfect excuse for procrastination and fear.

Wanna know the exactly how to have faith in your idea? Decide to do it.

Decision gives legs to intentions.

 

Make a decision. Tell someone you're going to do it. Move forward. Then wake up tomorrow and decide again.

 

Anytime your faith wavers, decide again.

Repeat until successful.

*~*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

Goals 2011

Having already written my letter to myself I am now moving on to typing up and listing my goals for 2011.  I don’t have a problem callings them goals or resolutions probably because I tend to complete most of the ones on my list.

I thought that I would share an article by Christine Kane dealing with the issue of resolutions and how to make a difference with your now.

 

How to Make 2011 Your BEST Year Yet

The regulars at the gym were joking about it early in December.

"Have a good workout now," they said. "Cuz you know what it's gonna be like in about three weeks!"

That's because all the folks who have made their New Year's Resolutions will show up. They'll stick around for a while. Then, around Valentine's Day, the regulars get to have their old gym back.

The hosts of a satellite radio talk show were discussing the most common New Year's Resolutions and the average success rate. Among the most common were Get Organized, Be More Spiritual, Lose Weight, Quit Smoking, and Spend More time with Family.

I don't know about you, but this kind of To-Do List approach to life-transformation does NOT inspire me. And it doesn't surprise me that the success rates were low.

Why Resolutions Don't Work

The reason most resolutions don't work is that they address only one level of your life.

The DO level.

It's the DO-HAVE-BE model.

It goes like this: "I will DO this thing." (i.e., Lose weight) "So I can HAVE this other thing" (Self-Esteem) and I can BE this thing. (Confident.)

The average New Year's Resolution doesn't address the core of the issue:

The "BE" level.

The best order for creating positive change in your life is the BE-DO-HAVE model. This means you start from the BE level. When you begin changing on the BE level of your life, then the DO level and the HAVE level follow more easily.

When you start only on the DO level, then the blocks on the BE level will often become the obstacles you can't overcome.

How to Tap into the True Power of your Intention

Several years ago, my friend Kathy and I decided that, instead of making resolutions, we would pick a word that would guide us throughout the year. It would be our touchstone. It would remind us of living our lives at the BE level.

This didn't mean that we didn't take action. It meant that our actions were inspired from the BE level. In fact, I took more action than ever with this new approach!

For several years now, I've blogged about this inspiring way to begin the year. The response has been huge. So have the success rates! I regularly hear from people who have created big changes in their lives because they focused on one word.

How to Choose A Word

Look through the list below. Get quiet and listen to your Wise Self. Pick a word.

Then, hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action.

Here's an example:

Let's say you're one of the many people who would normally choose "Get Organized." You're tired of chaos and clutter. So, you think, "I need to get organized. That'll be my Resolution."

But then you read this article. You decide to try this new approach.

You sit with your clutter. You spend a few days pondering words. You realize in an "Ah-Ha!" moment that you hold on to lots of things. You're scared to let go.

So you choose the word "Release" because it inspires you in a bigger way than "Get organized."

So, every time you approach your clutter you remind yourself of that word. "Release," you say softly. You start to let the clutter go.

Eventually, you realize that you're still holding on to lots more than just physical clutter. You realize that you hold onto resentment at old relationships. "Release," you remind yourself.

You realize that holding on is affecting your diet and health. "Release" applies to some of the extra weight you've gained as well. Throughout the year, you can see clearly how much you hold on. "Release" is your touchstone. It grows you throughout the year. It becomes your guiding force, not your harsh standard.

Your clutter became your teacher simply because you shifted your intent towards it. This wouldn't have happened if you'd opted only to "Get Organized."

What word to choose?

Many people know immediately which word resonates with them. For others, a little contemplation is required.

As you read through the list of words, see if one stands out. It's tempting to choose four or five, believing that you can do it all! (Or that you're so messed up, you can't possibly narrow the mess down to one!) I recommend that if you can't choose just one, choose no more than two.

One is ideal. It gives you focus. If you master that one word, you can choose another one in June.

