Life and Business Coach Margaret Pundmann

This Week's Topic: Transform Your Professional Life with Chris Gardner - The Pursuit of Happyness

Welcome to May! In May, we are focused on moving past what holds you back from living your most full life!

As your coaching I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the

ARCHIVES.

God Bless, Margaret.

During the month of May we are focused on transforming your life -- making changes that you never thought you could make. Now I'm not suggesting that your changes will be over night, but rather with some preparation and diligence changes will occur!

"Baby steps count, as long as you are going forward. You add them all up, and one day you look back and you'll be surprised at where you might get to."

~Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness

This week we are going to look at your job and how you can transform your professional life. Who better for us to learn from than someone who did it himself? Chris Gardner, the man whose real life story inspired the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness.

Below are six key pieces of advice he offers.

You Must Have a Strong Passion for the Work You Do

When we don't love what we do our job becomes drudgery. If we have a passion for what we do it makes it easier to become an expert and therefore easier to be better. Those most successful in their field love spending free time researching, analyzing and learning more about what they do during the week.

You Must Focus

You can't be an expert on everything, but if you narrow your focus you can be an expert. Get clear on your focus. And once you get clear, focus your time and focus your energy.

You Must Set Goals

Without goals how do we know where we are going? The truth is we don't! Daily, weekly and monthly tasks lead us to annual goals. You can't accomplish everything you want in a day or even in a week, but with diligence many of your goals can be achieved in a year. Studies reveal we underestimate the compounding effect of daily activities. Do a little over a long period and you get big results!

Career Change Means Sacrifice

Nothing that is ever worth accomplishing comes without cost and sacrifice. If you want to make a change realize there will be sacrifice. Create a plan so that you know exactly what you are sacrificing and you can better manage it.

Keep Asking Questions, Keep Learning

Be curious, open and ask questions. Take classes, read books and magazines, befriend experts - do whatever it takes to learn as much as possible, from as many angles as possible. When we stay in a state of learning - opportunities and ideas have a way of finding us.

Just Keep Moving Forward When Everything Looks Bad

It difficult times it is easy to become like a dear in headlights and freeze. Resist that temptation - move forward powerfully. Remember, perserverence and character are built in the midst of challenges.

Make It Happen
This week review Gardner's six ideas. Select one tip to focus on this week. Think about what you need to do to build this area of your life. Begin to create a plan to build the skills you need for success.

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

Tranform Your Life with Byron Katie's Four Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:19:00 +0000

Transform Your Life with
Byron Katie's Four Questions

Links

This Week's Topic: Transform Your Life with Byron Katie's Four Questions

Welcome to May! In May, we are focused on moving past what holds you back from living your most full life!

As your coaching I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the

ARCHIVES.

God Bless, Margaret.

During the month of May we are going to focus on moving past what holds us back - at work, at home, in relationships, in our health -- in every single area of your life!

"An unquestioned mind is the world of suffering."

~Byron Katie

To kick start our month of exploration I want to share Byron Katie's four extremely powerful questions with you. These questions if applied correctly have the ability to change your life, perhaps in an instant. Give your self a private, quite space to perform this exercise. If you don't find answers immediately allow yourself the entire week to practice

When you are stuck on a negative thought or limiting thought use this exercise to transform the way you view your thoughts. Here are several points of departure:

I'm not good enough.
I can't succeed.
I will never be financially secure.
I'm a terrible parent.
It is my genes that keep me from a healthy weight.
________ (event or experience) was entirely my fault.
I don't deserve a significant other.
My marriage is doomed for failure.
I don't deserve it all.

Once you identify your thought or feeling, write down your thought or feeling on a piece of paper.

Question 1: Is it true?

Be still, review what you wrote down and ask yourself if the thought you wrote down is true. Question 2: Can you absolutely know it's true? Open your mind and go deeper into the unknown, to find the answers that live beneath our initial reactions and thoughts. Let go of what you think you know and truly reexamine what is on your piece of paper. Question 3: How do you react-what happens-when you believe that thought? This question is designed to help you begin to notice internal cause and effect. You can see that when you believe the thought, there is a disturbance that can range from mild discomfort to fear or panic. What do you feel when you believe that thought? How do you treat yourself, when you believe that thought? Make a list and be specific. Question 4: Who would you be without the thought? Imagine yourself in that situation without believing the thought. How would your life be different if that thought had no validity? How would you feel? Which do you prefer-life with or without the thought? Which feels kinder, more peaceful?

Turn the thought around:

The "turnaround" gives you an opportunity to experience the opposite of what you believe. Develop two or three turnarounds to your initial statement. In other words write down two or three statements that are the opposite of what you initially wrote. Now that you have found several turnarounds to your initial statement find three specific, authentic examples of how each turnaround is true in your life.

This week take time to practice the exercise above with negative, non nourishing thoughts that invade your consciousness. Remember there is no sense in suffering over thoughts that you haven't fully questioned and examined.

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

Your Highest Self, part two

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:24:00 +0000

Your Highest Self, part two

Links

This Week's Topic: Your Highest Self, part two

In April, we are celebrating the vibrance and color in your life!

April's Recap

Week 13 - Express Your Gratitude

Create a gratitude journal

Speak your gratitude outloud

Don't hold back!

Share what you feel!

Week 14 - Turn Over a New Leaf

Select one behavior you would like to change

Decide how you will make this change - a plan!

Get reinforcement to back you up - accountability!

Week 15 - Your Joy List

What is your on your list of things that bring you joy?

Build your list

Place it in a place where you can see it daily, or more!

