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Category: A Personal Note

Grand Canyon Reverie

Grand Canyon Reverie

Jeff and I recently visited the Grand Canyon again. It’s been a year since we’ve been there and I’ve missed it.

As you approach the rim, the vista looks like a backdrop.I remember a ride at Disneyland where you rode through a mock-up of the Grand Canyon. They did an amazing job, because the Canyon is so massive that it looks like that ride.

Every minute, the light changes, and the scenery is different. The whole Canyon alters from morning to afternoon to evening and sunset. It doesn’t seem real that it’s a mile down to the river. This photo of Jeff taking a photo on the Rim Trail shows that if you slide off, it’s a long way down.

Spending time at the Canyon is food for the soul. It shows that you’re a part of something greater. Every time I visit, I come away feeling replenished.

Make A Commitment To Your Dream

Make A Commitment To Your Dream

When you begin moving in a direction, and accept opportunities that are offered, you may discover all sorts of new possibilities. A few months ago, I started re-thinking my business model. The old one didn’t serve me as well as I’d hoped. So I set my subconscious mind to find new ways for me to move forward in ways that suited my desired lifestyle.

Within a short time, I was presented with the opportunity to register for Kendall Summerhawk’s weekend workshop LeapLive13. As a member of her International Association of Women in Business Coaching, I was able to register early enough to be eligible for three extra teleclasses that gave specific direction to grow my business.

Within three weeks of my committing to attend the workshop, another major strategy for my business fell into my life. It was one I’d heard before, but I wasn’t open to it then and had forgotten about it. But because of my more open and seeking mindset, this idea got planted in my mind. And it was one that completely resonated with me.

Kelly Chicas of Albuquerque Family Counseling
Kaye Halligan – Assisting to Manifest the Divine You

Then, in April, I attended the 3-day LeapLive13! workshop. It was amazing! Some of the information Kendall shared I already knew. But the way she put it together, the package she created with it, impacted me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s changed the way I plan to do my business.

Nafissa Shireen of Unleash Your Success – Executive Health and Success

We had exercises to work through, generally with partners. I had some fantastic coaches to help me with insights and new directions. Kelly Chicas from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kaye Halligan from Australia, Nafissa Shireen from Canada, Zahra Efan from Canada, and Niki Klein from Canada. I can’t thank them enough for their assistance!

Zahra Efan – Life and Business Success Coach for Women

The moral of this story? Make a commitment to yourself and your dream, ask for guidance, and follow the signs along the way. You may not know quite where you’re going, but your inner self will guide you to what is for your greatest good.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

So Far, A Good Year

So Far, A Good Year

It’s been a good year so far. Recently, I wrote an article about empowerment for the Association Executives of North Carolina. I was amazed and excited when it was accepted and immediately published in the March/April issue of their magazine, Success By Association. The article is entitled, “Empowering The Possibility Of Change,” and is in their “Leadership Strategy” column.

This happened shortly after having two articles published in the 2013 Winter issue of Ad Infinitum – Illinois Court Reporters Association newsletter. I’d connected with an Executive Assistant with an Association Management Company. We’d discussed the possibility of my speaking for one of the associations she manages. In our communication, I mentioned that my articles are available to be published in print or online magazines and newsletters. Within a few months, she let me know that not one, but two of my articles had been published.

I’m thrilled with the way this year is trending. New doors are opening and opportunities are appearing. I trust that the tendency continues to open greater avenues of success for us all.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons

Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons

By Linda-Ann Stewart

A month ago, I took my car into the dealership for some routine maintenance, as well as to address a recall for the automatic window switch. The closest dealer is 60 miles away in Prescott. I contacted a friend there, and mixed a chore with pleasure. While my car was being worked on, we had lunch and visited.

Two days later, when I rolled the car window down, I discovered that the whole mechanism was loose. I had to make another trip to the dealership to get it checked. Again, I was able to have something fun to do while I was there. Jeff and I had a picnic by one of their lakes.

Unfortunately, the part was broken and they had to order it, which would necessitate a third visit to the dealership. At the last minute, I was able to schedule a lunch with another friend the day it was finally repaired.

Although it was annoying that each visit took several hours out of my day, I did my best to create something good out of each of them. I got to visit with two friends I don’t get to see very often, and Jeff and I created the space for a picnic. That  doesn’t mean that I didn’t vent a bit about the inconvenience. But I decided I wanted to use my energy to make lemons into lemonade.

When you have something irritating happen, you can either waste your energy on being unhappy or you can find some way to have fun with it. It’s your choice and all in your perspective. I invite you to empower yourself. Engage your creativity and find a way to put your energy to constructive use.

Arizona Renaissance Festival 2013

Arizona Renaissance Festival 2013

Jeff and I recently made our annual pilgrimage to the Arizona Renaissance Festival. This year, I’d developed a cold the previous week and successfully recovered enough for our weekend. The weather was lovely and, as usual, we had a wonderful time.

Jeff regularly wins awards for hitting the target with axes or stars. I just throw stars, and usually, I’m just thrilled when I get them to stick into the back board. But for the first time, I won an award for hitting the target with a star.

We attended some of our favorite entertainments and a new one. At Don Juan and Miguel’s show, when Don Juan used his whip to clip the pasta from Miguel’s mouth, some of it landed in my lap.

At the Fare-Thee-Well, where entertainers and attendees dance to the beat of drums, a couple of little girls grabbed my hand and started twirling with me. After they ran off, I danced until the cannon boomed and signaled the end of the day.

*Sigh.* Until next year.

 

Time To Make Fun A Priority

Time To Make Fun A Priority

Recently, Jeff and I set aside a day for fun in nearby Prescott, AZ. It’s a mile-high town in the mountains that offers more services, events and shopping than our local valley.

