Motivational Newsletter 5/13/09

The Go-Giver Experience: Frank McKinney

Another wonderful man I met during my trip to Orlando, Florida was Frank McKinney, also know as the Maverick Daredevil Real Estate "Artist".

He's the creative force behind some of the world's finest and most magnificent mansions ever built. (One of his latest creations is "Acqua Liana" http://www.frank-mckinney.com/acqua_liana.aspx the largest and most expensive certified “green” mansion in the world at $29 million and over 15,000 square feet!)


But in my eyes, Frank McKinney is much more that a Real Estate Artist. He is often called ‘Robin Hood’ by people who know about his mission in his “other life”.

On the one side, he creates multi-million dollar mansions, on the other side, he builds homes and schools for the poorest of the poor. His Foundation is called ‘The Caring House Project Foundation’ and has the following Mission:

"The Caring House Project Foundation shall create projects based upon self-sufficiency by providing housing, food, water, medical support and opportunity for the desperately poor and homeless from around the world, particularly in the Caribbean, South America, Indonesia, Africa and here in the USA."

For more information on the Caring House Project, visit: http://www.frank-mckinney.com/caring_project.aspx

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Have you found your Life Purpose?

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In one of his latest books ‘The Tap’, Bestseller Author Frank McKinney tells us about how to discover a profound spiritual practice leading to SUCCESS in the business we are all in – The Business of Life!

Have you been “tapped”? Or are you still looking for your purpose? I warmly suggest, that you read Frank McKinney’s book ‘The Tap’. It will help you understand and find out, that sometimes, we have to listen and pay attention to little signs around us.

To purchase this book, visit: http://www.frank-mckinney.com/books.asp (Revenue of the sale goes to the 'Caring House Foundation!)

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More about Frank McKinney:

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The Frank McKinney brand has captivated the media and public for over two decades.His vision and risk-taking has been the subject of numerous international television, radio and print features. Mr. McKinney was recently featured on ABC's 20/20 with Martin Bashir, the cover of USA Today, the Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS' The Early Show, CNN, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, HDNet, CBN TV, National Public Radio (NPR), in The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Bloomberg, Fortune, Barrons, Town and Country, Robb Report, The Nightly Business Report (PBS) and in over 1500 additional TV and print stories. Visit http://www.frank-mckinney.com/news_archive.asp or http://www.frank-mckinney.com/press_archive.asp for clips or copies of video and print news, or just click on "Frank's Greatest Hits" to view a compilation video.

Motivational Newsletter 3/25/09

"The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination!"

~ Elbert Hubbard ~

Think about the journey you have taken on self-improvement. How many times have you succumbed to "adding" a new system, new tool, new approach, new mission statement, new goal? Consumer-culture has taught us to look externally instead of internally and that the next "tool" could be the "magic cure" for all of our woes.Yet, when we look externally time and time again, all we do is add to the confusion of trying to decode our path. We have to wade through all the tools and systems. Today's quote reminds me that often our answers are internal. Instead of adding on, we should focus our energies on looking within, chipping away the pieces that don't work until we find our "core".

Your turn:

We are all the sculptors of our own lives. What type of sculpture are you creating?

Your affirmation:

"Daily I look within, reflecting and honing my purpose!"

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Life Improvement Tips

How to discover & understand Yourself

It often happens that I commit to achieving something I feel I can excel at, only to discover that I fail to do so. This really frustrates and de-motivates me - leading to a low self-esteem - and I stop believing in myself. Does this sound familiar?

Well, one day I realized that there was actually nothing wrong with my persona. I was attempting to achieve the unachievable. I thought I was a lion which I was not, in reality. I lacked a realistic understanding of myself and my capabilities which led me to feel very depressed.

What did I learn?

Discovering and understanding yourself leads you to accept yourself the way you are, and in turn makes you a very happy person. You can't direct the wind, but you can definitely adjust your sails.

Life will take its own course, and you cannot control it, but if you understand yourself, you can and will enjoy life to the fullest.

Here's how to understand yourself -

Step 1:

The first step toward understanding yourself is to accept that you exist. Each one of us is unique and worthwhile, in our own special ways. We matter to our close friends and family, and we have a say in everything we do. Begin with learning the need to understand yourself. You are very important both for yourself and to others. You have to make your life worthwhile for yourself as well as for others.

Step 2:

Now you need to delve into your persona to understand the real YOU, without any pretensions. Analyze the way you feel about yourself. You can start with answering a few questions like:
What do you want from your life?


