Relax and Rejuvenate in France

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:17:00 +0000

Jack Canfield's 90 Day Challenge

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:24:00 +0000

C.W. Longenecker
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.

by Margaretha
Stress Management Workshops and Books
Relationship Enrichment Retreats
Equestrian e-Books

Relax and Rejuvenate Weight Loss Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:11:00 +0000

The new Relax-and-Rejuvenate Weight Loss Retreats focus more on total relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind and body, and less on rigorous exercising and restrictive dieting.

The emphasis at Alegria-en-Armagnac is on safe and rapid weight loss, optimising health and getting fit in a relaxed and breathtakingly beautiful setting. Now you have the rare opportunity to discover how to lose all the weight you want easily and without putting your health at risk … and keep it off forever - Register for a Relax and Rejuvenate Weight Loss Workshop today at Relax-and-Rejuvenate.com

Inspiration for dieters from C.W. Longenecker:

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.

selscted by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Relationship Enrichment Retreats
Equestrian e-Books

Happiness e-book - Survive and Thrive!

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:44:00 +0000

Wishing you a splendid 2010!

We are still snowed in and I am now putting the final touches to my new e-book Survive and Thrive! It is about the 7 mind tools I used and advise others to use if they want to realise their full potential and become successful beyond their wildest expectations.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Albert Schweitzer

by Margaretha Health and Happiness Workshops and e-Books
Relationship Enrichment Retreats
Equestrian e-Books

Health and Happiness Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:41:00 +0000

We got stuck at Gatwick on the way to France (all flights were cancelled)and now we are snowed in - which is rather rare for this part of the world. It gives me time to work on my websites Relax-and-Rejuvenate.comand RelationshipRescueRetreat.com and bring everything up to date, like this blog! I was looking for something inspirational while designing my new Health and Happiness workshops and dug up one of my favourites:

Desiderata poem - by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

by Margaretha
Health and Happiness Workshops and Books
Relationship Enrichment Retreats
Equestrian e-Books

Relationship Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Some things in life, like certain relationships, are worth fighting for. Some things are worth many hours of very hard work, like my dream of presenting residential stress management workshops in the south of France.

Sometimes relationship problems can be opportunities in disguise. Relationship difficulties ultimately push each one of us to grow as an individual and to learn how to communicate more effectively. Everyone can build a rewarding and satisfying relationship regardless of past history or current circumstances.

If you make your relationships about supporting other people, you will find this strategy reaps dividends beyond your wildest imagination. If you are committed to helping others achieve their personal dreams and ambitions, they will often repay you in kind. Even if they don't, you can still get pleasure from contributing to their well-being, while finding the support and encouragement you need elsewhere.

If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it
If only desire of it
Makes you quite mad enough
Never to tire of it,
Makes you hold all other things tawdry and cheap for it
If life seems all empty and useless without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,
If gladly you'll sweat for it,
Fret for it,
Plan for it,
Lose all your terror of God or man for it,
If you'll simply go after that thing that you want,
With all your capacity,
Strength and sagacity,
Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,
If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,
Nor sickness nor pain
Of body or brain
Can turn you away from the thing that you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You'll get it!

Berton Braley

Tired all the time? Are you sick of the headaches, insomnia, fatigue, overeating and heartburn stress causes? Is it ruining your personal relationships, your productivity and your appearance? Wouldn’t you like to discover all of your stress management options and finally take control of your life, instead of letting stress control you?

New e-book! Survive and Thrive! – a 120 page, full-color, immediately accesible e-book that tells you what stress is, what the symptoms of too much stress are and exactly what to do about it to avoid long-term damage to your health- written by a medical doctor in every day easy-to-understand English

by Margaretha Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Couples Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue to exist, a wonderful living side by side can grow up, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see each other whole against the sky.
-- Rainer Maria Rilke

You don't have to be on divorce's doorstep to enjoy and benefit from a romantic retreat. You may be embarking on a new relationship and may wonder what you need to do to keep the love of your life. You could be in a mature relationship and want to rekindle or enhance intimacy and understanding. Or you may be in a romantic relationship seeking the courage to take the next step...

