HEARING GOD'S MESSAGE

JEFFREY’S GOD STORY
By Helen J. Burton

Jeffrey, my 6 year old grandson, couldn’t find his DS Gameboy (DS). He and his parents for days searched the house, car and any place they could think of where the DS could possibly be located. No luck! After the second day, Jeffrey became very upset and started to cry because his mother would not buy him another DS. Mindi my daughter suggested that he ask G-d for help because sometimes after praying he could receive an answer of where the DS was located. So Jeffrey tried this new idea and went into his bedroom to ask G-d for help. After awhile he came out and told his mother that he did not get any answers. They then had a discussion about how sometimes it takes time before receiving any answers. He then watched television for awhile and went to bed.

While Mindi was on the computer checking her emails, she received an email from the babysitter with pictures she took while watching Jeffrey on Saturday. In one of the pictures was a picture of Jeffrey holding his DS. Mindi emailed the sitter and asked if she knew were the DS was located. The sitter sent back an email saying the DS was in the garage. She checked and sure enough the DS was there. The next morning when Jeffrey came down for breakfast sitting on the kitchen table was his DS. Mindi, told him what happened and Jeffrey said, “See how G-d helped me find my DS.”

After hearing this encouraging story, it makes me stop and think about all the miracles
G-d has given me and how I simply take them for granted. Some of the miracles I have received from G-d are as follows:

· Having a loving relationship with my husband, family and friends.
· Watched my granddaughter play the flute last night in the School’s Spring Concert. There were 7 family members watching her.
· Having an opportunity tomorrow to attend the play, Bill Wilson and Dr Bob Story” in New York City with 40 other people.
· Watching the trees and flowers start to blossom.
· Blogging and connecting with others.

What revelations did you get out of reading Jeffrey’s God story, I would love to know.

ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

In my office the desk and computer are in front of two windows. Last summer my husband gave me a beautiful gift by hanging birdfeeders in the trees directly in front of the windows. Now as I am working on the computer I watch the birds and squirrels eat from the feeders.

Each morning around 7:00am there are one gray and two black squirrels trying to eat from the birdfeeders. We have put up special feeders for squirrels and after they have devoured all the food they start on the birdfeeders. Even though some of the feeders are squirrel proof this does not stop them from trying different ways of getting at the food. It is amazing watching them not give up and keep trying. One morning I watched one black squirrel almost fall into a birdbath before running away and then within a few minutes he was back.

While watching the squirrels I keep thinking we are no different when it comes to getting what we want. Sometimes nothing will stop us from reaching a desired outcome and we will do whatever it takes to reach that goal. Other times in order not to reach a goal we will self-sabotage ourselves.

When working with my clients in reaching their goals, together we implement the following coaching process:
• Deciding what do you really want?
• Exploring what is stopping you from reaching your goal?
• Creating an action plan taking into consideration your goals and the tools for overcoming your self-sabotage behavior.
• Taking the action steps that will make your goal a reality.

Opportunity
• Make a list of a very small goal you would like to achieve within a month.

I would love to know your small goal. When I receive your goal I will send you a Daily Action Plan you can use to achieve your goals.

LAND OF ABUNDANCE

I would like to share with you my dream. This morning as I was lying in bed meditating, I saw myself in front of a black door bolted closed. Suddenly the door started to open just a crack; I saw a blue sky with flowers all around and realized this was the Land of Abundance. I tried to open the door and it was bolted shut. Suddenly the door flew open and I ran through it scared to death. When I got on the other side of the door it slammed shut again. I started to dance and thought what a miracle! I am now in the Land of Abundance and receiving many, many gifts.

After having this dream I realized that I am already receiving many gifts and have been living in the Land of Abundance my whole life. Up until six months ago this would be a foreign thought to me, as I was only focusing on the things I didn’t have instead of what I did have. Everyone’s life was better than mine and I was always struggling. In November 2006, I heard a Key Note Speaker say, “Focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have.” this expression changed my life. I started thinking about the things in my life that were gifts: recovery from over and under eating; my health; supportive family and friends; Alife and Alice (my two loving cats); my successful coaching business. Once I started living life from a different perspective, things started changing. I am excited about life, taking risks, not jealous about anyone else’s life and for the first time in my life I can really say, “I love my life.” Some of the tools I use everyday to ensure my thinking stays positive and focused on what I have instead of what I don’t have are:

• At night I think about three things that made me happy during the day.

• Whenever I have a negative thought, STOP and say out loud two positive thoughts. The first positive thought cancels out the negative thought and the second one makes me feel positive.

• If I am going to eat something not on my food plan, ask myself, “Is this the choice I want to make?” and then do something else.

• During the day share with my husband and friends things I am grateful for instead of complaining.

• Give myself ten minutes a day to complain to Alfie and Alice.

Would love to hear about your life and what tools you use to stay positive.