Do others perceive you the way you want them to?

How much are you capable of achieving?


Are you living your life or are you just going through it?


What makes you really happy?


Have you ever felt joyful or has life's harshness caused you to lose the innocent little child within?


In trying to understand yourself, appreciate your strengths and recognize your weaknesses. Rather than denying or shying away from your flaws, you can help yourself greatly by accepting them and working on them if possible. Build an honest and complete picture of yourself.

Step 3:

Once you understand yourself, you can always work to better yourself, but it should be by choice and not as a compulsion. Remember, there is no reason for you to be any different from who you are now. Understanding yourself means being comfortable with who you are and realizing your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you live better and believe that you are both loveable and capable.

Life is filled with wonders!

You need to understand yourself before you can discover life's wonders. Always remember that "life is like a box of chocolates" (thank you Forrest Gump). We will never know why things happen the way they do, or what will happen next. You are what you are. Your understanding of yourself will only help you to love yourself deeper.

Thank you Jeff Cohen!

Please share stories of exeptional people (maybe even your own success story) with my Readers! I would love to publish them on my Blog!

http://nymannewsletter.blogspot.com/

A special 'Thank you' to MRH for commenting on last week's Blog!

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Quote of the Week

"When we accept tough jobs as a challenge to our ability and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen!"

~Arland Gilbert~

Motivational Newsletter 3/18/09

"You must have control of the authorship of your own destiny. The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand!"


~ Irene C. Kassorla ~

Several years ago, I finally came to the slow realization that the only person I could control was myself. There were many people I wanted to help or influence, but ultimately, I can only put my "best" out there. Each person can then take it or leave it. I am not responsible for others' decisions or actions.

While relinquishing control is difficult, it is also extremely freeing. It's as if a weight lifts off of your shoulders when you truly internalize the fact that you are only accountable for you. The less time you spend trying to control external circumstances, the more time you can spend "giving yourself to the moment."


Your turn:

In what ways are you trying to exert control in your life? How would it feel to relinquish that control?

Your affirmation:


"I am not responsible for the thoughts and actions of others!"


Life Improvement Tips

Self-Improvement Begins With Self-Acceptance


When you are overwhelmed with doubts, fears, and insecurities, you sometimes exclaim, "I wish I were somebody else!" More often than not, you think and believe that most people are better than you are. In reality, the same people are more scared than you are!

You spot a totally hot girl sitting by herself at a party, casually sipping a colorful mixed drink. You say to yourself, "She looks so perfectly calm and confident."

If only you could read her mind, you might just be amazed with what she is thinking, "Are people talking about why I am seated here alone? Why don't guys find me attractive? - I don't like my ankles, they look too skinny - I wish I were as smart as my best friend."

You see a young business entrepreneur and say, "Whoa - what else could he ask for?"

The business entrepreneur stares at himself in the mirror and murmurs to himself, "I hate my big eyes - I wonder why my friends won't talk to me - I hope mom and dad can still work things out."

Isn't it funny? You look at other people, envy them for looking outrageously perfect, and wish you could trade places with them. On the other hand, they look at you and think of the same things!

You are insecure of other people who, in turn, are insecure of you. You suffer from low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence. Consequently, you lose hope in improving yourself because you are enveloped in quiet desperation.

I have a friend who never gets tired of talking. In most conversations, she is the only one who seems to be interested in the things she is saying. Because of this, all our other friends tend to avoid her whenever she is around. The sad part is that my friend does not notice this!

Learn to LISTEN and TALK to a trusted friend. This is part of the self-improvement process. Find an honest and trusted friend whom you can comfortably ask delicate questions, such as: "Do you think I am ill-mannered?" "Do I always sound so argumentative?" "Do I talk too loud?" "Do I ever bore you when were together?" and others.

Listen for comments and criticisms and do not justify by saying, "Don't exaggerate! That's just the way I am!" Open your mind and heart and learn to receive these comments. In return, you may want to help your friend by offering constructive criticisms that will also help him/her improve.

One of Whitney Houston's songs says, "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all." True enough. In order to love others, you must love yourself first for you cannot give what you do not have.

In order to convince people to improve themselves, show them first some results, such as what you have achieved because of self-improvement. Self-improvement makes you a better person and when people see this, it inspires them to follow the same path.
People have insecurities. Nobody is perfect. People always wish they had better things, features, body parts, etc. Life need not be perfect for people to be happy about themselves.
However, self-improvement and loving yourself is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are perfect and the best. It starts with accepting and loving yourself. When you begin to improve yourself, then you begin to feel content and happy.