Week 16 - Your Hiighest Self

What things knock you out of alignement with your highest self?

Build your list

Take note of what is on your list and adjust your life accordingly

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the archives. In April we focusing on the color in your life!

God Bless, Margaret.

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can."

~John Wesley

Last week I asked you to consider what things knock you out of alignment with your highest self. I hope you came up with some good ones...and that you've been able to avoid them or dampen their impact in your life.

This week I want you to explore what brings you into alignment with your highest self. It is those activities that allow you to be and do your best -- activities that set the stage or foundation for you to be prepared to face life with vigor. When we focus on and do what brings us to our highest self - our best emerges with ease and grace - and the world gets to experience our true magnificence.

Ask yourself, "What brings me into alignment with my highest self?"

Here are several points of departure:

Exercise
Prayer
Meditation
Healthy Eating
Sleep
Naps
Intimacy
Strong Relationships
Massages
Time in Nature
Thrill Sports
Art (Painting, Sculpture, Drawing)
Gardening

Create your own list of what nourishes you and allows you to be your best. Then look at your weekly or monthly calendar and ensure that you get at least some of these activities every month and many of these activities with greater frequency

In this month of focusing on your flourishing life I want to pose that question to you so you can discover what allows you to from be your best.

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

Week 16: Your Highest Self

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:21:00 +0000

Your Highest Self

Links

This Week's Topic: Your Highest Self

In April, we are celebrating the vibrance and color in your life!

April's Recap

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the archives. In April we focusing on the color in your life!

God Bless, Margaret.

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.
I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." ~Groucho Marx

Several weeks ago fellow coach, Cheryl Richardson posed this question to her community, "What things knock you out of alignment with your highest self?"

In this month of focusing on your flourishing life I want to pose that question to you so you can discover what keeps you from being your best.

So here goes: "What things knock you out of alignment with your highest self?"

Here are some points of departure for what takes you off your path:

Interruptions
Cutting remarks
Wasting time
People who waste my time
Unexpected emergencies
Being disappointed by someone
Passive aggressive people
Eating too much sugar
Not keeping promises to myself
Saying Yes when I know I need to say No

Staying at my desk for too long
Fighting with my kids/spouse
Worrying about things I can't control
Unsolicited advice
Too much TV or Internet

Being criticized in front of others

Someone succeeding at something I want to do
Too much clutter

This week make a list of five to ten things that knock you out of alignment your highest self. So that we can all learn from each other consider visiting my Facebook page and post what you discover to share with our Facebook community! I bet you will also uncover some new ideas!

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

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Your Joy List

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:39:00 +0000

Your Joy List

Links

In April, we are celebrating the vibrance and color in your life!

April's Recap

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the archives. In April we focusing on the color in your life!

God Bless, Margaret.

This Week's Topic: Your Joy List

"I feel like a tiny bird with a big song!"

~Jerry Van Amerongen, Ballard Street

Since we are celebrating your life this month, this week I want to discuss the joys of life. The joys of your life are people, events, experiences and things that make you smile just thinking of them! It can be a little confusing differentiating between our gratitudes and our joys. Use this simple rule: you are grateful for all of your joys, but each gratitude doesn't necessarily bring your joy. For example, I'm grateful for my computer - without it I would be a mess and unable to do much of my work, but my computer doesn't really bring me joy. Now the screen saver on my computer of my husband and me at a wedding in Seaside, FL ... that picture brings me joy! See the difference?

Make your joy list filled with people, events, experiences and things that light you up, that make you feel alive and flowing with energy (most of the time!) When you simply think about the items on your list...you will feel joyful! To help you begin writing your joy list I want to share my joy list with you...enjoy!

My Joy List

1. Faith

2. Family

3. Puppies

4. Evening summer rainstorms sitting on a covered porch in a rocking chair, with a blanket

5. Spending time with girlfriends

6. Travelling

7. Swimming

8. Holidays and traditions shared with family and friends

9. Meeting new people and having a connection

10. Change, improvement, goal attainment

11. Laughter

12. Champagne

13. Making everything - FUN, even a boring meeting!

Make It Happen

This week make your own joy list and put in a place where you will see it often and frequently! For example, I have mine on my nightstand and in my organizer. Next, try to add as many of the items on your joy list into your daily activities. When we do what brings us joy - true and pure, joy - our mood increases, we are reminded of the blessings in our life and our attention on what isn't working in our life diminishes.

My Joy List (put as many items on your list as you want!)

10.

P.S. I appreciate your encouragement on procrastination...I'm a "work in progress!"

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

Turn Over a New Leaf

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:56:00 +0000

Turn Over a New Leaf

Links

In April, we are celebrating the vibrance and color in your life!

April's Recap

Week 13 - Express Your Gratitude

Create a gratitude journal

Speak your gratitude outloud

Don't hold back!

Share what you feel!

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit thearchives. In April we focusing on the color in your life!

God Bless, Margaret.

This Week's Topic: Turn Over a New Leaf

Dear Friend,

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." ~Alan Cohen

Part of emerging into a new season is looking at your life and seeing what works and what doesn't work in your life. When we hear the phrase "turn over a new leaf" it doesn't actually refer to a leaf on a tree but rather a leaf or page in a book. Either way this week, with a season of new beginnings I want to challenge you to reform one behavior that isn't working for you. When we remove what doesn't work we can more fully celebrate what does work! This week I'm going to be working on my own project, as well. A change I'm committed to making this week is reducing procrastination. Perhaps there are others that feel as I do ... I wait until the last possible moment to do a task and then find I'm rushing and stuffing too much into a week, a day or even an hour. In order to do this and have any effect I need a plan. My plan is to revise my "to do" list. What is different about this list is that my weekly goals are connected to each daily goal - and each daily goal is scheduled two dates before the actual due date! So something due next Monday will appear on this Friday's list. I'll let you know how it goes, but most of all I want to encourage you to address a behavior that's been annoying you!