Compassion

Delight

Generosity

Effortlessness

Wealth

Gratitude

Abundance

Creativity

Willingness

Change

Growth

Freedom

Mastery

Kindness

Health

Presence

Acceptance

Courage

Confidence

Self-Love

Action

Forgiveness

Forgive

Release

Trust

Knowing

Patience

Friendship

Fun

Grace

Laughter

Love

Expansion

Exploration

Adventure

Openness

Discipline

Awe

Awareness

Risk

Gentleness

Choice

Spirit

Prayerfulness

Power

Allow

Artfulness

Attention

Beauty

Joy

Focus

Ritual

Heal

Order

Clarity

Pioneer

Peace

Laziness

No

Yes

Deliberateness

Commitment

Savor

Integrity

Listen

Note: Click here to download a powerful journal writing tool that I created. It's called The Word-of-the-Year Discovery Tool. Give yourself the gift of connecting your hand to your heart and write about what you want to create in the coming year. This tool works! I promise!

*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

 

Happy New Year!

New Year Traditions

In addition to the end of the year movie watching there are a few other things that I like to do before I call it a wrap.  One thing I like to do is go over goals I’d like to accomplish throughout the next year.  I have two different categories of goals.  The first category consists of what I would call major goals; big things that can’t be completed in just a small amount of time.  The second category is minor goals; things that I would like to do but are more likely to be completed quicker, for example reading a certain number of novels by years end.

Another thing that I like to do to end my year is write a letter to myself, one that is to be opened and read on December 31^st the following year.  I write about things that happened during the current year and I write about things that I would like to have completed and done during the year that I am writing about.  I also give myself some encouraging words to read.  Usually this letter is no more then a page or two and it gets folded up and put in an envelope until it’s time to read it on New Year’s Eve.  I have letters that go back for several years, it’s always fun to reminisce and reread the letters and see how far I have come.

The Top 10 Holiday Should's (And Permission to Let Them Go!)

by Christine Kane

Do you know the "Shoulds?" Those voices that occasionally creep around your head telling you that things aren't as good as they could be and that everything would be better if you behaved well?

Yea?

Well, you're not alone. We all go there from time to time. Some of us spend our every waking moment "shoulding" all over ourselves!

In the work I do, I know one thing to be true about this time of year:

The Holiday Shoulds are a special breed of Should. The Holiday Shoulds are loud and insidious. If you're not conscious, they can make you believe that they're a rational way to think.

After all, during the holidays, people become almost hypnotized into believing that every moment should be a certain way, that every yard should look a certain way, that every family should behave a certain way - and that it's okay to beat themselves up for their own preferences or for not keeping up with the imaginary standard.

Here's a list of the Top Ten Holiday Shoulds, along with a thought or two about simply letting them go, and delighting in this moment. In the words of Byron Katie: "When I argue with What Is, I lose. But only 100% of the time."

1 - I should have a new outfit to wear to the Christmas party!

Last year's outfit is fine. Your shiny happy self tells a brighter story than something you bought at a store.

2 - I should have done hand-made Christmas cards! (Or, I should've done Christmas Cards at all!)

Relax. If you had time to delight in making cards, that would be great. But it's okay that you didn't. And as for not sending cards, you can send them out next year. (Or, be like my brother's family and send out annual Valentine Cards instead!)

3 - My kids/parents should behave differently!

Everyone is doing the best they can. What would happen if you simply accepted each person's path and choices - and let them be exactly where they are?

4 - I should've bought more expensive presents!

When gifting becomes about competition or keeping up, then it just drains you. Take a moment to remember who you are and how you want to love the people in your life. Nothing beats authenticity.

5 - I should go out and buy more [insert useless consumer good or processed food here.]

When you nervously become a consumer for no reason, challenge yourself to sit down, listen, and experience the emptiness. You might find that it's actually quite peaceful in there!

6 - I should've lost weight this year!

Become a champion of yourself. Make a list of five great things you accomplished this year, and let go of those things you didn't. You can revisit them in January.

7 - The Holidays should look more like the pretty scenes in a snow globe or on Christmas specials!

The cool thing about snow globes and such is the happy feeling they create inside of you. Instead of thinking everything should make you feel that way, try to capture the feeling you get from those things - and then carry that feeling to each moment in your life. I call this Positive Daydreaming.

8 - I should've made [Insert time-consuming baked good featured on Martha Stewart]!

See #5.

