212-564-2073 sharon@goodlifecoaching.com

Issue 78 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ In this issue ~~ * What Inspires You? * Action Challenge * Wise Words * Bookshelf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What Inspires You? Inspiration is a beautiful thing.  When I feel down or anxious or creatively stuck, it feels great to put on an uplifting piece of music, listen to an encouraging motivational tape or read an empowering book. I put the question out to the subscribers of this newsletter:  What inspires you?  The responses I received follow below.  I invite you to explore these resources and see which ones would be inspiring to you. But first, here are some samples from my inspiration “toolkit” . . . Click on the book, tape or CD/DVD graphic to see a description of each item at Amazon.com. SONGS: Elton John:  “All That I'm Allowed” (from Peachtree Road album) Patti Labelle:  “Don't Block the Blessings” (from Flame) Carly Simon:  “Life Is Eternal” (from Have You Seen Me Lately) Expose:  As Long As I Can Dream (from Expose) Kenny Loggins:  “Conviction of the Heart” (from Leap of Faith) Bette Midler:  “Wind Beneath My Wings” (from the movie Beaches)   MOTIVATIONAL TAPES/CDS BY . . . Louise Hay, such as: Self-Esteem Affirmations: Motivational Affirmations for Building Confidence and Recognizing Self-Worth Marianne Williamson, such as: Letting Go and Becoming Wayne Dyer, such as: The Wayne Dyer CD Collection   MOVIES: Rudy, about an underdog who refuses to be deterred from striving for his dream. Whale Rider, about a girl who relentlessly pursues her destiny.   BOOKS: Unstoppable Women by Cynthia Kersey (See the next issue for an interview with Cynthia!) The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander   And finally, my favorite QUOTE: “Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” ~~ Helen Keller The Story of My Life by Helen Keller   And now to you . . . What inspires you? FROM DAVID M. CEJA . . . I thoroughly enjoy reading your newsletter. It makes me feel happy. (Thank you, David!) Favorite quotes: “People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within.”  ~~ Anonymous "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." ~~ Albert Schweitzer The Words of Albert Schweitzer: Selected by Norman Cousins FROM DEBBIE G. . . . Being outside – in my garden, or the mountains, on warm and sunny days. FROM MICHELLE LEWIS . . . One song that has been on my list for a long time comes to mind: "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls. The lyrics are great. From Retrospective by the Indigo Girls Another song I find inspiring: "Beautiful Day" by U2. FROM BARBARA WALDBILLIG . . . Because I am exceedingly blessed in my life with terrific family and good friends, they provide many opportunities to explore my creative life. In addition, my enjoyment of classical music, especially Beethoven. Mozart and Schubert, makes that exploration special. 25 Beethoven Favorites 25 Mozart Favorites Schubert: 8 Symphonies There are special people: Diane Ackerman and her book Deep Play (“a state of unselfconscious engagement with our surroundings” – her quote) and exploration of enchantment in our daily lives. Georgia O’Keeffe, one of America's greatest painters – viewing her flowing abstracts and her sensuous landscapes of lakes, mountains and her view of the sky is inspirational and gives endless pleasure. Georgia O'Keeffe and New Mexico: A Sense of Place by Barbara Buhler Lynes, Lesley Poling-Kempes, Frederick W. Turner FROM INARAE USSACK . . . Reading about other successful creative people is inspiring to me – being able to see their studios, learn about difficulties they have overcome and hearing about methods they use in their endeavors. For me, imagination and creativity can be infectious. FROM CATALINA DIAZ . . . A favorite quote:  "Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting Peace can come only to peaceful people." ~~ Jawaharlal Nehru The Essential Writings of Jawaharlal Nehru A favorite movie: It's a Wonderful Life FROM LYNN O. . . . In January this year, I was told that I had early stage breast cancer.  I was scared to death and launched into a major self-research campaign.  