Issue # 39 May, 2006

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month your
Incredible Mind Power. The Imp pipes up with "And remember your
Inner 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: www.TheImpJournal.com/archives/

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1. Feature Article: You're Not Too Old For Summer Camp!
2. Coaching Q&A: How Does One Choose the Right Coach?
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: You're Not Too Old For Summer Camp!

I recently browsed through the Vancouver Province newspaper's
supplement on Summer Camps. What a tantalizing array of offerings
for fun, discovery and adventure for children!

As a kid, I never got the opportunity to attend summer camp. In my
twenties, I was the Crafts Instructor at a camp for 2 summers.

As an adult, there are still good reasons and great opportunities
for fun, discovery and adventure. Or, you may wish to de-stress,
veg out, renew your spirit or take a quantum leap in personal
growth in an outdoor environment.

There are places here on Vancouver Island and on the nearby Gulf
Islands, that draw people from around the world. Years ago I took
Wilderness Survival at the Strathcona Park Lodge Outdoor Education
Centre. http://www.strathcona.bc.ca

The weekend my ex-husband remarried, I treated myself to a workshop
at The Haven. http://www.haven.ca

In 1993, The Imp was conceived at Hollyhock, Canada's Leading
Educational Retreat Centre. http://www.hollyhock.bc.ca

One description in the newspaper supplement was "MIX FUN WITH
LEARNING and watch boredom disappear. That's the thinking behind
Capilano College's Continuing Education's wildly intelligent,
brilliantly fun summer camps. And that's why the camps, while
putting an emphasis on fun, put an even heavier one on meaningful
learning." Camps include Junior Astronauts, Cub Reporters, Astronomy,
Musical Theatre and Magic.

Think about it. If your kid expressed an interest in Junior
Astronauts would you enroll him or her in Cub Reporters instead?

I think not.

Yet, during the regular school year, students have little or no
choice of content. If all Learners had the choice of focussing on
things they were truly interested in, there would be no boredom!

Does boredom equal irrelevancy? There is no boredom with
"meaningful learning".

"Wildly intelligent, brilliantly fun" learning comes, to a
great extent, from having a choice rather than being coerced.

Did you have negative learning experiences that left you fearful of
trying new things? In or out of school. As a child, I was fearful of
the water and as an adult chose to learn to swim.

Any time you find yourself questioning your ability, realize that
you are a wounded learner. Brain research indicates you have
Incredible Mind Power waiting to be tapped into.

As part of my plans for IMP YOUniversity, I'll be starting with a
program called "Heal Your Wounded Learner - Re-discover your
Inner Magnificent Potential!"

Tentatively the program will run 3 Wednesday evenings and 2
weekends. That leaves time between to integrate learning and to
explore mountains, beaches, learn to kayak perhaps, and much more.

Vancouver Island is a wonderful area to explore. No matter where you
live, think about joining me here this summer to heal your wounded
learner. To find out more about Vancouver Island click on
http://www.islands.bc.ca

Three other programs I will develop are:

IMPetus: Learning strategies to make learning fun, faster and
easier.

Unleash The genius Within: Access your Incredible Mind Power by
tapping into you subconscious.

Create a Life of Inspiration, Magic and Passion (after all, what
is learning for?)

bev@theimpjournal.com to let me know you're interested.

Also, I'd love to hear about your summer adventuring and share
stories in September. The Imp is tugging at my sleeve saying,
"I wanna go with them!" It's easy and fun to include The Imp using
game cards. http://www.theimpjournal.com/where-in-world.htm 


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2. Coaching Q&A: How Does One Choose the Right Coach?

This month's column is written by my Buddy Coach, Maureen Miller.
We've been coaching each other for about four years.

"I have my own coach right now but my friend is interested in
finding a coach. I could recommend mine but I think she needs to
explore other coaches and not just take my word for it. How can
I guide her in this choice?" Janice

Dear Janice,
The first thing is to decide how you want to be coached. Coaches
have different styles of coaching.

