Archive for December, 2009
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
It’s time to receive now, as we head into the biggest giving day of the year. I hope you’ve all been inspired and are receive much joy today and tomorrow.
1. Giving to “Toys for Tots” is so much fun. I hadn’t been to the toy store in years. It was interesting and heart warming to pick out a toy for some child in need. Sending love is so good for the giver.
2. I took a friend/client to a Christmas event at the Buckhead Club. I paid for her to go and was paid back in full by sharing her company and her joy from the event.
3. We’ve received so many sweets as gifts this year. We like to stay healthy and it looked like we would get “sugared out”. So, I re-gifted the delicious (and so tempting) Mrs. Field’s Cookie Basket that we received to our wonderful contractors (not an oxymoron, at last). They lit up, and it was delightful to see. My waistline is also very grateful.
4. I gave the gift of attention and appreciation. I asked an attendant at the bank a question. She immediately offered to get the answer for me, which meant taking her time to go across the bank and ask someone else. I was pressed for time and didn’t feel like waiting. However, I could tell that she really wanted to give good service. It made her feel good to help me. So, I waited and thanked her graciously for her time and service. She was pleased and I ended up doing all I needed to do.
5. One of the best gifts I’ve ever given is the one I’m creating for my Mom’s 80th birthday. It’s a Voice Quilt (www.voicequilt). I’ve called and emailed her friends and family. They’ve been calling in to the Voicequilt.com phone number and leaving messages for her – telling about how much they care and stories they’ve shared. It’s so heartwarming listening to the messages. I cry each time I do. And, I’m so excited to see her response. Definitely a wonderful gift.
6. In reference to the above. I found out about Voicequilt from the founder Hope Flammer. She emailed me that she heard me speak 4 years ago and was inspired to create this business. She’s so happy that she did, and I’m so very happy that I was able to inspire her. Sigh.
7. My husband has been out of town and is coming home this evening. He just loves my spinach lasagna and so do I. It will be waiting here for him when he arrives. He’s very excited and I’m going to just love creating this treat for him.
Wishing you all the most joyful of holidays.
Tags: Coaching, counseling, Giving, insight, inspiration, intuition, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, life lessons, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Giving, Happiness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Uncategorized, gifts, intuitive counseling, transformation | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
I answered a question on LinkedIn which addresses the issues of how to transfer your dreams into reality. I thought my answer may be interesting to you.
The law of attraction works if you aren’t standing in your own way. Our unconscious and soul level beliefs hang us up. I wrote Unlimited Life: Limiting Beliefs and Belief Busting Power Truths because I noticed how often I and my clients did not get what we dreamed of. We can be our own road blocks. I have a free Limiting Belief Worksheet on the home page of this site (www.theawarenessinitiative.com), if you’d like to work through your limiting beliefs.
Life is a training ground. We are growing, changing and evolving. The obstacles that we encounter offer the perfect scenarios for us to become aware of the places where we’re stuck and need to grow. The object is to be in tune with our essential self, act from that place and try to stay as loving to ourselves and others as possible. It’s a continual process and is never ending until we die.
Life offers some amazing challenges and we can handle whatever is put on our path. 16 months ago I discovered that I had cancer. That was a big obstacle. I went through the heavy treatment for it last year, and am going to have to be treated and feel the effects of it for awhile. It’s horrible. No doubt about it. I don’t wish it on anyone. But, it was the biggest growth stimulant I’ve ever had. I’m a much different person than I was 16 months ago. I had to rally all of my internal forces – and am still doing that – but I’m coming out on top of it. I meditate daily, exercise, eat well… The coaching I do is healing to me as well as my clients. I am more and more in touch with what is valuable and important to me. I am focusing on those things and those people.
There will always be more to work through and more to dream. That’s the beauty of life. Sometimes we don’t see how far we’ve come because we’re dreaming of the next thing. Look at the life you are living and see if you are not living much of what you wanted in the past. If you aren’t, work through the beliefs that block you. In either case, this is the perfect season to feel gratitude for all we do have and for the opportunity to be here.
