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Greetings! If you haven't zeroed in on your passion yet, now is a good time to get started. Your passion is what gives you joy and satisfaction. You find it in the articles you choose to read, in the knowledge you seek, in the activities that energize you--that make you come alive and feel excited. Your passion aligns with your values and beliefs naturally. It makes you feel exhilarated, and it gives you peace. At this point in life, it makes decisions easier to make, because your passion is for you. Finding your passion in your retirement is well worth the time and effort that it may take. Hopefully, this issue will help you find the wonderful gift we all have been given! Happy April, Gail and Ed
------------------------------------------- Don't forget to check what your passion is, click here to take our FREE preliminary passion test, the test we give those who sign up for Discover Your Passion coaching with us. You may find your answers right there. If you want to go further, sign up for the 30-day Explore Your Passion course, which will be available next month. Check out our website, Retired-NextPhase.com. |
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THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
- Howard Thurman
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AWARD-WINNING WRITER/HUMANITARIAN
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JOAN LOWELL SMITH I've known this talented lady for over 14 years from reading her pet column in The Star Ledger, but met her only three years ago when a mutual friend, Sonja Burkett introduced us before moving to AZ. I found Joan's gregarious nature, infectious laugh, and caring soul as impressive as I did her actual credentials.
Joan's vast and impressive career includes being an award-winning reporter/columnist, author, public relations consultant, legislative aide, speech writer, editor, TV and radio talk show host, and executive director of Westfield non-profit agency.
Joan was born in Maplewood, raised in Westfield, and, in her early twenties, moved to Hollywood, CA, where she roomed with up-coming movie star, Kim Novak. Joan worked as a secretary for a TV producer before marrying and returning to NJ, where she actively began her writing career, writing features for various local papers, the New York Daily News, Garden State Nite Life (as theatre critic), The New York Times, Family Magazine, NJ Lawyer; and at an age when most people start thinking about retirement, Joan landed a job for 15 years as Pet Columnist for the Star Ledger.
A true humanitarian, Joan, in addition to her other jobs, has worked to serve her community through a variety of organizations where she felt there was a need. She served as a Board member for the Westfield Day Care Center, Union County Children with Learning Disabilities (chair), Union County Heart Association, Genealogical Society of Westfield, Garden States Art Center Cultural Fund, Union County Women's Golf Association (president), and the Westfield DAR (regent). She was also the first woman softball coach in a 20-team league in addition to creating and managing the adult tennis program for the Westfield Recreation.
Last year, Joan resigned from The Ledger in order to write pet books for TFH Publications. Her first book, a beautifully written and illustrated book about Rottweilers, was released last month and is now in bookstores. She has also served as copy editor of books on Bernese Mountain Dogs and Bulldogs. One of her most fun writing jobs this past year was editing a novel by a former superintendent of schools. "I love editing," she said with a chuckle, "because another author did all of the hard work."
In between her writing assignments, Joan worked as PR Director for Children's Specialized Hospital, executive director of Alzheimer's Fund of NJ and Westfield Chamber of Commerce, PR director of New Jersey State Opera, founder/president of Media Management, and publicist for opera star, Jerome Hines. In addition, she served as legislative aide for Assemblyman Chuck Hardwick.
Her broadcasting jobs included stints at News 12 NJ, Trans World Radio, WJDM-AM, and WPCV-TV where she hosted a half-hour weekly program, "Feminine Focus," covering arts and animal issues.
"Award-winning journalist" is not nearly descriptive enough to do justice to the numerous honors and awards Joan has received throughout her career. She has been recognized by both the Dog and Cat Writers' Association, the NJ Veterinary Medical Association, St. Hubert's, the US Humane Society, the Animal Welfare Federation, NJ Press Women, NJ Assembly, plus many other organizations. The point is: she's a fantastic writer!
True to her passion, Joan's true love is Timber, a beautiful, playful adopted Siberian Husky. His devotion to her makes his major shedding a minor inconvenience.
Joan's broad spectrum of experiences throughout her career has provided her with the background, credentials, and successes to continue serving the public with her insightful stories about animals. I, personally, am looking forward to her next book. This is what retirement is all about--doing what you love to do!