Stop thinking of yourself as a second-rate being. Quit thinking "If only - " thoughts. Accept your true self. This is the first step to self-improvement. Stop comparing yourself to others!

Aspire to become your best self.


Please share stories of exeptional people (maybe even your own success story) with my Readers! I would love to publish them on my Blog!

http://nymannewsletter.blogspot.com/

Motivational Newsletter 3/4/2009

"Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine - [your] values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want!"

~ Marsha Sinetar ~


If you take a moment and really think about this statement, it provides a fresh perspective. What one person perceives as a challenge or "down" might be perceived as an opportunity or "up" by another person. That doesn't make one person right or the other person wrong, but it demonstrates that we are each unique individuals with unique values and goals. What makes me happy may be quite different from what makes you happy. Each "up and down" provides us "the window to determine our values and goals" and discover what we desire in our life.

One approach I have found very helpful in building the ideal life (and self-discovery in general) is the process of elimination. It isn't always easy to uncover what would make us happy. We might think we know, but often we get to that place and discover what we thought we needed, isn't really the "key" to our happiness. Sometimes it is easier to observe what doesn't make us happy. By keeping a list of what answers "don't work" for us, we become like an inventor for our life. Each combination that doesn't work, lead us closer to finding the combination that will


Your turn:

Instead of allowing your moods and energy to flow with "ups and downs," take a step back and observe each up and down as an opportunity to learn more about inventing the life you desire.


Your affirmation:

"Each day is filled with opportunities to expand, refine and improve my life direction!"

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Life Improvement Tips

Do you live the Life you LOVE?


I would like to share this particular article with all the ones that have dreams but "didn't get around" to realize them.

If not now - when then?

We always think "later". What if that "later" never comes?

I remember my visions and dreams when I was a little girl. I wanted to become that figure skating coach in the 'kiss and cry corner' on TV. Having talented skaters participating at Worlds and Olympics, and work with Pro Hockey Players. Everybody around me had pitty with me for having "these kind" of dreams that would be always be what they were at that time - just simple dreams.

A few years later, I was interviewed because one of my skaters made it to the Worlds and Olympics, and for many years after that, I worked with World Athletes and Pro Hockey Players.

Suddenly, the possibilities were open to me, and I started to "toy around" with the thought that I would like to work at the Training Center in Canada where Elvis Stojko and all the other famous skaters from all over the World were practicing.

Guess where I ended up? Yes, exactly where I wanted to be.

After almost two decades traveling and having the most amazing experiences, I planed to settle and dedicate more time to inspire people.

My ultimate dream was to move to the USA, which, at that moment, seemed to be impossible. Coming from a neutral Country like Switzerland, they don't easily give you a permit.

Well, last thing I checked today on my mail was that my address is located in Virginia - the USA - since almost 10 years!

Did I make this way simply by having dreams? Dreams were the beginning. But it did take me some initiatives, courage and actions to get where I am today.

I'm a living proof! You can achieve whatever you want if you have a vision and you take step-by-step (even if they are little!) to bring you closer to where you want to be.

I encourage you: Don't be one of these who has regrets and thinks "what if" or "if only" - be a doer - take action - fulfill your dreams and create the life you LOVE!

If I did it - you can do it, too!!!

Please share stories of exeptional people (maybe even your own success story) with my Readers! I would love to publish them on my Blog!

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Quote of the Week

"I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we
ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and
accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what
other people don't see And pursuing that vision!"

~ Howard Schultz: CEO of Starbucks ~

Motivational Newsletter 2/25/09

"Pay attention to what's good about your life. Rather than worrying about what you don't have, Seek to make the best of all the good things you do have. There are a lot of things right with your life. Give your attention to them and they will grow!"

~ Ralph S. Marston, Jr.~

It helps us to remember that we have so many blessings and things right with our lives - and by focusing on those things, paying attention to them, helps keep our few minor and some huge disappointments or struggles in proper proportion. It helps us keep perspective. When we focus on "the good," when we actively maintain our gratitude journals, when we greet the day with expectation, we attract and nourish the good in our lives. Likewise, when we focus on the bad, when we maintain lists filled with stressors and greet each day with trepidation, we nourish the negative in our lives.

You are the gardener of your life. What crop will you choose to nourish?

Your turn:

Print a copy of this quote and post it where your family will see it often. Create a gratitude journal as a family, encouraging each member to list a few things they are grateful for each day (or make this part of the dinner routine).