And remember that Martha Stewart has a very large staff. And that there's rarely a shortage of sugary baked items during the holidays.

9 - My house should have better decorations!

See #8.

And go take a nap.

10 - I should make better scrapbook pages after the holidays!

Doing good scrapbooks does not make you a good mother, sister, daughter or friend. Doing good scrapbooks makes you someone who has time to scrapbook. If you use photo-boxes or boring albums, you're still a wonderful human, and we'll all still love you.

**BONUS SHOULD**

11 - It should be The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas is lovely with all of its twinkle lights and confectionary goodies, AND there are many wonderful times each year. (I happen to love each and every time I hike in the woods, no matter what time of year it is!)

Wonderful is about your delight and how you feel on the inside. When you let go of what is not authentic delight for you, then you might be surprised at how simple the holidays become. You might find that wonderful is right here in this very moment.

*~*~*~*

Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

Can Clutter Hinder Other Areas of Your Life?

Here's another great article by Christine Kane.  I think I need to go and clean my closet out now.

The Year I Discovered How Clutter Blocks Success

I looked at my phone in horror.

"You want me to what?" I said into it.

"It's time, Christine. You've been talking about that basement for weeks now. It's time to deal with it."

I had been working with my coach for months at this point. And even though I had reached certain levels of success in my career, I kept getting stuck in the same old ruts. I was about to record my fourth CD, and I was ready to move to a higher level.

Thom was doing what good coaches do: listening carefully, seeing clearly - and of course, pushing me to take conscious action.

So, he encouraged me to start small and completely clear out the junk in my basement. Thirty minutes a day. One section at a time. Building momentum as I went.

Each week, during our call, I'd report back on my progress.

Each week, I had a new reason why I simply could not let go of some clutter-y item.

"But I spent so much on it!" "I might need it someday!" "I could gain weight and need this again." "I paid such a good price for it!"

To my credit, I did pretty well at letting go once Thom talked me through these old mindsets.

Then came the week I had to face one particularly significant section of the basement.

It was where I stored various pieces of furniture I had gotten at the Salvation Army and at local flea markets when I first began my songwriting career. A bookcase, a kitchen table, a dresser, and a few shelves. I no longer liked or used this furniture because my tastes totally changed. I had begun to cherish beauty and opulence in my surroundings. I wanted to fill my home only with items that I loved.

"So, Christine," Thom asked. "Why don't you want to let these things go?"

I was embarrassed. But I told him the truth. "Well, here's the thing. If my music career doesn't work out, I might need them one day. If I fail, and I don't have any money, I might wish I had kept these things."

Long pause.

"So, you'll be on the street - but at least you'll have that bookcase?"

I laughed.

Thom sighed. And what he said next has been a core lesson of creating my success and happiness.

He said that everything in our lives has energy. Everything has our thoughts and emotions embedded into it. Old furniture is no exception. In essence, what I was saying to the universe and to my subconscious, creative self was this:

I believe so deeply in my own failure that I'm holding onto physical things that represent that possibility. Every time I walk by these items in my basement, I will be reminded of my inevitable failure. Every moment I'm in my house, my subconscious will know that in the very foundation of my life (my basement), there are items that prove I don't believe in my own success.

That week, I called Goodwill, and scheduled an appointment to have the old furniture taken away.

I'd love to report that I smiled and waved as the old clunky furniture was carried away. But the truth is I was terrified. I was letting go of my Plan B. I was saying to the Universe: "I thoroughly believe in my own success."

I had never done that before in such a concrete way!

As I wrote earlier, I began recording my fourth CD as I was clearing out the basement. That CD went on to sell five times more than any of my other CD's. It received rave reviews. Border's Books featured it on a listening post that year, and named it the top CD of the year in my category.

Now, even though I know this success wasn't ONLY about letting go of my old flea market furniture, I have become a firm believer that we each need to pay attention to the energy of the stuff that surrounds us. We need to pay attention to what we are telling our subconscious minds when we hold on.

Now you.

What are you holding onto? What thoughts and beliefs are you putting out into the Universe by clinging to it? Are you telling yourself you don't believe in the inevitability of your own success and prosperity? Or that you don't believe you can expand and create better things in your life?

Pick one thing - just one small thing - and let it go. Today!

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Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.