Whether your marriage is on the rocks and falling apart, or just in need of a tune up, our intensive couples retreat can give you the tools you need to deal with the issues that seem unbearable and unsolvable. We usually start with self-esteem and self-respect:

My Declaration of Self-Esteem
by Virginia Satir

I AM ME

In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me
Everything that comes out of me is authentically me
Because I alone chose it - I own everything about me
My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,
Whether they be to others or to myself - I own my fanatasies,
My dreams, my hopes, my fears - I own all my triumphs and
Successes, all my failures and mistakes Because I own all of
Me, I can become intimately acquainted with me - by so doing
I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts - I know
There are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other
Aspects that I do not know - but as long as I am
Friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously
And hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles
And for ways to find out more about me - However I
Look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever
I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically
Me - If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought
And felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is
Unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that
Which I discarded - I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do
I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be
Productive to make sense and order out of the world of
People and things outside of me - I own me, and
therefore I can engineer me - I am me and

I AM OKAY

We would therefore like to invite you wholeheartedly and without reservation to join us on a 5 day relationship rescue retreat at our fortified 12th century farm in deepest rural Armagnac, about an hour south-west of Bordeaux in France.

To make a reservation CLICK HERE

by Margaretha Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Relationship Rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:06:00 +0000

One of the first things a relationship therapist learns is that couples argue to burn up energy that could be used for something else. In fact, arguments often serve the purpose of using up energy, so that the couple do not have to take the courageous, creative leap into an unknown they fear. Arguing serves the function of being a zone of familiarity into which you can retreat when you are afraid of making a creative breakthrough. - Gay Hendricks

Relationship problems are important opportunities in disguise. Relationship difficulties ultimately push each one of us to grow as individuals and to learn how to communicate better. Everyone can build a rewarding and satisfying relationship regardless of past history or current circumstances.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won, had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

More info: relationshiprescueretreat.com

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Relationship Retreats

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:29:00 +0000

Introducing Alegria-en-Armagnac's Couples Retreats

Effective communication skills are essential for a happy, healthy, passionate and stable relationship

Attending a romantic relationship retreat offers an unique opportunity to escape your daily routine, focus on your relationship and master the necessary communication skills you need to deepen and strengthen your relationship. The retreats are experiential workshops; we help you to focus on solutions, rather than dwell on problems.

What makes the Relationship Rescue Retreats at Alegria so very different and much more effective than many other relationship retreat?

At Alegria, you will be introduced to Equine-assisted Learning, an experiential and short-term approach initiating real and lasting change. Horses instinctively identify stumbling blocks and open new lines of communication. If there are issues or challenges to overcome, a horse quickly brings them to light.

Now you can resuscitate your relationship while enjoying a relaxing, exclusive and exceptional holiday. At Allegria-en-Armagnac, we present three or five-day romantic retreats for couples (there will be no more than 6 couples on each retreat) in a private, secure and beautiful setting amongst the vineyards in the south-west of France.

For more info, visit RelationshipRescueRetreat.com
by Margaretha de Klerk

Our Deepest Fear
by Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

© Marianne Williamson, 1992

Found in "A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles" Harper Collins, Chapter 7, Section 3, 1992.

Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Starting Over

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:48:00 +0000

Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.

The world won't care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success,
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.

Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day's the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history;
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned,
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.

Berton Braley

Imagine getting rid of the bitterness about past hurts, the constant bickering, deepening resentment, recurring arguments and the inability to resolve conflict, the passive aggressiveness, insecurity, disappointment and loneliness. Imagine developing an open communication style with your partner - sharing your thoughts and feelings and communicating the truth with empathy and compassion.

At this relationship retreat you will both be able to relax completely, you'll be able to let go and forget the daily strife, in private. secure and comfortable surroundings, far from all the noise, escalating stress and never-ending demands of every day life.

More info at Relax-and-Rejuvenate.com

by Margaretha Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:43:00 +0000

My dearest friend and mentor Anne MacManus recently lost her valient battle against breast cancer. I miss her very much and my heart goes out to her dear husband George. George, this is for you:

If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be

If I can remain calm and quiet
With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me

If I can but keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this will pass away, too

Then nothing in life can defeat me
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness
And trying to fill me with fear
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near.

Helen Steiner Rice

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Relationship Enrichment Retreats
Equestrian e-Books

Alegria-en-Armagnac

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Alegria-en-Armagnac is about an hour's drive south-west of Bordeaux. Most people know where in France Bordeaux is and a substantial number has visited both Bordeaux and the surrounding wine lands, but few have ventured south of the city, into the mysterious province of the Landes, impenetrable for centuries before it was drained and forested by Napoleon III.

