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<\/a><\/p>\nNever use violence of any kind. Never threaten violence in any way. Never even think violent thoughts. Never argue because it attacks another’s opinion. Never criticize because it attacks another’s ego. And your success is guaranteed.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> ~ <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong>Mohandas Gandhi<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Howdy Tushkateers! \u00a0<\/strong> How are you on this fine October morning?\u00a0 Are you like totally freaked that we are into October and Halloween is right around the corner, soon followed by Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holy Goodness Gracious Me, it’s nearly 2013?\u00a0 I guess I am getting ahead of myself, aren’t I??? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We do that, don’t we?\u00a0 Get ahead of ourself.\u00a0 Move into ‘overwhelm.’\u00a0 Quickly followed by a meltdown.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This week, as some of you who tap into my Facebook page<\/a> know, I picked me up a very cool Ukulele and had me a lesson!\u00a0 First ever.\u00a0 I am not a musician.\u00a0 I cannot read notes.\u00a0 I cannot sing.\u00a0 (So many cannots … wow!)\u00a0<\/em> It was divine intervention for sure.<\/p>\n Out of pretty much nowhere, I stumbled across a meetup notice for Ukulele players, which captured my imagination.\u00a0\u00a0 I love when something captures my imagination.\u00a0 It’s a great phrase, which captures!\u00a0 No?\u00a0 Anyway, I was captured, captivated, and convinced … and off I went.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The lesson went well.\u00a0 I was psyched, AND (not But, working on removing Buts somehow making my Butt smaller) <\/em>when I got home and tried it on my own, I was kind of lost, and a string of ‘violent thoughts’\u00a0 directed at self flooded my mind. (see Gandhi quote above) <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Remembering and following my own sage coaching that I have planted on more than one client and in these pages, I reflected on the truth that “Thoughts Are Merely Suggestions”<\/strong> and that just because “I Had a Thought Doesn’t Mean It Was a Good One!”\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I took in a deep cleansing breath, and repeated to myself, my mantra, a Muriel Rukeyser quote that I absolutely adore:\u00a0 Breathe In Experience, Breathe Out Poetry<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 And again, another cleansing breath … and then I meditated on First Steps<\/strong>!\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Like the first day of school … back in the day, in the beginning, when I had to learn the alphabet.\u00a0 It seemed like in insurmountable task.\u00a0 Or, how about when I learned to walk.\u00a0\u00a0 You think I was born knowing how to walk?\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Were you? \u00a0 How many times did you fall down?\u00a0 Did you get ahead of yourself?\u00a0 Go into overwhelm?\u00a0 Have a meltdown? \u00a0 No … you simply got up and tried again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Fall down 7 times, get up 8 times. ~ Zen Proverb<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I cleared my mind.\u00a0 I let the self-deprecating thoughts float by, allowing them to just be … thoughts, and I focused on one chord at a time, one arching finger at a time.\u00a0 After all and especially, learning the Ukulele is really just for me.\u00a0 I am not planning on being a concert Ukulele player.\u00a0 I am not having fantasies that the Philarmonic is going to knock on my door and beg me to join with, nor do I think I’ll be the next Tiny Tim.\u00a0 No … not the plan.\u00a0 Just for me.\u00a0 Just for the fun of it; just to learn something new that has little if not nothing to do with my work. (Although, I see now that there are many life lessons here … oh NO! A book?\u00a0 Life Lessons from My Tenor Ukulele ???)\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ought oh, there I go again, getting ahead of myself!\u00a0 See how easy it is to go blasting off into outer overwhelm???<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This morning I received an email from Bernie, Hawaii.\u00a0 I had the honor of coaching Bernie some few years ago, and she attended one of my workshops. \u00a0 Bernie took it one step at a time … literally.\u00a0 She’s been shaking her bootie, Ballroom Style, and she has permanently removed more pounds than I can remember (I’ve lost track, but I’m sure she has not!)<\/em> Read on and get inspired!<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n CHEWING THE FAT<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Aloha Janice<\/strong><\/em>,\u00a0 You know I will always be in touch! …. I competed in Hawaii Star Ball on Sept 28th; a judged competition, I did 8 dances; got 4 first place, 2 second, 1 third, and got disqualified from one for doing a “flick”\u00a0 too advanced for my newcomer status.\u00a0 So happy with the experience and challenge.\u00a0 Just wanted to share, one off my bucket list!\u00a0 Keep doing what you do!\u00a0 Happiness from Hawaii, Bernie \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Dear Happiness from Hawaii ~<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 So very happy to hear from you!\u00a0 You are a star in so many ways; on so many levels.\u00a0 A success story if ever there was one!\u00a0 Congratulations on putting one foot in front of the other (with grace and rhythm)<\/em> and for taking it one step at a time!\u00a0 Keep on doing what YOU are doing!!!\u00a0 Love, happiness and gratitude from the mainland ~ Janice (the Voice of OLofWL)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n SURELY TUSHKATEERS !!!\u00a0 Bernie was not born knowing how to Ballroom Dance.\u00a0 I was not born a Ukulele player.\u00a0 HEALTHY LIVING is the same.\u00a0 It feels overwhelming at times.\u00a0 A foreign entity, maybe?\u00a0 Nevertheless, well worth the journey, well worth the results, well worth loving yourself!\u00a0 One small step at a time!\u00a0 One chord at a time!\u00a0 One carrot at a time!\u00a0 Yes?\u00a0 Are you with us?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What Small Step Will YOU Take Today?\u00a0 Remember:\u00a0 Healthy LIVING is about LIVING.\u00a0 It’s not just about eating vegetables.\u00a0 That’s a good idea, though.\u00a0 Really.\u00a0 Again, What Small Step Will YOU Take Today?\u00a0 Write us!\u00a0 “Small Steps” in subject line.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For more discussion on this topic or the topic of your choice, be sure to visit a Kick in the Tush Club<\/a> on Facebook<\/a>!\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Spread the word \u2026 not the icing!<\/p>\n Janice
\n<\/em>Life & Wellness Coach, Author, Weight Loss Artist
\nwise * fun * utterly useful
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