This past week has been a wonderful reminder of how good it feels to GIVE, and even more so, to do it, anonymously.

One of the communities that I am part of hosts an annual gathering on Dec. 24 in Sonoma County, CA. In addition to healthy, organic food and chocolate, we participate in a sustainable gift exchange.  No purchases, no additional consumption,  but rather, an offering of a treasure that you no longer use/need. During the “dancing” exchange, we keep passing from hand to hand these wrapped anonymous gifts, until the music finally stops.  It always turns out that each one of us receives the absolute perfect gift!

Here in my neighborhood, I love setting boxes of used “treasures” and clothes out for passerbys to take home. There is a Chinese woman who visits my “boxes” regularly. She also helps herself to the recycling bin before the weekly city pick up, and receives a few cents for each glass container that she recovers from the bin.

Last week, I saw her walking by with her shopping cart. She stopped, pointing to her feet. “Shoes good”, she said with a big smile.  I was delighted to see my pair of black clogs fitting her feet perfectly.

I am a big believer in tithing, and set aside 10% of my annual income to donate to such organizations as Global Exchange, Spirit Rock, Bay Area NVC, IONS, Seva Foundation, and CEO Women among others. 

TITHING

Do you tithe?  For more information on tithing and prosperity, read Catherine Ponder’s works, starting with The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity.  Catherine did not market and sell “The Secret.” Rather, she shared her simple formula starting back in 1958 to groups of business leaders, helping them go from recession to abundance!

 SHARE YOUR ABUNDANCE

In this time of reviewing, reflecting, assessing, and goal setting, take stock of all you have to be grateful for. To whom can you give anonymously?  What can you let go of (behaviors, beliefs, or actual “things” ) to bring in the new?  Share your abundance.  This is the SECRET!

 “Even after all this time,

The Sun never says to the Earth,

You owe me.

Look what happens to a love like that. . .

It lights up the whole sky.”

Hafiz

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Let’s face it. There is no Secret.

The word is out. If you can think it, believe it, and FEEL it, you can achieve it. Intention is the conscious choice to create- passion is the fuel. Your results will always match your true intentions. When we feel a passion for some thing or activity, it is because we are remembering what it was that we came to do in this world. When we are aligned with our heart’s deepest desires, we are co-creating with source energy. And from this marvelous state of desire and creation, arises your vision, a landscape to create BIG dreams, plot and cultivate your goals, and celebrate the outcomes! It all sounds so simple, and it is . . .sort of.

Internationally acclaimed author Marianne Williamson says:

“You are a child of the universe. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world . . .As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

So why do some of us play so small? Are we afraid to let our own light shine? How do we get in touch with what we are really passionate about and live our life on purpose?

I have spent a good part of my adult life asking myself these very same questions and have created the RAW formula.

RAW (Relax, Ask, Write) works every time I start to lose sight of my path (my purpose) and feel the fire extinguishing. I do this process personally once or twice a year (normally in January and June), and I apply variations and expansions of this in my workshops. The results have been magnificent.

DISCOVERING PASSION- The RAW™ Formula

RELAX
Create some time for you to be undisturbed (an hour if possible). Go into a meditative, inner, relaxed state. Use soothing music if that helps you get there. I prefer to focus on my breath and body sensations.

ASK yourself:
• What drives me? What do I really love to do?
• What’s really important to me? What do I stand for?
• What am I good at? Hint: Activities that are naturally easy for you; you know you are good at it, and others do as well!
• What puts a big smile on my face, or a skip in my step?
• What types of people do I love to be around?
• What are my unique skills and talents? (Talents and passions often go hand in hand)
Answers to these questions all provide clues to your purpose.

WRITE
What answers revealed themselves with your inquiry? If you want to live a passionate, purposeful life, start by writing your passions down.
Go with your first impulse. Keep writing. Don’t second-guess.
As you are writing these passions, notice:

• What you are feeling inside? 
• Are you expanding or contracting? 
• Is your breath deep, even, and relaxed or short, constricted, and shallow?
• Are you excited, afraid, or both?

It is very helpful to start each passion statement with a verb (teaching workshops, dancing tango, writing bestsellers; traveling to Mediterranean countries; riding my bicycle on a beautiful summer eve) for example. These action words help ignite passion in the subconscious. When you write your passions in a way that excites you, you feel excited.

If you are feeling stuck as you go through this process, one of the best ways to excavate the fire within is to do some “time travel” to your childhood.

Write down significant events in your life in three-year interval periods (ages 4-7, 8-11, 12-15,16-19.) What were you doing? How did you spend your time? What activities were you involved in that you loved the most? Do you notice any patterns?

Once you make your list, remove yourself from it for a few hours or until the next day. Go back over what you have written and circle the words/activities that appear more than once. The first time I did this exercise, I was amazed at how many times travel appeared as significant learning-turning points in my life. International travel is one of my top passions. The others are performing, teaching, speaking, and writing.

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT
Okay, so let’s say you have uncovered or rediscovered your passions. Now what? One fun and powerful first step is to create a Vision Canvas- a vibrant expression of your passions as if you are living them NOW. When you are clear, what you want will show up in your life. Get as specific as possible with the images on your Vision Canvas. Add affirmations to the images (in the present tense) that support you living your passions. And then, focus, focus, focus on what you want!