Most French people are familiar with the coastal part of the Landes - those endless silver beaches south of Bordeaux stretching down to the Pyrenées mountains, the spectacular Arcachon basin, the popular sea-side resorts and spa's like Dax and especially Hossegor, that claims to have the best surfing in Europe.

It is the very mystery, the unspoilt nature, the gentle pace and the shy but proud people of this secret part of France that captured our hearts. Alegria-en-Armagnac clings to the eastern edge of this enormous forest, with-in walking distance of Mauleon d'Armagnac. This little village barely has more than a church and a post-office to recommend it, even though the church is 900 years old and listed in all the guest books, but the 62 souls who live here and on the surrounding farms have courageous hearts of gold, just like the lion of Armagnac that their village was named after.

Imagine a single day in your life...
-without the ever-increasing pressure to earn more money
-without debilitating conflict at home and at work
-without impossible deadlines
-without smoking too much, drinking too much or eating too much junk food
-without the symptoms of escalating stress like insomnia, palpitations, heartburn, headaches
-and without worrying these symptoms are masking a serious disease like cancer
-without losing control and losing your temper
-without feeling tired and depressed from the moment you wake up

...then you'll understand why I bought this no traffic, no pollution, nostress and no mass tourism piece of paradise in the south of France so that I can present stress management workshops for couples here.

More info here: relax-and-rejuvenate.com

by Margaretha de Klerk
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Stress Management Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:37:00 +0000

Finding a house (with land) to buy where I can present my stress management residential workshops in the south of France is turning out to be very difficult, if not impossible.

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
on his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

Edgar A. Guest

All I want is a reasonably priced property where I can help people

-get rid of the bitterness about past hurts, the constant bickering, deepening resentment, recurring arguments and the inability to resolve conflict, the passive aggressiveness, insecurity, disappointment and loneliness

-develop an open communication style - sharing thoughts and feelings and communicating the truth with empathy and compassion.

-eliminate the fear, frustration and escalating stress that is currently suffocating them and replacing it with feelings of love, joy and appreciation

I know the perfect house is out there, I just need to find it.

by Margaretha de Klerk
Stress Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Counselling

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

by Margaretha Relationship Rescue Retreat
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Law of Attraction as a Mind Tool

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:19:00 +0000

Good News! Did you know that by using the Law of Attraction, you can turn every day into a truly wonderful day? Do you tend to let your circumstances set the tone for every day? Do you allow people and events to trigger feelings of anger, frustration and impatience or happiness, joy and contentment?

When you do this, you are not using the power you have available to you!

When you first wake up in the morning, spend 10 minutes thinking about the events and situations you would like to experience that day. How would you like your day to go? What kind of people would you like to meet? Would you like to receive some great opportunities to advance your career? How would you like to feel for the majority of your day?

Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. ~Lewis Carroll

Grab a notebook and jot these details down! Next, spend a few minutes vividly imagining each desired scenario in your mind, exactly as you would like it to happen. Add emotion to your imagination. Use all 5 your senses to experience it all to the full.

Most importantly, see, hear, feel, taste and smell the events as if it is actually happening now. Immerse yourself in feelings of excitement, joy, happiness and gratitude as you enjoy one great experience after another. Use this same process for every experience you’d like to have that day.

By the time you’re finished you should be feeling fantastic; buzzing with good spirits and high expectations!

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. ~Joseph Addison

For more Success Quotes, subscribe to my Success Quotes Newsletter - see top of page to the right.

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Success and Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:24:00 +0000

Desiderata - by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Mind Tools For Success

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Below is the table of contents of my new edition of the Acorns to Oak Trees e-book:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Start by making Stress impotent
The Ultimate Testimonial
7 Life-Changing Mind Tools
Powerrr Coaching
Discover the Secret: How to harness the infinite power of the Law of Attraction
Choose your strategy:
Feel your way
Stop and smell the roses
Indulge your inner gourmet
Deafening applause
What you see is what you get

Conclusion

Would you like to know what the 7 most powerful mind tools are because you are stressed beyond endurance and urgently need to become successful beyond your wildest imagination?

Is stress ruining your personal relationships, your productivity and your appearance? Would you like to find effective ways to deal with stress and discover how take control of your life, instead of letting stress control you?

