April 2011 Newsletter www.ComposeYourLife.ca IN THIS ISSUE 1.       Spring cleaning 2.       4 ways to “Prepare the Soil” 3.       Quotable Quotes SPRING CLEANING In our northern climate, this is the time of year when we eagerly anticipate the arrival of a fresh start after the long winter months. And in order for new growth to take place, we need first to begin by pruning away the leftover residues of the previous seasons. Just as in the outer world of nature, there is also a natural cycle of springtime in our inner lives. Before we can plant new seeds and initiate fresh projects and dreams, we must clear our gardens of clutter and weeds. Our minds with their thoughts, ideas and internal images are the seeds with which we plant our inner gardens. When we focus our time and energy to consciously examine them, we can choose what we want to let go of (both emotionally and mentally). By casting the useless or negative elements into the figurative compost pile, we create the conditions for new growth. How wonderful to transform garbage into flowers!   4 WAYS TO “PREPARE THE SOIL” ...  Let’s begin with the metaphor of the mind field of our own thoughts as the place where we get to clear out our garden. We can prepare the soil for what we would really like to be harvesting by the end of the summer. 1)      Our minds are going to hold images of something, so let’s create images of high ideals. We tap into the power of the neo-cortex, the future-visioning brain, when we clarify our visions and are able to literally see them in intricate detail. Since everything begins its existence as an idea, this image is the like the picture on the seed package – it is the exact blueprint of what you intend to reap in the future. 2)      In our zeal to tidy the garden, it is important to be careful not to throw out the good soil! We have been well-trained to look for what’s wrong or missing and we often overlook what is already working for us. When we look for positive aspects and practice appreciating what is good in our environment, that vibration attracts to us an increased recognition and experience of the good.  Awareness of all of the support that is already available comes from asking: “What is already working for me in this situation?” 3)      What is the one thing you have been telling yourself that if you did this on a regular basis, you know that it would improve your life? It might be getting more sleep, more quiet time to reflect, or exercising or eating in a certain way.  By committing just one thing to habit, you can create a completely new dimension in your life. Do a little of this thing today and a little tomorrow, and make a decision that for this month you are going to consistently do a little of this one thing that deep down you know would completely transform your life. 4)      And if, despite your best intentions, you feel stuck in the muck, working with a coach can provide important structure, accompaniment, encouragement and accountability to help sustain your momentum. If you are looking for a way to move forward and create action steps this spring, please feel free to contact me for your complimentary coaching session at: info@ComposeYourLifeCoaching.com. What kind of seeds do you intend to plant this day? Clear the garden, plant your seeds and amazing things will happen! QUOTABLE QUOTES   “Whether you tend a garden or not, you are the gardener of your own being, the seed of your destiny.” -   The Findhorn Community “Before the seed there comes the thought of bloom.” -   E. B. White “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” -  Robert Louis Stevenson  “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”  -   Ralph Waldo Emerson "The first principle of success is desire - knowing what you want. Desire is the planting of your seed." - Robert Collier *******************************************************************   If you liked my Newsletter, please step up to the challenge that I am throwing out this spring. Each satisfied subscriber is asked to forward this Newsletter to 3 friends - let’s go VIRAL!  You can also encourage friends to subscribe by forwarding this link: http://www.composeyourlife.ca/.  Thank you!