Your affirmation:

"I nourish the positive in my life, with both thought and action!"

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Life Improvement Tips

Creating a Gratitude Journal

2.25.09 Today I am grateful for ___________________ .

As I write the above line, I wonder, "What is my answer?" My first thought is, "I am grateful for today." Then I realize there are so many people, places and things for which I am grateful.
Everyday the list grows. Everyday there are things that happen to us, and for us, that make us grateful. Sometimes, we even find, that after the passage of time, we become grateful. Take time today, tomorrow, and the next day to think about for what or whom you are grateful. Then write it down in your journal.

Or maybe send a letter or a card, with dates and experiences to that person.
You can start keeping a journal where you date and write in daily, weekly, or monthly about what you are grateful for, why and the circumstances that created the gratitude.

This becomes a story and record of your feelings and warm experiences of what you have given, and also what you have received. You can also create individual gratitude journals for your spouse, your children, parents, a friend, etc., that you journal in for a period of time.

You can write about them sharing what you are grateful for about them. Get a new journal to use for this purpose only. Pick a colored pen or several colors. You can express your feelings with certain colors, green for a growth memory, blue for peaceful times, you decide what each color means and note that in the front of the journal.

Date each entry and describe events, memories, or thoughts that you have about that person.

Describe what they have given you, what you have observed, what you wish for them. Tell them about how grateful you are for them in your life, and why. This becomes a treasured keepsake and a priceless gift. Telling someone you are grateful for them in your life, for what they have done, for who they are is a very powerful expression of caring and love.

Telling a stranger who has given you something, directions, good service, a smile, that you are grateful for what they have done and given you is another form of connection.

Spread the idea of gratitude. You may see something on TV or read about someone. Send them an email or letter of appreciation for who they are, what they stand for, or for what they have done.

Today I am grateful for ___________________ fill-in this blank with what your are grateful for.

For Example - My self, my children, family, work, future, my recovery, etc. As I was thinking about what I am grateful for, I of course thought of my some of my clients. So, I decided to email and ask what they were grateful for. I asked them if I could also share their responses with you, and here they are:

"Today I am grateful that I get to spend time with my children."

"Today I am thankful for a generous heart that loves to spill over to others - and is constantly replenished by my beautiful family."

"Today I am Grateful for the joy of friends. Today I am grateful for the light in the eyes of my friends. Today I am grateful for the roses in my garden. I am so very grateful I met you."

"Today I am grateful that I can continually forgive myself. I can forgive myself for judging myself harshly when things don't turn out just the way I was attached to them turning out. I can forgive myself when I am disappointed that I didn't speak up and say exactly how I felt about a situation. I can forgive myself because when I did speak up, it didn't come out of my mouth the way my mind thought it would. All in all, I am very grateful that I am me. I wouldn't want to be anyone else in the whole world - and that's gratitude!"

"Today I am grateful for a wife, 4 children and a daughter-in-law who are all working hard to find out what it is their Savior would have them do in life and then do it."

"Today I am grateful for another experience of realizing that I am, indeed, safe and provided for."

"I am grateful for days, like today, when my gratitude gallops gleefully ahead of me and I have to skip to keep up with it, instead of haul it behind me like a wagon load of manure, hoping it will carry its own weight - by tomorrow."

"I am very grateful for the healing work that I do. I work long, hard hours, but I really enjoy helping people feel better. How many people can say that they love their work or feel that they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing?"

"Today, I am grateful for a Loving God who nurtures me. I am grateful for my 89 year old Mother who has cared for me and is still vibrant, helpful, and alive. I am grateful for my Granddaughter Hayley who holds my hand, trusts me, and I know loves me somewhere in her very special heart. I am grateful for good health which sustains me. I am grateful for my friends and acquaintances who care about me and bring so much joy into my life. And, finally, I am grateful for libraries, and the Internet, and transportation which constantly open new vistas in my horizon and let me appreciate this vast world and its infinite knowledge and power available to all those who are curious enough and ambitious enough to embrace them."

"Today I am grateful for gentle friends, and a loving Heavenly Father."

"Today I am grateful for all the wonderful people in my life who challenge me to think differently."

"The scent of freshly cut grass coming through my open windows."