Click Here for more info.

by Margaretha de Klerk
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Success Quotes Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:54:00 +0000

"When a man feels throbbing within him the power to do what he undertakes as well as it can possibly be done, this is happiness, this is success." Orison Swett Marden

I collect quotes. Success quotes, quotes about self-improvement, motivation quotes, inspiration quotes, happiness quotes etc. When I started my collection, I added every quote that fit the subject. But as time went buy, I became more discerning and only kept the ones I felt were the most meaningful or inspiring or motivating.

I want to share my precious list with others, but I did not just want to bang it on a web page. Quotes are best appreciated in small doses, so that one can get maximum value from each. That is how I collected them – one by one.

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Mario Andretti

I saw that there are loads of searches for words like daily inspiration, daily motivation and motivation for success online. It didn't take long before I came up with the idea of a newsletter loaded with quotes, sent out on a daily basis. Although I have to admit it's more like a daily note/memo, short, sharp and to the point – and it's not always every day, sometimes it's every second day, and sometimes even every third day I sent them out. Don't want to drown you in quotes.

If you would like to rid yourself of stress beyond endurance and finally enjoy the sweet taste success beyond belief, subscribe to receive my daily SureFire Success Quotes by e-mail or by RSS – for motivation quotes, inspiration quotes, happiness quotes and many more. Sometimes I throw in a success poem or success poster, to motivate and inspire you even more. Motivation posters and poems of inspiration have also found their way into the quote notes, just to spice things up a bit. And special offers, last minute discounts and free e-books too, but obviously, that is top-secret information that I can not use to promote SureFire Success Quotes!

To thank you for your confidence in me, when you subscribe you will get immediate access to the FREE - “How to deal with Stress?” special short report. To get simple and straight-forward answers immediately, leave your name and e-mail address on your right, at the top of the column: (I respect your privacy and promise never to sell, barter, share or rent your email address to any unauthorized third party. Period! By submitting your email address you are only requesting to be subscribed to my free, daily SureFire Success Quotes – nothing else- and you may unsubscribe effortlessly at any time! )

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

The True Meaning Of Success

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Apparently, lots of people are looking for more information about stress and success. But millions of sites are already providing exactly that. It seems that competition is ferocious and overwhelming. And I have spent hundreds of hours writing and polishing yet another e-book about stress and success.

So what is so special about my stress2success e-book that I expect people to actually pay to read it? I'm a medical doctor, but there are other medical doctors who wrote e-books on stress. And I am a certified NLP practitioner and medical hypnotherapist, but there are better-qualified and better-known NLP and hypnosis experts who have written useful e-books about stress and anxiety.

Is this just another all-singing, all-dancing e-book about meditation, or hypnosis, or massage, or reiki, or aromatherapy, or NLP or psychology?

It most certainly is not. Click Here to read all about it.

And I promise I will stop changing the name of the book, but I figured until the official launch I will try out a few more on you - so what do you think of "Mindtools4Success"?

by Margaretha Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books
MindTools4Success

How to relieve Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Your inherent ability to tolerate stress depends on many factors, including the quality and stability of your relationships, the size of your support network, your general attitude and outlook on life, your ability to recognise and deal with your emotions, your range of coping strategies and your genetic make up.

Now you can find out exactly what stress is...to determine when the stress becomes harmful CLICK HERE, and you will also discover the extraordinary mind tools that you can use to minimise the impact of stress on your life.

Stress is not what happens to us. It's our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something we can choose. Maureen Killaran

Read the full article here.
by Margaretha

Margaretha is the author of several stress relief and weight loss articles, as well as the Papillon Program - a healthy, balanced diet e-book as well as the Acorns2OakTrees e-book about stress management and presents the 3/6-day Acorn2Oaktree workshops and the popular 3/6-day Catterpillar2Butterfly Workshops in the sun-drenched south of France- more info available from www.Relax-and-Rejuvenate.com.

Margaretha also has two horses and helps riders to Ride with Supreme Self-Confidence, via her e-book, newsletter and workshops. More info at Equestrian e-Books

Belle's Beau

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:38:00 +0000

The stallion was pawing the ground with frustration, making the dust swirl and rise all around him. I felt the earth vibrating under my feet, the noise was intimidating. He snorted impatiently, waiting clearly was not improving his mood or his attitude.

My heart was beating erratically. I was breathing fast and soon started coughing as the dust clogged up my throat. It tasted hot and salty. My coughing distracted him – he froze and whipped his noble head round to fix me with a irritated stare. The muscles rippled in his powerful neck, as thick as a tree trunk. His pitch black coat glistened in the sun as he stood trembling with anticipation. Our eyes met for an instant and my heart fell still and silent. How is Belle supposed to cope with this?

