Living Well December 26, 2007

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

By Teresa Griswold

Radical Reinvention
Jackson Hole, Wyoming - This week marks the final week of a 12-week-long online class generously offered for free by Debbie Ford. It was a transformational train, of sorts, and over 3,000 participants enrolled in the class, which launched on Ford’s birthday as her gift to everyone.

In the first class, Ford said she wanted everyone to end the 12 weeks by standing in awe of their own personal and positive transformation. She facilitated a process similar to her workshop last October at the Teton Wellness Festival that was powerful and productive. Ford led the online community of participants and guest speakers on a journey that each week helped us shed fears and old patterns that no longer serve the higher good. She also guided everyone in outlining an action plan.

My experience of the class has been one of awakening to new insights, establishing more intimacy in personal relationships, and letting go of personal life patterns that no longer work. I’m mainly a dreamer and idealist, adding new things to a list of ideas every day. Ford’s “Radical Reinvention” class helped me to learn to focus, prioritize and, importantly, take action.

As part of the weekly homework assignments, we were to ask ourselves, “What is one thing you could NOT do this week to move forward?” and “What is one action step can you take this week to move forward?” By answering these questions each week and committing to action, I was able to build confidence, integrity and momentum that has propelled my life forward with more purpose and meaning than ever before. Ultimately, I have accomplished some tangible goals beyond my usual dreaming. So, at the end of this year, I begin anew with unparalleled enthusiasm and another piece of knowledge I picked up: Every moment we are new again.

Since this process is internal, you don’t really stand at the mirror at the end of 12 weeks and see a new face. Instead, you see yourself refreshed and no longer wearing masks that hide your scars.

Check out www.debbieford.com for future online classes as well as inspiration.

New book, new you
The new year is just around the corner, and a book by Debbie Ford, which is headed to the shelves on March 11, 2008, offers sure-fire way to shape up your well-being.
“Why Good People Do Bad Things: How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy” explains how negative behaviors hold us back from achieving true excellence. Ford, who presented at the Teton Wellness Festival last fall, is a transformation coach whose earlier books have been on the New York Times’ bestsellers list.

You can preorder this book through your local bookstores or reserve a copy on line at www.amazon.com.

A gift of peace
Gifts don’t always have to be wrapped and set beneath the tree to have a loving impact. Over the weekend, I was dashing faster than Santa with all his reindeer to catch a flight with only a few minutes to spare, doubting I would make the plane. A kind gesture from a friend, who saw my hurried approach, reminded me: “Just breathe.”

Cindy, a friend who practices centering prayer with me at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Tuesdays, sent me loving-kindness and stillness with her astute reminder. The way she kept her composure and assured me served as a model for the way of peace, of how the seeds are planted by one person’s care. Her kind smile and her compassionate, sparkling blue eyes showed me how a gentle soul and gesture can touch one’s life anytime, anywhere. She put her practice into action. That’s a true gift.
PERMALINK:
Living Well December 26, 2007 | Planet JH News Article: Living Well

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