IN THIS ISSUE:

I. Being Simply Nice
II. 5 Quick Tips
III. Their Quotes
IV. References
V. VRSelfHelp.com Free Resource

I. Being Simply Nice

When my best friend refers to us, she calls me "the nice one." In reality, I don't actually think of myself as "the nice one." In fact, during my corporate days, there were some who referred to me as "The Barracuda." I do know I sure have come a long long way since I left the corporate world. I'm incredibly more relaxed, calm and certainly happier all around. (Thanks in a large part to being on the path of "simplifying my life!")

Over the last nine years, I have coached hundreds of people from around the world, written this e-newsletter to thousands more, been invited to speak to numerous groups, and have appeared in many media interviews. I touch people's lives everyday in ways I'll not always know. I also get lots of emails with requests for information, free help, free coaching and free resources. Sometimes it may take me awhile to answer, but I do try. I at least want to help point people in the direction of a resource that I think could have value for them. If they are writing to tell me they enjoyed something from my work, I always make an effort to write them back and personally thank them for taking the time to write me. I'm sincerely honored that people may be touched or changed in some way by something I wrote, said or did. I also know that most of the time, I'll never really know the impact I've had.

Recently, I had the incredible experience of hearing from not one, but two different people that I talked with a few years ago. One I must admit, I don't remember at all. However, I was blown away that they both took the time to write and share how something I said and did many years ago affected their lives.

Merry Kahn first called me in November 2002 and was interested in being coached. She knew she wanted to make some changes in her life, but didn't exactly know what she wanted. She wasn't happy and also didn't realize just how unhappy she had been until she got more involved in the coaching process.

I spent some time with her on the phone and then decided that the best coaching match for her was actually with a good coach friend of mine. They started coaching and some amazing changes started taking shape for Merry. Here are some excerpts from her recent email:

"As you may recall, I have an intense interest in marine mammals. The past two summers I've been testing the waters, so to speak, volunteering with a marine mammal organization in Bar Harbor, Maine. They've been a perfect match for me welcoming me with open arms and including me in nearly every aspect of their work. I decided that this is the part of the country I want to move to and work either with marine animals or with an environmental endeavor.

Last week, as my youngest daughter graduated from high school, I completed my 25th year as school librarian in Iowa. I've spent this past year getting a divorce, preparing for my move to Maine, and looking for employment there although a career change for a 50-year-old woman seemed more than a bit scary.

Well, yesterday I was offered a position in development with Friends of Acadia, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Acadia National Park! The office is in downtown Bar Harbor about a block from the ocean!!!

So on June 20th the moving van will load my things, and on June 21st I will be heading east! The summer solstice seems a perfect time to begin a new phase of my life, don't you think?

I know that this is happening, but it is nearly beyond belief. If you hadn't referred me to David, I would surely be stuck in this town and in this job for the rest of my life. Instead, I've met the most incredible people, reconnected with nature and am moving to the ocean to immerse myself in environmental causes!

Thank you, Linda. Thank you so very much!
Warmly, Merry"

Then there was this from Matt Moody:

"Years ago, I wrote you and you were kind enough to take the time to respond. How SIMPLY NICE of you! Back then, I told you I was writing a book on simplicity, and you encouraged me that I could make it REAL, my hopeful vision.  THANKS so much for that simple, thoughtful act.

"Anyway, I DID write a book, but it's not primarily about simplicity. It is primarily about CHANGE, but it does have a section about simplicity versus complexity.  Thanks again for your simple, kind encouragement, You REALLY walked your talk! - Matt "

(The simplicity excerpt Matt speaks of from his book is in this issue's "Reference" section below.)

My husband makes it a point to be friendly to sales personnel wherever we go actually to the point of making them genuinely smile and laugh. I often wonder what positive impacts he must make in their lives during those brief moments?

Letting someone go ahead of you in the grocery line when they only have one item and you have a basket full, letting a car next to you make a last minute lane change versus speeding up to keep them from coming over, putting your neighbor's paper next to his/her front door, a smile - there are so many simple ways to be "Simply Nice."

You'll probably never know how you "made someone's day" or even changed his/her life.. It really doesn't matter. What matters is that you did. And the good feeling of living the Simply Nice life is pretty nice too!

Warmly,

Linda

II. 5 QUICK TIPS

1. Being Simply Nice is not the same as doing everything for everyone. You still need to be clear on your boundaries and know how and when to say "no."

2. Being Simply Nice is something you do because you "can" - not because you "should."

3. Get in the habit of observing others who may be experiencing a difficulty. Ask yourself, "If I were in their place, what action would be simply nice for me?" Just be careful to be considerate and don't intrude.

4. Do one nice thing each day that puts a smile on someone else's face. In any kind of check out line, in traffic situations, in your neighborhood, and in your own family. There are opportunities everywhere.

5. Don't look for or expect big expressions of gratitude for your nice actions. In most cases, they'll happen quite nicely on their own! And it's okay to feel good inside without letting anyone else notice!

III. THEIR QUOTES

"The ocean is made of drops."
- Mother Teresa
Source: The New Beacon Book of Quotations by Women

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Source: Bits and Pieces

"When you choose to give to others, your generosity must be unconditional."
- John Gray
Source: Handbook for the Soul edited by Richard Carlson

IV. REFERENCES

Simply Living from "Changing Your Stripes"
by Matt Moody

Agendas to push, reputations to prove
always on the go . . . busy, hurried, harried.
There is another way to live, there can be calm and flowing ease
where layers of complexity peel away, . . . the pace relaxes.
For there is no other place to be but . . . Here
and no other time to live but . . . Now.
There is nothing more important
than savoring the moment
with the ones we love.
Living Simply, . . . Simply Living!

To find out more about Matt's book go to:
http://www.calldrmatt.com/AboutBook.htm

To find more resources, go to:
http://www.simplifylife.com/reference.html

V. VRSELFHELP.COM FREE RESOURCES

Connecting Physical, Mental Health, and Wellness Education with compatible self-help products and programs to help you create your complete personal growth and wellness plan.

Here are some FREE resources you might find helpful:

From the Products Area:

The Sedona Method
Find out how the Sedona Method can make positive changes in your life! Plus, get your FREE 2-hour Live Sedona Method Seminar DVD, FREE introductory CD or Tape and FREE Sedona Method online magazine!

From the Educational Articles Area:

"Ten Steps To Wellness" by Eva A. Wood, MD. Award-winning author of the new book Medicine, Mind and Meaning

MORE ABOUT "MAKING LIVES SIMPLER"

Linda Manassee Buell is a full-time Personal and Business Coach, and author of the tips eBooklet, "Simplify Your Life, 101 Ways to Create the Life You Love," the audiotape, "Simplify Your Life, 7 Simple Strategies for Doing What You Love to Do," the revised edition of the workbook, "Simplify Your Life: A Journey of Personal Discovery," and her latest book, "Panic and Anxiety Disorder, 121 Tips, Real-life Advice, Resources & More." She is also the President and Executive Director of The Virtual Reality Self-Help Center, vrselfhelp.com, an Internet- based resource center for mental well-being.

To order your personal copy of any of the above by check or credit card, just go to http://simplifylife.com and click on "Shop the Store."

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