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September 2010 - Catalyst! newsletter
from Sue Cowan Coaching
Issue 10
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| A note from Sue
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I have been "sweating the small stuff" in this busy week, trying to publish the newsletter before the end of the month...then I stopped and thought about the irony of it all, given the topic this month.
So what if you don't receive the "September edition" until the first day of October? When you stop and think about it, in the bigger scheme of things, it really isn't that important.
September 21st was UN International Day of Peace: I have missed that date but, hey, you can still take action today to make peace somewhere in your life, right?
Recently, many of my clients have been bringing time management and  "priority" issues to our coaching sessions (is it something in the air?). Where we put our energy has a massive impact on our enjoyment and happiness; enjoy this month's article as you question where you choose to put yours........
Sue
Early one evening in August
on Lake Geneva
You can email me at sue@suecowancoaching.com
phone me on (+41) 076 2055 076 (office and mobile)
or visit my website www.suecowancoaching.com
where you can also read past editions of this newsletter via the archive.
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Is "sweating the small stuff" draining your life energy?
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As the author of more than 30 books, including the bestselling series Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Dr. Richard Carlson helped millions of people. With his upbeat, practical, live-for-the-moment advice and prescriptions, he helped many to create lives of greater peace, connection, and caring by focusing on the more important things in life and "working around the little things" so life can be more enjoyable and happy.
The last chapter of one of his books is titled "Live This Day As If It Might Be Your Last..It Might Be!" Ironically and sadly, Carlson himself died unexpectedly a couple of years ago at age 45 during a plane flight to New York.
We really don't know how long we have in this life. Yet, we spend so much of our life energy mulling over what is in the past or fretting over what the future may hold.We can so easily get caught up in the minutia of life: we let the small things get the better of us, and lose sight of the bigger picture of what's actually important.
How much energy could we free up by letting go of the less consequential concerns, by living more in the now? How might we optimize the time we have?
Here are some ideas:
Clarify your values and create a personal "mission statement".
The clearer you are about what's deeply important to you (your values) and who you are at your core, the more likely you will succeed in living your life "on purpose". Your mission statement is your guidepost for knowing that you're headed in the right direction and provides information to get you back on course if you're not acting in alignment with your values and mission.
Let the past be in the past.
How often do you spend time living in the past? Do you re-live old memories over and over, or think of the clever things you should have said? Wishing things were just like they used to be?
Whether it's letting go of your anger at the crazy driver who cut in front of you this morning, or regretting the loss of your first love, living in the past can keep you from fully experiencing your life right here, right now.
Release worrying about the future.
Mark Twain said, "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." So much of what we worry about never happens, yet we spend countless hours and huge amounts of energy battling future problems. Notice how much time you spend in the future and gently remind yourself to return to the present. What action can you take right now that will move you forward?
Keep things in perspective.
It's usually our attachment to things being a certain way that leads to frustration. Practice accepting "what is" if you want to experience a greater sense of peace. Everything that happens is our teacher. We might not have chosen each of our lessons, and don't necessarily enjoy them; however, if we choose the perspective that things happen "for us" rather than "to us", life can provide more growth, wonder and joy.
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Quote of the Month
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September 21st each year is Peace Day: the UN International Day of Peace.
"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek,
but a means by which we arrive at that goal."
Martin Luther King Jr.
What will you do to make peace............... with yourself?
.......... in your family? in your community?
.......... in the wider world?
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Video - Peace One Day
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Since 1998, Jeremy Gilley's mission has been to create an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence, with a fixed calendar date...And so since 2001 we have had UN International Day of Peace on 21st September.
The aim of "Peace One Day" now is to institutionalize Peace Day across the world so it becomes self-sustaining- a day of global unity and inter-cultural cooperation. Peace One Day wants to reach 3 billion people with the message of Peace Day by 2012. This day saves lives, allows access to humanitarian aid (including polio immunization of babies), raises awareness........
Do watch a short introduction to PEACE ONE DAY (3min 45) Just click here
If you are inspired and want to know more, there's also a fuller 9minute version or you can visit the website via this link
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The 5th Expat-Expo in Geneva on October 10th
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 I will be at the Expat-Expo again this year. If you are in the Geneva area, do come and say hello at Stand D8. There will be my usual prize book draw (you choose which prize) - if you want to add a suggested title please send me an email!
If you are local, hope to see you there next weekend!The 5th Expat-Expo in GenevaSunday October 10th 2010, 11.00- 17.00Palexpo Hall 7.For maps, a plan of Palexpo, and public transport details, go to the Expat-Expo website |
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About Sue Cowan Coaching
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If you are curious to know more about what I do, or about coaching in general, then why not visit my coaching website
 Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.info@suecowancoaching.comTel. (+41) 022 757 0849 Mob. (+41) 076 2055 076 www.suecowancoaching.com |
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