Issue # 31 September 2005

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month your
Imagination, your Motivation, your Power!

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: Empowering Children, Empowering Yourself
2. Coaching Q&A: I'm between a rock and a hard place and need
desperately to escape.
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: Empowering Children, Empowering Yourself

It’s the start of a new school term and The Imp and I wonder how
many kids fit Shakespeare’s description of "creeping like snail
unwillingly to school"? I have to admit I do have a bias against
school as we know it. (And I know there are wonderful teachers
who do inspire children.)

Well, schools are not gonna disappear but let me share a dream...
"The Imp Creative Living and Learning Centre". This Centre will
have many components but let’s just focus here on children:

1. Each child will have a Personal Coach.
    
2. Children will be empowered by being included in the learning
   process and inspired to become self-directed lifelong Learners.
    
3. Children will be empowered as contributing citizens - actively
   involved in developing and initiating community projects and
   awareness campaigns.
    
4. Children will be empowered to develop a strong sense of self and
   connect with their inner 'higher self'.
    
5. Children will be empowered by having their ideas and abilities
   respected and in developing their potential in whatever fields
   their talents lie.
    
6. Children will be empowered within a community environment of
   'connection' and nurturing relationships (rather than alienation
   and loneliness).

I want everyone to live their Incredible Magnificent Potential!

Here are some great resources for empowering children. It
wouldn't surprise me if you discovered a new path to your own
empowerment!

1. LifeCoaching for kids:
   www.futurepossibilities.org  and www.fpcanada.org
    
2. Children and learning:
   
   The Everyday Genius: Restoring Children’s Natural Joy of Learning -
   And Yours Too by Peter Kline
   In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Personal
   Learning Style by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.
   Awakening Your Child’s Natural Genius: Enhancing Curiosity,
   Creativity and Learning Ability by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.
   The Learners' Way by Anne. D. Forester
   The Laughing Classroom: Everyone’s Guide to Teaching With Humor
   and Play by Diane Loomans and Karen Kolberg.
    
3. Children contributing to community wellbeing:
   
   www.child-to-child.org has a free manual describing a structured
   process for working with 9 - 13 year olds on community projects.
   
   www.learningtogive.org encourages volunteerism and philanthropy
   in building a better society.
   
   www.ryanswell.ca A young Canadian boy, on learning that African
   children were dying for lack of clean water, decided to act.
    
4. Children’s Personal and Spiritual Growth:
   
   100 Ways to Enhance Self-Concept in the Classroom: A handbook for
   teachers and parents by Jack Canfield and Harold C. Wells.
   
   Spinning Inward: Using Guided Imagery with Children for Learning,
   Creativity and Relaxation by Maureen Murdock.
   
   The Gift of Faith: Tending the Spiritual Lives of Children
   by Jeanne Harrison Nieuwejaar
   
   Spiritual Nurturing: How to Help Your Child Grow Spiritually
   by Darlene Carpenter.
    
5. Developing children's potential:
   
   Amazon has a few secondhand copies of the 1978 book Right
   From the Start: A Guide to Nonsexist Child Rearing by Selma
   Greenberg. I love this book and used it a lot in the 1980s.
   
   Bringing Out the Giftedness in Your Child: Nurturing Every
   Child's Unique Strengths, Talents and Potential
   by Rita Dunn, Kenneth Dunn and Donald Treffinger.
   
   Developing Children's Talents by S. Bailey, B. Allen Knight
   and D. Riley.
    
6. A community environment of ‘connection’ and nurturing
   relationships:
   
   Creating Community Anywhere: Finding Support and Connection in
   a Fragmented World by Carolyn R. Shaffer and Kristin Anundsen
    

The Imp and I would love to hear from you! How has this
information has been of value to you? Bev@TheImpJournal.com
As a way of saying thanks, we'll send you a set of whimsical Imp
notecards.

Oh! The Imp reminds me, The Imp Journal is "Guided Journal Writing
for PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT!" Your copy is just a click away.
http://www.theimpjournal.com/order-journal.htm

Bonuses include membership in "The Imp Community" online, Imp
doodle posters and "Ten Tips to Put You on Top of the World".

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2. Coaching Q&A: I'm between a rock and a hard place and need
desperately to escape.

I received an email from "Frances" referring to my Starting Life
Over Program. www.StartingLifeOver.com

Frances wrote:

I am a 48 year old woman with a horrible marriage, a medical
problem and I'm missing a front tooth. When I apply for a job I'm
never hired because of my appearance. I used to be the Executive
Secretary to the Director of (large International Co.). I've lost
everything in my life. I keep coming up with plans but I meet
opposition everywhere. This man is intent on destroying me and
controlling me forever.

If I could repair my teeth I could work and function alone. I'm
between a rock and a hard place and need desperately to escape.
I am sure you have seen worse scenarios than this but I honestly
ask you - will your program not just stroke my ego but also guide
me to freedom so I can be a part of life again???

Alone and Lonely beyond comprehension!