First, we went to see “Rise of the Guardians,” a wonderful animated movie about the Earth guardians of St. Nick, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman. Jack Frost is added to the guardians in response to a threat from the Boogey Man, who thrives on fear. The Guardians must protect children from losing faith, or else fear takes over.

It’s a great metaphor for what we all deal with – belief and fear. During a climax, a child in the audience said, “No.” It showed how enthralling the action was. At the end of the movie, people applauded, which I don’t hear very often after a motion picture.

After the movie, we went to see the world’s largest Gingerbread Village at Prescott Resort and Conference Center.

There were over 100 gingerbread houses, castles, buildings and even an amusement park.

Local individuals, schools and businesses create these structures for this display.

From there we did some shopping. Then, after dark, we drove through the Valley of Lights display.

These are millions of lights in over 30 static and animated displays of the 12 Days of Christmas, candles, poinsettias, Santa, elves, the outline of an old west town, and many more.

We had a full day. It reinforced the idea that every so often, we need to take a day off to just have fun. If we don’t, our creativity dries up and we tend to feel stuck. It’s just as important to take time away from work as it is to be productive.

When we step away and change the rhythm, we fill the well of our resources, creativity and energy. We need to remember that, and make it a priority in the year to come.

Networking At AZ-MPI Fall Into Focus

Networking At AZ-MPI Fall Into Focus

Recently, I attended a 3 day Educational AZ-MPI (Arizona-Meeting Planners International) event in Flagstaff. I’m not a meeting or event planner, but as a speaker, I wanted to learn more about their world.

Each meal was hosted at a different place, and they were all very tasty. There were several presentations throughout the weekend, all but one given by speakers I knew.

It was a great weekend and I met a lot of wonderful people, including Cara and Paul Tracy. A couple of the attendees were speakers that I knew from my NSA-Arizona chapter, Debby Raposa and Bonnie Mattick. I enjoyed hanging with presenters June Cline, Naomi Rhode, Les Taylor, Ed Scannell, Neil Dempster and then meeting the one speaker, Holly Duckworth, I didn’t know.

It was such a pleasure to attend the Forum and network with all the fantastic people. By the end of the weekend, though, I was exhausted and ready to fall over. But it was well worth it and I’d do it again.

Kumare – A Documentary About Faith And Empowerment

Kumare – A Documentary About Faith And Empowerment

Recently, I went with a friend to see a documentary about a filmmaker who wanted to prove that religion and religious leaders weren’t necessary. The young man created an identity of a wise guru for himself. To spread his message that each person was his/her own guru, he began attracting students.

Because of the way he spoke and acted, people believed in his performance and that he was a spiritual guru. People assumed he was a spiritual master because that’s what they expected to see. His followers accepted the way he defined himself and projected onto him their ideas of what a guru could do.

As he engaged with his followers, he accepted them unconditionally. This gave them the safety to begin to change. He communicated that he believed in them, which was in line with his message that they were their own gurus. But he also listened to them, which allowed them to feel seen. By doing this, he empowered them to believe in themselves.

The connection with his students, and what he shared with them, transformed them. These connections were powerful and changed him, too. We each have the power and knowledge within us to improve our lives, but we may not believe that we can do it. Sometimes we need someone to believe in and accept us to enable us to believe in ourselves.

The filmmaker wants to reveal himself to them, but he cares about them and is concerned about how it will affect the changes they’ve made. How will his ultimate message be received? Kumare is a fascinating documentary. It shows the power of our connections with other people and how they can transform our lives.

Springs and Pictographs – A Summer Hike

Springs and Pictographs – A Summer Hike

Jeff and I hiked a short trail near Flagstaff’s Snowbowl ski area recently. It was at 8000 feet, and much cooler than the high desert where we live. The 2-mile loop trail led through the Lamar Haines Nature Preserve. We enjoyed the rustle of Quaking Aspen trees, grasshoppers buzzing as they flew, birds chirping and ground squirrels chiding us for being in their territory.

Just off the trail, an old cabin has collapsed. Behind the cabin, just a short way up a hill, there are a couple of springs. One has been enclosed in a springhouse, and the other is a little way behind it at the base of the cliff.

 

While Jeff was taking photographs of the springs, a family joined us. The young lady, about ten, was fascinated by the springs. When we said there were Pictographs nearby, she accompanied us as we searched for them. Jeff found another spring and the Pictographs further along the cliff, after clambering over rocks and fallen trees. She, her Mom, Jeff and I examined the cliff face to see if we could identify the Pictographs. She had a good eye. She noticed as many as we did.

After we completed our hike, we drove the rest of the way up to Snowbowl. This is one of the ski areas in Arizona, and there’s a hiking trail that heads up the mountain. I wandered around the meadow, under a ski lift, as Jeff took some photos of Hummingbird Moths.

All in all, it was a lovely way to spend a summer’s day.

Raffle Winner

Raffle Winner

This month, I went to the Arizona Chapter of the National Speaker’s Association Summer Soiree. I drove the 2 hours to Scottsdale, into 110 degree heat. Near the end of the party, an haboob (sandstorm) blew through. I stayed until a while after it had passed, because I didn’t want to drive into it on my way home.

It was fun to get to know some people I hadn’t had a chance to socialize with before, as well as visit with some of my friends. But the high point for me was that I won a raffle prize. They had three available, and one gentleman won the other two. Mine had three hours of coaching by three different coaches (an hour each), a gift card, and tickets to a museum. All of which I’ll gratefully use.

I’m beyond thrilled! I’ll be contacting the coaches, Les Taylor, Loretta Love Huff and Lorri Allen, soon to set up my sessions. It was so worth it for me to make the trip down and back, even with the haboob.