|
Read current Newsletter | Register | Archives
Inspired Momentum Newsletter
Feb/March 2005, Inspired Momentum Newsletter
In this issue:
Greetings,
Welcoming Spring
With the emergence of daffodils, we know that spring is slowly seeping into our coastal spirit. As the days become longer and filled with more brightness, you may turn towards the light of awareness within as the daffodils so consistently turn towards the sunlight.
Along with the time of renewal that spring represents, this time is conducive to making a conscious effort to discard old limiting beliefs and self-judgments. Allow yourself to let go of fears that hold you back or prevents you from blooming into a fuller expression of your highest potential. This process begins with an intention. In your daily life, it can mean choosing to respond differently than through your usual pattern of thinking or behaving in a given situation. I suggest you ask yourself, how would my life be different if I were to live it in a fearless way?
When you find yourself at a crossroads, needing to decide, use discernment and courage to choose a course of action or an attitude that generates more excitement in you. When we “play it safe” too much of the time, we loose our aliveness. An inner spring cleansing means that in addition to releasing ways of being that no longer serve you, you re-arrange your life so that what really brings you alive is more of a priority. For you, this may include making time for contemplative practices, taking more risks to stretch your capabilities, being with people you enjoy more of the time or taking time to be held in the arms of Mother Nature by walking or hiking in a forested area.
My most recent authentic journey
 In the first week of February,
my continuing quest for learning and leading took me to Naropa University
in Boulder Colorado where I am completing a graduate program called Authentic Leadership. Naropa is a truly holistic university as evidenced by the presence of meditation cushions in the classrooms. During the course of a week there, I deepened my learning of the
field of authentic leadership which is essentially about a quality of presence, skillful conversations and effective actions. I am also learning more about how to bring about change, what makes people resist change and how to lead into an effective change program.
After Boulder, I spent 5 days in Bajamar, Mexico in an ocean side villa with a group of interesting, open and genuine people including Brad Blanton, the author of Radical Honesty (with me on the photograph). During those days we deepened our ability to live in the moment-to-moment experience of the present. While there, I also enjoyed getting to know people, having intimate conversations, laughing until my cheeks were hurting, sharing my poetry and relaxing into the flow of spirit in the little community we created.
Wishing you a most joyful, and fearless springtime.
And be sure to read below about my upcoming event for entrepreneurs. My next newsletter will come to you in late April upon my return after a week in Boulder and 2 days in Santa Barbara for a retreat.
Until then, be whole, be well and be true to yourself.
Isabelle St-Jean
Favorite Quotations
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face” Eleanor Roosevelt
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing”. Arundhati Roy, World Social Forum, 2003
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw.
Recommended Books
Practicing Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton. This book takes you into a deep understanding of the mind and how it works. It’s a great resource for the journey of completing the past, living in the present and building a future.
The Power of Giving by Azim Jamal and Harvey McKinnon. As I recently attended Azim’ s book launch in Vancouver, I sensed that this book has been written with a lot of heart and thoughtfulness. It embraces the paradox that it is in sincere giving that we truly receive. This book guides you to create abundance in your home, at work and in your community.
Upcoming Events
Entrepreneurial Success from the Inside Out. Sat. April 9, 2005 from 10:00 am to 1:00pm at the Vancouver Public Library. This intensive workshop is about being aware of the qualities of energy you exude and how you can improve on the impression you create when meeting potential clients. It is about looking at your inner dialogue and how it affects your communication with others and the results you create. You will also get to learn about mental imprints as a powerful strategy to create the business success you so desire.
For more details see the poster which describes the workshop contents and includes testimonials about my work.
Valley Women’s Network – April 26, 2005, 6:30pm at the Coast Hotel on Comox St. in Vancouver. This is a fabulous networking opportunity for women entrepreneurs in a beautiful setting while enjoying a delicious meal. You may come as a guest if you are not a member. That evening I will be speaking about authentic leadership in the spirit of entrepreneurship. For reservation call Laura Monteiro at 604 683-6905 ext. 219
|
