Dec 19

In Praise of Idleness

empowerment, personal development, personal growth 3 Comments »

I know it is counter-intuitive, just 7 days before Christmas, to think of taking (or giving yourself) a break, however, it might just be the very best thing to do.

Please read on, and see if you agree…

Love, Honey

In Praise of Idleness

by Alexander Green

Americans idealize hard work, duty, industry and self-sacrifice.

We know this, in part, by how many terms we have for those who lack these qualities: loafer, idler, shirker, slacker, goof-off, deadbeat, bum, goldbrick, layabout.

As children, we’re taught that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Idleness is synonymous with laziness – or worse.

But other cultures take a different view. The Japanese have the highly ritualized tea ceremony. The British have afternoon tea, a relaxing half hour with Earl Grey, cucumber sandwiches and genteel conversation.

Mexicans dispense with tea altogether and just take a siesta. (As the Spanish proverb says, “How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterwards.”)

Successful lives are not always measured by achievement. Too much time at the grindstone can leave us culturally impoverished, spiritually indigent. We should know how to cultivate leisure, to use it to rise to higher levels of grace and intellectual repose.

No sensible life is without periods of indolence. Besides, idleness can be a noble attribute, a virtuous pastime.

Consider that culture itself is a byproduct of leisure. Idleness leads to contemplation, creativity and inventiveness. These, in turn, resolve themselves in literature, poetry, music, philosophy and art.

Downtime is an energizing force, too. It clears our heads and gives us strength. Without it, our concentration is diminished, our immune systems are stressed, our reasoning skills are diminished. We get tired and cranky.

Idleness reflects our status as free men and women. It is an expression of liberty. True idleness is not doing nothing. It’s being free to do anything.

Yet in today’s society, indolence is hard work. Family will poke and prod you. Colleagues will try to motivate you. Even a night on the town comes crashing down when your companion utters those lamentable words, “I really ought to be going. I need to get an early start.”

Yet work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness.

Aristotle said, “The great-souled man will not compete for the common objects of ambition… He will be idle and slow to act.”

Mark Twain – whose characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are among the most resourceful loafers in all literature – once wrote, “I have seen slower people than I am – and more deliberate… and even quieter, more listless and lazier people than I am. But they were dead.”

Ronald Reagan, a master of inactivity, once remarked, “It’s true that hard work never killed anybody, but I figure why take the chance?”

Yet, once ingrained, it’s hard for many of us to break free from the Calvinist work ethic, to return to that natural and blessed state of inactivity. In short, we feel guilty.

But we shouldn’t. One can even argue that idleness has a divine sanction. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29)

Hebrew sages even taught that when you are first welcomed into heaven, a record is revealed to you of all the many times in your past when you could really have been happy and enjoyed some moment but failed to do so. And then you are called to repent of each and every one of those moments.

The best lives are not lived in a hurry. Why pursue wealth if not to purchase a bit of leisured contentment? After all, the great end of living is the true enjoyment of it.

Winston Churchill understood this. British historian Paul Johnson recalls the time as a boy when he met the Prime Minister in October 1946:

“He gave me one of his giant matches he used for lighting cigars. I was emboldened by that into saying, ‘Mr. Winston Churchill, sir, to what do you attribute your success in life?’ and he said without hesitating: ‘Economy of effort. Never stand up when you can sit down, and never sit down when you can lie down.’”

And with that, he stepped into his limo and pulled away.

Carpe Diem,

Alex

http://www.spiritualwealth.com/

Dec 11

Paradise and Holidays!

coming out, empowerment, personal development, personal growth, transformation 3 Comments »

Another beautiful day in paradise (this one has snow)!

I am so grateful for the beautiful and loving birthday wishes; they have filled me right to the brim with joy.

We are home, enjoying the winter wonderland of Santa Fe, and getting back into the swing of work and now the holidays.

Speaking of the holidays — please do yourself a favor and don’t get caught up in overdoing; overspending, overeating, overdrinking, you get my drift. Commit to making it a conscious and joyous time for yourself and those you love.

Here’s a brief process you might find useful (do not practice while driving) …
Find a quiet space.
Allow your eyes to close.
Take a few deep breaths.
Begin to envision the rest of the month the way you’d like it to be– see what is happening, who is there, what are you doing, where are you?
Are you volunteering?
Entertaining at your place?
Visiting others?
Shopping/wrapping/giving?
Attending parties?
Enjoying quiet time at home?

Pay attention to what pleases you, what brings you joy.
Continue to breathe deeply as you see and feel the richness of the holidays, the way you want them.

When you are ready, open your eyes and begin doing what it takes to create and enjoy the holidays you envision.

