Issue # 13 March 2004

Dear Imp,
Yes, you! (the Inner Magnificent Part of you seeking to
express your dreams and find fulfillment). You are the reason
for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to supporting the "imp"
in you - your Inner Magnificent Potential; your Incredible
Mental Powers and your Inspiring, Magical, Playful inner child.

You're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it,
you're a member of "The Imp Community" online, or a friend
passed it on. Sign up or unsubscribe at the end.

A special welcome to new subscribers! Earlier editions are
archived: http://www.theimpjournal.com/archives/

============================================================

1. Feature Article: "How Does an Imp Respond to a Psychopath?"
2. Coaching Q&A: "How do I journal to get into my feelings?"
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

============================================================

1.Feature Article: "How Does an Imp Respond to a Psychopath?"

Recently I saw the movie, "The Corporation" - a documentary
paralleling the behavior of multinationals with that of a
psychopath.

How do I reconcile the Imp slogan, "Imagine Magnificent
Possibilities", with the realities of third world child labor,
for instance, or with the pollution of our planet?

By the choices I make. My choices as a consumer, my choices in
relationships, my choices in how I respond to challenges and how
I choose to think.

I love playing Scrabble. Here are eight letters that hold the
key to how we choose to respond: a,c,e,e,i,r,t,v. (See solution
at end of article.)

Some of the choices I make are: buying organic food, supporting
charities whose focus is the well-being of children, car-pooling
or walking as much as possible, educating myself as to the
impact my consumer behavior has, being clear as to my values and
living a life that reflects my priorities for the physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing of myself and others.

I regularly attend the local Earthsave Society's Vegan Potlucks.
A vegan diet is entirely plant based. The choice of food we eat
makes a huge impact on the wellbeing of our planet. Earthsave
arose from John Robbins book, "Diet for a New America".
Check out http://www.earthsave.org

At the most recent Vegan Potluck, the Guest Speaker, Dawn Gordon,
a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, spoke about the harmful
ingredients in most cosmetics and personal care products. She
quoted statistics on the skyrocketing incidence of Cancer. From
one in eighty a few decades ago to one in two for men, one in
three for women today!

Two books Dawn mentioned are: "Politics of Cancer" by Samuel
Epstein and "The Safe Shopper's Bible: A Consumer's Guide to
Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics and Food" by David Steinman
and Samuel Epstein. Dawn mentioned several websites including
http://www.preventcancer.com and http://www.nottoopretty.org.
Dawn is also an independent representative for a line of products
that do not contain harmful ingredients. You can check it out at
http://www.ineways.com/dawn-gordon.

Now if you have just been diagnosed with Cancer, you may not be
in a space to "Imagine Magnificent Possibilities" for yourself.

And yet there ARE magnificent possibilities!

Making drastic changes for the better in your life can start by
educating yourself about the consequences of past choices that
brought you to this point. And then doing an about turn.

"The Imp" is all about personal empowerment! Are you willing to
take your health and wellbeing into your own hands?

Scrabble: Choose your word - 'reactive' or 'creative'.
============================================================

2.Coaching Q&A: "How do I journal to get into my feelings?"

Jean from Campbell River, B.C. writes, "One of the challenges I
face on a regular basis in my journaling is how to effectively
get beyond the surface and into how I feel about a particular
issue or event in my life. Often times I finish writing and feel
dissatisfied with the result because I know I didn't get past
the feeling of just telling a story. There are parts of my life
I want to explore and work through but accessing the emotions in
order to do that is a challenge. I accept that not every
journal entry is going to result in deep writing, however, I'm
beginning to see a pattern that very few of my journal entries
are taking the risk to show my true self to me, and I am
concerned."

Dear Jean, your awareness of this matter is such a wonderful
first step. All feelings are experienced as sensations in the
body. 'Listen' to your body to access your feelings. Write
about body sensations. An example might be, "My stomach feels
like it is tied in knots." Then draw a symbol or picture of
your stomach tied in knots. Next, let the drawing 'speak'.
"I'm Jean's stomach. I'm all tied in knots. I want to let
Jean know that..."

Are you relaxed or tense when writing? Become aware of that.
Be conscious of your breathing. Take time to breathe deeply.

There's a reason for your feelings being kept hidden or avoided;
something in your past experience. Especially during childhood,
you did what you had to do to survive. I encourage you to read
the book, "Fearless Living" by Rhonda Britten.

In The Imp Journal, the theme "Inside Me at this Precise
Moment: let feelings become friends" has additional suggestions.
Like each theme in the Imp Journal, this one is intended to be
your focus for one full week or even longer.

To order your copy of "The Imp Journal", just go to
http://www.theimpjournal.com/order-journal.htm
or in B.C. pick up your copy at one of these fine stores:
http://www.theimpjournal.com/popups/where-to-buy.htm.

Dear Reader,
What issues are you grappling with? Feeling stuck? Ask for Bev's
perspective. When your question is used, you'll receive a set of
whimsical Imp notecards. Go ahead! Send your questions to
contact Bev.

============================================================

3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

I am offering, free, the last five "Imagine Magnificent
Possibilities" t-shirts (adult 2 Small, 2 Medium and one
child's 10-12) to my readers, if you or a family member have been
diagnosed with Cancer. Contact Bev with your
name, address and size. (First come, first served.) I would like
to publish your first name, community and a short comment in
April's newsletter.

As I mentioned last month, I will be re-ordering Imp t-shirts.
Now I am considering a new slogan and blue rather than white.
Suggest a slogan using 3 words with I-M-P and if your wording is
used you will receive a free t-shirt. How do you like blue with
red lettering? (The colors of the book cover.)

As a special offer for you, as a newsletter subscriber, there
will be a 10% discount on the new t-shirts. Look for more
information in April's newsletter.

This month, the Imp is visiting Las Vegas with my dear friend,
Wray. Catch the Imp spirit by helping the Imp jaunt around the
world. Request free game cards at
http://www.theimpjournal.com/where-in-world.htm.

============================================================

4.Inspirational Message to Ponder
If it resonates with you, The Imp encourages you to write the
quote on a card, read it regularly, and then journal about your
thoughts, insights, feelings and, especially, actions.

"Life is a magic vase filled to the brim; so made that you cannot
dip into it nor draw from it; but it overflows into the hand that
drops treasures into it - drop in malice and it overflows hate;
drop in charity and it overflows love." - John Ruskin

============================================================

Please share this "IMPressions" newsletter with your friends.
Just hit the forward button on your e-mail program...

Look for your next newsletter in mid- April.
Warmly, "The Imp and I", Beverley ;-)

P.S. Remember to play!
http://www.theimpjournal.com/play.htm

Warmly, "The Imp and I", Beverley ;-)

Beverley Howden, M.Ed.
"The Imp Lady"
Author, Speaker,
Personal Empowerment Facilitator,

1-250-897-0992

 

The Imp is the delight of my life starting over in 1993.
My other website is www.StartingLifeOver.com

==================================

To subscribe,

To unsubscribe,