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At a Comox Valley Home-Based Business Association meeting last Fall
I met a new member, Marlene, who sold hemp food products. I
immediately decided to support a fellow HBBA member rather than
buy the products at a health food store. I've been using hemp
protein powder, oil and seeds for quite some time.

(Hemp is one of the finest foods for humans with an easy to digest
balance of nutrients.)

When I met with Marlene, I found that rather than buying from her I
could become a member of the Conscious Planet organization and save
a considerable amount on the products. So I did.

And I discovered that the Conscious Planet program is much more
than just food products! And very much in line with what The Imp
is all about.

For a few months I focused on promoting Conscious Planet. Until
I realized, as wonderful as it is, it derailed me from my own
passion and joy. It's the side track not my main line!

Of course, I'll continue using the products and recommending them
to others when the opportunity arises, but I'm refocusing on my
passion.

I've consciously chosen a healthy life style for many years and it
has paid off. I enjoy a very comfortable, pain-free (and drug-free)
body. I'm slim and energetic. At 69 years young, my biological age
is about 50 (and it can continue to grow younger!)

For me, health is a given; my mindset about health is on automatic.
So I can focus on living the life I want to live.

Here is where I'm inviting you into this story.

I have a question to ask you:
Are you ready to put your dream first and get past any limitations
or barriers such as poor health?

When you no longer focus on illness, what dreams will you fulfill?
Poor health is a dream stealer! There are other dream stealers -
responsibilities taking care of others; lack of encouragement -
not being taken seriously, or having others feel threatened; or
your dream may seem out of reach financially.

And when you contemplate all this, are you just plain scared?

I have a life time of experience, knowledge, skills and resources
to share with you.

My passion is supporting you to live your passion!

Let me help you get past the obstacles and live a life of
Inspiration, Magic and Passion! I am in the process of planning a
program - for both a local group in person and a second group by
telephone and e-mail.

If you are ready to make significant changes in your life or
even if you have doubts or are scared, you have nothing to lose by
checking out the IMPetus Mentoring Program.
http://www.TheImpLady.com/mentoring.htm
http://www.theimpjournal.com/quick-quiz/

E-mail me or call 250-897-0992 with any questions.

Resources:
To feel better than you've ever felt before:
http://www.ConsciousPlanet.net/theImpLady

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any Feature Article from
"IMPressions" in your own print or electronic newsletter.
Please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from IMPressions, the mid-monthly e-newsletter from
Bev Howden, "The Imp Lady", Personal Empowerment Facilitator
Subscribe at http://www.theimplady.com/newsletter-subscribe.htm

The Imp pipes up, "And if you like this newsletter, please pass
it on to family members, friends and colleagues. Your referral
is the greatest compliment you could ever give Bev."

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Q: What does it take to ENJOY life?
A: My intention for 2008 is to enjoy life. I had no idea at first
what this would take! It sounds easy, ha ha! When I looked at
what I thought I meant by enjoyment I came up with what I want is
PEACE, and this feels like: to walk in a good way - naturally,
easily and joyfully.

What does enjoyment mean to you? What does peace or freedom mean
to you?
 
What needed to happen to enable me to reach for enjoyment?

Try it on for a while, live your life every moment by banishing
any blame of yourself and others, and banishing all doubt about
your choices and how you behave - it is incredibly empowering!

I support myself with the ‘being’ things by some ‘doing’ things:
- keeping up my creative outlets (from sketching to dancing)
- looking after my body (from yoga to pilates) 
- looking after my spirituality (from meditation to hugging
standing stones)
- looking after my environment (from keeping down the dust
bunnies to volunteering with the Green Party)
- keeping connected (doing this email to my monthly pampering
groups)
- looking after my mind (from journaling to teaching at university)

And being OK when I am not doing all I say I will?

So what does it take for me to enjoy life, here are my top three
(for this year anyway):
 
1. Stay out of other people’s stuff, especially my kids (now 18
and 19).
2. Give myself the acceptance and acknowledgement I need - ask for
it from my students, my clients, my buddy group, my family.
3. Have courage and jump in the deep end.

