============================================================

Can you think of a time when you were bound and determined to do
something "come hell or high water"?

Nothing was going to stop you! In your heart of hearts, there was
a strong calling.

I grew up in a small isolated coastal community. As a child the
only access was by boat. By the time I was in my teens there was
a road and ferry system to the outside world.

One Spring my older sister came home for the Easter holidays. She
was an elementary teacher in the "big city". Dad was going to
drive her back. I got up early, packed a bag and went and sat in
the car. Come hell or high water I was going to go with them!
Nothing could budge me from that vehicle. And since there was a
ferry to catch, they didn't have time for a struggle.

Those few days in the city did me a world of good! I needed a
break. My world became a little larger.

Fast forward to the days I was a wife and mother to two children
(who were about 8 and 10 at the time). We were at the dinner table
with the 6 o'clock news on TV. At the end of the news was a brief
story about an outdoor education centre. I was a part-time
'teacher on call' but I had next to no experience with outdoor
pursuits. Yet something tugged at my heartstrings.  I so wanted
to go there!

I got information about it - the Strathcona Park Lodge Outdoor
Education Centre - and attended a 3-day weekend conference about
educational alternatives. I fell in love with the place and was
in tears when it was time to leave.

Come hell or high water, I knew I had to return. I looked through
their calendar of summer courses. Gulp! Backpack up mountains?
Canoe whitewater?

Then I found a course about group dynamics in an outdoor setting.
Whew! I was a group facilitator so that was a course I could take.

Little did I know that during that week I would be backpacking
up a mountain and taking a canoe lesson!

Again, whatever the inner urging was, it was calling me to expand
my world. In subsequent summers, I went on to take  courses in
Wilderness Survival and Wilderness Photography plus a 6-day back-
packing trip on Nootka Island. For 4 summers I was able, briefly,
to just be myself and drop the roles of "wife" and "mother".

The third significant "come hell or high water" experience was in
1993 shortly after my life came crashing down around me and I'd
left my job on a medical leave due to stress.

I happened to pick up a brochure for Hollyhock, an educational
retreat centre. As I thumbed through it, I found most of the
courses held little appeal for me. Suddenly, I was grabbed by one
that was utterly compelling!

Jean Houston (I'd never heard of her) had a program,
'Exploring Extraordinary Human Capacities'. It was described as
intellectually vigorous, psychologically challenging, spiritually
demanding, and exhilarating. It required a commitment to be open
and available to the deep inner self.

Come hell or high water, I knew I had to be there!

Just the most significant life changing experience I've ever had!
It blew the whole universe wide open. A spiritual rebirth.

"The Imp", the joy of my life, popped into my mind during one of
Jean's experiential exercises and took up permanent residency.

A fascinating aspect of being "called" in this way is that one has
no idea of the outcome. The outcome is always a broadening, a deep-
ening of oneself, a spiritual stretching.

Compare that to setting goals for what you want. Often it's a
struggle towards a desired outcome.

I've done that, too. Right out of high school, I worked in a bank
for a year to save money to attend university. (And lived very
frugally). I reached the desired goal.

I've also had many goals I've set for which I never reached the
desired outcome.

Last Fall, I started a file of articles, notes and resources that
I labelled "2008 Goals". I thought by the end of December, I'd
have clearcut goals written down. That didn't happen.

And I realize why.

Nothing was compelling enough to say, "Come hell or high water"!

My focus for 2008, I realize, is going to be one of 'Being' rather
than 'Doing'. This year is for spiritual growth.

I have no idea what my next "Come hell or high water"
experience will be and it doesn't matter!

Listen to YOUR heart!

Resources:
http://www.strathcona.bc.ca
http://www.jeanhouston.org
http://www.hollyhock.bc.ca
I wrote about my canoe lesson in the July/06 issue of IMPressions.
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/archives/issue-41.htm
Out of the experience of having my world crash down around me
I created the 7-week e-course "Starting Life Over".
http://www.StartingLifeOver.com

Listen to your HEART!

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may reprint any Feature Article from
"IMPressions" in your own print or electronic newsletter.
Please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from IMPressions, the mid-monthly e-newsletter from
Bev Howden, "The Imp Lady", Personal Empowerment Facilitator.
Subscribe at http://www.theimplady.com/newsletter-subscribe.htm

The Imp pipes up, "And if you like this newsletter, please pass it
on to family members, friends and colleagues."

