Issue # 35 January 2006

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month your
Innocent, Magical, Playful inner child.

You're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it,
you're a member of "The Imp Community" online, or a friend
passed it on. Sign up or unsubscribe at the end.

A special welcome to new subscribers! Earlier editions are
archived: http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/archives/

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1. Feature Article: Let's Play!
2. Coaching Q&A: I Feel Like I've Been Robbed!
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: Let's Play!

The words I hear from "The Imp", more than any others, are, "Let's
Play!" So when I heard that Saturday, April 1st, has been
designated Planetary Play Day, I jumped at the chance to chair
the local committee. Planetary Play Day is the "Noble Purpose
Project" of Unity Churches for 2006.

You may not have a Unity Church in your community, but you can
still plan to play on Planetary Play Day. Check out
http://www.planetaryplay.org

One quote from the website:
"Planetary Play is about having a wonder and reverence for life in all
it’s fullness! To be a planetary citizen, to play full out in the
kingdom! To travel light and free, with the beginners mind, the
flexible soul and the open heart of a holy fool!"

Here are some ideas our committee came up with at our first meeting:

Meet two clowns as you come into the Shopping Mall and spend a few
minutes playing hopscotch with them... (The Comox Valley has a
wonderful Clown Club.)

Meet in a Church Hall for a few hours of Cooperative Games.
Check out http://www.familypastimes.com
I discovered Jim Deacove's cooperative games over 20 years ago and
love them!

Hippety-hop down the main street and invite others to join you for
a short distance...

Include people of all ages in a crafts activity making things from
recycled materials...

Invite local musicians to sing their funniest songs and include lots
of audience participation...

Get local media involved.

I wrote an article on play for the July 2004 issue of this newsletter.
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/archives/

There are also Play! pages online for members of The Imp Community.
You automatically become a member of The Imp Community when you
purchase The Imp Journal.
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/order-journal.htm
For members, there are lots of online resources and bonuses.

The sentiment at Christmas is that we should carry the feelings of
peace and goodwill all year long. The Imp has the same sentiment
about play. "Oh, Intrepid, Moonglow Participles!", he pipes up,
"Play all year long!"

It's really a light-hearted attitude. How easily does your Innocent,
Magical, Playful inner child come out? Banter, repartee, play on words,
laughing while performing chores.

Lots of play on words between myself and my new husband of one and
a half years. You can guess the innuendo. If I mention the word here,
s-p-am filters would block you getting this newsletter. Often we
spontaneously start dancing (and singing) in the kitchen.

When is the last time you hippety-hopped? A few years ago, my
friend Ann and I often did on our way back to the car after choir
practice.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to play we go...

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2. Coaching Q&A: I Feel Like I've Been Robbed!

"I feel like I've been robbed! My dream of becoming an author has
been snatched from me because of illness. How can I reclaim it?"

As I mentioned in last month's issue, there are a number of barriers
for women who want to live their dream. As I interviewed women during
the past month, another barrier became identified.

Health challenges.

In the eBook I'm writing, I'm now including a chapter "Illness,
the Biggest Dream Stealer: Getting Well, Staying Well."

What originally made this chapter a real challenge for me was the
fact that I'm exceptionally healthy! So how do I identify with
those who are ill?

Have you ever called a cold a blessing? Well, I'm just at the end of
a dilly of a cold that has lasted over two weeks. (The last cold I
remember having was in 1995!) I asked myself, when I was utterly
drained of energy and had coughed all night, "What positive things
can I still manage to do to keep my dream alive?"

It's a first rough draft, but here are some excerpts from my Ebook:

During times of low energy, focus on your state of 'being' rather
than 'doing'. This chapter suggests activities with a passive
focus. The other chapters have an active 'doing' focus.

1. Be an Observer. Monitor your own thoughts and make positive changes.
Bring yourself up with empowering questions. What you focus on
is what you get! So... "What am I proud of in my life right
now?" "What am I grateful for?"

2. Have a few positive things about yourself, things you are proud of,
written down so that you can reread them at these low times. When you
catch negative thougths, refocus on your list of things you like about
yourself.
3. In your mind, live your dream - every detail. There is a story
of a prisoner of war who, for seven years, every day in his mind,
played a round of golf imagining every detail.

