We've all heard it. One of the hottest topics in the spiritual/self development world today is how to live in the present moment. Some unsettling events in my own life really got me thinking about how important this is. Realizing that I have a choice in how I spend my moments -- big or little -- is a freedom that I cannot overlook.

I began to recognize that when I am present in the moment, I grant myself freedom from many unsupportive and unproductive things such as worry, anxious thoughts, and just plain old wasted time and energy spent thinking about things that never happen, or things that did happen, but only in my own mind!

So the word of the day for the newsletter is Freedom. Trouble is I'm all tied-up and I think I like it.

See today is one of those days when everything is fantastic. The temperature is just right and the sun is shining, so right there I'm on super octane. I spent the morning with the other coaches and we were all throwing ideas around so fast and laughing so hard that I got caught up in the magic and came home without writing down a single thing that I could actually focus on.

My mind is going a hundred miles an hour like I'm a spinning top and somebody just pulled my cord. I think I might actually be a genius.

Now, even in my excitement about being a genius and all, I know I can't live here forever because I will burnout and die. And I know that even if I keep on spinning sooner or later I'll bump into a wall or something and splat there I'll be free as a bird and not one idea in my head.

Freedom's just another word . . .

What does it mean to achieve your potential? On the relative level of human affairs, to achieve your potential means to live up to your expectations or the expectations of others regarding a high level of performance. You will hear a person say: He did (or didn't) achieve his potential as a first class athlete, or a great artist, or first in his class.

But actually, when we go deeper, the source of the desire to achieve your potential is the yearning for fulfillment. That is why I say, if you really want to achieve your potential as a human being, you must first unfold the super state of awareness. Achieving your potential is much more than personal development, it is also personal evolution!

As both personal development and personal evolution start with awareness, the first question is: What is awareness?

Please join us in welcoming Glen McClintock as a new coach member of CCVT. In talking about his shift into life coaching, Glen shares "I realized that my best work was not having all the answers, but supporting people to find their own unique path."

"My personal mission is to support people to open up to their lives, to love themselves, to be authentic with others, and to face life's challenges with personal integrity, grace, humor, and creativity."

With strong experience as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and coach training through through the ICF accredited MentorCoach Certification Program, Glen coaches around personal growth on a variety of levels. He also brings an understanding of issues of grief and loss, aging and disability, and the GLBT community.

Coach Deb Chisholm imagines a world where children learn within a "culture of kindness." She wants to activate and access the immense wisdom of learners and teachers and she sees good coaching as an integral part of transforming relationships and creating a success-oriented school community.

From August 10 - 13, Deb is partnering with Lea Belair to offer The Education Coaching Professional Certificate for School Administrators, Team Leaders, and Teachers, a joint offering of The Coaching Center of Vermont and the UVM Business Center.

This program will teach coaching skills to a group of talented, committed, imaginative, forward-thinking educators. Do you know an educator who would be excited to participate in this program? Please take a moment to pass this information along.

Ah...the power of positive intention! The rains paused and the severe storms kindly withdrew as we embarked on our first ever CCVT Coaching Cruise "Riding the Waves."

Amazing people. Provocative conversations. The stunning beauty of Lake Champlain. A truly delightful way to spend a summer afternoon. We may just have to do this again!

Lisa Buell will be celebrating freedom from the old and freedom to step into the new by taking a Vision Quest in the high desert of California, including a 3 day wilderness solo, with Rites of Passage. We wish her a safe and fruitful journey.

Kim DuBrul would like to announce that she has started working with groups and businesses in the areas of motivation, goal setting, leadership and mindset. Kim works with clients all over the world and is available to speak to, or work with your group in person, or via teleclass. Please call Kim at 802-985-2482 for details.

Lucy Gage Bogue is celebrating a wildly successful and inspiring TDI 2009. The Talent Development Institute is a program for gifted students sponsored by the Green Mountain Center for Gifted Education, which Lucy co-founded and currently serves as president. TDI, which is in its twelfth year at Johnson State College, combines the relaxed atmosphere of a summer camp with new academic and creative opportunities. It is a place where kids go to learn, to grow and have fun with other gifted children, and with teachers who are understanding and supportive of their giftedness.

In partnership with the Vermont Training Program of the VT Department of Economic Development, the CCVT Business Coaching Certificate Program for Leaders and Managers is now eligible for participant training grants of up to $500 to employees in the Manufacturing, Information Technology, Healthcare, Telecommunications, and Environmental Technology sectors. Please contact Kitty Martin, Office Manager, at 802-654-8787 or email Kitty for more information.