Make It Happen

This week I would ask you to consider what one behavior or pattern you would like to change or begin anew. Select something large or small - perhaps you want to start eating breakfast, exercise with greater frequency, spend less money, be on time, have a clutter free counter or car, stop speeding, create a no texting zone in your car - whatever it is use this week to turn a new leaf in your life. Make sure you set up appropriate accountability to help you make and sustain this small but meaningful change. It is often the smallest of changes that make the largest differences in our life.

May you be blessed, for you are a blessing!

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

Week 13: Express Your Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:45:00 +0000

Express Your Gratitude

Links

-Use Suze Orman's article in O Magazine as a roadmap

Welcome to April! This month we are celebrating the vibrance and color in your life!

Recap - March into March by Simplifying

Week 12 - Six Strategies to Clear Mental Clutter

1) Get a notebook

2) Complete the uncompleted

3) Drop what isn't working

4) Schedule time weekly to regroup and monthly to plan

5) Move - physically

6) Stay in the present moment

Week 11 - Simplify - Clear Your Clutter
-Establish ground rules for your home
-Everything in your home is either functional, beautiful or both

-Everything in your home has a "home base" where it "lives"

Before you buy new things ask yourself:

1) Where will this item "live" in my home?

2) What am I going to do with it...beauty or practical use?

3) What can I donate, give away, sell or toss to make room for my new treasure?

Week 10 - Simplify - Tidy Your Finances

-Take a look at your finances

-Organize your papers

Week 9 Simplify - Your Purse & Wallet

-Set aside 20 min to clearn your purse and wallet

-Reduce the amount of stuff

-Rethink what you actually need

-Eliminate the excess

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the archives. In April we focusing on the color in your life!

God Bless, Margaret.

This Week's Topic: Express Your Gratitude

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."

~Cicero

April is a month of rebirth and renewing. As winter fades and spring emerges we see life and color in nature around us and we are able to spend more time outdoors experiencing these glorious things! This month I want to focus on the color in your life - the elements of your life that give it flavor and vibrance!

To kick start this month I'd like to return to what I believe, after prayer, is the most essential step in our life - gratitude. When we have gratitude for our life, for the people in our life, for our experiences - good and bad - we are able to fully celebrate our life!

The truth is, small things matter because in acknowledging them we open ourselves up to receiving more. When we can look at our lives and have deep and pure gratitude for all that is, we change as people. We unlock our inner belief in abundance. As our beliefs change, we evolve as individuals. We become prepared to accept with gratitude the abundance God has created for us.

I believe gratitude exercises should be as much a part of our daily routine as brushing our teeth. This week feel and show gratitude. Here are several ways to begin:

A gratitude journal - each morning or evening write down five things for which you are grateful
Say out loud to yourself twice daily - four things for which you are grateful
Write a letter to someone who has impacted your life and express what they did for you and how you feel about it
Incorporate gratitude into your daily prayer, "Dear God, I am grateful for..." or "Dear God, I know it is because of your grace..."

Be creative - come up with your own way to express gratitude - open yourself up just as the warming of the earth enables a bud to blossom. Feel your own magnificence by having gratitude for the vibrance in your life!

May you be blessed, for you are a blessing!

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up.

March's Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:44:00 +0000

March's Recap - March into March by Simplifying

-Take a look at your finances

-Organize your papers

-Use Suze Orman's article in O Magazine as a roadmap

Week 9 Simplify - Your Purse & Wallet

-Set aside 20 min to clearn your purse and wallet

-Reduce the amount of stuff

-Rethink what you actually need

-Eliminate the excess

Six Strategies to Clear Your Mental Clutter

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:13:00 +0000

Dear Friend, "A house that is cluttered is usually lived in by people whose minds are also cluttered, who need to simplify their lives. This begins with simplifying and clarifying their thinking. Mind and life need to be freed from the "disorder of the unnecessary." ~Elisabeth Elliott

Much of our energy is drained by both mental and physical clutter. The last several weeks we've focused on our physical surroundings. This week we turn to the mental clutter that - drains your energy, robs your time, makes us less effective and really we feel badly about our inability to move forward. Enjoy six strategies to clear your mental clutter.

Six Strategies to Clear your Mental Clutter

1) Get a notebook - use this for ALL of your to do lists, thoughts and notes ... no more post it's strewn throughout your home, car and purse! If you want to ratchet up your organization - create a tab for each family member, work, home, errands and any other large project in your life.

2) Complete the uncompleted - complete all that hangs in the balance be it a never ending work project or your child's picture book. We all benefit from deadlines, make one for the projects that need to be completed. If it doesn't need to be completed...see #3.

3) Drop what isn't working - from the wrong workout to toxic friends - say yes to yourself and no to what doesn't work.

4) Schedule time weekly to regroup AND schedule time monthly to plan - for some this will be an entire day for others it may be one hour - take what you need to eliminate the loose ends from your life and refocus your priorities.

5) Move - if you find that you are having trouble moving forward mentally - then make strides physically. Go for a ten minute walk -studies illustrate that even ten minutes of physical activity has emotional and physical benefits.

