Joyful Soaring Tips

By Coach Barbara Luther Of Wind Beneath Your Wings

Email: Barbara@coach2soar.com
Web Site: www.coach2soar.com
Phone: (314) 878-4044

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In This Issue:

1) Joy Juice
2) Taking Action
3) Let's Ponder
4) Soaring Free
5) Play Time
6) Joy Supplies
7) Class Offerings

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Good Morning! I hope you enjoy this issue of Joyful Soaring Tips and find something that helps you have a Joy-Filled week!

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~~ 1) Joy Juice ~~
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If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. -- Thomas A. Edison

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~~ 2) Taking Action ~~
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Sometimes we don't give ourselves a work space that nurtures and encourages us to do great work. Look around your work space right now. Could it use some help? Identify one thing about your work space that, if changed, would lighten your spirit, cause you to smile, and urge you into a mode of enthusiastic, creative flow. Now, make that change, whatever it would be. Examples might be to put up a picture you really like; add a plant, water fountain, or candles; arrange your desk in a more pleasing manner; or add more natural light in some way.

When our environment inspires and nurtures us, we've added one more support in our foundation.

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~~ 3) Let's Ponder ~~
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There is an Obaku temple in Kyoto with the words "The First Principle" carved in wood over the gate. This carving is acknowledged as a masterpiece of Japanese calligraphy. Woodcarvers made the carving from a brush drawing by Kosen, who drew the words more than 200 years ago.

According to legend, Kosen asked a student to prepare the supplies he would need. The student brought the supplies and stayed to watch Kosen draw, looking over his shoulder. Kosen wrote the words, "The First Principle," and the student said, "That is no good."

Kosen wrote the words again, and again, the student said the work was unacceptable. A third, fourth, and fifth time were unacceptable. Many hours later, there were 80+ unacceptable "The First Principles" on the floor.

At this point, the student left the room for a moment. Kosen quickly, free from the fear of the student's criticism, wrote "The First Principle" once again. That drawing became the masterpiece. (Adapted from storyteller Doug Lipman)

Are we guilty of providing that criticism which holds our loved ones, friends, and colleagues from their masterful work? And do we struggle under similar critical judgments or the fear of them as we work every day?

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~~ 4) Soaring Free ~~
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Our culture teaches us that failure is a bad thing, something to prevent at all costs, yet the great achievers of every age will tell you that the extent of their success is in direct proportion to the amount of failure they experienced. It seems to me that what we need to be concerned about is how to learn from our mistakes and missteps. With that perspective, there's really no need to be afraid to fail. You may actually get to the point where you'll look forward to failing. Imagine that.

Your attitude toward failure determines your altitude after failure. -- John C. Maxwell

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~~ 5) Play Time ~~
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This Sunday is Mother's Day, in case you need a reminder. Here's a little history about this special day:

Mother's Day was founded by Anna Jarvis in tribute to her mother, Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis. The first organized Mother's Day program was held on May 10, 1908. Anna's purpose in creating this day was:

"To revive the dormant filial love and gratitude we owe to those who gave us birth. To be a home tie for the absent. To obliterate family estrangement. To create a bond of brotherhood through the wearing of a floral badge. To make us better children by getting us closer to the hearts of our good mothers. To brighten the lives of good mothers. To have them know we appreciate them, though we do not show it as often as we ought...

Mother's Day is to remind us of our duty before it is too late.

This day is intended that we may make new resolutions for a more active thought to our dear mothers. By words, gifts, acts of affection, and in every way possible, give her pleasure, and make her heart glad every day, and constantly keep in memory Mother's Day; when you made this resolution, lest you forget and neglect your dear mother, if absent from home write her often, tell her of a few of her noble good qualities and how you love her."

Originally, the white carnation was the preferred flower for Mother's Day because it typifies some of the virtues of motherhood: whiteness stands for purity; its lasting qualities, faithfulness; its fragrance, love; its wide field of growth, charity; its form, beauty. Even today, carnations - red for living and white for deceased -- are worn world-wide as emblems of the purity, strength, and endurance of motherhood.

The first Mother's Day proclamation was issued by Governor William E. Glasscock of West Virginia on April 26, 1910. In May 1914, Representative Heflin of Alabama and Senator Sheppard of Texas introduced a joint resolution, at the request of Miss Jarvis, naming the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, and the resolution was passed in both Houses. President Woodrow Wilson approved it, and William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State, proclaimed it. In the President's proclamation which followed, he ordered that the flag be displayed on all government buildings in the U.S. and foreign possessions. Later Mr. Heflin, co-author of the resolution said: "The flag was never used in a more beautiful and sacred cause than when flying above that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America."

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~~ 6) Joy Supplies ~~~
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There's a great new book out that's worth your time and dollars: John C. Maxwell's Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success. If you've ever felt like a failure and questioned whether to continue an endeavor, this book is for you. The author tells you very specifically what it takes to turn mistakes, setbacks, and failures into steps along your path to success. You'll look forward to mistakes after reading this book.

NOTE: Barbara offers links to many of the resources referenced here from her web site, www.coach2soar.com. If you cannot find some resource mentioned, contact Barbara for help at Barbara@coach2soar.com.

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~~ 7) Class Offerings ~~
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There is an ongoing Practice Building Workshop for mentees. If you're interested in joining our group, please contact me for details.

YOU'RE INVITED! Come join me on Thursday, May 25th at 5pm EST for a free Happy Hour Telebration for anyone who wants to come celebrate the miracles, shifts, wins, and overall happy things they've experienced during the past month. It's an open, drop-in time to visit and share life's good news with new and old friends. Put it on your calendar now! It's the last Thursday of every month at 5pm EST. The bridge number is 702-257-2699.

Copyright (C) 2000 by Barbara Luther. All rights reserved.

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To contact Wind Beneath Your Wings
Coach Barbara Luther:
Email: Barbara@coach2soar.com
Web Site: www.coach2soar.com
Phone: (314) 878-4044
(Central Time Zone)
Fax: (208) 988-2142
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Send your thoughts and comments. If I use your submission in a future edition, you'll receive full credit!

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Call Barbara to discuss a coaching partnership today. Barbara is also available if you're looking for a great facilitator or tele-conference leader.

New coaches looking for a certified mentor coach: I can take 2 JumpStart mentees this month.

There are also 2 openings in my practice for tenure-track faculty who are struggling with the pressures of the tenure process and fear that even if they make it to tenure, they may be burned out or have lost the joy in their research area. I can help.

Email: Barbara@coach2soar.com -=*=- Phone: (314) 878-4044

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Email: Barbara@coach2soar.com -=*=- Phone: (314) 878-4044