It won’t happen by accident, so stay conscious and bring it into being.

There was some problem with the discount coupons referenced in my last message. If you have been thwarted in your attempts to register for anything, I apologize for your frustration. Please give it another shot– everything should be working A-OK now.

We have only 4 spaces remaining in Vision 2010, a truly magical way to begin the new year. If that speaks to you and your heart, be sure to snag a spot in the sacred circle for yourself.

Holiday discounts are still available for:

* Vision 2010
* The Experience
* The Intensive and
* Success Coaching

BUT ONLY THROUGH TOMORROW, DECEMBER 11.

Prices, discount coupons, and loads of details are easily found by clicking here: www.ExperienceYourPower.com

And you are welcome to review programs you have been a part of in years gone by.

Now is the time to make a fresh start for 2010, to open to new possibilities, to add to the beauty and quality of your life, and even to share gifts that last a lifetime with those you love.

Please visit www.ExperienceYourPower.com for details and remember to enter the coupon on your registration page to receive the instant discount.

If you have any questions that remain unanswered by the website, please give me a call, 505.988.2000.

Let YourSelf Remember — among the most important gifts you have to give this holiday season, or any season, is your love and kind attention.

Thanks and love,

Honey

PS Please share this message with people you care about and invite them to join us, too.

PPS I am happy to prepare gift certificates for holiday gifts, so you’ll have something special to put under the tree!

I envision a just and peaceful world, in which all people achieve their full potential and live with love, respect and compassion.

Honey Ward
www.ExperienceYourPower.com
www.HappyHealthyWealthyWise.com (blog)
www.facebook.com/honeyward

Resources to live more powerfully:
* The Experience
When you’re ready to live at 100%!
March 26-29, 2010 Santa Fe

* The Intensive
October 14-18, 2010 Santa Fe

* Vision 2010 December 28-January 1
Sunrise Springs Inn Santa Fe

* Success Coaching for Your Personal & Professional Life
You can achieve your dreams and I can help!

* Customized Coursework for your business or organization

Dec 05

Birthday Celebration and Gifts to Last a Lifetime!

coming out No Comments »

It’s My Birthday Tomorrow and We’re Celebrating!

We are on vacation in Mazatlan, enjoying the sunshine and good company of friends and family, and taking advantage of abundant opportunities to enjoy life. Yesterday we went on an exciting zipline tour (one more item off our Bucket Lists), and tomorrow we celebrate my birthday.

I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful life I enjoy, and how much better, richer, deeper it is than the one I lived before I made The Experience a part of MY experience in 1979. My trajectory shifted in that weekend, and I am in a very different place today than I would have been had I not trusted myself to attend and take to heart the principles and transformation available there.

As we enter the holiday season, there is no better time to embrace and invest in gifts that last a lifetime, for yourself and for those you love.

It is so easy to get caught up in buying the newest gadget or whatever else is being promoted this week (I am blissfully unaware of TV and print ads on vacation), and ending up in the new year with an empty pocketbook and no sense of enrichment.

To make it easier to take advantage of these life-changing opportunities, we are offering a holiday special.

Until the 11th of December only, give yourself an extra discount off the already-low price for events and personal support geared toward YOU and your successful life. Naturally, they are excellent gifts for those you love, too.

We don’t get home from Mazatlan until the night of the 7th, and I want you to have a few days after I return to take advantage of the holiday special, just in case you have questions. I have poor internet connection here, and no phone access, so can’t count on receiving communications reliably until I am home.

Now is the time to make a fresh start for 2010, to open to new possibilities, to add to the beauty and quality of your life, and even to share those gifts with those you love.

Please do not miss this opportunity.

The Experience, March 26-29, in Santa Fe

Experience YOUR Power — when you’re ready to live at 100%!

The Experience is an in-depth journey into a more powerful, expansive, and joyous life. If you’ve never done any work with us, you’ll want to begin with this seminar.

You’ll gain tools and experiences that help you be more loving of yourself and others; you’ll let go of the old baggage from the past; and you’ll learn to trust yourself to come out in all ways so you can live your very best life.

You’ll create heartfelt connections, improve your self-esteem, deepen your sense of spirit, and feel a richer sense of personal power.

And when you go home, you’ll have tools to operate on a higher plane, creating more success in every area of your life

It’s time to start designing the life you choose, and stop simply reacting to what comes your way.

Whatever you want more (or less) of in your life, The Experience can help. Once you start naturally expanding your consciousness and understanding more about how to achieve the results you choose with awareness and intention, there is no end to what you can accomplish.