6) Stay in the present moment - truly the only time we have isn't what has already passed or what might be ahead, but rather the present moment. The moment that exists right now. Embrace the moment...it is simply, but not easy. If you struggle return to your breath to be centered.

Make It Happen

This week work on clearing your mental clutter. Use these six strategies to attack two projects - one personal, one professional. May you be blessed, for you are a blessing! God Bless, Margaret. Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up. Margaret Pundmann is a life and business coach, speaker, and author of numerous articles on living your most powerful life. The "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter is written and distributed by Emerge Enterprise. Copyright © 2010 Margaret Pundmann. All rights reserved. www.MargaretPundmann.com.

Simplify Your Life - Tidy Your Finances

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:54:00 +0000

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg8k56jg_245fwpmbshb Dear Friend, "I am believer that orderliness begets wealth." ~Suze Orman Sometimes in life you read something and you think, wow I couldn't have said it better. And as such this week's newsletter is borrowed with full credit Suze Orman's "Overhaul your Files and Finances" found in the March 2010 O Magazine. The article sets forth a financial spring cleaning outlining what documents to file, what to toss and how to organize them in a way that makes them accessible and purposeful! I think you will find her practical advice as useful as I have. Click here to enjoy the full article. Make It Happen This week read the article from Suze Orman twice. Look at your calendar over the next four weeks and schedule time to revisit your papers and your filing system. When you come upon your date to revisit your filing system refer to her article as a practical roadmap and reference tool to guide you. As you go through each day refer to the following de-cluttering principles: Reduce - the amount of "stuf" in your life Rethink - what you actually need Eliminate - the excess May you be blessed, for you are a blessing! Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up. Margaret Pundmann is a life and business coach, speaker, and author of numerous articles on living your most powerful life. The "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter is written and distributed by Emerge Enterprise. Copyright © 2010 Margaret Pundmann. All rights reserved. www.MargaretPundmann.com.

Forgiveness - Get Over It!

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:41:00 +0000

2010 - Destined

Forgiveness -

Get Over It!

Links

Welcome to February!

My heart is heavy for the people in Haiti and for those who are without because of Haiti's devastation. To play some small role in helping I'm donating all profits from book sales during the next month to the American Red Cross. Purchase a personalized copy to help yourself and to help others.

February's Recap

Week 5 Loving ... You

-Read Derek Walcott's poem Love After Love

-Feast on your life

-Take one step to build your love for YOU!

Week 6: Love Isn't Love Until You Give it Away

-Refuse to hold your love inside

-Share your love - speak it, show it, write it, sing it

-Let those in your life know your love for them

Week 7: Relationship Rx - A Check Up!

-Review the six questions with your significant other for a relationship check up

-1. How are we doing?

-2. What is good about our relationship?

-3. How can we work together on _(you fill it in)__?

-4. What do you need more of?

-5. When we disagree how can we understand each other better?

-6. How satisfied are you with our intimacy?

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered during January and February visit the archives. In February we are covering love...and all things on love!

God Bless, Margaret.

This Week's Topic: Forgiveness - Get Over It!

Dear Friend,

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness."

~Robert Muller

During the month of February we've been focused on love and relationships. And let's be honest a key component to loving someone is having the capacity to forgive. According to Merriam Webster to forgive is to "cease to feel resentment."

When we forgive another we release ourselves from ill will of the past. When we harbor ill will, we are hindered from healing. Indeed, we must understand that failing to forgive is really handing over our power to someone or something else. The experience or person to whom we have given life and power is the exact thing that we are running from, that we fear or that torments us.

In order for our lives to flow as they were designed to, we must claim our power, and that can only be done when we grasp the concept of forgiveness - and act upon it!

Each of us has suffered in some way. To move beyond this suffering and pain, we must forgive. When we continue to be a victim, we remain powerless. In order to live our most powerful life, we must bravely and boldly look into our past and see where we have unresolved scars and face them!

Make it Happen

This week select two people or situations that you need to forgive. As you review who you need to forgive - be open to the possibility that you may need to forgive yourself.

Write each a short letter forgiving them or even you for what has or what hasn't happened in the past. Write the letter all out - as if no one but you will read the letter. Don't hold anything back, let go. We can even become complete with people who have already passed away. This process is about you not about them. If you become frustrated remember that we are doing this for you, so that you may move forward.

Here is the line you've been waiting for...you don't have to send the letter. What you write is from your heart and for your eyes only.

This process is difficult, but not forgiving is even more difficult in the long run. Allowing resentment to live within gives permission for negative energy to have life and power over you. Your goal is to say good bye to that which does not serve you so that you will have room to replace it with that which will serve you. This process will lead you to live your most powerful life.

May you be blessed for you are a blessing!

Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up. Margaret Pundmann is a life and business coach, speaker, and author of numerous articles on living your most powerful life.

Relationship Rx - A Check Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:51:00 +0000

2010 - Destined

Relationship Rx - A Check Up!

Links

Purchase a personalized copy to help yourself and to help others.

Welcome to February!

My friends at Two Blue Doors are offering personalized note cards for you with all of the profits going to help the people of Haiti. Don't miss this neat opportunity to help others and personalize your correspondence!

February's Recap

Week 5 Loving...You

Read Derek Walcott's poem Love After Love.
Feast on your life.
Take one step to build your love for YOU!

Week 6 Love Isn't Love Until You Give it Away

Refuse to hold your love inside
Share it - speak it, show it, write it, sing it
Let those in your life know your love for them

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered during January visit the archives. In February we are covering love...and all things on love!

