What will you do with your one wild and precious life?

What is your gift?

Who will you give it to?

Upcoming Events

Circle of Life™

Circle of Life/Power of Focus
Teleclass
Next Course Begins March 10, 2010

Click here >>

   Date: December 19, 2009
   Volume: 1, Issue: 08

How will you make a difference this coming year?

Mary Oliver, one of my favorite poets, asks the question this way, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Recently I was looking through a book at Starbucks that was for sale entitled “HowMany People Does it Take to Make a Difference – 1.” It had some delightful information, stories, quotes and statistics that caused me to pause and reflect on my talents and gifts and how I was using them. I would like to share some of the thoughtsfrom this book with you.

One of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself or anyone else is inspiration.Inspiration to get in touch with your dreams. Inspiration to seek out your deepest passions. Inspiration to make a difference in the world, a difference that only you can make.

You are unique. There is not another person that is your equivalent. Here are some statistics that puts that statement into real perspective.

• Odds of bowling a 300 game: 1 in 11,500
• Odds of being hit by lightening: 1 in 576,000
• Odds of getting a royal flush on your first five cards: 1 in 649,740
• Odds of becoming the U.S. President: 1 in 10,000,000
• Odds of winning $340 million jackpot in megamillions lottery: about 1 in 175,000,000
• Odds of your being born in this particular time, place and circumstance: about 1 in 400,000,000,000

You are not here by mistake. Around the world and down through the ages there has never been another you, and there will never be another you. The miracle of your existence is now in your hands. You are here for a purpose. You have something that only you can give to the world. Take time to consider what that is.

Barack Obama said, “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change . . . I’m asking you to believe in yours.

The start to a better world is our belief that it is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in today. Believe that you are loved. Believe that you make a difference. Believe that we can build a better world. Believe when others might not. Believe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Believe that you might be that light for someone else. Believe that the best is yet to be. Believe in each other. Believe in yourself. I believe in you. - Kobi Yamada

It is paradoxical but profoundly true that the most certain way for people to bring hope, help, meaning and joy to their own lives is by reaching out and bringing hope, help, meaning and joy to the lives of others. If you’ve already experienced this beautiful phenomenon for yourself, you are in good company.

Who are the people you admire? If you do some research you may find that their early experiences, sometime hard experiences, helped them find their passion. And from there they moved forward to live their passion and in doing so made a huge difference. Here are some names to consider. Martin Luther King, Jr. Danny Thomas, Albert Schweitzer, Margaret Mead.

What gifts has your life experience given you that you can share with others, the world?

Ask Yourself: Who am I?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Why am I here?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

What am I doing for others?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Throughout your life there’s a voice that only you can hear. It’s a call to the true value of your life - - a call to make a difference that only you can make.

How many people does it take to make a difference? . . . Just one. And the difference you make cannot be made by any other person.

If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand, extraordinary things begin to happen. – Loretta Gizartis

May God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done. You have great days still ahead of you. May there be many of them. – Unknown

If you are in a Starbucks, pick up this little book. It offers rich thoughts and asks provoking questions. May you enjoy peaceful holidays and a wonderful New Year.

Marlene

Coach@marlenelockwood.com

© Copyright 2009 Marlene Lockwood All rights reserved.

---

Marlene Lockwood focuses much of her coaching time working with women who are rebuilding their lives after the end of a love relationship. She supports them in navigating life transitions with more ease, to improve their life balance, and increase their creativity and vitality. They become in tune with their heart’s desire and become eager to leap solo into their new amazing life. Marlene is a certified Facilitator and Health and Wellness Coach, qualified Myers/Briggs Assessment provider, and serves as faculty and mentor for Institute Cultural Affairs. She received her BSN from CSUS, and her MPA from the USF.  www.marlenelockwood.com

P.S. I am so delighted to connect with each of you through this Ezine. This is a new challenge for me, but one I take on eagerly. I would enjoy hearing from you. Please give me your suggestions on subjects you are interested in as well as your feedback. coach@marlenelockwood.com

www.marlenelockwood.com

For past issues of Springboard! Click here for our archive >>