Issue # 22 December 2004

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. This month, amid the
flurry of activities, The Imp says, "Print this out, make a
cup of tea, put your feet up for a few minutes, relax, enjoy."

I'm dedicated to supporting the "imp" in you - especially this
month the Inner Magical Precious you that is a gift to the world.

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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1. Feature Article: Have an IMPish Holiday Season
2. Coaching Q&A: Pampering for the Caregiver
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: Have an IMPish Holiday Season

Got that cuppa? Feet up? Close your eyes for a moment and think
back to the funnest, (no, that is not a spelling error), funnest
time you ever had during the holiday season...

Oh, by the way, The Imp is curious about candles. Which burn
longer - red candles or green ones?

What can you get away with this season? Dare ya to play hookey!
How long has it been since you stuck your tongue out to catch a
snowflake?

Make Christmas dinner a Potluck and save yourself a lot of work...
Are your kids old enough for you to trust them to make ginger-
bread cookies on their own? "The Imp" has the recipe at
http://www.theimpjournal.com/play.htm

The first Christmas on my own after my first marriage ended,
I asked friends and family members for a special tree ornament
that was in some way uniquely them.

I just looked in the book,"1001 Ways to be Romantic" to find
ideas to share with you. Darned if I didn't find suggestion
#471 - One woman came to her marriage with a vast collection of
very special Christmas tree ornaments. Her husband jumped on the
bandwagon and they now have a ritual "Search for This Year's
Special Ornament". It is my first Christmas with my new husband,
Wray Carlberg. When I've finished sending this newsletter, guess
where we're going...

Suggestion #531 - "Last year I substituted my wife's regular
Christmas stocking with real silk stockings. (Santa was delighted
to fill them with goodies!)" The book is by Gregory J.P. Godek.

Best reason to play hookey from your "Shoulds" list is to keep
romance alive in your life! Put the book on your list!

Single? Last year I commented to a friend, "I intend next Christ-
mas to be a 'Married' Christmas rather than just a 'Merry' one.
If matrimony is what you want check out two websites that have
great newsletters for Singles:
http://www.focusedcoachingservices.com  and
http://www.loveisnotagame.com
And my favorite web personals site was http://www.lavalife.com
(though I met my husband at a Singles dance).

Oh, about the candles? The Imp figured it out: neither!
Candles burn shorter...

Now he's peppering me with questions,
"What do you get if you cross Santa with a detective?"
"What is a skunk's favorite Christmas song?"
"Who delivers presents to baby sharks at Christmas?"
"If Santa rode a motorcycle, what kind would it be?"
(The Imp found the answers - you'll find them at the end of this
newsletter.)

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2. Coaching Q&A: Pampering for the Caregiver

Gail writes: "It came to me in a flash of insight that one of
the things that is missing in my life is that comforting sense
of being taken care of. Like most adult women, I've spent most
of my life taking care of other people. Now I realize that the
only times I can remember being cared for are the times I was in
the hospital for one reason or another. What a sad commentary.

"What can I do to give myself the sense of being cared for? Can't
afford a cruise or even a day at the spa, but I do have 3 days
off coming up at Christmas and would love to give myself the gift
of being cared for and pampered for at least one of those days."

Dear Gail,
Many readers, I'm sure, identify with you! Some suggestions:

1. Let family and friends know that pampering gifts would be
appreciated - perhaps a gift certificate for foot massage and
pedicure or for a few hours at a spa.

2. Spend time soaking in an aromatherapy bath, by candle light,
with soft music playing. Visualize something special and make it
as real as possible. Use body lotion afterwards. Lovingly and
consciously smooth it over your body enjoying the sensuousness.

3. Do you like to read? Spend a day curled up with a book, per-
haps a romance novel or humourous adventure story - whatever
appeals to you. Have a bowl of luscious grapes to snack on...

4. Find a pampering buddy and give each other manicures, pedi-
cures, shoulder and foot massages. If you colour your hair, a
hair-colouring buddy is nice. Easier than doing your own and a
time to chat. Make it a monthly get-together.