God Bless, Margaret.

This Week's Topic: Relationship Rx -- A Check Up!

Dear Friend,

"Success in marriage is much more than finding the right person; it is a matter of being the right person" ~Anonymous

"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility." ~Leo Tolstoy

During the month of February, we've been focused on love - loving yourself, loving others and this week we turn to marriage. Professor James Cordova of Clark University, funded by the National Institute of Health, conducted research on 217 married couples. The research focused on intervention rather than therapy. The couples who participated in the intervention based research fared better than those who didn't participate. The result is six key questions for you!

This week I would like you to use these six questions to reconnect with your significant other. My suggestion would be to take these questions on a date night, or discuss them with a glass of wine after your children are in bed or even a quiet moment one afternoon this weekend. In every relationship - no matter how strong - there are always things we can do to improve the relationship.

Improving our relationship begins with respect and communication. When you bring up these questions do so with an open mind and open heart. Leave your armor at the door. Be open to the feedback that you receive - even if it is a surprise. Use these six questions to learn more about what your partner is thinking and how they are feeling inside your relationship. Allow this exercise to be a relationship check up!

Make It Happen

1. How are we doing?

Use this question to get a status update.

2. What is good about our relationship?

Focus on what is working and the positives of your relationship. When you answer these questions for your spouse aim to identify twenty for them!

3. How can we work together on _____________?

Let your spouse fill in the blank whether it is helping a child in crisis, communicating better, navigating compromises or even just picking a paint color for your kitchen be open to what they put in the blank. This question tells your spouse that you are in it together - whatever it is!

4. What do you need more of, from me?

Listen carefully. Refuse to be defensive - listen and be open. Now isn't the time to say anything.

5. When we disagree how can we understand each other better?

In other words, when we are fighting - and we all do, what can I do to understand you better? How can we fight better? When we aren't on the same page, what can I do or say to better understand you?

6. How satisfied are you with our intimacy?

Remember there are all different types of intimacy - explore physical, emotional and spiritual intimacy.

May you be blessed for you are a blessing!

Love Isn't Love Until You Give it Away

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:41:00 +0000

2010 - Destined
Love Isn't Love Until You Give it Away

Links

This Week's Topic: Love Isn't Love Until You Give it Away

Welcome to February!

February's Recap

Week 5 Loving...You

Read Derek Walcott's poem Love After Love.
Feast on your life.
Take one step to build your love for YOU!

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly! If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered during January visit the archives. In February we are covering love...and all things on love!

God Bless, Margaret.

Some months ago a family that is close to ours lost their father suddenly. Watching the family suffer was heartbreaking. After having a conversation with the mother she told me a story of a family vacation several years prior to the father's death. On this family vacation the father wrote a letter to each of his children telling each one how much he loved them, how proud he was of them and how they along with his wife completed his life. By taking a few moments of time this father sealed his children's understanding of his love for them.
Life is fleeting...do not hold on to the love inside of you, express it! This week I'd like to challenge you to share your love. Make sure those in your life know just how much you love them!

Do you remember the song; Love Isn't Love (Til You Give It Away)? Below are the lyrics...enjoy reading them! Or have fun with with Disney's modernized song Send It On featuring the Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato.

Smile's not a smile until it wrinkles your face Bell's not a bell without ringing A home's not a home when there's nobody there A song's not a song without singing Love isn't love till you give it away Love isn't love till it's free The love in your heart Wasn't put there to stay Oh love isn't love till you give it away You might think love is a treasure to keep Feeling to cherish and hold But love is a treasure for people to share You keep it by letting it go Love isn't love till you give it away Love isn't love till it's free The love in your heart Wasn't put there to stay Oh love isn't love till you give it away Cause love can't survive When it's hidden inside And love was meant to be shared Love isn't love till you give it away Love isn't love till it's free The love in your heart Wasn't put there to stay Oh love isn't love till you give it away

Make It Happen

Consciously share your love...don't hide it inside...speak it, write it, yell it...do whatever you can to let it out. Because remember, love isn't really love until you give it away.

Loving...You

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:38:00 +0000

2010 - Destined
Loving...You

Links

Welcome to February!

January's Recap

Week 1 - Establishing 2010 Goals:

What one change would you like to see yourself make? And what is it going to take to get there?

What is one goal that might seem unattainable now, but with hard work you believe you can achieve it?

What is one thing, outside of yourself, you want to focus on this year?

What impact would you like to make on those around you - family, friends and community?

Week 2 - Releasing FEAR:

Release your F.E.A.R.'s - False Expectations Appearing Real
What are your goals?
How do your F.E.A.R.'s prevent you from achieving your goals?
What are the costs of not achieving your goals?

Week 3 - Making Change:

To make a change, start small.

Take normal routines and do them differently - drive to work a different way, do your grocery shopping at a different store.

Make small changes to impact larger changes!

Week 4 - The if in Your Life:

The if in Life represents the choices we make to create the life we want.
Are you powerfully choosing your life?

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered during January see above or visit the archives. In February we will move on to loving yourself, self confidence and loving others.

God Bless,

Margaret.

This Week's Topic: Loving...You

~Elephant Love Medley Lyrics from Moulin Rouge

"Love is a many splendored thing, Love lifts us up where we belong, All you need is love!"

February is, after all, the month of love and so this month we're going to focus on love. We began this year with the notion that to change the world you must begin with yourself. The same premise, of course, holds true with love - we must love ourselves before we can truly love another.

Derek Walcott expresses this self-love in his poem, Love After Love, beautifully.

