Good. Better. Best. Which self do you want to be?

The 3-Minute Coach

January 8, 2001, Issue #12
Using Themes

Welcome to The 3-Minute Coach

Welcome friends, old and new.

I hope that your holidays were filled with love, happiness, family and friends. Now that they're behind us, it's time to move forward in creating the life we want. This week's feature article is on using 'Themes' to do just that.

Have a joy-full two weeks!

Louise

Food for Thought

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." --- Will Rogers

Keep It Simple

Out of Sight, Not Necessarily Out of Mind

When we talk about clutter, we are usually talking about the clutter that we can see: the piles of paper, the messy counter tops, clothes strewn on furniture. Very often, the way we deal with that clutter is to put it inside something: boxes, closets, and drawers. Or we move it to the far corners of our universe: the garage, the attic or the basement.

Even though we can't see it anymore, however, that clutter is still affecting us. Although much subtler, it eats at our well being as surely as the messy desk or kitchen does. This is a great time of year to begin The Great Clean Up and get rid of the 'neat' clutter in your home. Here are some suggestions:

Open all drawers. If it's holiday-specific and you haven't used it in 13 months, get rid of it. If it's not holiday-specific and you haven't used it in 6 months, it's probably safe to get rid of.
Look in the top of all kitchen cabinets. We tend to put things up there we seldom use. The question is do we ever use them?
Go through cleaning supplies. I found 3 bottles of wood floor cleaner that were useful in our old home, but we've been living in a fully carpeted place for almost two years now!
Look in your linen closet. Are there towels, sheets, and tablecloths you never use? How about those doilies your Aunt made? Now's the time to let them go.
Books and Videos: Instead of buying more cases to hold them, decide on the number of cases you want and stick to that number. This is probably a good time to get rid of all those 'short-interest' books and videos.
Games and Puzzles. We had a ton of these that we haven't touched in years. These are wonderful items to pass on to someone who will enjoy them.
Look under the sink in your kitchen and bathroom. Where does all that stuff come from?
Go through all your toiletries. Keep only the items you use on a regular basis.
Appliances and other gadgets. I must admit, I'm an infomercial junkie. And some of the appliances we own really do make our lives simpler. For a long time, I would hang on to the ones that didn't live up to their promises because of the money I'd spent on them. Now I give them two tries. If they don't work, I get rid of them right away. [One day, I will find a steamer that really works!]
I'm sure you have the idea by now. Look in all those secret places in your home. You will feel refreshed, rejuvenated and free!

Feature Article

Using Themes To Propel You Into The Life You Want

The beginning of a new year is a time when many of us make resolutions for the future. Unfortunately, most of these are based on shoulds and therefore very seldom get realized. Yet, for a short time each year, we dig those old chestnuts out of the closet: exercise regularly, lose weight, quit smoking, complete something that's been hanging on, etc. For a few days or weeks, we actually find some motivation and work on those items. But, with a very few exceptions, we soon forget all our newfound focus and motivation and we hide them away for another year.

For 2001, I am not making resolutions, but am selecting a theme for the year instead. A theme as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern. Selecting a theme is a way of looking forward to the future, but at a higher level than most goals tend to be. It gives a focus to my personal development, but allows for more freedom in expressing and realizing that focus.

Some examples of themes are: Extreme Self Care, Effortless Living, Living "In" Integrity, Financial Independence, Completing the Past, Get it Done in 2001, A Perfect Year, Go For the Gold, Simple Pleasures, One with Spirit, Nurturing Network, Bolstering Beliefs, Match Made in Heaven, Looking Good & Feeling Fine, Integrity is Job One, Excelling at Excellence, and Dreams into Reality.

These examples are items that I'd like to create or enhance in my life, but I hope they give you a feel for creating themes of your own. As you can see, they are larger and more comprehensive than specific goals. I'm not sure I can express it as well as I'd like, but for me a theme lifts me up and carries me along. It sings to my soul and pulls me forward. Goals very often feel more like I'm being pushed, and the energy just isn't the same. I find I have more success by focusing on the bigger theme or feeling I'd like to create than by narrowing my scope to a few detailed goals.