For example, ask yourself:
1. Do I want someone who is gentle and slow with me or someone who
really pushes me?
2. Do I want someone who is going to challenge me?
3. Do I want someone who is high energy or quiet?
4. Do I want someone who is ultra sensitive when I'm resisting?

You will want to discuss fees. Do they have a payment plan or
scholarship program? Some coaches take a few clients as 'pro bono'
until you can afford to pay. Some are willing to exchange services.
For example, if you are a whiz at creating websites, they might be
willing to have you revamp their website in exchange for coaching.

Some coaches work specifically in certain areas, their specialty.
This might be important to you.

It might also be important to you for the Coach to be Certified.
The referral sites listed below, will tell you their certification
process and whether or not a coach is certified.

Coaches will be just as interested in seeing if you are a good
fit for them as they are for you. The coach you are interviewing
may ask you questions. If they don't think you are a fit or you
don't like their approach, they often will suggest other coaches.

If you asked me (Maureen) such questions, I'd answer:
I'm not a gentle coach. I'm quite forthright and like to get to
the bottom of things.
I'm definitely a challenging coach and high energy.
I sometimes exchange services but not often. It would depend on what
you have to offer.
I offer a free half hour session to let you 'test drive' my style.
I'm aware of 'resistance' and will not let you 'walk around'
something that's in your way.
I don't believe in giving advice or offering you solutions. I think you
have the answers you need, right inside yourself, to deal with all your
issues. All I do is ask the right questions and offer resources once
you figure out what it is you want to change.
I feel confident coaching in business and personal issues. I believe
that the content of an issue doesn't matter since YOU are already an
expert in your life. I don't need to know the details of what's
'up for you' to be able to coach you to a place where you can change your
life the way you want.
My style is based on current research on how the mind works.

Some sites to check out are:
http://www.coachfederation.org
http://learning.coachville.com
http://www.coachinc.com/coachu
http://www.certifiedcoach.org

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Maureen coaches both Personal and Business Clients. She has several areas
she likes to coach in (expertise and interest): families, creative issues,
small businesses and education.

Maureen has been coaching since 1995 and has logged over 850 hours
coaching all types of people on all types of issues.

By July 1, 2006 Maureen will have her Associate Coaching Certification
with the International Coaching Federation.

Maureen Miller
"Coaching Personally"
Maureen can be reached at whizmobc@telus.net
Her website is coming soon: www.LeadYourLife.ca


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What challenges are you facing on your journey to greater self-
empowerment? When your question is answered 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:


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

Do you really have what it takes to live a life of Inspiration,
Magic and Passion? To find out, take The Imp's Quick Quiz and
apply for a complimentary 40 minute phone consultation.
http://www.theimpjournal.com/quick-quiz/


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3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

There are 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 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
http://www.theimpjournal.com/order-journal.htm

This month's winner is new subscriber, Alexa Gilbert, a Realtor with
Coldwell Banker here in the Comox Valley. Alexa says, "Thanks, Bev!
I'll use my totebag for grocery shopping. I dislike plastic bags and
appreciate reusing and recycling. We live in a pristine and natural
area and I'll do my part to keep it that way. We are blessed to be
living where it is so gorgeous! Many people move here because of the
beauty of the area."

From time to time, I like to offer you free resources and
exceptional offers. Tomorrow look for an email "101 Great ways to
IMProve your life today."

And I'll continue to add extras of my own. The Imp keeps urging me
to write nonsense. The latest excerpt from my unpublished book
"Impudence! Mirthquakes! Poppycock!" is now online at
http://www.theimpjournal.com/nonsense/

Did you know The Imp Journal provides a step-by-step plan for
personal growth with 23 weekly themes? And online bonuses.
The Imp Journal is so much more than just a book.
Check it out! http://www.theimpjournal.com


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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.

This time I've chosen 3 quotes - all from Albert Einstein:

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science."

"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."
and

"The important thing is not to stop questioning."


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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-June.

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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