TOOLS OF HOPE  

"ToolsLetter "

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Tools of Hope ToolsLetter, #106                                                                    DECEMBER, 2009

Welcome to the Tools of Hope ToolsLetter!
 
My goal is to provide you with quick, usable tools on a regular basis that will
 
1)  Help you restore and renew your hope.       
2)  Regain your balance and perspective.
3)  Build your resilience to the big hits as   
       well as the daily stressors that pile up and 
       want to weigh you down.
       
red ornament
P.S. Check out the Santa's Dozen holiday special
on Tools of Hope books at

www.toolsofhope.com.
         
Building you up -


Ana-Christina Wadle
My Legacy Coaching, LLC
 - Inspirational  Trainer & Speaker
 - Legacy Coach
 - Author, Tools of Hope

email:  hope@toolsofhope.com
303.434.0431, cell
303.751.6813, office      


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IN THIS ISSUE
Quote of the Day
Twice Bitten - Still Standing
TOOL of the Day
Coaching / Workshops / Books
QUICK LINKS
Forward to a Friend
 
 
Click here to
 Quotes of the day (these are so good, I put 2 for today!)

Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: 

If you are alive,
it isn't
Richard Bach

It's never too late to be what you might have been. 
Mary Ann Evans (pen name George Eliot)


 
 

Twice Bitten - Still Standing


He was staring at me so intently that I felt like his eyes were boring right through mine.

He made no noise as he lunged for me, and rocketed into me with a force that belied his size. 

He grabbed me and shook me like a little rag doll - my heart was pounding and all I could think was
"Oh my Lord, what if this was a real attack?"


************
What does that have to do with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce?  Let me make the obscure connection. 

I have been extremely fortunate to have been accepted into this year's Leadership Aurora Class of 2009-2010.  

Its focus is to help community leaders develop an awareness of the breadth and depth of our community, to enhance leadership abilities, to create a network of leaders, and to encourage greater involvement in our community.  Students are selected by a panel and once our tuition is paid, we begin our nine month class.  Along with volunteering opportunities, we have monthly exploratory sessions with local organizations,  agencies and businesses. 

Last month we had "Police Day."  We received impactful information from over a dozen different instructors regarding such varied topics as 911 dispatch, gang unit, school resource officers, volunteer involvement, and traffic enforcement.  We ended the day learning about the SWAT team, talking to the Arapahoe County bomb squad, and experiencing, firsthand, the K9 unit. 

As I donned the 35-40 pound ridiculously huge protective padded suit (yeah yeah, it's all fun and games until a trained attack dog actually attacks you...), a few errant thoughts did cross my mind: 
 
     "WHAT in the world am I doing?"

     "Daaaaang.  This dog is scary. "
 

     "I better keep my fists tucked up into the huge sleeve so that there's no way he can bite my hand if he catches the end of the sleeve..."

And then he smashed into me. 

I was protected by the handler who had the dog on his lead and who was issuing commands to both attack and then "stand still."  I was also protected by another officer who was standing behind me, making sure I didn't get knocked over by the force of the attack.
SWATK9
IN-TIM-I-DATE - verb
1.  To force into or deter from some action by inducing fear.
2.  To make afraid.

This dog is an incredible animal that, under careful partnership with his handler, saves police lives as well as suspect's lives because the dogs are so intimidating that many suspects surrender to them.

I learned literally hundreds of facts that day.  The instructors educated and informed me and changed my perspective regarding many aspects of police life. 

I commend our law enforcement teams.  I have a new and much deeper respect for what they do to "Serve and Protect" us and our families. 

The most important things I learned, though, were not the facts that I was given. 

I learned to confront my fears
I learned, again, to try something new
I was reminded that I could see life differently through someone else's (in this case, my police department's) perspective. 



And I was reminded...

Sometimes life bites you, attacks you, knocks into you, and smashes into you. 

Sometimes, life is like that.

When you're in the middle of that storm,
consider taking a step -

confront your fears,
try something new,
and your perspective on that tough time will shift.  
 


