~ January 2009 ~
In This Issue
LIFE QUESTIONS, SOUL ANSWERS
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™
WRITING FROM THE SOUL™
FREE WORKSHOPS
UPCOMING CLASSES
Quick Links
RADIO INTERVIEWS WITH DEBBIE FORD
 
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Life Questions, Soul Answers
 
Do you want your life choices to be aligned with your soul rather than based on fear or conditioning?  Many of the people I talk to are painfully aware of the consequences of making career, relationship or creative decisions that aren't congruent with who they really are.  They yearn to hear the clear ring of truth and to have the courage to take action on what they know is true - sometimes at any cost.  They are no longer willing to abandon their souls. Times of choice represent powerful moments in our lives when we are challenged to stand in our truth, or not.  Which path do we choose?  Which inner voice do we listen to?  Will fear or wisdom be our guide?

Almost  two years ago I left a secure and prestigious position as a Department Chair in the university where I still teach.  The year before I resigned, my intuition was whispering to me that it was time to give full attention to my coaching, teaching and writing and that I may need to resign as Chair.  I tried to ignore the inner promptings because I felt too scared to let go of this secure position.  The subtle whispers turned into loud commands in the form of stress-related symptoms and I knew that my body was telling me I had to leave.  It was time to take a leap of faith and heed my soul's calling.  It has turned out to be a perfect soul choice for me and has reinforced my belief in the importance of being true to ourselves and taking risks, often without a map, guide or safety net.  By the way, the symptoms disappeared shortly after I handed in my letter of resignation.

Are you at a choice point in a relationship?  With your work?  Where to live?  Are you in fear about your personal finances and unclear about what 'right action' is for you?  Are you in a transition and want to be sure that your next steps are aligned with your deeper truths?  Do you want to claim your creativity, but can't decide which avenue of creative expression is best suited for you? Soul Letters are one of many tools I use to access intuition.  They are an easy way to establish two-way communication between your conscious self and your inner knowing.

TRY THIS 'SOUL LETTER' EXERCISE

You will write two letters, one from you to your soul and one from your soul to you.  Frame your question(s) carefully and pose them to your soul as if you're writing to your best friend and asking for advice.  Here's an example:

Dear Soul (or Higher Power, Inner Wisdom, etc)

I want to make a commitment to my creativity this year as one of my 2009 self-care goals.  There are so many ways I could go: writing, photography, dance, painting or learning to play the guitar.  What is the best choice for me at this time and how should I proceed?

Love,
___________

Before you begin the second letter, which is your soul responding to you, take a few deep breaths or stretch for a minute or so.  Practice learning to suspend your doubts and relax as you "take dictation" from your deep inner self. Stay present as you write, allowing the material to flow through you easily and effortlessly.  Keep your focus off of results and just write.

Write these Soul Letters as often as you'd like and bring any and all questions that you have.  Your inner wisdom is ever-present and can assist you in everything from offering wise counsel about your personal finances to helping you discover your life's purpose and the best way to achieve it.  As you learn to let intuition inform your decisions and life choices, you will discover that every choice can be a soul choice.
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™

INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™ phone or in-person coaching can help you:
  • Achieve your personal and professional goals
  • Navigate through periods of transition
  • Develop strengths and seed potentials
  • Find your purpose and passion 
  • Overcome blocks and limiting patterns
  • Quiet the voice of the Inner Critic
  • Access inner knowing for decision-making and clarity about your goals and life direction
  • Create action steps that generate tangible results

I specialize in helping clients overcome blocks of all kinds and translate ideas and visions into concrete action.  Fees are based on a sliding scale and time frames are based on individual wants and needs.

 
A FREE CONSULTATION is available.
WRITING FROM THE SOUL™

ONGOING GROUPS:

San Rafael, CA     
Alternate Thursdays    
7:30-9:30 pm
 
Oakland, CA         
Last Sunday of each month        
6:15-8:15 pm
 
INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS (phone or in-person): 
  • Overcome writer's block
  • Start and/or complete writing projects
  • Discover your natural writing voice
  • Develop confidence and ease in writing
  • Create attainable short and long term goals
A FREE CONSULTATION is available.

FREE WORKSHOPS 

OPENING THE WRITER'S GATE
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fairfax Library, Fairfax, California  
6:00 - 8:30 pm
 
TRANSFORMATIONAL WRITING: Writing for Healing and Spiritual Growth
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Rockridge Library, Oakland, California  
2:00 - 4:30 pm
 
THE SOUL OF CAREGIVING™: Writing and Guided Imagery for Insight and Wellness
I will be presenting a number of FREE workshops in 2009 for cancer caregivers and caregivers for people with other life-altering illnesses.  In these workshops, participants will explore the meaning and transformative potential of their caregiving experience and receive tools for emotional and spiritual renewal and self care.                                                    
 
The Soul of Caregiving™ will be presented at John F. Kennedy University, CorStone (formerly The Center for Attitudinal Healing), The Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic, The Precious Life Wellness Village and The Women's Cancer Resource Center.  Contact me for more information or if you'd like to attend. Feel free to pass this information on to anyone you know who's a caregiver.
UPCOMING CLASSES
 
TRANSFORMATIONAL WRITING: Writing for Healing and Spiritual Growth 
 
Tuesdays March 10, 17, 24, 31
2:00-4:00 pm
The Precious Life Wellness Village
Berkeley, CA
Sliding fee scale  $100-160 for the course
 
 
GETTING UNSTUCK: A Transformational Process for Overcoming Blocks
 
Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 24, 31
6:30-8:30 pm
The Precious Life Wellness Village
Berkeley, CA
Sliding fee scale  $100-160 for the course
The fee includes a follow-up phone session
 
 
Contact me if you'd like to register for any of these workshops or classes (415)721-0766 susannewest888@yahoo.com. 
Click here to visit my website if you'd like to learn more about my phone or in-person Insight to Action Coaching, Writing from the Soul Programs, or The Soul of Caregiving. 
 
A Free Consultation is available.  You can also sign up for my free monthly newsletter.
 
to sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION with Susanne West