3. Meditate to achieve a state of serenity.

4. What music stirs your soul? Listen to it.

5.Listen to motivational tapes or CDs. There are excellent ones
available from
http://www.learningstrategies.com
http://www.nightingale.com

'Think Right Now' audio programs teach you actual thought processes,
attitudes and beliefs of people who are already the best at a number of
things. You can access them through my link at:
http://www.StartingLifeOver.com/-think-right-now.htm

6. In an earlier chapter, I suggest Keeping a "Living My Dream" journal.
Create a section called "Encouragement Pages". Describe your successes,
list your strong points. Write yourself a letter of congratulations that
you have the courage and self-love to live your grand dream.
Include affirmations. Add to this section when you are 'up'.

READ THIS SECTION when you have no energy, have hit a slump, run into
obstacles or had a downer of a day.

Getting well: Take responsibility for your own healing. That means
not relying on an MD (in my view, a disease management specialist)
or on drugs (your body does not have a drug deficiency). The best
source I found to really understand how illness is created and how
to stay well, is Ron Garner's book, The 4 Keys to a Long Life.

Two of the most important facts Garner states are that the body's
acid-alkaline balance is critical and that we need to remove the
load of toxins we carry.
His website is http://www.hopeforhealth.com
(This book is NOT available yet through Amazon.)

I need your help with my Ebook.

I wish to interview more women who feel that their life's dream is
out of reach. My Ebook will address how to get past the barriers.
I have a questionnaire for you to complete and then, for some, a
telephone interview. As well, I may ask you to review a chapter
after it is written to provide me with specific feedback. Each
woman who participates will receive a free copy of the Ebook when
it is completed.

Email me,

What challenges are you facing on your journey to greater self-
empowerment? When your question is used in this column, you'll
receive a complimentary 40-minute coaching session by phone or
a set of whimsical imp notecards.

Client names are changed to protect identity and maintain
confidentiality. Go ahead! Send your questions to:

Your question will be answered promptly.
No waiting until the next newsletter.

Do you really have what it takes to live a life of Inspiration,
Magic and Passion? To find out, take The Imp's Quick Quiz and
apply for a complimentary 40 minute phone consultation.
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/quick-quiz/

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3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

In your inbox tomorrow, look for a message from "The Imp" about
a special offer by Shirley Cheng, one of our subscribers. Shirley
is a modern day 'Helen Keller,' who has triumphed over many
tribulations. Let her inspire you!

The Imp is off exploring India with my webmaster, Alan. Alan left
earlier this month for his first vacation in six years. He took Imp
game cards with him.

"Yahoo!" says new subscriber, Karen M. of Boulder Creek, California.
Karen is the first win-ner of a "Live a Life of Inspiration, Magic
and Passion" totebag.

Karen continues, "I would love a tote bag; that's what I carry
groceries in." She adds," People today need as much encouragement and
inspiration as we can get. The Imp Journal fills an important need."

There are 3 ways to w-i-n a "Live a Life of Inspiration, Magic and
Passion" tote bag.

1. Request game cards and mark your location on The Imp's guest
map. It's fun! There's only one rule to this game - don't get
caught doing it!
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/where-in-world.htm

2. During your first month as a new subscriber.

3. When you become a member of "The Imp Community" online,
which happens automatically when you purchase The Imp Journal:
Guided Journal Writing for Personal Empowerment, Vol.1
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/order-journal.htm

Did you know The Imp Journal provides a step-by-step plan for
personal growth with 23 weekly themes? And online bonuses!

For the past few years I've given away "Imagine Magnificent
Possibilities" t-shirts. I have a few left in Sizes XL and S, plus
a few for small children sizes 2, 3 and 6X.
To clear them out, you can have one at $10CDN plus postage. That's
below my cost. Contact me if you are interested.

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4.Inspirational Message to Ponder
The Imp encourages you to write the quote on a card, read it
regularly,and then journal about your thoughts, insights,
feelings and, especially, actions.

"We do not cease to play because we grow old, we grow old because
we cease to play." George Bernard Shaw

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I mention a lot of great books. Should you choose to purchase any
through Amazon, I'd appreciate you going through my affiliate
program. Thanks! http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/gotoAmazon

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