The time will come

when, with elation

You will greet yourself arriving

At your own door, in your own mirror

And each will smile at the other's welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was your self.

Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored

for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,

peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

Make It Happen

This week read the poem Love After Love by Derek Walcott several times. What does the poem say to you? Feast on your life - this week take one step to build your love for you.
Ideas include:

Begin a gratitude journal

Positive affirmations

Declare no negative thoughts - when they drift in, release them

Let go of negative self talk

Remove all self deprecating language from your conversations

Release the "should's" and enjoy exactly who and what you are right now!

Let go of harmful relationships

Treat yourself to something special that you've been putting off

a walk in the park

a pedicure, in the winter

a new "do" for your hair

an afternoon of tea and reading

fun time with friends

a cooking class

a dance lesson

do something new that you've always wanted to try

May you be blessed for you are a blessing!

The If in Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:57:00 +0000

2010 - Destined
The if in Your Life

Links

This Week's Topic: The if in Your Life

Dear Friend,

How is the first month of 2010 going for you?

My heart is heavy for the people in Haiti and for those who are experiencing loss because of Haiti's devastation. To give back I'm donating all profits from book sales during the next month to the American Red Cross. Purchase a personalized copy to help yourself and to help others.

Week 1 - Establishing 2010 Goals:

What one change would you like to see yourself make? And what is it going to take to get there?

What is one goal that might seem unattainable now, but with hard work you believe you can achieve it?

What is one thing, outside of yourself, you want to focus on this year?

What impact would you like to make on those around you - family, friends and community?

Week 2 - Releasing FEAR:

Release your F.E.A.R.'s - False Expectations Appearing Real
What are your goals?
How do your F.E.A.R.'s prevent you from achieving your goals?
What are the costs of not achieving your goals?

Week 3 - Making Change:

To make a change, start small.

Take normal routines and do them differently - drive to work a different way, do your grocery shopping at a different store.

Make small changes to impact larger changes!

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

God Bless,

Margaret.

In order to take ownership for our life we must also recognize that each choice we make, even when we fail to make a choice is also our responsibility.

"The way to activate the seeds of your creation is by making choices about the results you want to create. When you make a choice, you activate vast human energies and resources, which otherwise go untapped." ~Robert Fritz

This week I want to turn our focus to the choices in your life. L - if - e. The if in life represents the choices we make to create the life we want.

Often part of reaching new goals requires us to make new decisions about our life. We must let go of past habits and create new ones. This requires an intentionality and deliberate choice on our part. This is also one of the blessings of life that we have a choice and that our lives can be shaped by our choices.

This week I want you to think about every if in your life as a choice...a choice to follow a dream, to hear your heart, to listen to your inner-voice, to follow through on your goals, or even to risk failure by taking a chance.

Each choice we face helps to shape us and serves to mold our life. Remember, it takes courage to powerfully choose your path.

Make It Happen

Review the goals you set forth in week 1. Are you working towards these goals already? If so - you've chosen. If not - you've also chosen.

If you aren't working towards your 2010 goals review your goals and ensure they are authentic and inspiring. Consider that if you haven't begun to work on your 2010 goals maybe they aren't the right goals for you?

By facing the if in life you powerfully choose to embrace your magnificence. When you tap into the power of your choices you connect with your ability to create the life you desire.

"What Money Has Taught Me About Personal Power"

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:40:00 +0000

In September 2009's O Magazine Suze Orman shares the great many lessons money has taught her. I think we can all learn something from these...

1) Power comes from who you are, now what you have

2) Money has no power of its own

3) Self-Worth builds net worth

4) Do what's right, not what's easy

5) Ignorance is not bliss where money is concerned

6) How you respect your possessions says a lot about how you respect yourself

Her article ends with,

"Take the time to learn the lessons that your money can teach you, and you will be on the path to building lasting and gratifying internal power."

For the full article: http://www.oprah.com/money/Money-Lessons-from-Suze-Orman

What Change? Cause It!

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

2010 - Destined
Want Change? Cause It!

Links

This Week's Topic: Want Change? Cause It!

Dear Friend,

How is the first month of 2010 going for you? For me January has has been filled with tying up loose ends and clearing past clutter.

Week 1:

What one change would you like to see yourself make? And what is it going to take to get there?

What is one goal that might seem unattainable now, but with hard work you believe you can achieve it?

What is one thing, outside of yourself, you want to focus on this year?

What impact would you like to make on those around you - family, friends and community?

Week 2:

Release your F.E.A.R.'s - False Expectations Appearing Real
What are your goals?
How do your F.E.A.R.'s prevent you from achieving your goals?
What are the costs of not achieving your goals?

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! During January we will focus on playing to your strengths, releasing fear, causing change and fleshing out your 2010 goals. In February we will move on to your love life...and on from there.

God Bless,

Margaret.

"The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created--created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination."
~John Schaar

Is there something in your life that you would like to change, but you're having trouble taking action? The answer ... start small.

Several weeks ago, I was chatting with a dear friend who listed several changes she wants in her life. The changes included new friends, a new perspective, and surmounting past demons that seemed to impact every area of her life. After a discussion on why she wants these changes, I asked, "Can I go from friend to coach for thirty seconds?" A little hesitant she said, "Well, sure...go ahead."

My words to her started like this...

Wow, it sounds like you've got some really big changes planned! And I understand that right now some of these changes seem beyond your control and that is frustrating and perhaps even paralyzing.