What ultimately helped my "downs" was turning to God in prayer and using positive thinking and visualization. I watched a "healing" videotape by an herbalist [Dr. Schultze – see below] that really struck home. He said that every cell in our bodies contains a neuropeptide, and that means that every cell receives THOUGHTS from our brains – both good and bad thoughts – and acts according to that positive or negative thought. We can literally THINK ourselves WELL or SICK! I also made other proactive changes: I changed my diet drastically; hired a Naturopath physician to get me started on supplementation; and reduced my workload, which was far too stressful. After all the pathology results came back from my surgery, I did not have to take chemotherapy, and was told that I could consider myself "cured"! I continue to eat well, live well and think positively and thank God for allowing me to go through this illness in order to become a better person. A book I recommend is The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer . . . . . and a tape set I recommend is Natural Healing Crusade by Dr. Richard Schulze. FROM SUSAN JOHNSON . . . A walk on the beach with my dogs! (my best way to unblock) A quote: "If you follow your heart, the only person you need approval from is yourself." ~ Eva Gregory The Feel Good Guide To Prosperity by Eva Gregory A SheDaisy song, “Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing,” from the album Sweet Right Here A Keith Urban song, “Who Wouldn't Want to Be Me,” from the album Golden Road My kudos file – every time someone sends me an email with a great response or feedback on me or my work, I put it in my kudos file. Then, on gloomy days, I can scroll through and read through and remember how great I am! Talking to my best friend Bubble baths FROM NICOLE LERARIO . . . What makes me feel creative/strong/inspired:  Creating new tea blends Wearing red Stopping and listening to street musicians play Writing (actual, handwritten) letters Talking to my inspirational companions FROM STEVE SEARS (www.SGSWrite.com) . . . Listening to certain Johnny Mathis songs – "The Touch of Your Lips," "Poinciana," "Drifting" and "I Thought of You Last Night" – as I drive to the New Jersey shore.  It brings back memories of when my wife and I first dated. This Is Love / Ole Johnny Mathis – Gold: A 50th Anniversary Collection The Delaware Bay and the tiny shores that its soft waters lap against Dunes and dune grasses Bookstores, where the words and wisdom of great minds surround me as I perfect my craft A good cafe with good food, coffee and desserts Travel anywhere, especially to a quiet countryside where nothing but grass, birds and monarchs exist Meeting and learning about others Free time with my family My 14-year-old daughter goes to a private academy that challenges the students. When I saw her making such great strides, I decided I wanted to make strides myself. FROM KRISTIN WEAVER . . . Prayer – always The song, “Stardust We Are,” by The Flower Kings Lyrics (in particular): "Stardust we are / See how we shine. Stardust we are / Close to divine." The love of family and friends. I hope, now that you’ve read of other people’s sources of inspiration, that you’ll be inspired to add a few to your own inspiration toolkit! Top   Action Challenge Everyone could use a little inspiration. This week, share your favorite sources of inspiration with at least 3 people.   Wise Words “When inspiration does not come to me, I go halfway to meet it.” ~ Sigmund Freud “If we are to trust the reports of creative thinkers and artists, congenial surroundings are often the source of inspiration and creativity. They often echo Franz Liszt’s words, which he wrote on romantic Lake Como: ‘I feel that the various features of Nature around me . . . provoke an emotional reaction in the depth of my soul, which I have tried to transcribe in music.’” ~ Manfred Eigen “Whatever your discipline, become a student of excellence in all things. Take every opportunity to observe people who manifest the qualities of mastery. These models of excellence will inspire you and guide you toward the fulfillment of your highest potential.” ~ Tony Buzan “There never was a great soul that did not have some divine inspiration.” ~ Marcus T. Cicero Top   Bookshelf See the article above for lots of recommendations. Top ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ © 2005 Sharon Good. All rights reserved.  Next Issue  Previous Issue     Books and tapes listed in the Bookshelf section of each newsletter can be ordered from Amazon.com. To go to a specific book's page on the Amazon site, click on the book or tape icon next to each title. Click on the graphic left for a message from Amazon's president.