======

Dear Frances,

First of all I want to say taking this first step and writing is
a significant turning point in your life! I recommend that you
get hold of the book "Learning to Leave" by Lynette Triere.
Careful planning and preparation are needed when breaking free.
During marriage breakups there is the real possibility of violence.

Once you are free, then the "Starting Life Over" program is right
for you. You will find that it provides very practical help in
rebuilding a fantastic, rewarding, fulfilling life!

Have you considered working as a Virtual Assistant? When you work
over the internet it doesn't matter what you look like. I encourage
you to do an online search and learn all you can about being a
Virtual Assistant.

Gather up your courage and act!

======

On September 12th, Frances wrote:

Since I have spoken with you I have initiated some changes. First no
one ever gave me support or direction before.

I got the suggested book from the library, which is very helpful,
signed up for Internet Admin Positions (though I have yet to receive
an offer) and started selling some nice things of mine at a local
consignment shop.

I am hopeful and believe I will find my way back. I was standing at
the blocked end of the maze and you gave me a hint how to get to the
cheese! That cheese looks good and it may take a while but I intend to
have cheese sandwiches for a long time in my future! Thanks for your
interest in me, not to mention help! If I can overcome a life like
the one I am trapped in then maybe others can do so far more easily.
I will keep you posted.

======

Thanks for sharing, Frances! You are out of 'victim mode' and well
on your way!

What challenges are you facing on your journey to greater self-
empowerment? When your question is used in this column, you'll
receive a complimentary 40-minute coaching session by phone or
a set of whimsical imp notecards.

Client names are changed to protect identity and maintain
confidentiality.

Go ahead! Send your question to:
QandA@theimpjournal.com

Your question will be answered promptly.
No waiting til the next newsletter.

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3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

Gail L. recently wrote: Just wanted to let you in on one of the
results of our coaching sessions. You may remember that one of
the things I wanted was waterfront property, and we discussed
different ways this might be accomplished. After a few months of
looking at buying I realized that at today's inflated real estate
prices it probably wasn't going to be feasible for me and I
decided to try a different tactic. Now that my daughter is here
and can take over the business I decided to "go back to my roots"
and look for a waterfront resort or motel to manage.

Yesterday I found the perfect situation for me and applied - the
good news is that I have an interview this evening. No guarantees
of course and I don't really expect to get the first position I
apply for (it would be nice though!) - but I am on my way. I'll
let you know what happens. Isn't this exciting? Thanks Bev!!

======

Yes, Gail, it is exciting! I encourage every reader to "Imagine
Magnificent Possibilities" and then ask,

"How can I...?"

rather than,

"I can't because ...".

Set the intention and let the Universe help you!

When I spoke to Gail about including her experience in this news-
letter, she said, "Hope it inspires someone else to 'think outside
the box'!!"

One book that can help you brainstorm ideas is
Barbara Sher's Idea Book by Barbara Sher.

Thanks for sharing, Gail!

======

There are 3 ways to win an "Imagine Magnificent Possibilities"
t-shirt.

1. Request game cards and mark your location on The Imp's guest
map. It's fun! There's only one rule to this game - don't get
caught doing it!
http://www.theimpjournal.com/where-in-world.htm

2. During the first month as a new subscriber.

3. When you become a member of "The Imp Community" online,
which happens automatically when you purchase The Imp Journal:
Guided Journal Writing for Personal Empowerment, Vol.1
Bonuses included!
http://www.theimpjournal.com/order-journal.htm

This month's t-shirt winner is new subscriber, Kathy N. We are
waiting to hear back from you, Kathy, so that your t-shirt can
be mailed. (There is only one Kathy "N" on the list.)

======

If you think of your life like a wheel, how bumpy is the ride
when your wheel is out of balance? The "Wheel of Life" focuses
on balancing career, health, finances, relationships, personal/
spiritual growth and recreation.

I've put my own spin on the "Wheel of Life" and have a special
offer for you which includes:

1) The down-loadable "Wheel of Life" and "Wheel of Life Action
Plan". (PDF file)

2) Three 40-minute coaching sessions (by phone) to co-create
supportive environments to sustain balance in your life.

3) Additional resources tailored to your unique circumstances.

"Balancing Your Wheel of Life" is a $300 value for only $150(US).
Limited to 5 people, only until September 30/05.

If this speaks to you, act now! Click here:

http://www.theimpjournal.com/life-wheel/

Questions? Contact me: bev@theimpjournal.com or 250-897-0992

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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.

It was interesting that I couldn't find a quote for "personal
empowerment". Quotes about "power" tended to be negative and to
focus on power over others. So instead The Imp invites you to
empower yourself by using your imagination.

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you
desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you
will." George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

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I mention a lot of great books. Should you choose to purchase
any through Amazon, I'd appreciate you going through my affiliate
program. Thanks! http://www.theimpjournal.com/gotoAmazon

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Please share this "IMPressions" newsletter with your friends.

Look for your next newsletter in mid-October.

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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