And the new realization that has come to me as I endeavour to do
all this is: If not now - when? What is stopping me from doing
things that I haven’t in the past because of fear of acceptance,
fear of not having enough money, fear of not being enough.

What stops you doing the things you want to do? What are your fears?

How do I measure enjoyment? – I take my blood pressure. I find I
can fool myself into thinking all is OK, but my blood pressure
doesn’t lie!

What is the greatest learning for me – how much I am in other
people’s stuff, and being clear about when I want to be and when
I don’t want to be.

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! E-mail me your question:
with "Coaching Question" in the subject line.

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

Introducing Rea Fraser, Member Profile:

My current journey is the beautiful, chaotic aftermath of falling
in love with a Spanish man during an 800 kilometre cross country
walk.  I dove into married life in a new country before I knew how
to order a beer.

Living in passionate, colourful Spain gives opportunity to ponder
many assumptions I grew up with in Canada regarding family and
community.  I’m rethinking independence and self sufficiency.
Here, people kiss passing babies in strollers.  Lunch takes two
hours and ten people. Arguing is a sport. Strangers touch your
shoulder while giving directions. 

Our house is a constant language lesson as we merrily butcher
both languages, so training in ESL (English as a Second Language)
was a natural progression for me. I teach small classes in my
home, balancing the flexibility and insecurity of self employment.  
The process of language learning is fascinating. I’m intrigued by
the relationship between form and content; how culture is reflected
in our form of speech. Currently, I am learning the complicated arm
waving and table pounding required to speak Spanish like a native.

My other passion is writing.  I scribble in notebooks, write a
fiction blog http://middleagemediocre.blogspot.com/ and dabble in
memoir and humor.  Currently, I’m polishing and marketing some ESL
materials for adult students. I hope to convince a publisher that
the ESL market needs something sexy, offbeat and titillating to
augment the current high school appropriate offerings.

My next goal is to connect with some supportive, artistic people
here in Spain.  I need a community where I can bat ideas around,
be inspired, dive deeper into writing, and laugh a lot.  Doing it
on the internet with The IMP is the next best thing. Rea Fraser

You're Invited to submit your Member Profile. What is IMPortant
to you? Your Interests? Motivation? Passion? What is an Inner
Magnificent Part of you yearning to express? This is one way to
put it out to the Universe. E-mail
with "Member Profile" in the subject line.

“In this remarkable CD, Ms. Howden has brought together her spoken
Guided Meditation with the Prayer Oh, Blessed Spirit that she
wrote and sings. This combination leads one to a meditative state
in which our own inner Peace, Love, and Joy can be experienced.
I recommend this CD to all who want to relax into the fullness of
their own Divine nature.”
Donnie Wilson, Licensed Unity Teacher, Comox, B.C.

I'm extending the special offer since there are delays (finding a
violinist to accompany me before making arrangements with a
recording studio.)
If you pre-order by March 31, you will receive 2 CDs for the
price of one ($20) AND shipping and handling will be included.
 
E-mail me with 'Oh, Blessed Spirit' in the
subject line. Include your snail mail address. I will provide
you with information on sending payment as soon as the CD is
recorded.

(If you prefer to download an MP3, let me know. I'm considering
having my webmaster set that up. And it would cost you less.)

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
(About a year ago game cards went to Rea for her students.)

2. During the first 3 months as a new subscriber.

This month's winner is Lorraine J. and The Imp, winking his eye,
adds that he knows she is passionate! ;-) Contact me, Lorraine
and a wee imp pillow is yours.

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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.

"Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of
love by which you can catch souls."
Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)

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I mention a lot of great books. If you are interested in having
a copy for yourself, just use my direct quick-link to Amazon:
http://www.theimpjournal.com/gotoAmazon

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Who do you know that would enjoy this issue of "IMPressions"?
Just hit the forward button on your e-mail program...

Look for your next newsletter in mid-April.
Warmly, "The Imp and I", Beverley ;-)