Once you select a theme, write it down and post it in as many places as possible. Some good places are in the bathroom, the kitchen, on your computer, or any place that you know you will see often. The more often you see and 'read' the theme, the more cemented it gets in your unconscious. You definitely want to post it at work as well, since you spend so much time there. If you are not comfortable posting your personal theme where anyone could see it, I recommend finding an object (a stone, crystal, candle, picture, anything you might normally see on a desk) and 'anchoring' the theme to it. Just spend a few moments holding the object and reflecting on your theme. That way, every time you see the object, you will think of your theme, but no one else will comment on it.

You will find that working with your theme becomes effortless. The stronger your focus and intention to create your theme, the more you will find yourself making the choices that support it. For example, if your theme is Extreme Self Care or Fit as a Fiddle, or some other health-related theme, you will find that you start taking the actions that you intuitively know are intrinsic to being healthy: you remember to take your pills, you eat foods that nurture you, you take the stairs instead of the elevator, you make it to the gym, you park as far from the door as possible, you get the rest you need, you schedule appointments with the appropriate medical professionals... the list is endless. We all know what's involved with getting and staying healthy, yet we often don't do it. Staying tuned in to your theme, the end result, helps pull you towards that goal effortlessly. These actions no longer feel like have-to's. They become want to's.

You may find that you have a number of themes you'd like to work on and aren't willing to wait a year to work on the next one. If that's the case, I would recommend identifying your top 3 or 4 themes and then rotating them. Work on the first one for one or two months, then switch your focus to the second theme. The momentum you build by actively focusing on one area for 30 or 60 days should keep the first one going while you start to work on the second one.

Related Quotes

" 'Where there is a will there is a way,' is an old and true saying. He who resolves upon doing a thing, by that very resolution often scales the barriers to it, and secures its achievement. To think we are able, is almost to be so - to determine upon attainment is frequently attainment itself." -- Samuel Smiles

"To a resolute mind, wishing to do is the first step toward doing. But if we do not wish to do a thing it becomes impossible." - South "You will find that the mere resolve not to be useless, and the honest desire to help other people, will, in the quickest and delicatest ways, improve yourself." -- John Ruskin

"Quarrel not at all. No man resolved to make the most of himself can spare time for personal contention." -- Abraham Lincoln

"His resolve is not to seem, but to be, the best." -- Aeschylus

The Welcome Mat Guest Column:

Holiday Shopping Theme Suggestions
by ellen o'brien

Although it may be a little early for some of you to consider Christmas 2001, selecting a theme for your holiday shopping adds a zest to the experience for you as well as the recipients. By starting to think about it now, it gives you the opportunity to find the perfect gifts in line with your theme. Who knows, it might even help you be done shopping so early in the year that there's no stress next December!

THE FIVE SENSES (things you taste, smell, touch...)
TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT [things associated with sleep (PJs, robes, slippers, relaxation therapy) or a good night out (evening bags, cufflinks, shawls, dinner gift certificate)]
SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY (colognes, perfumes and practical stuff) -all that glitters (jewelry or gifts that sparkle)
READ ALL ABOUT IT (books, books on tape, magazine subscriptions)
A MATTER OF TIME (watches, clocks, timepieces, calendars)
THE WRITE STUFF (pens, stationery, journals)
DON'T SWEAT IT (casual, dress-down sweats, running shoes, or items to help keep you cool in the summer)
BE A GOOD SPORT (equipment, accessories associated with sports people play)
MY FAVORITE THINGS (what people especially like)
THE PLAY'S THE THING (theatre tickets, or games/toys)
EBONY AND IVORY (all gifts are black and/or white)
IN THE SPIRIT (wine, aperitifs, martini glasses/fixing's and/or matters of spirit)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT (inspirational books, tapes, miscellaneous and specialty/exotic foods)
IT'S ELECTRIC! (any thing electronic, including batteries)
A TISKET, A TASKET (individual, personalized gift baskets containing small favorites)
PICTURE THIS! (picture frames, camera/equipment, throw away cameras, photo albums, a family portrait in a studio)

Louise Hay Power Card of the Week

Louise L. Hay is a metaphysical teacher and the best-selling author of 27 books, including "You Can Heal Your Life" and "Empowering Women". She has recently created a set of 64 Power Thought Cards, with beautifully illustrated affirmations. Each newsletter, I will share one of these wonderful thoughts.

Power Card:	I am safe in the Universe, and all life loves and supports me.
Affirmation:	I breathe in the fullness and richness of life. I observe with joy as life abundantly supports me and supplies me with more good than I can imagine.

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