…heartbeat
of the positive revolution
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Hamburger Heaven I found the secret to creating Heaven on Earth in the oddest of circumstances: A backyard barbeque. While setting the table with condiments for our hamburgers, my friend Cherrie said, “Don’t put the mayo out for me; I don’t use it.” “Me, neither,” said Jim. “It’s for Glenn,” Next, I put out the ketchup and barbeque sauce. “Just mustard for me,” said Jim cheerily. “Me, too” said Cherrie. “Mustard? Really?” I said wide-eyed. How interesting. I never think of mustard when I’m constructing a delicious, juicy burger. Hot dogs, yes, hamburgers, no. Hmmm… So, ok, I got out the mustard. Ketchup for me. No… today I think I’ll use Thousand Island dressing. Mayo and barbeque sauce for Glenn. Mustard for Jim and Cherrie. Okey dokey. That’s when the BFO hit me. (BFO: “Blinding Flash of the Obvious”) What would life be like if I could view all choices people make with the same interested yet dispassionate way as I did with choices for hamburger toppings? “I’m going to the XYZ church/mosque/temple this weekend,” someone might say. “How interesting,” I would think. “I don’t know much about that denomination. What’s it like?” When I hear, “I think the federal government should stop funding education/nuclear weapons/environmental controls/business loans,” I would say, “How interesting. Where else could the money come from, or are you thinking that we don’t need…” “I’m Pro-Choice/Pro-Life.” “How interesting,” I’d say. “Do you mind sharing your thoughts on that?” (“Get rid of the labels!” I remind myself, thinking of some labels that have been laden with inaccurate and hurtful assumptions about me.) This condiment-approach to others’ choices opens the door to building relationships beyond labels, beyond stereotypes, beyond pre-conceived notions of what someone is like. It replaces self-created drama, angst, and negative thoughts with an unattached interest in another, opening unlimited pathways to expanding my world. Please note this distinction: Honoring others’ choices is about being accepting of others, not dispassionate about life. I’m not suggesting that we become disinterested in issues of importance to us. As rEvolutionaries, we are called upon to offer our thoughts, feelings and actions to make our world a better place. Now, with this hamburger helper, I can do it even better by forwarding positive ideas without making anyone else wrong. How interesting. With Gratitude,
Thursday, July 20, 5:30-8:30 pm, Boulder, CO: Marian will be a featured author at the 9th Annual Authors Fair hosted by Boulder Business and Professional Women. This event will be held at the Spice of Life Event Center, 5706 Arapahoe Ave. Tickets are $20 for BPW members and $25 for guests. For reservations, call 303-415-3780 or go online to http://www.boulderbpw.org/programs.asp?section=programs. All aspiring writers, book lovers and those in search of creative inspiration are encouraged to attend. Success
Stories Looking back over a year of stories, we decided to celebrate with one of our first and still inspiring stories. Reprinted from our April 2005 edition. Creating Partners, Not Adversaries Lisa Trank, writer/editor, and founder of Many Hats Marketing & Public Relations, describes a personal incident in her business that created a powerful transformation for her. www.ManyHatsPR.com Lisa had been experiencing some recurring communication issues with a colleague that had developed into a contentious relationship and was affecting the entire work environment. As I sat and thought about this experience, I took out the Agreements and assessed the situation and my reaction to it. Did I want my relationship with this person to be one of conflict or one of acceptance, gratitude, and compassion? I realized that I wanted this situation to be different. I also realized that I had a choice and that I could make the decision to live by the Agreements in my business life. The next time I met with my colleague I chose to see her as someone with skill, competence, and spirit; and as a partner, not an adversary. The commitment to see only the best in her transformed my body language, choice of words, tone of voice and energy. The result was an incredible feeling of mutual understanding and respect and the conflict simply fell away. As I continue to apply the Agreements to my business, I have discovered that I am able to be more present with my clients’ requests and have greater clarity in making decisions. My business is growing in the direction I want it to go, and I am attracting the type of clients with whom I truly want to work. The truth is, using these twelve Revolutionary Agreements has improved my relationship with myself and therefore, my relationship with everyone and everything else.
I recently reviewed the vision board I created on New Year’s Eve, taking a good look at the goals I set for myself for this year and next. Hmmm.... While some things have manifested, others have not. What must I change to get myself back on track? Maybe it’s as simple as re-focusing on those goals. Perhaps now all I need is to be patient, have faith, go fix myself a burger with all the trimmings and relax.
Mid Year Reflections We’re halfway now into the year. I made some goals oh way back when Make sure the mission I am living I write my truth and send it out Halfway there I now take stock So much to do so little time. For a bigger game I need a big team. In your own midyear reflection, Together we can make a difference Could you find a place in your world, A Worldwide Peace-Full |
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