One of the most important jobs of a Life Coach is to pay attention to the thoughts our clients are thinking.  Many people walk through life thinking that they ARE their thoughts, and that they cannot do anything about their thoughts…that they just happen and we can’t do anything about them.

Well!  I’m here to say NONSENSE!  You are NOT your thoughts.  And furthermore, YOU have a CHOICE in what you think–all the time! 

Yes…it’s true: we think thousands of thoughts a day, most of them are automatic and probably duplicates of the thoughts running throughout our heads every other day.  Until…

Until we notice them.

Notice your thoughts.  Now: which thoughts do you WANT to have?  Which thoughts empower you?  Which thoughts dishonor you?  Which thoughs bring you down or lift you up? 

You can choose.

During the months of July and now looking forward to August, I am leading two separate workshop topics: “You can be HAPPY No Matter What!” and “Simple Steps to Transform your FEAR to POWER”.  These workshops are based on my own life experiences, to be sure.  However, I’m never alone in providing the richest of resources to my students and clients.  For these two workshops, I have included the work and teaching of Neale Donald Walsch (on whose coaching staff I serve at the Conversations with God foundation), Marci Shimoff (also on The Secret along with Neale and numerous other spiritual teachers) and well-known psychologist Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.

Both Marci and Neale offer wisdom in creating happiness from the inside.  Susan Jeffers guides us through the map of fear, reminding us that just like happiness, fear resides in our inner conversations with ourselves.

In Susan Jeffer’s classic FEEL THE FEAR and Do It Anyway! she reminds us that our self-talk determines the quality of our lives.  So often, in the face of any number of circumstances in our lives, we might say to ourselves or to one another, “Isn’t it terrible…” and you can fill in the blank.  Susan Jeffer suggests that instead of saying “Isn’t it terrible!” that our self-talk could be the empowering mantra “Isn’t it a great opportunity…!”

A few months ago, I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia.  The doctor said “stay home” and I was grounded.  For a woman with my schedule, energy and enthusiasm for everything I do in life, it was like punishing a teenager who was just given a new driver’s license and car.  What?!?!  I have to stay home?!?  Ugh!  How terrible!

Now I ask you, was it really terrible?  Or was that just a thought?

I was forced by circumstances to rest, to sleep, to think, to read, to write, and…to pay attention to my emails.  I receive hundreds of emails a day.  Most of them, I delete, having no time to read them.  Now…I could slow down and pay attention.

Sooo…what might be seen as “terrible” at one moment, I quickly saw as a “wonderful opportunity” in the next.  I began to talk to myself differently.  Wow!  I GET to rest, slow down, read my emails, and even watch the Oprah Web Event with Eckhard Tolle.  What a gift!

One of my emails was from Bill Harris (also on The Secret), telling me about this exciting opportunity to be a co-author in a best-selling series called Wake Up! Life the Life You Love.  Just the title of the series alone got my attention (why?…I had been using the tagline I’m not here to change you…just to wake you up! for ten years).  I was also in the midst of Landmark Education, which also has the conversation about living the life you love, so that language captured my attention.

As I read the email from Bill Harris and clicked on the link to the WakeUpLive website, I was thinking “this is probably pie in the sky” but proceeded anyway.  Then, I noticed that Steven E, the creator of the series, gave his phone number.  As I was dialing the phone number, I was thinking “he probably won’t be there, and he probably won’t call me back”.  But I called and left a message, saying that I was home and could receive his call that night.  Within ten minutes, Steven E called me back!  Yep. He called me back!

That’ll teach me!  My thoughts were running wild.  But they were just silly thoughts.  They weren’t true.  Steven E called me, reassured me that this was a great opportunity for me to be a published co-author in a book that was totally in alignment with my mission, my purpose and my work.

What emerged from that conversation with Steven E was his putting me in touch with the WAKE UP WOMEN team; I spoke with Ardice, then Heidi then Karen.  We had an alliance!  It was real.  Little did I know how blessed I would be to have had pneumonia which gave me the opportunity to explore this exciting adventure in being a co-author in the new WAKE UP WOMEN book.  Wow!