If you’d like to work through your beliefs you can sign up for my Life Transformation Vision Board Workshop on January 8 in Atlanta (only 2 spaces left) at http://bit.ly/8Kdjes.
Meanwhile, have a very joyful and blessed holiday!
Tags: awareness, Coaching, counseling, creative power, insight, inspiration, intuition, intuitive, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, law of attraction, life lessons, moving forward, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, Workshops, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
It’s been a busy and grateful week. Here are 7 ways of giving while not depleting oneself (in fact, getting rewarded in some cases):
1. I participated in a white elephant gift giving at a party. I received a gift that someone else wanted – some candles that matched her decor. I offered to exchange with her so she could have mine. Hers was coffee, which I wouldn’t mind having. I also saw someone who received a red, glass olive oil bottle that she didn’t want. I asked if she wanted the coffee I now had. She didn’t want either but gave me the olive oil bottle. She said it made her happy to do so. Everyone was happy and I went home with 2 gifts, though I had brought 1.
2. I enjoyed designing holiday cards that my husband’s company printed. I sent 200 cards to clients, family and friends. I’ve received many compliments and return cards back. One person is in Asia and has offered to help me plan my next trip there. Another client realized it was time for a coaching session.
3. I exchanged a Social Networking session with Barbara Giamanco of Talent Builders and gave her an hour coaching session. She loved it and in turn sent a wonderful blog out to all of her vast LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook networks about my upcoming Vision Board workshop (www.theawarenessinitiative.com/speaking.php) and wrote me a recommendation. Can’t wait to recommend her, as well. Social networking is a win-win, give-give situation. Love it.
4. I did a coaching session for a client today who is very financially challenged. I didn’t feel comfortable taking her money and told her that. Instead I gave her motivation to pay me. I said she will owe me the money and pay me when she follows the advice of the session and is on her way to success. Delaying payment was a gift to her. Her payment will be a double gift to me, showing me she’s doing well and is successful.
5. I had an event to go to tonight, but a client asked me to do a coaching session with her daughter. I didn’t tell the client that I had a previous engagement. Instead, I opted to give the session as it was clear the daughter needed it. It seemed the right thing to do. And it was. I was blessed with meeting a wonderful person and enjoyed the session at least as much as she did. It was a real blessing, and more fulfilling than the event would have been.
6. I was asked to go to lunch with a friend so that she could solicit a donation to her favorite charity. I went, had a delicious lunch, enjoyed her company and donated. The conversation progressed and unsolicited she mentioned a friend who was needing some coaching. She’s going to refer her to me.
7. Here’s one from my husband: I gave the Salvation Army bell ringer at the Kroger a cup of coffee and a sandwich. I’ve been told that they aren’t allowed to carry their own money. It was cold and he couldn’t leave his post. My gift was the heartwarming joy of giving and his grateful smile.
Tags: behavior control, business success, Coaching, counseling, Giving, insight, inspiration, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, life lessons, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Finding Joy, Giving, Happiness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, gifts, intuitive counseling | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
This morning I awoke after a rough night of little sleep to a reply from Mary McManus (http://bit.ly/5dKE0c) to my Gratitude Challenge. What a wonderful reply it was. It inspired and grounded me in my day.
Here’s how it worked from the beginning. Mary heard me on the Darian and Darius Blogtalk radio show. Being the tremendous social networker that she is, she connected with me on Twitter and Facebook. She tweets me often, sends love and support, and I reply in kind.
The more I share my knowledge and participate in social media, the more relationships I develop with people like Mary. I’ve made friends, learned a great deal, developed business and have helped others by sending info to others about them. It just keeps growing and going. Social media done correctly is a perfect example of a win-win giving situation.
Tags: awareness, business success, Coaching, communication, Giving, intuition, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, lessons, life lessons, relationships, self help, social media, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Giving, Growing your business, Happiness, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, Present Time, Training, business relationships, gifts, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
I had 3 hours to run several errands and I’d planned it pretty tight. Not a problem. I know the roads and I can be a master of efficiency. I refuse to rush, but I can make it all happen quickly.
