Issue # 34 December 2005

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month your
Inner Magnificent Present 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: Gold, Frankincense and Her?
2. Coaching Q&A: Is my business viable or should I train for
something else?
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: Gold, Frankincense and Her?

At a meeting last September, I was chatting with a young woman,
Kathleen M., who sold a nutritional supplement that contained
frankincense. I happened to mention that I'd heard since I was a
child about the Three Wise Men bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh.
But I didn't really know what frankincense and myrrh were. And why
would a supplement contain frankincense?

Kathleen commented that her theory was that it was actually
Three Wise Women! The idea intrigued me. So when I decided to write
about it, I emailed her. Her response:

Hi Bev,
It's great to hear from you! I do remember the conversation we had
about the three wise women. I don't have any further information -
it was a thought/insight I had had that morning while walking my
dog.

The more I think about it though the more it makes sense: the women
traditionally hold the knowledge of healing herbs and plants; it
makes more sense for women to show up at a childbirth as
midwives than men; the symbolism of three women is rampant in
mythology and legend.

Especially connected to this I feel are the Three Graces. They are
about celebration all around!
http://www.archaeonia.com/religion/deities/graces.htm

The other three women I feel are pertinent are the Furies - albeit
in the opposite role. They would be the 'darkness', the negative
feminine needing to be integrated? Acknowledged in order to be
healed? I've also seen them represent past/present/future so I
suppose that would be appropriate symbolism for the birth of a
Christ level avatar!

Well, it's all just conjecture but there you go. I hope this helps
in some way!
Love
Kathleen
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Thank you, Kathleen.

If you are a regular reader, you know what is coming next... I did
a search online...

Holy Impudent Moonlit Polliwogs!

Found this joke on dozens of websites:
What if instead of Three Wise Men, it was Three Wise Women?
They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver
the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical
gifts and there would be Peace On Earth.

On another site:
Could the biblical three wise men really have been women? Now
there's a thought that could ruffle some feathers around the world!
The Church of England is now saying that the word "magi" does not
necessarily refer to men.

There is a children's book, Three Wise Women by Mary Hoffman.
It's a fictional story relating to the birth of Christ, about 3 women
from 3 different countries, who bring the gifts of storytelling, love,
and bread to the baby Jesus.

My search brought up several sermons. Apparently, the wise men said
very little. It was the wisdom of three wise women who understood the
significance of the Christmas story - Mary, Elizabeth and Anna.

I'll leave you to your own search if you wish to pursue it further.

The Imp's question to you,

"What gift do you come bearing?"

Your gift of self! As I say in The Imp Journal, "You are a unique
individual expression of the creative intelligence of the Universe.
You have tremendous value and a unique gift to bring to the world."

Are you ready to share your Inner Magnificent Present?

Oh, back to the frankincense. You can find its benefits listed here:
http://www.forevergreen.org/frankincense.pdf

(Myrrh is also an aromatic resin, used more for embalming.)

The supplement that contains frankincense? "Ocean FrequentSea"
containing phytoplankton, astaxanthin and frankincense. It's sold
through MLM. If you are interested in the MLM opportunity, let me
know and I will pass your information on to Kathleen.

Astaxanthin?? I could do a search...
"No, no, no!" says The Imp, "Let's go play!"

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2. Coaching Q&A: Is my business viable or should I train for
something else?

When Kendra contacted me, she had been struggling for three years
to build her private practice.

She had exhausted her marketing ideas - distributing brochures and
business cards, placing ads and facilitating one workshop with a
colleague which was poorly attended. She realized now that the work-
shop was directed at the wrong people. She commented that her
professional training did not include how to market herself.

Her husband was willing to pay for additional schooling, if needed,
with the proviso that Kendra be able to find meaningful employment
upon completion of the courses.

As we explored her dilemma, it became clear that Kendra was still
passionate about her chosen field, but very discouraged. As well as
passion, it was clear to me that she has the skills and knowledge
(i.e. solutions) that many people are seeking.

She definitely was open to exploring new ways of marketing.

The first step was to clearly define a niche - her target market.
This she did.

The next step - what are their problems?

Rather than focussing on the broad area her profession covers, she
came to realize she needed to focus on one specific problem at a
time with which people could identify.

Kendra wrote the first of what will be a series of articles.

She has arranged for her articles to appear in a monthly or bi-
weekly column in her local newspaper. Each specific problem will also
be the topic for one session of a series of workshops.

