Issue # 15 May 2004

Dear Impish one,
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/

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>>>>>Look for a Special Offer below in Part 3...

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1. Feature Article: "How Do I Even Write a Title for This One?"
2. Coaching Q&A: "Was I giving up too soon?"
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1.Feature Article: "How Do I Even Write a Title For This One?"

How does the following story resonate with you? But before I
begin: twice in the past I've struggled to write the feature
article. Then the next day an incident happened and I was quickly
and easily writing. This time I've struggled for a week!

I know when I struggle that there's something below the surface.
Given time, meditation and focus, it will emerge.

Monday morning, June 14: Topic I'm mulling over - June is Grad
month. Do you remember your hopes, dreams, ambitions and
expectations as you stood on the threshold of your adult life?
Where are those dreams now? Got out Barb Sher's book "it's only
too late if you don't start now: How to create Your Second Life
At Any Age" to use as a resource.

Interrupted. A 'brief' 11:00AM meeting that stretches to one and
a half hours, errands needing done...

Tuesday: Frustrating! Article not coming together. Wrote Q&A
plus the "News, Comments..." etc. Beautiful evening at the beach.

Wednesday: Really struggling! Newsletter 'should' have been out
yesterday. Journaling - why am I a Writer? Why am I struggling?
Day spent on other 'to do's'. Enjoyed my (now 'our') weekly pot-
luck and an evening walk.

Thursday: downright grumpy! This has never happened before.
Why can't I write?
As I lay in bed beside Wray that night I started to cry.
And then it came clear: underlying all the week's activities was
the knowledge that my older brother, Lanny, was seriously ill
with pancreatic Cancer. So sudden, so unexpected...

My sister, Bernice, had phoned to say that Lanny's son, Jon,
was out from England to visit his father and would be over to the
island for the day. At first I intended to miss seeing Jon and
concentrate on writing. Not getting anywhere writing. Did visit.

Friday morning: Wray is off to play golf. Determined to get
article written! I'm sitting in the garden in the shade, pen in
hand, eating strawberries and weeping. Honeysuckle blooming,
birds chirping, drone of a small plane. I remember one June when
I was in High School and Lanny was home on leave. I played hooky
for the first time in my life and we went to the beach.
Life was calling to drop the mundane, the duties, feel alive...

Sounds like playing hooky is definitely an "Imp" activity!
OK, new title - "Is it Time You Played Hooky?" How is life
calling to you? Then I played hooky! This article could wait
for Monday.

Now it's Monday...
All of this is happening in the context of being newly married.
Togetherness, laughter, dancing, intimacy...
Adjustments, irritations, vulnerabilities...
Through the past week's emotional roller coaster Wray's kindness
and compassion. He lost his first wife to Lung Cancer. And then
the roles reverse and I need to focus on being there for him...

Long phone conversations with sisters Gwen and Shirley today...

How do I even write a title for this one?

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2.Coaching Q&A: "Was I giving up too soon?"

Kate writes, "I've had a low-keyed, almost chronic nagging sense
of dissatisfaction with my job. I knew I had to do something
about it. I made a list of what I wanted: independence, getting
paid what I am worth, working with people who want what I have
to offer, able to live out my values, etc.

"A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to become an
independent business owner with the potential of making good
income within the first year. Seemed to fit with what I wanted.
I would have the opportunity to support other people to reach
their goals for independence and freedom. Sounded great. Signed
up and did what I was coached to do (approaching people to tell
them the good news), got good feedback from my coaches, but no
one wanted to sign up. There were a few aspects of the business
that I had not asked about when I signed up. I resigned after
two weeks.

"Was I not rising to the challenges put in front of me? Was I
giving up too soon? Did I make a good decision to leave?
Would it have worked with more time and effort? I need help."

Kate, it's great you're in touch with your feelings and took
action by writing a list of what you want. The program you
describe is multi-level marketing (MLM).

Like you, I was at a point (7 years ago) when 'Plan A' wasn't
working and I needed a 'Plan B'. Didn't know what 'Plan B' would
be, only knew I needed something different. That's just when I
ran into an old acquaintance and needed no convincing to sign up
as an Independent Representative with a MLM company. It took
me two years of hard work without anyone signing up under me
before I let it go! I thought it would generate income for me to
realize my Imp dreams. But I was doing something I disliked as a
means to the goal of doing what I loved!

So, Kate, you trusted your inner guidance and got out quickly.
But that doesn't address your dissatisfaction with your job.

Go back to the list you made.

1. Write out all the tasks you do in your present job and divide
   them into 2 categories - those you love and those you don't.
2. What skills are you using in each category? What does that
   tell you? Is there a way in your present job to do more of what
   you love and have the other tasks done by a co-worker who would
   enjoy and be challenged by them?
3. Listen to your inner guidance. if your present job no longer
   can provide for your growth and a feeling of aliveness, then be
   really clear about what you want before looking for another job.

I highly recommend 2 books: Creating Money: Keys to Abundance by
Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer (especially Section 3: Creating
Your Life's Work) and What Color is Your Parachute by Richard
Bolles.

Note to all readers: I've learned a lot about MLM pros and cons.
If you would like to ask me any questions about MLM just email
bev@theimpjournal.com

What challenges face you on your journey of self-empowerment?
When your question is answered here, you'll receive a set of
whimsical Imp notecards. Go ahead!

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3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

I was delighted to meet Kathleen Lucas, an "IMPressions" sub-
scriber, while on a recent trip to Salt Spring Island. We
browsed the Saturday Craft Fair there. Three authors were selling
their own books which gave me the idea to do the same in my
community. So if you live in the Comox Valley (or are visiting)
drop by to say hello at Simms Park on Saturdays 10am to 2pm.
Imp t-shirts and notecards as well as The Imp Journal are
available. I will also have a booth at the July 1st festivities
in Lewis Park.

A JULY 1st SPECIAL for you, available only to newsletter
subscribers (OK, a July 4th special for American subscribers):
Including shipping and handling, the Imp Journal is available
for only $20 Canadian until July 4th. Save $6.95.
This offer is not on the website. Snail mail a cheque (within
Canada) or a money order for $20 CDN (for those outside Canada)
payable to "Bev Howden" and send to
"The Imp", #155 2401 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay, B.C. Canada V9N 2L5.
When you buy the book, you may also order a set of whimsical Imp
notecards (2 each of 3 illustrations), regular $9 for only $7.50.
Shipping, handling and taxes where applicable also included.

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Three photos from my wedding, May 16th, are online at
http://www.theimpjournal.com/popups/wedding-photos.htm

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If you have a product or service and do not have a website of
your own, you can have a web presence in an online Directory
at http://www.byregion.net (free or paid version). If you
decide to join, please use my referral ID: startinglifeover

If you find yourself wanting support through a period of change
in your life, or know someone going through a stressful
transition, check out my second website,
http://www.StartingLifeOver.com

The Starting Life Over introductory offer ends June 30th.

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4.Inspirational Message to Ponder
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.

"Today while the blossom still clings to the vine, I'll taste your
strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine. A million tomorrows will
all pass away ere I forget all the joy that is mine today."
-words from an old song.

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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-July.

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

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