STAY COMMITTED
Take time daily to review your passions and Vision Canvas. There may be times you find yourself not wanting to read your passions or focus on your goals and vision. Is there an underlying fear or belief that you can’t achieve what you have written? Examine this. Are your focusing on something you don‘t want? If that’s the case, flip the switch now. Remember the “Law of Attraction” is about energy and vibration. Where we put our attention, creates our experience. Focusing on what you don’t want will deaden your passions (and bring more of what you don’t want). A skilled coach can guide you more with this process.

Take action everyday. The only time to take action is NOW. What actions are you taking in support of your passions, everyday? Whenever you are faced with a decision, choose in favor of your passions.

PRACTICE APPRECIATION
Studies have shown that brain and hormonal activity shifts significantly simply by giving attention to what you are grateful for. Additionally, there are some very interesting studies from the University of Utah linking gratitude to better immune system functioning. I find making a quick list (or verbal scan) of all that I am grateful for, either first thing in the morning or before sleeping, keeps me living with optimism, intention, and momentum.

GIVE YOUR VISIONS a LIFT
According to T. Harv Eker, best-selling NY Times author, how you do anything is how you do everything (from making your bed to running your company). How are you expressing your passions in life? Half-heartedly or with the precision of an elite athlete. Passions are irresistible. When you are truly passionate about something, there is absolutely nothing that can keep you from it. Give your visions a lift. Take one more step today!

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© Sheryl R. Sever (Coach Shera)

There is a profound change coursing through our cosmos, our world, and our very beings in these times. Although not under the radar of the mainstream media, change and reinvention are occurring throughout governments, corporations, small businesses, communities, families, and even in our individual daily practices. Business as usual is out- Innovation, collaboration, and revolutionary impact are in!

THE “JOB” is OBSOLETE

Nearly 10 years ago, one of my mentors, William Bridges, International Change Consultant, introduced the then, ground-breaking concept of You and Co., in his best-selling book by the same title.

Bridges declared that the “job” is obsolete, and that it’s essential re-position ourselves in order to function and thrive in an economy and workforce that continues to shift and depend more and more on outsourcing and consulting experts. Now in 2007, Bridge’s predictions have ripened, with an encouraging emphasis placed on non-linear leadership paradigms, community building, local economic development, and sustainability. The US Bureau of Statistics reveals that by 2010, approximately 40% of the US population will be self-employed or small business owners.

I rejoiced when I heard this. My career as an organizational consultant in over a dozen industries was finally affirmed and acknowledged. I wasn’t an oddity! According to Tom Peters, International Management Consultant, I was a PSF (Professional Services Firm), a talented non-conformist, and interesting. I was a company. WOW!

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Starting one’s own business may be an attractive career choice, particularly if you are ready and willing to transform a long-held passion into income, run an extra mile (or two) and creatively package your varied resources, abilities, talents, and knowledge. Not for the weak of heart, or for those simply longing for independence and freedom, owning a business is for those who are comfortable with the unknown and risk-taking, have done their research, and possess certain qualities that set them apart.

TEN QUALITIES of the NEW ENTREPRENEUR

Are you thinking about starting your own business or taking an existing business to the next level? Are you ready to excavate a buried dream? Take a look at my Qualities of the New Entrepreneur and ask yourself if you have what it takes.

1. Passionate and driven to transform dreams and ideas into reality – loves what she does and knows what she stands for. Think about the energy of passion. It is a natural attractor.The New Entrepreneur inspires her customers with a passionate declaration that offers creative solutions to her customers needs.

2. Goal Oriented – has a short- and long-term strategic plan. The New Entrepreneur is FOCUSED (period)

3. Self-Confident and Optimistic – practices the principles of the “Law of Attraction.” Science and consciousness are merging. In the release of ” (www.thesecret.tv) , we are reminded that every thought vibrates and radiates a signal, thereby attracting a matching signal back. Thoughts come from feelings. The New Entrepreneur puts her attention on “what feels good”, holding herself consistent with her intention in order to bring about the desired manifestation.

4. Creates a budget with well-researched operational costs from which she makes realistic financial projections.

5. Maintains work/life balance and asks for support from other “experts”. The time of the lone wolf is over.

6. Realizes the value of partnerships and the necessity of environmental sustainability; builds these elements into her business plan.

7. Life-long learner - thrives on change and keeps current with trends in her industry.

8. Approaches obstacles as opportunities.

9. Committed to and grows though helping others. Knows the value by “giving-back”.

10. Creates a business plan and develops marketing strategies with her coach.

YOU, INC.

So what’s next? Start thinking of yourself as a business, now! How will you position YOU, Inc.! (your product, service, skills, and knowledge? Whether you are looking for work or currently employed full-time, planning to start your own business, buy a franchise, or offer consulting services, your skills and talents are a product or service to be offered and received. Assess what you truly value. Translate these values into offerings. Ask yourself: How can I help? How can I make a difference?

NEED SOME IDEAS?
There are over 80 new start-ups born each day. 79 of them are unprepared. Entrepreneur Magazine Best Businesses to launch in 2007 include:
Specialty Food Businesses (Wine, Chocolate, Organic Foods, Dessert Restaurants,) Alternative Energy and Green Products, Specialty Apparel, Senior Transition Services, Virtual Economies, Nanotechnology, Media Storage, Baby-Boomer Career Counseling and Financial Planning, Teen Party Planning (by and for teens), Kid’s Businesses and Home Parties.

First published OPEN EXCHANGE , January,07

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