This is the point Kendra is at after just three coaching sessions.
She will be busy for quite some time implementing these strategies.

Down the road, I see a much bigger picture for Kendra. For example,
her articles can be the basis for an e-book. I suggested she go to
http://www.godaddy.com and buy, as a domain name, the title she has
chosen for her newspaper column.

Like many professionals, Kendra's mindset was seeing clients
one-to-one in her office. The new paradigm is creating multiple
streams of income and reaching far more people through creating
products that provide solutions to specific problems.

A book that beautifully describes this process is Multiple Streams of
Coaching Income by Andrea Lee. The word "coaching" in the title
could easily be replaced with many other professions.

Andrea's website for her book is http://www.msoci.com

Kendra also commented that her husband would like to cut back to
working half time within a few years. I suggested he read
Multiple Streams of Income by Robert Allen. Most people rely
on just one source of income - their job. For those who are
interested in online income, Robert Allen also wrote Multiple
Streams of Internet Income.

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 questions 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

I'm seeing common themes emerge from women who have completed the
Imp's Quick Quiz and applied for a 40-minute phone consultation.
http://www.theimpjournal.com/quick-quiz

Women who have a dream and don't know how to get from dreaming to
doing; responsibilities for others and little time for self; lacking
encouragement from others; fearing their dream is out of reach
financially; and feeling just plain scared (among other reasons).

I'm in the process of writing an e-book to address this dilemma.
I need your help! I've created a questionnaire to help me understand
what you need if this is your challenge.

In return for answering the questionnaire, I'll give you a free copy
of the e-book when it is completed. I may request specific feedback from
you on chapters as I write them.
Email me Bev@TheImpJournal.com for a copy of the questionnaire.

To take the quick quiz go to

http://www.theimpjournal.com/quick-quiz

On November 10th I facilitated a 20-minute roundtable discussion at
the local Women's Business Network meeting ( http://www.cvwbn.org  )
on "Five Keys to Successful Online Marketing". If you would like a
copy of the resource materials I provided, just email me.

Responses from last month's "So What!" request:

Hi Bev,
I'm not one to stay online and search for documents. I used to read
and enjoy your newsletter but now watch my arrow head for the delete
button. Could it be that there are others like me?
Bob

Thanks, Bob. With this issue I'm back to sending the newsletter directly
to your inbox. Subscribers will get it earlier and I'll also notify you
when it is archived just in case s-p-a-m f-i-l-t-e-r-s gobbled it up
before it could reach your inbox. (The original reason for changing the
way it was delivered).

Hi Bev!
I'm one of your T-shirt winners! I LOVE this newsletter! I am going to post
it, along with your links, at the Women For Sobriety message board.
What I really want from you? Besides what you already give, I'd like you to
buy some jewelry from me!! I've just started my own online business...
...You need any "IMP" Bracelets?? What do you think???
Hugs!
Kathleen N.

See Kathleen's custom-made jewelry at
http://spaces.msn.com/members/kathirteen/

Thanks, Kathleen, for sharing on the Women For Sobriety message board. The Imp
and I are wishing you every success with your venture. The Imp likes the idea
of a bracelet!

Ginny, who took my Starting Life Over course, and now has a well paying
job, recently wrote:
I don't want to be in the precarious financial situation I was when I left
my husband a year ago May. I've realized that I need to take steps to have
savings set aside because nobody will do it for me. I set regular savings goals
and right now I have more savings set aside than I ever have in my adult life.
I can do it!!

Congratulations, Ginny! And the next step may be to learn how to invest
your savings wisely.

Part 3 of my Starting Life Over e-coaching program is a comprehensive
look at the role of money in your life. It is available separately
from the rest of the program. For just $16.95US you can get it at
http://www.theimpjournal.com/aboutmoney
(immediate download!)

This is the last month for an "Imagine Magnificent Possibilities"
t-shirt winner. And winner, Madeline D. has not claimed hers, yet.

Starting in 2006 there will be 3 ways to win a "Live a Life of
Inspiration, Magic and Passion" tote bag.

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 your 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
http://www.theimpjournal.com/order-journal.htm

Did you know The Imp Journal provides a step-by-step plan for
personal growth with 23 weekly themes? And online bonuses!

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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.

What is Wisdom? Wise Men and Wise Women, consider these 2 quotes.

"When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the
reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes
are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is
yet in your power."
Hugh White US politician (1773 - 1840)

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after
a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."
Marcel Proust French novelist (1871 - 1922)

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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

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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