__________________________________________________________________ Making Lives Simpler Practical News and Tips for Living the Life You Truly Desire __________________________________________________________________ June 2000 Volume 4 Issue 3 __________________________________________________________________ IN THIS ISSUE: I. Taking Action II. 5 Quick Tips to Taking Action III. 5 Quick Tips to a Free Tips eBooklet IV. 5 of Their Tips V. References _____________________________________ I. TAKING ACTION Recently, I received the following question from someone who had read one of my past newsletters which they found in the library section on my website. "I read your article on 'abundance and prosperity'," they wrote. "But I have the same question and response as the reader you mentioned (in that) 'philosophy doesn't buy the groceries.' Also, some of us live in an expensive area where if you make one mistake, you are virtually on the street! We have no choice but to work at whatever earns that requisite dollar amount. Any suggestions for us on how to find our true life's calling?" Living abundantly and in prosperity is actually a way of life. Finding one's true calling can be a part of the process to do that, and yes, I do have "suggestions," which are more like self- discovering guidances that can help. These generally involve a number of behavioral and cognitive (thoughts and emotional) shifts that need to be made and this takes time, determination, and effort. In seeking to live in this fashion, one of the most important concepts is not to miss seeing the many abundances and prosperities that present themselves in our lives in subtle ways. Abundance and prosperity does not mean just winning the "Big Game Lottery" of 366 million dollars. (Although I admit, it doesn't seem that that would hurt!) For instance, I suggested to this person to look over some select resources (abundance in the form of guidance), and even secured for them a month of complimentary coaching from one of my mentor coaches (additional abundance of not having a financial outlay). This "jackpot," however, apparently was not big enough, fast enough, nor easy enough. I have not heard back from them. What strikes me about this scenario is how much energy we can expend "complaining" about things in our lives, looking for pre-conceived packaged courses of action, and how to get results as quickly as possible instead of expending some beneficial time and energy toward a viable and successful long-term solution. You know the story about the person who was on the roof of their house as the floodwaters were rising and began to pray for help. The Sheriff came with a jeep and shouted for the person to come down and he'd drive him to safety. The man said no because God would save him. A rowboat arrived but the person again turned down the offer because they knew God would take care of them. A helicopter arrived, but that offer was also turned down for the same reason. The floodwaters continued to rise and eventually the person drowned. When they got to heaven, they asked God why he didn't save them, and God replied, "You didn't see my help. I sent you a jeep, a row boat, and a helicopter, and you turned them all down!" How often do we complain about our situation, have the solution (sometimes more than one), yet don't see it because it is not presented in the way we expect it to be? Now I really do not have any way of knowing if the reader who wrote me has actually begun to take some action to find their true calling or not. I do know that there are many people who will spend their lives complaining instead of taking steps to change and to move forward. And there isn't always a nifty little quick fix to get the things you desire any more than there is a better than a one in 78 million chance of someone handing over 366 million dollars to us! So where will you choose to spend your energy? Will you spend it complaining about your situation, or will you spend it looking for solutions and taking the steps to begin your journey of living abundantly in prosperity? Linda __________________________________ II. 5 QUICK TIPS TO TAKING ACTION 1. List your complaints. Note whether they are general or specific. The more specific you can get, the easier it will be to start challenging them successfully. 2. Break each complaint down to its smallest component by asking yourself enough questions to determine exactly what it really is. For instance, does it have to do with a shortage of time in a particular area of your life, a dislike for a specific task within your job, and the like? 3. Look for small initial steps you can take to start appropriate and effective action. Sometimes it's as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. 4. Celebrate each step you take, and don't judge or complain about your degree of progress. This takes time, determination, and energy. 5. Ask for help and accept it when offered, you don't have to do this alone. Remember, help has probably already been sent! __________________________________ III. THE OFFER STILL STANDS In my last two newsletters, I offered the first edition of my tips eBooklet "101 Tips to Simplify Your Life" (a $5.00 value) at a nominal cost of just $1.00 as my gift to you for your support of my work over the years. You can still take advantage of this offer through the month of June. Here's how to get your copy today: 1. Prepare a self-addressed business size (number 10) envelope with a 33-cent U.S. Stamp. (For orders outside the United States, note postage inclusion in Tip 2.) 2. For U.S. orders, please include $1.00 for taxes and handling. For international orders, please include $2.00 U.S. to cover postage, taxes and handling. Make checks or money orders payable to "Simplify Life." 3. Mail to: Simplify Life, PO Box 1480, Poway, CA USA 92074. 4. Order soon as the offer is good only while supplies last. 5. Sorry, Simplify Life cannot be held responsible for lost or misdirected mail or cash lost in the mail. ______________________________________ IV. 5 OF THEIR TIPS 1. "There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen." - Wayne Dyer 2. "...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was greater than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin 3. "Don't be afraid your life will end," "Be afraid that it will never begin." - Grace Hansen 4. "First you jump off the cliff and you build wings on the way down." - Ray Bradbury 5. "The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings." -Dave Weinbaum _________________________________________ REFERENCES To find more resources or to order these go to http://www.simplifylife.com/reference.html I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher (Reading Room 3 - Decide What You Want Your Life to Look Like http://www.simplifylife.com/stratgy3.html ) A life without direction is a life without passion. This dynamic follow-up to Wishcraft, guides you, not to another unsatisfying job, but to a richly rewarding career rooted in your heart's desire. This life-changing sourcebook reveals how you can recapture "long lost" goals, overcome the blocks that inhibit your success, decide what you want to be, and live your dreams forever! Transitions by William Bridges (Reading Room 5 - Create A Life Changing Plan http://www.simplifylife.com/stratgy5.html) Strategies for coping with the difficult, painful and confusing times in your life - whether switching jobs or moving houses, leaving school or retiring, changes bring both opportunities and turmoil. Most of us struggle through such periods. This classic book shows how making a successful transition lets you recognize and seize new opportunities. _________________________________________ MORE ABOUT "MAKING LIVES SIMPLER" Linda Manassee Buell is a full-time Personal and Business Coach, and author of the audio tape, "Simplify Your Life, 7 Simple Strategies for Doing What You Love to Do." She has also recently revised her helpful eBooklet, "Simplify Your Life: 101 Ways to Create the Life You'll Love." To order your personal copy by check or credit card, just go to http://www.simplifylife.com and click on Shop the Store. Anyone is welcome to subscribe to "Making Lives Simpler." To subscribe or un-subscribe, send an e-mail to requests@lists.webvalence.com with "subscribe MakingLivesSimpler" or "unsubscribe MakingLivesSimpler" as the subject. (Be sure there aren't any spaces between the words MakingLivesSimpler.) This mailing list is confidential and will not be sold, traded, or bartered. Linda's e-mail address: Linda@simplifylife.com Linda's Website: http://www.simplifylife.com "Making Lives Simpler" (c) 2000 Simplify Life All Rights Reserved