This little story of turning something you or I might call “terrible” ino something I could CHOOSE to see as an “opportunity” is a small example of the ways we could all choose to see those things that happen in our lives; either we could continue to call the “terrible” or look through another lens, seeing whatever it is as an opportunity and blessing.

In addition to the WAKE UP WOMEN book in which I am a co-author, I have authored three other books which will soon be released; in each of these books, I share numerous stories from my life,  such as the story I share in the WAKE UP WOMEN book, entitled “Let it Be!”. 

Think about it you have your own list.  How many so-called “terrible” things in your own life are really potential opportunities and blessings for you to experience?  How do we know which experiences in our lives are the greatest blessings, in which we discover a part of ourselves or someone else that we never would have known was there?

So let me ask you this: how are you talking to yourself?  Just notice your thoughts: and then…remind yourself that you always have a choice about what you say.  Somehow, just telling myself that all he challenges in my life are opportunities and blessings, rather than being terrible, gives me back my power. And I can say “YES” to life. No matter what.

HELLO FRIENDS! 

Welcome to my new Blog!  I am inviting you to become partners in dialogue and discovery.  Please feel free to express yourself and I will have the opportunity to engage in conversation with you and share this conversation with everyone who visits my blog.

Coming up in October is the publication of the exciting new “WAKE UP WOMEN! BE Happy, Healthy & Wealthy” book in which I am a co-author, along with about 40 other coaches from around the world.  This is an exciting new division of the “WAKE UP Live the Life You Love” best-selling series envisioned by Steven E and Lee Beard nearly ten years ago and over 27 books later.

The “WAKE UP WOMEN” book, in which I am a co-author, is filled with golden nuggets of coaching wisdom and tips for living your life more effectively, more powerfully, in a state of ongoing happiness, vigorous health and abundance.  Go to this website now: www.wuwbestseller.com

I will be sharing with you the essence of the story I tell in this book, as well as other golden nuggets of insights and experience which appear in my upcoming soon-to-be published books, “BEING GODDESS POWER” and “PearlWisdom Gifts”. 

All coaches, no matter which modality or specialty of focus, are trained to ask the right questions: questions which lead YOU to find the answers you are seeking…within yourself.  Coaches rarely give direct “advice”…we remain curious in our listening about what it is YOU are seeking, and listen with eyes wide open.  We watch for ways to “see” yourself that you do not see, for ways to envision your life that you cannot imagine. 

This Blog is new…and still under development.  Stay tuned for a full range of articles, conversations, links and resources.

This Blog is for YOU…let’s have a conversation! Tag!  You’re it!

Sheila

WED NITE NOV 12 6:30 “An Women’s Empowerment Gathering” at the Chiropractic Health Center, Rt. 17K, Newburgh, NY  see: www.chcnewburgh.com   Sheila will be talking about her new book “WAKE UP WOMEN BE HAPPY HEALTHY & WEALTHY”, as well as giving a mini-version of her “HAPPY” workshop.  There are also additional wonderful treats in store for anyone who attends this gathering!

WED NITE NOV 19 6-9pm at Cosimo’s Restaurant, Central Valley, NY: NWIN Orange Chapter evening meeting.  Sheila Pearl is speaking about the “Behind the Scenes of “The Winning Connection” with Bob Proctor being the Foreword in Laura’s and Sheila’s new book, coming out soon!  Sheila will also be signing her new book “WAKE UP WOMEN BE HAPPY HEALTHY & WEALTHY”…literally JUST off the press!  Go to: www.nationalwomensinnetwork.com for more info…go to the “Orange Chapter” for details or call or email Sheila for further details.

“I WANT A SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS WEDDING CEREMONY!”

How often I have heard this declaration!  Especially in the last five years… Seems that more young people–and even more mature couples–are seeking a “spiritual” but “not religious” wedding ceremony.

You don’t have to be Jewish for me to officiate at your wedding. Right.

I have officiated at many wedding ceremonies of couples who come from all religious backgrounds–some…not Jewish at all…

I offer a customized, meaningful, spiritual and personal wedding ceremony.

