Twas two days after Christmas
and all through the house
Not a person was noticed
Not even a mouse

The children had gone to the mall
with their mom
and dad had just finished
his last bottle of Tums

When what to my wandering eye
should appear
but a really close neighbour
with some bottles of beer

Now I knew at the time
that I had to think quick
I had missed the mall trip
Saying I was "too sick."

So, with a wink and a nod
I knew what to do
Sent him home with his drinks
And waited for you....

That was the story I
relayed to my spouse
when she returned from the mall
And found me in the house.

The kids sat beside me
my wife smiled bright
and I knew by their smiles
My decision was right....

Jan

To all my friends, colleagues and family,

This is a poem I wrote a few years ago. It is still appropriate.
Blessings for the season. May 2006 be full of all that you wish.
Jan

Hi God, It's me Jen
I've come to talk to you again
about this guy Santa Claus
Does Santa know that I exist?
I left him notes and wishes last year
but he never seems to make it here.
I really need to know because...
mom says Christmas time is near.
I see mom crying when she thinks I can't
She says Santa is busy and has no extra hands
to help him with his visits our way
Could you spare an elf for just one day?
I've been good all year
at least I've tried
unless you count the time I lied

I don't want much
As you will see
to put under our Christmas tree
perhaps a doll for me to keep
and tuck her in when it's time to sleep
And, for my mom, a pair of gloves
and fill each finger full of love
So, God, if you're listening
from heaven above
Please help mom have a Christmas full of love.

Merry Christmas all.
Jan

Merriam and Webster most looked up word for 2005?

Integrity....

What does integrity mean to you?
Integrity, according to the dictionary, is defined as "having steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code." Another definition is "the quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness."
So why is this word the one most sought after this year?
Could it be that the world is seeming out of integrity?
Or perhaps there is so much integrity in the world: that's another perspective to consider.
In the coaching world, one of the first things we do with people who want to dream their dreams higher is to have them do an exercise in finding their true values.
Integrity is often one of the top three people eventually come up with. It becomes apparent as the exercise moves forth that integrity is a core value most of the time.
People want to think that they are living with the "condition of being whole or undivided; complete" as the definition states.
What is also true is that they often find they are not. In some part of their lives they have compromised their value of integrity.
Wanting to spend more time with your family means you can't be at work as long which means you aren't doing your job to your,or someone else's, satisfaction....out of integrity.
Wanting to travel more means less money to pay down the bills. Just add it onto the credit card for the next month. Problem with that is if it's important to you to not be indebted financially....out of integrity.
Have a desire to work out more? Problem is it's too cold, hot, rainy, snowy, late, early or just plain hard. You know it's important for your health but geez there are so many problems....out of integrity.
Want to declutter your home,office, workspace? You know it would make things easier to find and you would work more efficiently but.....out of integrity again.
Relationships, family, work, play, spiritual commitments, world peace: whatever the issue you think it should be better...if only.....
Perhaps this is why the word integrity is the word most looked up. Perhaps people are searching for integrity in their lives and seeking it wherever they are able:even in the dictionary.
What would it look like to you to live with integrity?
How would it feel to wake up each day knowing you were living the truth of that value?
Imagine the possibilities that live within a life of integrity!

What calls you forth to live this life?
What holds you back?
What rewards do you give yourSELF for not living your life in integrity, in completeness, in wholeness?
What rewards would you receive if you accepted the value of integrity into your life?
Working with a coach will enable you to uncover your true values so that you may begin to live a life of integrity.
What's stopping you?
If you would like to experience the benefits of living your values please contact me directly. We will set up a complimentary discovery session so that you may begin the process.

Dream your dreams higher.

Living la vida fearless,

Janet Auty-Carlisle
www.tobeyourbest.net

Twenty five years ago today the world cried when it was announced that John Lennon had been shot and killed outside his New York apartment. It's hard to believe that it has been twenty five years already. This was a man whose musical genius surpassed so many even at his young age. As I write this I am sitting and listening to his great song, "Imagine." How profound..."imagine there's no country...it isn't hard to do....nothing to kill or die for.....and no religion too....Imagine all the people, living life in peace....you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us. And the world will be as one...." from the song..
Wouldn't it be great if this were the truth of the world? Why do people find it so hard to reach out to one another? People call me a dreamer too but, I have to tell you, that's ok with me. In fact it's more than ok it's GREAT...I would be lost without my dreams.
Dream your dreams higher. Why settle? Why let somebody else create your dreams for you? Be your own dreamer.
That's what I love about coaching. It's all about dreaming your dreams higher. Not settling. You're a long time dead....dream now and watch them come true. Create them and visualize them and believe in them. Oh the life you will have if you allow this to happen. It will be breathless and joyFULL and fearless.....
Want a coach? Not sure what coaching is? Gotta tell you I didn't know much about coaching until a couple of years ago. What I did know was that the people who were coaches were doing some pretty amazing things. Then I started thinking...if the whole world was full of people living like this....WOW!
From that realization came the stepping into and being of my coaching practise. Haven't looked back since.
John Lennon was truly an eternal optimist, a gifted musician, a realist, a philosopher and, in his own way, a great coach.
Blessings John. You are missed.
Want a complimentary session? Send me a note and we'll take it from there.
Living la vida fearless,
Jan
www.tobeyourbest.net

I never did experience the thrill of graduating from university. Although I was offered a scholarship for law school I chose a differnt path and turned it down. I took marketing courses at college and eventually began working at a large financial institution in a totally unrelated field.
Would I change the path? No way. Would I recommend higher education. Absolutely. It doesn't have to be at a university, it could be a hands on apprenticeship, a trade, a technical college, a co-op program.
Higher learning just keeps the brain working, even when you get to be my age. (three months short of 50.) In fact, especially when you reach my age. Some of those young brain cells seem to have taken a permanent vacation so it's good to try and bring them back again.
Apparently the human brain is capable of much more than we ever request of it.....
So, I went back to school recently. To coaching school to be exact. It's called Coach Training Institute. The program consists of 5 modules which are each covered over an intense three day weekend.
Training in this manner is very experiential and very intense. It was tiring, exhausting and so life changing.
This past weekend was graduation! Wahoo! We worked really hard, 22 in the final class, and our instructors. We laughed and cried and dug deep to do some really life changing coaching. Can't wait to put this to work with my own coachees....
The graduation was a bittersweet moment. Happiness at being finished this leg of the journey was overshadowed, at times, by the knowledge that this would be the last time we would all converge on the city as a group.
So what's next? Certification, which means more classes and study and homework...and you know what? That's really ok with me.

Living la vida fearless, Jan

Dream your dreams higher! Complimentary coaching sessions offered. Coaching is work, it is messy and it is life changing! I promise you you will never be the same once you begin the coaching journey. Fearless Living Coaching Services