Newsletter:Right Now! Coach

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LifeRhyme Notes
July/August 2002
By Rev. Rochelle Melander, Coach
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IN THIS ISSUE...
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Announcements
Writing as Spiritual Practice
Single Step Challenge (TM)
Brief Book Reviews
Quote for the Journey

NEW BOOK AND FREE SPEAKING!
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Our newest book, "The Spiritual Leader's Guide to Self-Care," will be released this JULY. The fifty-two weeks of exercises are packed full of information, guidance, and suggestions on topics as varied as creating your life's vision, setting boundaries, coping with toxic people, creating an exercise program, and making learning a priority. Visit The Alban Institute to order your copy today (www.alban.org).

If your small group, clergy group, or group of friends is interested in having the authors speak to your group via telephone for free, send me an e-mail! (rochelle@liferhymecoaching.com)

FREE CLASSES
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Topic: Listen! Listening well can improve your relationships at home and at work. Take a test to learn your personal roadblocks to listening well, receive tips, and a take-home exercise to improve your listening skills!

Where: This class will be held on the telephone! Participants who register will receive a telephone number. I carry the cost of the teleconference facility, all you pay for is the phone call!

When and Who:
August 11
7 PM CDT; General Audience

August 18
7 PM CDT; Spiritual Leaders

Register: Send an e-mail to rochelle@liferhymecoaching.com with "listening" in the subject line and with this information in the body of your message: your name, e-mail address, and the class date you wish to attend.

A WINNER!
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Kathy Czarniak has won the June drawing for a free book.

Congratulations, Kathy!

WRITING AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
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I love to write. It's how I figure out the world and my place in it. Writing can be a powerful spiritual practice for all of us -- even those of you who'd rather get a root canal than write something! Try one of these writing exercises:

1. Morning Pages.
In her book "The Artist's Way," Julia Cameron made this form of writing popular. She encourages the writer to write anything on three pages of paper each morning. Make it a prayer, a plea, a list of complaints. Just get it out each day.

2. Gratitude Journal.
In "Simple Abundace." Sarah Ban Breathnach encouraged her readers to use a gratitude journal. Find a beautiful journal and each night write five items for which you are thankful. As a twist, do this with your partner or children. Every few months, I take out a journal and write down five things I am grateful for about my husband. Then I slip it under his pillow or on his desk. A few days later, I get it back with a new list from him.

3. Dear Diary.
Use your journal as a place to write letters. Write a memo to God, a great spiritual teacher, or even to a kind stranger. I've found that when I have trouble writing, puttng my ideas in the form of a letter or a memo can help loosen my thoughts. You may even decide that some of the letters are worth sending. A few years ago I sent gratitude letters to some of my favorite teachers!

4. List it!
If writing gives you a panic attack, try making lists!
Here are some things to list:
If I could do any career in the world, it would be...
I'd like to do these activities before I die...
If I was in charge of the world, I'd make everyone learn...
The experiences that bring me joy are...

5. Write about a memory from childhood.
Here are some starting points:
I got into real trouble when I...
I felt most secure when...
One of my favorite people was...
My favorite place looked like this...

SINGLE STEP CHALLENGE (TM)
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Get a journal (a plain notebook will do) and try at least one of the exercises three times a week this summer.

If you'd like, report on your progress at the LifeRhyme Exchange (Go to www.LifeRhymeCoaching.com and click on LifeRhyme Exchange).

BRIEF BOOK REVIEWS
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"The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets who Teach," edited by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell. A great set of exercises to ignite any writer's imagination.

"Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-Making," by John Fox. Fox, a certified poetry therapist, offers exercises to harness your creative energy into the practice of making poems (and perhaps find healing in the process).

"List Yourself: Listmaking as the Way to Self-Discovery," by Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick. The authors have created a journal with quesions to guide you in writing lists about yourself, your relationships, and your world.

QUOTE FOR THE JOURNEY
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"It is as though each day is a treasure hunt and a journal is one way of seeing if you found the treasure that God has hidden for you this day."
--Frederick Buechner quoted in "Living Prayer," by Robert Benson.

GOT A BOOK IDEA??
WANT TO CREATE A GREAT WEB SITE?
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I also offer writing coaching! As an experienced author and editor, I can support you in putting your thoughts on paper ...AND GETTING THEM PUBLISHED! Contact me for details: rochelle@liferhymecoaching.com

A FREEBIE
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+Needing to create the time, space, and energy to do what you love?
+Wanting some guidance as you discover what you want from life?
+Looking for someone to encourage you to stick to your goals?

Newsletter recipients are welcome to a free coaching session, done by telephone, with Coach Rochelle Melander. Groups in the Milwaukee area are welcome to a free speaking session. Call 414-771-1408 or e-mail Rochelle at rochelle@liferhymecoaching.com for more information.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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