If you want to make big changes and are having trouble starting, pick one area of your life where you can impact change. Select something small and tangible ... a closet, your bedroom, the silverware drawer. Use that small area as a springboard for larger change. As you begin small changes life will begin to flow for you.

I believe to make a change is the hardest thing to do, but once you start making an impact in small areas of your life it gives you the confidence and foundation to make larger changes. When we start too big and lofty it is easy to become discouraged.

Make It Happen

This week choose to work on something small, something manageable...select change you know you can cause, that won't defeat you! Start small ... pick something tangible and watch the flow of your life begin to change.

Remember we create our own paths and taking action of any size creates our future.

Let Go of Limitations

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:50:00 +0000

2010 - Destined
Let Go of Limiations

Links

This Week's Topic: Let Go of Limitations

Dear Friend,

I hope you had a great first full week of 2010! How did the four questions go last week?

What one change would you like to see yourself make? And what is it going to take to get there?
What is one goal that might seem unattainable now, but with hard work you believe you can achieve it?

What is one thing, outside of yourself, you want to focus on this year?

What impact would you like to make on those around you - family, friends and community?

As I mentioned my goal as your coach this year is twofold:

Support you in changing yourself so that you can change the world around you.
Help you answer the question, "Just who am I destined to be?"

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! During January we will focus on playing to your strengths, releasing fear and fleshing out your 2010 goals. In February we will move on to your love life...and on from there.

God Bless,

Margaret.

For example, when we resist corporate change we can spend lots of energy gossiping about what is ahead rather than taking action. What if we accept - there will be change - and develop a couple of different plans for how to deal with the change? See the difference ... one is spinning our wheels on "what if" ... resisting "what is" and the other is creating action regardless of the outcome. The limiting belief in this example might be "change is bad" or "fear of change."

"We love our limitations!

We must, because we certainly don't want to let them go"

~Jinny Ditzler

By definition a limitation is, "something that limits." When we let go of what limits us we create a new possibility. This new possibility represents our future.

Being stuck in old habits and beliefs prevents us from moving forward and realizing new goals and new ambitions! In order to reach the goals you established last week you may need to say good-bye to an old habit or routine -- a limitation.

This works in our personal life, too. When we want so badly to make a change we need to realize the cost of not changing, let go of the fear and take action. Really, what is F.E.A.R? It is False Expectations Appearing Real! Like noise in a dark room...is it a monster or the air flowing through the ducts? It is easy to be stuck in the past when we don't realize the cost of our limitations. What if the cost of being afraid of the dark meant that you never got sleep? That would be a pretty high price!

In releasing F.E.A.R. we let go of limitations and lack, and step into abundance. As we step into abundance we are free to manifest our dreams and desires and achieve our goals.

Make It Happen

This week face your F.E.A.R. - head on - and walk past it. Release the limitations of the past and feel light and free. Use the exercise below to help you identify your F.E.A.R's and the cost of those fears.

Take a sheet of computer paper, holding it horizontally; fold it into three equal sections. Label the columns as show below.

Goals/Dreams/Aspirations	F.E.A.R.	Cost
Write a book	People will think I'm stupid	World doesn't get to hear my voice
	I don't have enough time	Feel like I failed without trying
	It won't be any good
	I can't publish it

Run a Marathon	I don't have enough time	Never push myself physically
	I will injure myself	Feel like I failed without trying
	If I lose weight then I'll gain it back fast

Notice for each dream how many F.E.A.R.'s we actually have! No wonder few of us ever accomplish that which we truly desire. This week examine each F.E.A.R. -- are they real? What is the cost of each F.E.A.R.? It is when we see the cost that we become motivated to let go of our limiting beliefs. Good luck this week...remember this is a process, be patient with yourself.

http://www.prevention.com/8friendseverywomanneeds/index.shtml

4 Questions to Kick Start 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:52:00 +0000

Here are four questions to kick start your year!

What one change would you like to see yourself make? And what is it going to take to get there?
What is one goal that might seem unattainable now, but with hard work you believe you can achieve it?

What is one thing, outside of yourself, you want to focus on this year?

What impact would you like to make on those around you - family, friends and community?

8 Friends Every Woman Needs

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:15:00 +0000

Compliments of the folks at Prevention Magazine...8 Friends Every Woman Needs

Change the World Beginning with Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:08:00 +0000

2010 - Destined
Change the World Beginning with Yourself

Links

This Week's Topic: Change the World Beginning with Yourself

Dear Friend,

Welcome to 2010! I know this year is going to be a tremendous year for you. What I also know is that it is going to require some work on your part to stay disciplined, say yes to caring for you and passing on the blessing.

My goal this year is twofold:

Support you in changing yourself so that you can change the world around you.
Help you answer the question, "Just who am I destined to be?"

As your coach I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly!

If you are new this week...welcome...let's begin the journey together!

God Bless,

Margaret.

"If you had one shot, or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment Would you capture it or just let it slip?"

~Eminem

Change begins one person at a time. During the holiday week my husband and I saw The Blind Side base on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy and Michael Oher. The story first written by brilliant author Michael Lewis illustrates the impact we can have on one person. What is the phrase, "Love isn't love until you give it away?" That is true. (Read Lewis' story in the New York Times.)

Beginning with yourself, you can change the world one person at a time - and see the difference you can make in the lives of others. This year I want to help you change yourself so that you can change the world around you.

Let's begin this process by focusing on you.

Change Yourself...

What one change would you like to see yourself make? And what is it going to take to get there?

Use your imagination...the sky is the limit...dream a little. Select one change large or small...that would greatly, enhance the quality of your life.