Build the life you REALLY want. 

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TOOL of the Day


take care of your self


It's December.  The end of the year.  A time of joy and bright light.  A time of celeb
ration and tradition.  A time to get together with family and friends.  It's true. 
 

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It's also true that it can be a very difficult season for some.  Not so much joy.  Not so much celebration.

The reality is that it can be a time of great stress and frustration.  Financial worries often come to the surface.  It's often a time of reflection over loved ones that we've lost, or lost track of, or lost relationships with. 

Time is tight when trying to fit in parties, performances, and various holiday activities (and don't forget the extra prep time for those activities!) 

Stress can go up, too, thinking of all the things you MEANT to do in 2009, and didn't quite get to.  ....sigh....

In the midst of the holiday confusion and commotion, in the midst of frantically trying to get everything taken care of, take some time to recharge
So that you will have the energy to keep going.
So that you keep sight of the "reason for the season." 

EXAMPLES?

One of the things I love to do is to sit quietly in the dark and watch my Christmas tree - twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments. 

I take care of myself by writing love notes to my loved ones - this helps me relax by slowing down and re-reminding myself that
the things that are really important ARE NOT THINGS. 


What's important are hearts and relationships. 

I take care of myself by writing a list of all the things I DID do in 2009. 

I take care of myself by hollering to the household in general (2 teenage boys, really) "bathroom is about to be closed down - use it or lose it!!!", before I take over, light a bunch of candles, grab a good book, and barricade myself in there for a long
bubble bath. 


I take care of myself by going outside and taking some alone time in the sun.  Even if it's cold - I'll bundle up and sit on the patio for a while. Clears the head.  And the heart. 


Take care of your self. 

Easy to say - difficult to do. 

Take a step, today, in the midst
of all of the holiday scramble,
think of one thing you will do,
one step that you will take in order to
slow you down
and fill you up.

May you have a peace-full holiday.
 
Yours, Ana-Christina 


Merry Christmas


Build the life you REALLY want. 

MLC logo
 
My Legacy Coaching, LLC
ACW cropped resized Ana-Christina's power as a coach comes from her profound ability to draw out your inner most passions and beliefs and weave them together in such a concise way that you can carry them with you every single day.

Her absolute love of what she does -- helping us find and connect with our authentic selves and desires -- is infectious and compels you to engage with both her and the process 110%.
Kristen (Kaye) Taavialma
Dean of Academics, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School and Aspiring Actress


I have been out of pocket the last month as I shifted my focus to coaching.  I coach groups through my workshops, and I am also working with individual clients as a life coach - what I call Legacy Coaching.  I've totally revamped my website and now MyLegacyCoaching.com and ToolsOfHope.com funnel into the same web page. 

What is coaching?  Coaching is not therapy or counseling.  One analogy is:  "Therapy is like helping someone with a broken leg to walk again.  Coaching is helping them to run the four minute mile."  Tony Grant - Sydney University.    

My Legacy Coaching, LLC - I help people to learn to live unregretted lives.

I spent a lot of years with guilt and regret and it hurt me and those around me. 

I'm not there anymore.  I got my head and my heart on straight and I'm moving forward at a stunning rate. 

My passion is to give people the HOW tools to move and grow in direction of building the life they REALLY want.  I help people who are feeling stuck. 

Instead of just surviving or "hanging in there,", I help my clients to thrive in their personal and/or professional lives.  I help them with balance, perspective, and resilience.

A willing heart does not stay stagnant while working with me.


You tell me what you are looking for (if you don't know, I'll help you uncover it), I share tools, and then I encourage and inspire and hold you accountable. 

Encourage = to give heart.
Inspire = to give breath; to give life.



If you are ready to explore your options with coaching, or think a friend or family member might be ready, call or email me!  I offer a 20-30 minute free exploratory session to all new clients to answer questions and let them see how coaching might work in their lives. 

Ana-Christina
303.434.0431, cell
303.751.6813, office
hope@toolsofhope.com

Build the life
you REALLY want.