2 banks, check. Fill-up with gas, check. Eat lunch, check. Home Depot for a part for our insinkerator. The salesperson lead me right to the part I was looking for … almost out of there and WHOA. The salesperson was not happy with my part solution. It was to be a replacement part for the hot water connection. The size was right, it looked right, but he wasn’t sure that it would work for hot water temperatures. He told me he was going to go online and check it out. Then he left.
He was gone a long time. I waited. A part of me wanted to get anxious because I wasn’t on schedule. In the past I may have acted anxious and stressed. Instead I meandered around looking at doors, hot water heaters, people. I found him on the phone. The information wasn’t on the internet and he called and got me specific temperature ranges for this part. Wow. What service. I now know I’ll have to watch this part because it may melt. I don’t have a choice because I can’t get another one, but geez. How great was it to find all of that out? Just by being patient.
What was the gift to him? He never knew that I held back the anxious demon within who could have been curt and maybe even rude. When I left he felt proud and appreciated. He deserved to feel that way. He did a great job. I didn’t get everything I needed to done. But, oh well… there’s always tomorrow. And today was a good day for both myself and a Home Depot salesperson.
Tags: awareness, behavior control, Coaching, counseling, Getting It Done, Giving, intuition, intuitive, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, life lessons, moving forward, patience, relationships, self help, time management, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Efficiency, Getting It Done, Giving, Happiness, Improving communication, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, gifts, success, transformation | 2 Comments »
Monday, December 7th, 2009
Today I thoroughly enjoyed watching my husband using his birthday gift. Dave had fallen back on his workouts. He’s been terribly busy running his point-of-sale promotional printing business in a tough economy. And, he’s been an amazing caregiver this year, taking care of me (through Cancer treatment). For his birthday I bought him sessions with Joseph, our amazing personal trainer. Umm, he looked good today. And, he’s getting healthier, too. It works for him, and it’s definitely working for me.
Tags: Giving, intuition, intuitive, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, life lessons, relationships, self help
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Giving, Happiness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Uncategorized, intuitive counseling | No Comments »
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
It was present wrapping day at our house. My husband and I had purchased several gifts for the holidays and had a few more to purchase online. We enjoyed thinking about our friends and family and picking out what they would like. It was also a lot of fun wrapping the gifts in many papers and decorating them together. We worked well together as a team, and that added to the fulfillment of the day.
Picking just the right gift for someone takes love and insight. And, wrapping can be so fun. It’s a win-win process all around.
Tags: awareness, Coaching, communication, counseling, Getting It Done, Giving, intuition, intuitive, intuitive insight, life lessons, relationships, self help
Posted in Finding Joy, Giving, Happiness, Intuitive Insights, Personal growth, gifts | No Comments »
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
On Day 8 of the Gratitude Challenge I had a blast doing my radio show, Unlimited Success & Fulfillment. I host this web radio show every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at 1 pm.
Today I spoke with Rochele Hirsch, international consultant and the originator of the Theory of How Come (www.beforethebehavior.com), about my present article “You’re Just Not Worth It”. We engaged in a fascinating discussion about how to stay centered and joyful during the holidays and always. Rochele talked about key stressors and triggers that are imprinted, and how to avoid reacting to them. It was a fun and informative discussion, and both Rochele, my audience and I learned a great deal. You can listen to this episode at http://web.me.com/deborahhillflach/Podcasts.Radio/podcasts.radio.speeches/Entries/2009/12/4_YoureJustNotWorthIt.html
Tune in on December 18 when I’ll be talking with “The Gratitude Girls” about the Gratitude Challenge: http://www.divatoolbox.com/diva-toolbox-radio-/hosts/1904-deborah-hill-the-awareness-initiative.html
Tags: awareness, Coaching, counseling, Giving, insight, inspiration, intuitive insight, life lessons, moving forward, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Finding Joy, Giving, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Personal growth, Uncategorized, intuitive counseling, transformation | No Comments »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
I finished dinner, dishes … and was getting ready to head upstairs to bed when I realized I had to balance my bank statements. I’d been putting them off too long and wanted to get them out of the way.
