Welcome to The Seasoned Path

Welcome to The Seasoned Path. In each newsletter I will share some of my musings along the path as well as inspirations gained from those who have traveled this way before me. My hope is to tickle your curiosity, heighten your awareness, and encourage you to become an environmentalist for your heart.

In this Issue:

Quote of the Month
Attitude Adjustment 101
Readings for the Journey
Upcoming events: Reserve Your Spot for These Fall and Winter Getaways 

Quote of the Month

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
Charles R. Swindoll




"So, what are my choices here?"

 

Attitude Adjustment 101

All of us at one time or another find ourselves drowning in a sea of negativity and self-pity, or consumed by the fire of resentment and frustration, or aimlessly drifting in a fog of uncertainty. When life feels out of control and without focus, it is the perfect time for an attitude adjustment. Too often, we are our own worst enemy. As Amy Tan so aptly put it, “If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude.”

Here is my basic curriculum for Attitude Adjustment 101.

Lesson One: Drop the shoulda’, coulda’ woulda’ thinking and start with what is. An attitude adjustment has to happen in the immediate present. That is the moment of choice. Today is the compilation of past choices and the future will be shaped by your next choice, whether it is made consciously or unconsciously. So begin in the now and commit to making a change.

Lesson Two: The most spiritually evolved and masterfully brilliant people I have ever met are immensely curious. They never live from a place of knowing-it-all but are always seeking to discover more about what they don’t know. It is time to become inquisitive and ask your self the important questions. Here are some of my favorites:
“What do I really, really, really want?”
“What am I not seeing, hearing, or understanding?”
“What do I need to learn?”
“What assumptions am I making?”
“What is my innermost heart saying to me?”
Come up with your two most important questions, then take the time to reflect and write down your responses.

Lesson Three: Ask your self some more questions. This time fully weigh your options.
“What are my choices?”
“What are the possibilities?”
“Am I being the person I want to be?”
“How can I make this a win-win situation?”
“What am I willing to do about this?”
Again ask the most important questions for you, right now, and write down your responses.

Lesson Four: Most likely your have already undergone an attitude adjustment simply by putting your self in this questioning mode instead of a judgmental one. However, it is important to fully ground this shift and make it a conscious choice. Look over the responses to your questions. Do you see any themes or  predominant qualities that you want to enhance and embrace? Give your new attitude a name and identity? Own it! Declare it! Become it!

Readings for the Journey

 The Little Book of Meaning: Why We Crave it, How We Create It, by Laura Bernam Fortgang

The Female Brain,  by Louann Brizendine, M.D.

The Right Questions: Ten Essential Questions to Guide You to an Extraordinary Life, by Debbie Ford

Upcoming Events

WALKING WITH INENTION: (Tuesday, June 30th, 10:00 to 3:00pm) Enjoy a 3.5 mile hike exploring the beautiful John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Our focus will be on reconnecting with your life purpose and living with intention. Investment: $40

SELF CARE FOR THE CARE GIVERS: An Autumn Celebration of Women
(Sept 20-22, 2009) Enjoy an extended weekend in the country to renew, revitalize and reconnect with you feminine power. Gather with like minded women for 2 nights and 3 days of inspiring workshops, quiet reflection, sharing and laughter. Location: Graystones Preserve in the Poconos (cozy, clean cabins with fireplace, living room, kitchen, and double occupancy bedrooms). Investment: $375, includes lodging, food, and retreat activities.  Reserve your spot now with a $100 deposit.

EMBRACING LIFE’S CHANGING PATTERNS: A Women’s Retreat to Nurture the Body, Mind and Spirit (March 3-9, 2010)
 Join us for 6 days of renewal, reflection, and adventure at Estate Concordia on St. John Island in the Caribbean. East meets West in this unique program with Linda Marrical teaching self acupressure, Chi Kung movement, and breath work, and Karin Marcus coaching on the healing qualities, accessing one's innate wisdom, and creating a personal vision. Your Investment: $1,750 includes all retreat activities, plus 6 days of lodging in spacious double occupancy Eco-tents with kitchenette and modern conveniences. Reserve your spot now with a $250 deposit.

CUSTOMIZED RETREATS Are you looking for a retreat for your co-workers, a community group, or close friends? Or do you need to get away by yourself to gain clarity on an issue? We work with individuals and groups, designing custom retreats that focus on specific needs, whether it is marking a transition, learning to cope with change, or needing some extreme self-care

The Small Print

To schedule a complimentary 30 minute coaching phone session, email me at Karin@SteppingOutCoaching.com or call 610-667-5247

Visit my website for more coaching info www.SteppingOutCoaching.com

A Note About My Recommendations
I provide links in this newsletter to products and services I am offering or I have personally found valuable. If you are ever disappointed with one of these recommendations, please let them and me know. If they don't make it right, I will.

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The Seasoned Path is published 12 times a year and distributed by e-mail to subscribers on or about the first Monday of each month. Comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. Please forward any or all of this newsletter to those you know will appreciate it and encourage them to subscribe for themselves.

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Copyright © 2009 by Karin Marcus. All rights reserved.
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