Newsletter:Right Now! Coach

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LifeRhyme Notes
May 2006
By Rochelle Melander, Coach
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IN THIS ISSUE...
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1. The Hiatus is OVER!
2. Packing Whimsy
3. News!

The Hiatus is OVER!
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LifeRhyme Notes has been on hiatus
since January. In the midst of writing
my latest book, I simply ran out of time
to DO IT ALL. So I didn't. Now that the
book is done, I am reengaging with life ...
and LifeRhyme Notes. Encourage your
friends and colleagues to subscribe in time
for next month's "mega media issue," including books, movies, and music! WOW!

Packing Whimsy
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I can’t explain it. I couldn’t if I tried--
how the only things we carry
are the things we hold inside
like a day in the open,
like the love we won’t forget
like the laughter that we started
and it hasn’t died down yet.
--Carrie Newcomer,
The Gathering of Spirits,
on The Gathering of Spirits CD

I'm preparing to travel to San Diego. My daughter Elly is helping me pack. She has laid out some travel essentials:
+ Pink clogs
+ Stuffed animals (Clifford the big red dog, Mary the turtle, and two
+ bunnies) Dora the Explorer backpack Napping book
+ Magic wand

I love this child's approach to packing-- it's all about whimsy. Nothing practical. It fits her personality. Elly courts wonder. Me--I worry. So, I pack for every eventuality. No wonder my suitcase often pushes the top of the weight limit. As a friend said to me, "You call three pairs of shoes packing LIGHT?" How we pack reveals a lot about ourselves: who we are, what we value, what we fear, and how we approach life.

What we pack also determines the kind of journey we take. How can we court adventure if we're lugging around sixty pounds of stuff (even if we're wearing great shoes)? On the other hand, how might a magic wand connect us to enchanting experiences?

When I speak about the spiritual journey, I ask participants to think about what they want to pack and leave behind for the next stage of their life. We begin by thinking about the destination: where do you want to go in your life? When we travel, we often pack according to purpose. For example, if we plan to do business while away, we pack more formal clothing than we would for a week at the beach. What's your life purpose? Does the "stuff" you've packed reflect your current purpose, a past purpose, someone else's purpose, or a whole mixture of purposes?

Once you have a sense of your life purpose, think about how you want to pack for your life. Examine your life using the following categories as a guide. Make a list of everything that's currently in your life. Then ask: What do I want to keep and what do I want to leave behind?
Stuff
Activities
Relationships
Practices
Rituals
Conversations
Associations
Beliefs
Ideas
Thinking patterns
Behavioral patterns
Dreams

I've been working on this exercise in my own life. I find that sorting through the piles of stuff in my house helps me to think about both the concrete and metaphorical baggage I'm dragging along with me. As I clean closets and organize papers, I'm looking at the stuff, practices, ideas, and relationships I've collected along the way and wondering if I want to take them along for the next stage of my life. As I work, I listen to music. Jack Johnson has become a new favorite of mine. He sings:
but girl don't let your dreams be dreams
you know this living is not so hard as it seems
don't let your dreams be dreams
--Jack Johnson, Dreams be Dreams, on the CD On and On

Friends: don't let your dreams be dreams. Figure out where you're going, pack up your stuff, and GO.

I hope you have whimsical journeys!
Rochelle

NEWS!!!
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Coming This Fall:
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A Generous Presence: Spiritual Leadership and The Art of Coaching by Rochelle Melander (The Alban Institute 2006)
This book provides insights that will encourage and guide you through the process of connecting with others in meaningful ways. Filled with practical tools and engaging personal reflections, A Generous Presence will help you use the power of coaching to change your life and improve your relationships.

Visit my Web site
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My Web site has a whole new look and lots of fresh content. Visit me online at: http://www.liferhymecoaching.com

Coming in 2006......
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In Fall 2006 I'll be opening my new venture, the virtual Dancing Turtle Writer's Studio. In addition, I'll be offering an amazing opportunity to work with me during the first-ever "Just Write! Weekend." Join a small group of writers for a weekend of intense writing. You will spend two and a half days working on your project and getting coaching and classes designed to help you overcome your fears and challenges around getting your project written! More information to come soon RIGHT HERE in LifeRhyme Notes. Tell you writing friends to sign up for LifeRhyme Notes so they won't miss this exciting opportunity!

Inspired?
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Are you inspired by what you read here?
Then pass it on!

Interested in connecting around the
important issues of life?
Give me a call at 414-963-1222 or
send me an e-mail
(rochelle@liferhymecoaching.com)
to set up a free coaching consultation!

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LIFERHYME NOTES 2006 is a free
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consider how we can integrate spirituality
and creativity into our daily lives. It is written and
produced by Rochelle Melander, personal and
professional coach. If you have any questions
or comments, please send them to: rochelle@liferhymecoaching.com. I would love to hear from you.

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