Dear Reader, what do you do for self-nurturing? Your ideas are
welcomed! Send them to
Worthy of mention is the Campbell River Women's Centre which
organized a pampering day in November for women on low income.
Volunteer professionals provided haircuts, manicures, massages,
etc.

When your question is answered in this column, you'll receive
a complementary 40-minute coaching session. Only expense is your
long distance phone charge.

What challenges are you facing on your journey to greater self-
empowerment? Go ahead! Send your question to:


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3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

Coachville is a phenomenal online resource, not just for Coaches,
but for anyone seeking to create their ideal life. Check it out
http://www.cvcommunity.com/?af=1246

As a Coachville member, for this holiday season, I can give you a
fr**ee CoachVille Teleclass! A teleclass is a phone-in class.
Participate with students from around the world. Your only cost
is your long distance phone charge.

The catch is that I have to enter the e-mail addresses one at a
time on the Coachville website. If it had been possible I would
have provided a link in this newsletter. If this gift 'calls' to
you, contact me to receive the information about the redemption
code and a link to the list of personal and business development
teleclasses to choose from.

Since I can share Coachville's gift with as many people as I
please, I really hope you will take this opportunity. Email me
by Wednesday Dec.22nd to be included.

Please include full name and email address in the body of your e-
mail. I'll appreciate the time it saves me not having to retrieve
your information from my newsletter list. Let your friends and
family know. I can include them, too!

To redeem the gift, select a class from the list, register
through CoachVille and input the gift code. It's that easy!

The Imp has gifts for you, too, especially if you have children
who would enjoy some quiet moments coloring, or if you'd like
posters for classroom or office. I had five 'doodle posters'
created especially for you. They are 8.5x11, illustrations from
my book "The Imp" Journal: Guided Journal Writing for Personal
Empowerment, Vol. 1. In the book, The Imp encourages you to color
the illustrations and doodle in the margins. Print the whimsical
posters from here: http://www.theimpjournal.com/doodle-index.htm

Who do you know that is facing a bleak new year? Please let them
know that my Starting Life Over program includes a bursary
application to receive the course at a reduced price. Just read
down the page until you find it. I don't want cost to be a
barrier to people needing help. http://www.StartingLifeOver.com

Also, "Ten Tips to Put You on Top of the World" is available from
that site as another gif*t for you.
http://www.StartingLifeOver.com/10-tips.htm

Ann Johnstone of Comox, B.C. commented (about last month's
article), "Wisdom with a light touch - what a treat. Thanks."
Ann has written and published, "This Immanent 'Field Beyond' -
Consciousness Self-acknowledged". These are simple stories of
enlightenment which can help you break free from conditioned
thinking. Her book is available in the Comox Valley at Winds of
Change. Ann writes and presents workshops for the Institute of
Metaphysical Science in LaJolla, California. Her book is also
available through their website
http://www.scientificmetaphysics.org

Each month I give away one "Imagine Magnificent Possibilities"
t-shirt. November's winner is Jocelyn Kinnear of Qualicum Beach,
B.C. Jocelyn found a game card ("the Imp and I were Here"),
visited the Imp Guest map and left a comment.

Have fun helping the Imp travel around the world and be eligible
to win December's t-shirt. Request game cards.
http://www.theimpjournal.com/where-in-world.htm 
New subscribers to this newsletter are also entered in the draw.

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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.

"May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your treasure in the
New Year." -from a 20 year old greeting card.
Says The Imp, "Peace is an inside job. Seek it there."

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

Dear Reader, whatever your Faith, The Imp and I are wishing you
Peace, Love and Joy this Holiday Season. We are honored to be
a part of your life in some small way. May you look forward to
a soul-satisfying 2005.

Look for your next newsletter in mid-January.

P.S. Riddle answers: Santa Clues, Jingle Smells, Santa Jaws,
and a Holly Davidson.

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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