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Tools of Hope Book
 
 



                                 FRONT COVER JPG                           red ornament
Check out the Santa's Dozen holiday special
on Tools of Hope books at
www.toolsofhope.com.

12 books for the normal website retail price of 10!


Ana Christina! Thanks for sending me a copy of your TOOLS OF HOPE. I found it packed with eternal truths, thoughtfully edited and laid out, and I'm sure it will be helpful to many souls traveling life's path that is often rocky and a difficult climb.

When a person has a down moment (or two!) how nice it is to pick up a little book, and know, that no matter what page you turn to, it will probably speak to your heart.  Thanks to Ana-Christina Wadle.
Dr. Foster W. Cline, M.D.,
Co-Founder of Parenting with Love and Logic,
Golden, CO

Many thanks for your book. It will be a ray  of hope for those lost in despair.  Congratulations.
Jim Fay
Co-Founder of Parenting with Love and Logic,
Golden, CO
 

 
Tools of Hope was published in December, 2008.  
 
It has spread across the U.S. and is being read from Alaska to Maryland, and from California to Florida - more than 600 copies, all word of mouth!   Read the  "Testimonials" on the website!
 
It is available for purchase at Tools of Hope website

P.S. - Check out some history behind
Tools of Hope in the free
NO MORE MONDAYS E-BOOK! 
(We're on pg. 28!!!)   

Click on the purple link below to see dozens of encouraging stories on how Dan Miller's 48 Days To the Work You Love  has impacted hearts to follow their gifts and passions in their career!  When you get to the page, click on the teal No More Mondays EBook link.
No More Mondays E-Book
 
Workshops

3 birds cropped Tools of Hope Workshops
                                             
 
Our team was so impressed with your professionalism and method of delivery.  In fact, your insightful real life stories turned out to be the highlight of the training.  You were able to speak to our team in a language familiar to them and to provide them with the tips and techniques with which most everyone needs to be reminded.  Our team met shortly after the training and was energized and had an increased level of confidence in their ability to tackle every day stress! 
                                                     M.H. - 19th Judicial District, Greeley, Colorado

I was present last night at your presentation. I want you to know what an impact you made on me!!  I am 60 years old and have attended motivational speeches before; but never have I come away from one feeling so sure of what I needed to do to change my heart and my life.  
K. L. - Aurora, Colorado
 
 
Tools of Hope Workshops provide an interactive, FUN, dynamic training session which will give your staff and/or clients ideas and motivation to make changes.
 
Changes that will increase effectiveness in the workplace, improve morale, and restore and renew hope both professionally and personally. 
 
See more information and feedback at Tools of Hope website
 
For pricing and scheduling, please contact Ana-Christina.
 
Email =  Contact Email 
 
Office =  303.751.6813
 
My Legacy Résumé 
 
Building your LEGACY. 
Building your RESILIENCE.
 
 



You made me open my eyes and realize a lot about myself that
I was not truly aware of. 
I know it will take time, but I am already starting to see
myself in a different way -- thank you!!
D.S., Fort Lupton, CO

 
Ana-Christina took my résumé and made it come alive, IT WAS ME ON PAPER!!!  Since the economy has take a down turn you need to think about how you can stand out from the other résumés and... it does just that.  I now have a more personal résumé than just what my skills are.  I love my new résumé and can't wait to start using it.
A.S., Walton, NY 
 
 
 
So.. Want a fresh start?
 
Want help in living your legacy? 
 
Interested in figuring out what you
REALLY WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?!!
 
I work with you to uncover your gifts and strengths. 
We work together to help you move forward.

- Or -

If you're looking for a résumé that truly describes
WHO YOU ARE
vs.
simply WHAT YOU'VE DONE,
I use that information to powerfully describe who you are and what you bring to your next job / career. 
 
For more information on the coaching process, go to
MyLegacyResume website
 
 
For pricing and next steps, please contact Ana-Christina.
 
Email =  Contact Email
 
  Office =  303.751.6813