If you want something you will never forget, something that touches the heart and represents YOU and your needs, call me.

Dont’cha just LOVE the game of “what if…?” ???

In the workshop I am currently leading on the topic of “Transforming your FEARS to POWER”, I have included an exercise called the “WHAT IF GAME”.

How often do you find yourself playing this game with yourself?

What if…it rains today?  What if…I run out of money?   What if…my significant other leaves me?  What if…I lose my job?  What if…the stock market crashes again?  What if… 

So how would you plan this game?

In Susan Jeffers book, FEEL THE FEAR and Do It Anyway! she suggests we add an answer to the “what if” questions we all have, most of the time:

If this or that does happen…I CAN HANDLE IT!  YES!  I CAN HANDLE IT!

How much of that do you believe?  If you DON’T believe that you can handle it, what is it that causes you to doubt yourself, your ability for adapting or handling whatever comes along?  What is it that you believe about yourself and your abilities that have caused you to doubt your own magnificence as a human being?

I’m here to remind you–and you are here to remind me–that we are each created by our Creator to be magnificent human beings, experiencing joy and love in our lives.  We are wired for happiness.  We are wired for excellence.  We are wired to smile amidst the tears that may fall as we feel sadness.  We are wired to be partners in creation every day of our lives. 

What if…there was no way you could lose?   What if…you were destined for greatness, no matter what?  What if…there was nothing but love?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE to share nuggets of wisdom and guidance from colleagues of mine…sometimes from people I’ve never met, but have heard about from others who lead me in their direction…

One such colleague is Jane Pollak–I’ve never met her.  But…I love her website and I am totally in love with what she has to say: “Is it hard for you to say ‘no’…even when deep down you know you should? [Jane invites you to her blog] to see a really clever way that one of my favorite writers, Anne Lamott, says ‘no’.  This example demonstrated to me that with creativity, grace, and humor we can steer clear on tasks that weigh us down and stay focused on the work we love.  Anne is a role model on how to take care of yourself in spite of others’ needs and projections.  She gently and humorously tells the truth.  What a concept!  So now I’m curious to hear what creative ways you’ve found to respectfully and lovingly say NO.”  Post your comments to share your ideas with me.  But, before you do…go to www.JanePollak.com and check out Jane’s blog for a closer look at Anne’s story… Then…come back and let me know your thoughts.

How often have you heard someone–maybe even yourself–speak in terms of “finding myself”?

I used to think in terms of “finding myself”…until I studied with Neale Donald Walsch and others of his community of spiritual teachers who suggest that life is not about discovering ourselves, as if we got lost somewhere and we just need to uncover the right rock… Life is about CREATING ourselves and the life we envision for ourselves!  What a concept: I can actually be the architect and general contractor for my own life!  I can think about what I want my life to be, I can speak about it, and I can take action–step by step–on how I am building and constructing my life, according to my own intentions and desires.

Many months after my dear husband died a few years ago, I decided that I wanted passion in my life.  It had been a long time…  I went on a dating service and looked through literally hundreds of profiles of men.  I found one.  There was something mysteriously appealing about him.  I emailed him.  He emailed me, in response.  He called me.  I called him in response.  We eventually met.  At our first meeting, I knew for a certainty that he was the man with whom I would want to experience my passionate self.  I chose to create a passionate relationship. 

That relationship of sweet passion has continued for nearly three years.  It was something I created, from a thought, an intention, and a great deal of inner courage.  You see…I was in my 60’s and he my junior by 12 years.  I was self-conscious and timid at first.  But I had chosen well: this gentle and passionate man has co-created with me a sweet connection which has given me an experience of myself as a passionate woman. 

Through this experience of creation, I then summoned forth my creative energies and began to create articles and then books.  I created opportunities to do my work in ever-more creative endeavors, becoming a busy public speaker and creator of workshops.  At an age when many people are retiring, I have become a busy creator of my life, generating new avenues of satisflying work and play.