Then plan a lot...seriously consider...what is it really going to take - each day, each week, each month, each quarter - to get there?

What is one goal that might seem unattainable now, but with hard work you believe you can achieve it?

This is designed to be a reach goal...not about changing you, but about doing something new, learning a new skill...a goal that inspires you. Consider the following areas of your life: Love & Relationships, Health, Physical Environment, Work, Financial, Spiritual

...So that you can Change the World...

What is one thing, outside of yourself, you want to focus on this year?

Select something outside of yourself to focus on. It can be your family, friends, another family, hunger, literacy, peace, animals. Select something specific so that you can see your impact throughout 2010.

Next, select a theme, a phrase, a song or even picture that inspires you and keeps you invigorated towards this focus.

For example, if you want this year to be about your family and bringing your family together...you may select the theme song, "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge

What impact would you like to make on those around you - family, friends and community?

This goal has an intended result. Select one way you can make an impact. You may think...what can I really impact? The truth is you have tremendous power to impact anything you set your heart, mind and actions towards.

For example, If you want to encourage those around you to live a healthier lifestyle you may decide to organize a group of people to do a series of charity run/walks across your community.

Another example, if you want to stay fit and focus on animals in 2010 perhaps you become a Pet Pal at the Humane Society.

Select something that you want to impact, and go for it!

Make it Happen

Change begins one person at a time. Change begins with a dream, an idea, a hunch. Change begins with you - on you, for you - so that you can take your work outside of you to the world around you.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34702718/ns/today-parenting_and_family/

Wanna go to College? 6 Ways to stand out

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:45:00 +0000

Was 2009 Your Best Year Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:33:00 +0000

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: Was 2009 Your Best Year Yet?

"There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster."

~Richard Bach

Can you believe we are upon the New Year? 2010 is nearly here, and 2009 is almost behind us.

This week I want you to review 2009 - the truth - the things that worked and the things that didn't. By reflecting upon where we have travelled we can acknowledge the things that worked and continue them in 2010. As importantly identifying where we have faltered allows us to adjust what didn't work.

What were your goals in 2009? Was 2009 Your Best Year Yet?

Before we leave this year, here are seven questions to consider:

1) Did you achieve what you set out to in 2009?

2) What were your successes?

3) What were your failures?

4) Have you credited yourself and celebrated your successes? (The 31^st might be a fun time to do this.)

5) Have you made note of where you stumbled? Are some of these goals moot?

6) Describe the best version of you...how do you live up to that daily?

7) If you could meaningfully change one thing in your life what would it be and how might you make that change? (This must be something authentic...not a should or an ought to...)

This week I hope that you have joyous celebrations with your family and friends. Keep your focus tuned into the blessings in your life. Treasure each family member and celebrate what they bring to the table of your life. Try to find a few quiet moments before and after the fun to consider the questions above. We will use your answers to these questions as a basis for planning 2010.

Regardless if 2009 was your best year yet or if it left a lot to be desired keep your eyes on the bountiful blessings in your life. Next week we will focus on creating your vision for 2010! Blessings to you for a warm and joyous Holiday!

Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge

!!!Your Challenge is Over!!!

Wow you have arrived! It is time for you to celebrate your success...don't minimize what you've accomplished. Celebrate what you achieved and take a few minutes on the 31st to celebrate where you've travelled over the last 8 weeks and over the last year!!!

Blessings to you,

Margaret.

P.S. Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up. Margaret Pundmann is a life and business coach, speaker, and author of numerous articles on living your most powerful life. Stay tuned, Margaret's first book for emerging women will be available for pre-order in the coming weeks.

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

Please feel free to forward the "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety. The "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter is written and distributed by Emerge Enterprise. Copyright © 2008 Margaret Pundmann. All rights reserved. www.MargaretPundmann.com.

Find the Perfect Gift...Fast

noreply@blogger.com (Margaret Pundmann Fortner) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:03:00 +0000

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: Find the Perfect Gift ... Fast!

"Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses. Flood waters await us in our avenues. Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche Over unprotected villages. The sky slips low and grey and threatening. We question ourselves. What have we done to so affront nature? We worry God. Are you there? Are you there really? Does the covenant you made with us still hold? Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters, Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air. The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship. It is the Glad Season. Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner. Flood waters recede into memory. Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us As we make our way to higher ground. Hope is born again in the faces of children It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets. Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things, Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors. In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first it is too soft. Then only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength. We hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is loud now. It is louder. Louder than the explosion of bombs. We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence. It is what we have hungered for. Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace. A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies. Security for our beloveds and their beloveds. We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas. We beckon this good season to wait a while with us. We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come. Peace. Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, Implore you, to stay a while with us. So we may learn by your shimmering light How to look beyond complexion and see community. It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time. On this platform of peace, we can create a language To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other. At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ Into the great religions of the world. We jubilate the precious advent of trust. We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope. All the earth's tribes loosen their voices To celebrate the promise of Peace. We, Angels and Mortal's, Believers and Non-Believers, Look heavenward and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation. Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister. Peace, My Soul."

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem By Dr. Maya Angelou

This Week's Topic: Find the Perfect Gift...Fast

It is Christmas Eve morning and many of us are scurrying around town trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one. In three minutes I'm going to give you a better, faster more relaxed, less stressful, more personal way to select gifts for your loved ones.

Author Gary Chapman has written a book entitled The Five Love Languages. In this book he suggests that we each have a primary love language and when people express love to us in this manner we receive it the most poignantly. So this year tailor your gifts to the person.