============================================================

This query comes from "Sis":
Q: Now that I have a lot of time on my hands, I would love some
direction as to what kind of volunteer work to get involved in.
I have no idea what kind of volunteer work to do!

A: "Oh," smiles The Imp, "this is such a fun question to answer!"

Let's start by asking you to ponder some questions, Sis.
What brings you joy? Who can you share that "love of something"
with?
Do you prefer to be in indoor or outdoor environments?
Do you prefer 1-1 contact or doing something in a group?
Are you more comfortable as a leader or a follower?
What Causes matter to you? The environment? Animal rights? Poverty?
Do you prefer working with people (age group?), ideas, animals,
hands-on or using your mind?

Here is a valuable activity to guide you (preferably take about 20
minutes but its OK to start with just 5):
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing for a few minutes. Then
ask, "How am I being called to serve?" Sit quietly, focusing on your
breathing. When you catch thoughts that are not 'answers', just re-
focus on your breathing. Don't be concerned whether you get an
answer or not. When you feel ready, open your eyes, just "let go"
and trust the Universe. As you go about your day (or week or so)
ideas may pop into your mind, a chance meeting with someone, a book
or news on TV - something - will trigger the answer.

You will know when you know!

Or sample several volunteer tasks to see if they appeal to you.
Start with short-term commitments.

Here are a few examples of a wide variety of opportunities:
Teaching illiterate adults to read (training is provided); sitting
on the Board of any non-profit organization; assisting with
Therapeutic Riding (horseback) for the disabled; cleaning living
quarters at an animal shelter (and taking time to cuddle a cat or
dog); organizing fundraisers or canvassing; teaching crafts to
children.

The list is endless! Some community newspapers regularly have a
list of organizations seeking volunteers.

Now the fun begins. Thinking beyond your local community, consider
volunteer vacations. Do an online search for "volunteer vacations" to
find many organizations involved in a wide variety of endeavors.

Sis, The Imp and I are excited for you. We'd love to hear from
you in a few months as to what volunteer work you are doing, and
more IMPortantly, how you are feeling about what you are doing.

What challenges are you facing on your journey to greater self-
empowerment? When your question is answered 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! E-mail me your question:
with "Coaching Question" in the subject line.

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/

============================================================

3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners

My books are on sale at Lulu. http://stores.lulu.com/ohcowgirl
 
Having been a victim and having worked in a shelter for abused
women in Arizona, I consider myself an expert on the issue. I
feel it is my path to help as many women avoid abuse as possible.
 
Reading and writing have been the two things that have always been
a part of my life. They were the activities that got my through a
childhood and a marriage, that were both violent and often
frightening. Both took their toll on my self esteem and my belief
in myself. Writing has given me my life back. Connie Roush

A friend recently told me about a website about personal safety
and self defense for children and teens. 
http://www.kidpower.org

If you would like to check out other resources for empowering
children, I wrote about it in September 2005. Check it out at
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/archives/issue-31.htm

You're Invited to submit your Member Profile. What is IMPortant
to you? Your Interests? Motivation? Passion? What is an Inner
Magnificent Part of you yearning to express? This is one way to
put it out to the Universe. E-mail
with "Member Profile" in the subject line.

There are 3 ways to win a wee Imp "dreams to reality" pillow
including a "Law of Attraction" booklet to guide its use.

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 the first 3 months as a new subscriber.

This month's winner is Carol W. with a yahoo.ca email address.
To claim your Imp "dreams to reality" pillow, Carol, just email
me your snail-mail address and it will be sent promptly.
"Oh, Carol", says The Imp, "I'd love to have ya tell us a little
about yourself, too!"

============================================================

4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

"The hand will not reach for what the heart does not long for."
Welsh Proverb

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.

============================================================

I mention a lot of great books. If you are interested in having
a copy for yourself, just use my direct quick-link to Amazon:
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/gotoAmazon

============================================================

Who do you know that would enjoy this issue of "IMPressions"?
Just hit the forward button on your e-mail program...