"Today I am grateful for opening my eyes to see my husband on my side and my pug at my feet. I am grateful to look out my bedroom windows to see another day full of possibility as the sun slowly warms up my sweet backyard alive with quail, doves, hummingbirds, rabbits and all kinds of natures noises. I am grateful to feel my breath as it wanders through my body waking me up. I am grateful that I have one more day to enjoy, and be amazed, and be involved with life. And I am very grateful that I can go through another day full of awe and gratitude."

"Today, I am grateful for my life, health, and for my mother still being alive."

"I'm grateful for the support of many, many wonderful friends in the community."

What are you grateful for?

If you would like to share your phrases of gratitude, simply send an e-mail to nyman@consultant.com. Your phrases will be posted on the Newsletter Blog at:
http://nymannewsletter.blogspot.com/

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Quote of the Week

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.!"

~ Albert Schweitzer ~

Motivational Newsletter 2/18/09

"When we can't access our inner resources, we come to the flawed conclusion that happiness and fulfillment come only from external events!"

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~

I don't know about you, but I have made this mistake before. I have spent time continually looking for happiness in the external. The problem with that search is that our happiness becomes co-dependent. Instead of having a well to draw on from within, we require external events to "lift us up." Not only is that unfair to the events or people we are relying upon, it is unfair to ourselves because the happiness we create is conditional!

We all deserve unconditional joy and happiness within our own heart. We deserve to have that sense of peace internally, regardless of what is happening around us. The intensity of that happiness might fluctuate with what our external world offers, but it is there nonetheless.

Sarah is very accurate in her assessment. When we can't (or choose not to) access our inner resources, is when we look to the external to "fill us up." Since we can't figure out how to create the reality we need, we turn to others and ask or expect them to do it for us.

To break out of that mold, we have to access our inner resources. We have to learn the skills to turn our questions inward instead of outward. We have to accept responsibility that happiness begins right where we are, not outside of where we are.

How do we do this? There are many things in life we can't or don't control, but we do control our attitude and our perceptions. After we accept that fact, we create a space in our life to access those inner resources. We create quiet time, reflection time. We engage in activities that promote self-awareness, self-discovery, and self-reflection. We feed our souls with positive affirmations and positive people. We turn away and don't accept the negative into our thoughts and perceptions.

We embrace that which nurtures us, we reject the rest.

Your turn:

Get out your calendar and schedule in a space for self-reflection and self-discovery. Choose to look inward versus outward in order to begin discovering lasting joy in your daily life!

Your affirmation:

"Within me is everything I need to experience lasting joy!"

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Life Improvement Tips

There is a Hero inside YOU!

Last night, before wrapping up my evening, I watched the last few singers of 'American Idol', and I was very touched by the story of one of the favorites - Danny Gokey.

Just one month before he audiotionned for the 'American Idol', he lost his beautiful wife Sophia Linnette.

Did he give up? No, in contrary, this tragedy made him so strong that he formed a Non-Profit Organization in the name of his wife ('Sophia's Heart') and presented himself at the audition for 'American Idol' where he currently seems to be one of the favorites.

I was so touched by his song 'Hero' (Mariah Carey) and the message Danny addressed at the end of his song.

He encouraged everyone to look inside and to discover their own hero - no matter what tragedy life lays in front of you!

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'Hero' by Mariah Carey


There's a hero If you look inside your heart.

You don't have to be afraid Of what you are.

There's an answer If you reach into your soul,

And the sorrow that you know Will melt away

And then a hero comes along

With the strength to carry on,

And you cast your fears aside,

And you know you can survive.

So when you feel like hope is gone:

Look inside you and be strong, And you'll finally see the truth,

That a hero lies in you.

It's a long road When you face the world alone.

No one reaches out a hand For you to hold.

You can find love If you search within yourself,

And the emptiness you felt Will disappear.

And then a hero comes along, With the strength to carry on,

And you cast your fears aside,

And you know you can survive.

So when you feel like hope is gone,

Look inside you and be strong,

And you'll finally see the truth: That a hero lies in you!

Lord knows Dreams are hard to follow.

But don't let anyone Tear them away.

Hold on! There will be tomorrow.

In time, You'll find the way

And then a hero comes along,

With the strength to carry on,

And you cast your fears aside,

And you know you can survive!

So when you feel like hope is gone,

Look inside you and be strong,

And you'll finally see the truth: That a hero lies in you!

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Sometimes, we don't give us credit enough for the strength that really lies within you. Trust yourself more! Look always ahead of you and concentrate on what you want - don't dwell on the problem!

And as Mariah and Danny say:

There's a Hero inside YOU!

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Quote of the Week

"My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life!"

~ Miles Davis ~