Wooppee!!  This “creating” stuff is really exciting!  You oughta try it!

Life Coach Sheila is quickly gaining the reputation of being the “HAPPY” COACH!  No matter what age you are, no matter what is going on in your life, no matter what money you have or don’t have in the bank (and these days, it might be very little!), you can BE HAPPY from the “inside out”!

Soooo… Life Coach Sheila wants to get the word out there.  I have recently decided to put some advertising dollars in some “online” advertising.  Let me know what you think?  Life Coach Sheila wants to know what you think: Does this capture your attention?  Is it a “commercial” that is worth spending the money?  Click on the link below: 

www.digitalmediacommunications.com/ottaway/retail/Local-Search-Business-Player.swf?adnum=424966

We can revise it.  We can tweek it.  But…I want your feedback.

Please let me hear from you!

Sheila

I am declaring something you may find shocking: EVERYONE NEEDS A LIFE COACH!  Yes…Everyone!  I’ve got FIVE coaches…and I could use a few more!

Tiger Woods has SEVEN coaches!

So…Why would I suggest that YOU NEED A LIFE COACH???

It’s simple:  You cannot SEE yourself!  In order to SEE yourself, you need to look in a mirror.  The problem is this: you could be looking at a cloudy mirror.  You could have low light, and not see clearly what is reflected in the mirror.  You could have tinted lenses and not even know it, which affects all the colors you are seeing reflected in the mirror.  And, even with the mirror you are looking in…there are those parts of you that you can NEVER see:  It’s called your “BLIND SPOTS”…those parts that no mirror can reflect back to you.

Coaches are mirrors, whether it’s in the game of football, golf, or life.

So, what do I have to offer YOU?  I am a clear mirror.  I have no axe to grind.  I’m not your mother or your spouse or your best friend.  I see you more clearly than anyone to whom you are related, simply BECAUSE I am not part of your everyday life and history.  I also look beyond what you bring to the naked eye: I use my intuitive wisdom to access awareness and clarity about you and your life, from a place of higher consciousness. 

I will hold you accountable to what you SAY you want in your life; I will also assist you in DREAMING BIG.  It is important that each of us allows the space for dreams and visions about our future.  Our future does not have to be a re-play of our past.  However, we need to be willing to live in the present so that the past doesn’t become our future.  I understand all of this, and remain clear on the difference between your making excuses for your own mediocrity and your being unstoppable in living the life you love!

By the way, the model for Life Coaching began over ten years ago with coaching being on the phone.  We are not bound by time or space.  I am only a phone call away:  201-303-5990.

What a strange thing to say, you might be thinking!  Right?  But I don’t think it’s strange at all!  I have learned through all the ups and downs of my 60+ years that happiness is indeed an “inside job”… I can choose what “mood” to BE when I wake up in the morning.  I can choose what “mood” to BE when someone rubs me the wrong way.  I can choose what “mood” to be BE when things are not going my way.

So many people think that “being happy” is something that depends on outside circumstances, like having the right relationship or the right job or the right amount of money in the bank.  So, what happens when you don’t have that relationship you would like to have, or the ideal job, or have an overdraft at the bank?  You can be sad.  You can be dissatisfied.  You can even be frustrated.  But despite these feelings which can come and go, you can ALSO choose to be happy, in the face of all the circumstances of your life.

Would I feel BETTER if I had the love of my life, or the dream job or financial security?  I might feel more at ease, more satisfied, more comfortable.  That’s all understandable.  But…I can STILL be HAPPY–even if I’m NOT in that wonderful relationship, or DON’T have that great job, or DON’T have lots of money.

How?  Smile.  Now…how hard was that?  Now…smile again.  You see?  You smiled because you decided to smile.  No reason.  I just suggested you try it.  Now…think of a time in your life when you felt an extreme feeling of joy and love.  Remember?  Hold that thought….feel the feelings.  Sweet, huh?   So…what did you discover about yourself?  Yep: you can CHOOSE to FEEL happy at any moment.  It is a choice.  You don’t have to have a “reason”.  Just do it.  And keep doing it.  Because you can…