So, I went to the computer to reconcile my quickbooks/quicken accounts with the online statements.
However, I read my emails first … answered a few … and saw one from a friend. She had forwarded an email about a boy who was dying of cancer and wanted Christmas cards before he died.
I went online and checked the validity of the email and it was not spam. There was a new address for the cards, however.
I went back to my friend’s email and forwarded the link for the new address to all of her recipients.
I then went in search of a Christmas card.
There weren’t any in my adjoining closet.
None in the closet downstairs.
None in the office supply storage in the garage.
While I’m in the garage I open the garage door to check on the storm drain. It’s Fall and it’s storming heavily. The leaves wash into the storm drain and clog it. This causes the garage to flood. I’ve racked leaves away 5 times today. I see that it’s clogged again and go out in the rain, at 10 pm to rake leaves.
That done, I’m back to finding the Christmas card for the 5 year old somewhere in Michigan.
Oh yes, I remember Dave and I created a separate box for cards and put it on one of the garage shelves.
But, there’s a large piece of glass in front of the box that we hadn’t moved yet.
So, I began to move it.
But, there were some chairs in the place where the glass should go. So, I moved those.
This almost knocked down a lamp that needed to find a home. I took it into the downstairs room and found a place for it on a table. There were two smaller lamps on this table that I had to relocate. I redecorated the basement (OK, just a the part where the lamps were to go), and went out in search of the card.
First I had to replace the chairs. There was an empty computer monitor box behind the place where the chairs were that needed to go into the attic. I pulled it out. I placed the glass where it needed to go, replaced the chairs, found a Christmas card, brought it and the computer monitor box upstairs, addressed the card and then … began reconciling the bank statements (remember those?).
2 hours later I’m getting ready to go upstairs to bed. And, I will once I finish this email and put the computer monitor box into the attic. Hopefully, there will be nothing in the attic for me to do.
I called my husband Dave to tell him this story. He said his approach would have been, “I’m too tired. I’ll do the card tomorrow. And, the bank statements can wait too.”
Ah, the differences between us.
Tags: awareness, behavior control, business success, Coaching, counseling, creative power, Getting It Done, insight, intuition, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, law of attraction, lessons, life lessons, relationships, self help, time management, women and business
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Creating your life, Efficiency, Getting It Done, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Project Management, Speaking, Training, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | 2 Comments »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
I wasn’t able to get to sleep, and finally dozed off at 5 am. (a long story) My alarm was set for 8 am, as I had a meeting with an insurance agent to redo all of my policies.
The phone rang at 7:48 am! It was not a telemarketer, thankfully, as I would have been VERY rude. It was the agent calling to let me know she needed me to bring a couple things. I was not happy and she was devastated that she’d woken me up. She thought she was calling my cell and would leave a message.
I remained reasonably calm during the call, but wanted to be angry afterwards. That 12 minutes of sleep was precious to me. Why did this happen? Was the world out to get me? (said my grumpy, tired mind) No, it was an obvious opportunity.
My new agent, Janet, is very sweet. She’d worked late into the night to give me great quotes and had been delightful to work with. I knew she was very efficient and effective, and was trying her best to do a great job for me. I had to honor that. I had to let the 12 minutes go and forgive her.
I arrived at the appointment a couple minutes late and decided to be very kind and gracious to Janet. She deserved it! Our meeting went so well and we really connected. We connected so well that I’m going to speak to her group at their annual meeting. Janet is very happy and got my business. I was happier having let go of my resentment and opening to love. AND I have a new speaking engagement. This experience paid off in multiples for all.
Tags: awareness, behavior control, business success, calm mind, Coaching, communication, counseling, creative power, Getting It Done, Giving, insight, intuition, intuitive insight, lessons, life lessons, moving forward, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Giving, Growing your business, Happiness, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, intuitive counseling | 1 Comment »
