A Few of My Favorite Finds in 2008

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As the end of the calendar year quickly approaches, I've been thinking a great deal about how grateful I am for all the supportive people in my life and all the great organizations I've come to know in 2008.

And since one of my New Year's resolutions is to express my gratitude more freely, I'd like to take a moment to give thanks to a number of people and places that have changed my life for the better in the past year.  In no particular order, I'm grateful for:

• Toastmaster's International - An organization that helps people transform their lives by improving their speaking skills. There was a time when I dodged all kinds of career opportunities - including coaching - because they required me to open my mouth and speak intelligibly. While I'm still no Barack Obama, I've come a long way in the past year and no longer freeze up when asked to speak on a subject spontaneously, thanks to my friends at the Shaker Toastmasters group: http://shaker.freetoasthost.ws/ By the way, please feel free to join us at our meetings every Thursday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at Phoenix University on Enterprise Parkway in Beachwood.
  
• The Atma Center  http://www.atmacenter.com - This internationally renowned yoga center, which is located only a block and a half from our home, has been a sanctuary for my husband and me for more than three years. But in this past year, I've been attending this great class called Stress Buster, which provides me with the tools for taking yoga and meditation off the mat. And boy what a difference that's made in my life! I've learned to integrate many of these tools we learn in class into my life whether I'm talking with a client or find myself in a difficult situation or just want to find a way to relax at the end of the day.  Need I say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?
  
• COSE http://www.COSE.org - If you're already on this website, you're probably familiar with COSE. But if not, let me just tell you that this organization for small business owners has provided me with some amazing networking and educational opportunities this year, including a Small Business Conference that blew me away. One of COSE's member benefits is this interactive website you are on now. The site offers some great resources for small business owners who want to grow their business and for those who want to showcase their expertise as "experts."
  
• Dee Wolk - Several months ago, I began a doctor-approved and recommended weight loss program that Dee created many years ago. And it's absolutely fabulous! You'll notice that I didn't call it a diet. That's because the program isn't about restricting what I eat. It's about changing my relationship with food and only allowing food to pass through my lips when my body tells me it's hungry. It's about tuning into how my body feels rather than stuffing myself with food when I'm bored or sad or angry or frustrated or a delicious plate of brownies passes by. What I love about this new way of eating is that no one's dictating what I should or shouldn't eat. And I don't need to record points or calories, not to mention every last spoonful of salad dressing I drizzle over my greens. There are no diet shakes or frozen diet meals to consume. I can basically eat whatever I want. While eating healthy whole food is recommended, if I have a craving for a piece of chocolate or a dish of ice cream, I can have it, as long as my body is hungry and as long as I stop before there's any fullness in my belly. If you'd like to learn more about this program while your New Year's Resolution to lose weight is still fresh in your mind, visit http://www.thinneryou.com. Or feel free to email me at ebrown@wellnessjourneys.com and I'd be happy to tell you all about it.

This is just the short list of the people and places for which I'm grateful this year. To everyone who has inspired me and believed in me and supported me this year, thank you so much!

And now I'd like to ask you a few questions. What people and organizations are you most grateful for, and why? And how can you express your appreciation for these people and places, knowing that gratitude is a gift that keeps on giving?

I'd love to hear your comments on the topic. Please feel free to email me at ebrown@wellnessjourneys.com.

To sign up for my e-newsletter or take the Coaching Quiz and see if you're ready for coaching, visit my website: http://www.wellnessjourneys.com

Ellen H. Brown

Wellness Coach and Life Coach

Wellness Journeys: A Holistic Approach to Coaching 

Copyright 2008 Ellen H. Brown

http://www.wellnessjourneys.com