Belle was lead into the paddock, a wild look in her eye. Her groom used the rope attached to her halter to tie her to the wall. The stallion's handler carefully brought him closer to have a good sniff around. From his frantic interest and her enthusiastic response it was quite clear that they were both keen and ready for action.

The stallion was a professional. Nobody was going to get hurt as long as no one came between him and his single-minded intent. These arrangements suited Belle perfectly. It was over before I realised that it was happening. The stallion, now spent and exhausted was helped off unceremoniously. As he walked past me he caught my eye. I could swear I noticed a mischievous twinkle. I went over to Belle and stroked her side, wet with sweat.

Her lower lip was hanging on the floor and her face said it all. Was that it? she seemed to be saying. All that hissing and snorting for 2 minutes of ecstasy? What about me? No foreplay? No after play? I chuckled, knowing that she got exactly what she wanted from the deal: the chance to have a foal. (extract from the e-book Acorns to Oak Trees.)

Mission accomplished this morning at 11h30.

Three months ago, this relatively simple task would have been impossible for me to arrange and accomplish. Emotionally, physically and mentally I was at one of the lowest points in my life. I felt drained, numb and frozen.

The turning point came when I realised that my current uncomfortable situation was due to the fact that I had shelved my determination to fulfil my life's purpose. So I resuscitate my hopes and dreams and restructured my life. And then everything started going right, more or less effortlessly. And my stress evaporated...

Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail -Charles F Kettering

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Feel The Fear

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:16:00 +0000

I first read this book four years ago, and I have read it yearly ever since. Susan's book has inspired me every single time I read it to gather my courage together, to leave my comfort zone and set myself more challenging objectives. She is especially good at affirmations like "Everything will work out for the best". You can download a pdf explaining her technique here: Susan Jeffers . I recommend this book to any one who needs a fresh confidence boost.

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrian e-Books

Stress Quiz

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want. ~Margaret Young

How we perceive a stress-provoking event and how we react to it determines its impact on our health. We may be motivated and invigorated by the events in our lives, or we may see some as "stressful" and respond in a manner that may have a negative effect on our physical, mental and social well-being.

Don't let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries. ~Astrid Alauda, Dyspeptic Enlightenment< Take the Stress Quiz here.

by Margaretha
Margaretha is the author of several stress relief and weight loss articles, as well as the Papillon Program - a healthy, balanced diet e-book as well as the Acorns2OakTrees e-book about stress management and presents the 3/6-day Acorn2Oaktree workshops and the popular 3/6-day Catterpillar2Butterfly Workshops in the sun-drenched south of France- more info available from www.Relax-and-Rejuvenate.com.

Margaretha also has two horses and helps riders to Ride with Supreme Self-Confidence, via her e-book, newsletter and workshops. More info at Equestrian e-Books

Personal Mission Statement Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:33:00 +0000

As today is Monday, according to my editorial calendar I have to post a few meaningful quotes. I have chosen a poem instead because it includes nearly every single personal development goal I strive for and could even be a personal mission statement. Those of you who know me personally will understand exactly why this is poem is so important to me at this point in time. I give to you:

'if' by rudyard kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

Blogpost by Margaretha Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrians Unlimited

Lasting stress relief

noreply@blogger.com (Margaretha) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:57:00 +0000

I have recently updated my stress management method; as I work and learn, I discover more options for stress relief, and incorporate them into my 7-key system.

The new Acorn2OakTree method is more than a simple self-help method – it consists of seven keys and it will give your all the tools that you need to rewire your brain. Each key is unique and essential to your success. The keys are most effective when used one after the other. Some keys only need to be used once, but most keys can (and should) be used again and again to stream-line your master stress management plan.

Here are the 7 Golden Keys to Ultimate Fulfilment:

The Key of Intent
The Key of Commitment
The Key of Focus and Application
The Key of Engagement
The Key of Surrender and Perseverance
The Keys of Gratitude, Appreciation, Compassion, Connection, Generosity and Charity
The Key of Celebration

The Acorns to Oak Trees e-book explains this process in more detail, and at the Acorn2OakTree workshop you will discover how to put them into practice. You too can change your life, start afresh and take control of your destiny. It's easier than you think!

by Margaretha
Stress and Weight Management Workshops and Books
Equestrians Unlimited