Here’s one report:

“I’m working at the Academy Awards this week and life is exciting and busy. I apply your material each and every day. IT WORKS!”
—-Gregory Lehr, California

Maybe you’d like to know more about yourself and what makes you tick:

“The Experience is a great tool for learning more about the way we process emotions and how to empower yourself to take control of those emotions in order to live a full and happy life.”
—Libby Terrell, Georgia

Maybe you are interested in creating richer, more satisfying relationships:

“The Experience motivated me to bravely tread up to a personal precipice, take stock and make the changes necessary for happiness and love in my life. I ended a non productive and obligatory relationship, and gained a new comfort with myself and a trust in my decisions. What followed for me is the healthiest and happiest relationship with a life partner who shares a vision of self actualization, community service, wellness and fun.”
—- Atma Wiseman, New Mexico

Or you may be ready for expansion with no particular agenda:

“I didn’t know what to expect-I just went with an open mind and an open heart. I left with a more enriched and a very enlightening “consciousness” of who I am. More importantly, I learned valuable tools that I can use right away to start living better.”
– Margie Archer, Georgia

That’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you can achieve in The Experience.

Regular low price, $475

Early bird discount, $375

HOLIDAY SPECIAL — Save $50 off the early bird price!

You get The Experience for only $325 when you register now.

You MUST type the words Experience Special on the registration form to instantly save $50!

It is hard to imagine a more meaningful gift for friends and family than the gift of The Experience.

The Intensive, October 22-26 in Santa Fe

What would your life be like if you really let yourself “go for it”?

Imagine yourself out of your head and into your heart, in action, with a vision, being totally outrageous!

This adventure takes everything you learned in The Experience and ratchets it up several levels, so you can be more powerful and joyous and the visionary authority in your life.

The Intensive is four fabulous days for you to deepen, connect, and start really living out of your biggest Self

And play, play, play !

The Intensive builds on the teachings of The Experience, so you must take that seminar first (available in March, see above).

Regular low price, $895

Early bird discount, $775

HOLIDAY SPECIAL — Save $75 off the early bird price!

Take The Intensive for only $700 when you register now!

You MUST type the words Intensive Special on the registration form to instantly save $75!

Vision 2010, December 28 to January 1

Begin the new year with a clear head and a full heart!

Join like-spirited visionaries for individual and collective opportunities to contemplate, meditate, participate in ceremonies and rituals, journal, sing, and dance-all designed to help you connect more deeply with all of life.

There is also lots of free time for visiting with friends old and new, for hot-tubbing, taking advantage of the onsite full-service spa, and enjoying the incomparable New Mexico skies.

Begin 2010 refreshed and inspired, with a clear plan and vision for the new year.
Everyone is invited; there are no prerequisites.

The price includes the complete program, all meals, and four nights’ lodging.

Regular low price, $1475-$1075 depending on accommodations

HOLIDAY SPECIAL — Save $75 off any category of room!

You MUST type the words Vision Special on the registration form to instantly save $75!

Success Coaching

If you’re tired of feeling as though you have to do it all alone, and ready to start achieving your goals in every area of life, you are ready for Success Coaching.

Success Coaching is a partnership that supports you to live more powerfully, and to produce the results you say you want.

What do you want your life to look like 12 months from now?

Whatever it is, you can do it and I can help!

This life-altering dynamic support is a bargain at $1,995 for an entire year.

It includes two private phone calls each month with assignments and email support in between.

Imagine what you can produce in the next 12 months with a professional coach on your side!

And when you sign up for the 12-month package right now, you can save $500.

Get all this support, and more, for just $1,495 for a whole year!

You receive personal and individual coaching with me, so please understand that there is a limited amount of space available.

If you are ready to kick your life up a notch, you’ll want to sign up today.

Register NOW for the 12-month Success Coaching package, and start living your dreams!

Regular low price, $1,995

HOLIDAY SPECIAL – Save $500!

Twelve full months of Success Coaching for only $1,495 when you register now.

You MUST type the words Coaching Special on the registration form to instantly save $100!

Until December 11 only, register for ANY PROGRAM we offer and save an off the already low price!

It’s easy, and fun– just visit www.ExperienceYourPower.com
and click on the appropriate link to save!

Take advantage of these great low holiday specials for personal expansion and give yourself (and those you love) the gift of a brighter, more loving new year!

Thanks and love,

Honey Ward

P.S. Please share this message with people you care about and invite them to join us, too. Knowing there are more people in this world operating consciously and powerfully is the very best birthday gift I can imagine!

P.P.S I am happy to prepare gift certificates for holiday gifts, so you’ll have something special to put under the tree!