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BOOK REVIEW - DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVING WHAT YOU DO
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Robert Anthony's book, Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do, is one of the most influential books in my library. It was well worth the time it took to type my underlines and notes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Because of its length, only one part will be presented at a time. ENJOY!!
DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVING WHAT YOU DO
DR. ROBERT ANTHONY
CASHING IN ON YOUR MISTAKES Once you have decided upon your life's work, you might wish to study people who have involved themselves in a similar enterprise. You can learn a great deal from conversations with these people, from books they have written about their experiences, and also through observation. Never allow a mistake to go unattended. Use it to learn!
Once you have established where it is you wish to go, you should immediately give up all preconceived notions about how you must get there.
Negative thinking encourages us NOT to upset the status quo. It immobilizes us with fear of the unknown, reminding us how much easier and more comfortable life can be in an old familiar routine. In considering a major change in your life, it will be necessary to deal with the negative urge to keep things as they are. The first thing you must do is acknowledge that negative thoughts exist. The easiest way is to replace each negative thought with a positive one. Think of yourself as a person who MAKES things happen.
Enthusiasm is the most powerful motivating force for change. You should think enthusiastically. Think about people congratulating you and compensating you for your achievement.
Most human beings live the way they choose, but not the way they want. Our choices generally come from acquired beliefs, habits, and tastes. What we want can only come to us through change. ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO THROUGH YOUR OWN UNWILLINGNESS TO CHANGE.
Happiness is the natural order of things! Everything else - every other state of mind or human condition - in UN-natural.
NEXT MONTH: HAPPINESS THROUGH VISUALIZATION
Read more book summaries on our website. |
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FINDING YOUR CALLING. . .
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10 questions from Scott Dinsmore's LiveYourLegend
1. What makes you happiest in your life?
2. What excites you?
3. What do you do that makes you feel invincible?
4. What do people thank you for?
5. What are you ridiculously good at?
6. What are your precious gifts?
7. Who do you look up to?
8. Who are your mentors?
9. Who inspires you?
10. Why?
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LOOKING BACK
| | SCHOOL - 1957 VS. 2011
Scenario 1: Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack. 1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2012 - Schol goes into lock down, FBI called. Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers. Scenario 2: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2012 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assult and both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario 3: Jeffrey will not be still in class; he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2012 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The school gets extra money from the state because Jeffrey has a disability.
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WHAT YEAR IS IT ?
| Based on the following events from this year..WHAT YEAR IS IT?
- Marilyn Monroe found dead in her bedroom
- Beatles record their first hit record "Love Me Do"
- Johnny Carson becomes host of The Tonight Show
- Charles DeGaulle is president of France
- Evander Holyfield is born
- "West Side Story" is a hit movie
Answer found following "Take a break, and laugh about it...."
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TAKE A BREAK AND LAUGH ABOUT IT.....
| A 60 year old man, who has just had his annual physical, is told by his doctor that he is in fantastic shape for his age and is asked by his doctor. "How old was your father when he died ?" The man replies, "Did I say he was dead ? During the winter, he skis twice a week and surfs three times a week during the summer."
The doctor says. "You must have excellent family genes. Did your grandfather live to an advanced age?" The man says. "Did I say he was dead? He is 106 years old, goes skiing once a week during the winter and surfs one day a week during the summer, and we are going to his wedding next week."
The doctor says. "That's amazing, but why would he want to get married at this point?" The man says. "Did I say he wanted to get married ?"
_____________________________________________________________________ ANSWER TO THE QUIZ ABOVE....
The year all of these events took place was
1962!!
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Profit From Your Passion - a thirty-day E-course
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Rightsizing Your Life
|  Imagine finding what you need when you need it! That pair of slacks you wanted to wear...right there on a hangar. Your favorite shoes...sitting neatly on the floor. Getting and staying organized makes every day life easier, and allows you to start the day without feeling so flustered and rushed. It becomes even more important when you are experiencing or preparing for a major home or life transition, whether you are downsizing, rightsizing, divorcing, remarrying, retiring or making a career change. Living only with those things you need and love leaves more time to do the things you love to do, more time to develop your creative side, and more time to explore your passions! Less is much more!
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Gail Cassidy, gail@coachability.com; (908) 654-5216
http://www.Coachability.com
Ed Topar, edtopar@gmail.com |  |
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