Decided to join the blog sphere with this post and will be adding older articles written for my monthly e-letter/newsletter. I envision this as a place for creative expression and an ongoing dialouge with e-letter subscribers, clients, and people interested in learning more about life coaching. My life and work center around a search for meaning and a love of learning.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
June Life's Journey E-letter
Life’s Journey E-letter
Contents:
Article- Political Process
Quotes
Class- Writing Your Life Story
Coaching Services
Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
Welcome new readers and thank-you loyal subscribers.
This months article is my response to a political practice I find appalling, that of being asked repeatedly who I plan to vote for. Your personal reactions and feedback are welcome and encouraged.
Article
Political Process
Whew! The primary elections are finally over and now it is on to the general election in November. While I feel that it is my duty as a citizen to learn everything I can about the issues and candidates, then cast my vote, and have voted in every election since my eighteenth birthday, I am burned out by all the attention this election has garnered. Overall the heightened awareness is positive and having more people register to vote than ever before is wonderful in my opinion. It also brings some concerns about the increased phone calls, door knockers, and questions about which candidate a person is or has voted for.
Secret ballots are supposed to guarantee our political privacy rights, isn’t that why we vote behind a curtain and return our completed ballots under cover or return absentee ballots in unmarked envelopes? The right to keep my vote undisclosed hasn’t felt challenged until this presidential primary when I have been asked numerous times who I voted for. While I am always proud to answer that yes I voted, I decline stating who I voted for. This refusal is increasingly greeted with disbelief. When I told one questioner, who knocked on my door, that who I vote for is private their response was “some people feel that way”. After I closed the door these questions came to mind. Some people feel that way? Doesn’t everyone? What happened to privacy rights?
I find it outrageous to be asked by campaign workers if I voted for a specific candidate and when I respond that it is a confidential matter, I am treated as if I am the rude person rather than the other way around. To me asking who someone voted for is an abuse of our democratic system and it undermines a basic tenet of civil rights that we are free to vote for the candidates of our choice without reprisals. Are we so inured to the erosion of our privacy rights that we no longer even wonder why someone is asking such a personal question?
I am concerned that the seemingly common practice of asking who someone voted for will keep people away from the polls in the general and succeeding elections. Help preserve our political confidentiality by not answering when asked which candidates received your vote unless it is an exit poll or survey by a reputable company. Even then if you don’t wish to participate it is your right as an American citizen to politely decline, information gathering is one thing and invading a person’s privacy is another.
© 2008 Karen Ore, All rights reserved.
Quotes
“Genuine politics -- even politics worthy of the name -- the only politics I am willing to devote myself to -- is simply a matter of serving those around us: serving the community and serving those who will come after us. Its deepest roots are moral because it is a responsibility expressed through action, to and for the whole.” Vaclav Havel
“Abraham Lincoln did not go to
“States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions.” Noam Chomsky
“When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow.” Anais Nin
“Citizenship is what makes a republic -- monarchies can get along without it.” Mark Twain
“My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned, not bought.” Margaret Chase Smith
“The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can.” John Gardner
“Although the connections are not always obvious, personal change is inseparable from social and political change.” Harriet Lerner
Class-Writing Your Life Story
Classes will resume the last week of September 2008. If you wish to request a specific day and time please call or e-mail Karen as soon as possible, your input is appreciated and will be used in planning classes that meet peoples needs.
The following are a few comments from this years participants about the Writing Your Life Story classes.
“Karen provided such a nurturing, supportive, safe environment to begin the journey of exploring your life through writing.” LNH
“Writing Your Life Story was an enjoyable course-very well organized with lots of valuable materials. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from my instructor and classmates and the motivation this provided.” BG
“Karen has an intuitive feel for what I want to say further in my writing, and is a gentle yet encouraging facilitator.” MBG
Coaching Services
This a brief list of current coaching services, for a complete list please e-mail karenore@bridgeband.com with services list in the subject line.
Presentations
These presentations are available to non-profits, businesses, and clubs. Please discuss your group’s interest, focus, and budget with Karen when you schedule the talk.
· Life/Work Balance
· Well-being
· Goal Setting/Success Strategies
Classes/ Workshops/ Groups
Writing Your Life Story, life writing opportunities to discover where you have been, where you are, and where you are going. Leave a legacy of your memories for loved ones. Call Karen at 406-570-6334 for the current schedule or to custom design a class, workshop, or group.
Coaching
Weekly coaching offers maximum support, opportunity for action, and accountability when you are ready to focus on self-discovery, develop and accomplish long term goals, take charge of your life and get to where you want to be.
- Four telephone* coaching sessions per month (45 to 60 minutes each)
- Initial Foundation session of 2 hours (The first month of coaching consists of the Foundation session and 2 regular coaching sessions)
- Includes: monthly coaching e-letter, weekly e-mail follow-up, worksheets, and other materials.
Focused Coaching
When you are working towards a specific goal and want the nurturing support, resources, and feedback that coaching provides
· 1 to 4 telephone* sessions per month (20 to 30 minutes each)
- Includes: monthly coaching e-letter, e-mail follow-up, worksheets, and other materials.
E-Mail Coaching
Coaching conducted primarily via e-mail includes telephone initial and completion sessions. The client sends at least two e-mails per week, the first with goals or issues for that week and the second a follow up e-mail on progress. Karen responds to each e-mail with insights, information, encouragement, and acknowledgment.
*In person coaching sessions at your home are available upon request within a 15 minute drive from downtown
Subscription Information
This letter is part of a recurring series of monthly newsletters plus occasional mailings about special offers and programs and is now available in two versions an e-letter version and a mailed version usually sent the first full week of each month. The e-letter list is not sold, rented, or loaned to a third party, ever.
Subscribe
To subscribe please send an e-mail to karenore@bridgeband.com with subscribe in the subject line, also indicate whether you wish to receive e-letters or mailed newsletters.
You may E-mail, print or copy this e-letter in its entirety, please keep the contact information intact.
All the best, Karen
Karen Ore, Life Coach
406-570-6334
karenore@bridgeband.com
”At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” Lao Tzu
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April/May 2008 Life’s Journey Newsletter
Contents:
Article- More or Less
Quotes
Class-Writing Your Life Story
Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
Welcome new readers and thank-you loyal subscribers. Since this months letter is so late in the month I decided to make it a combined April May issue. In response to request I am now offering an evening Writing Your Life Story class beginning May 22; please see details below.
Article
More or Less
“What do you want more of?” This question was asked during a telephone conference call that I participated in several years ago and it is one I come back to often. When life is hectic the idea of asking for more seems ludicrous. Actually if what I ask for more of, is time for being quiet, unhurried, and at peace it isn’t ridiculous at all. It becomes a way to focus on what is important to me and how to best use the time I have. The other part of this is what do I need less have to have more of what I want.
The way I practice this is to take a sheet of paper and draw a line lengthwise down the page. On one side I write the word more and on the other side I write the words less/fewer. Then I write my thoughts, ideas, needs, and wants on the appropriate side of the page. It is important to keep writing without censoring the thoughts until I can’t think of anything else. Some things that I keep in mind is that I want as many ideas as possible and the way to get that is to write continuously and not worry about repetitions, spelling errors or feasibility. I also find it helpful to time this exercise, five to ten minutes per column works well for me. When the time is up I like to go back reread the lists, if anything seems to be missing I add it. This is also the time that I cross out or combine items that are redundant.
On a separate sheet of paper I make another lengthwise line with the same headings. This is where I rewrite items so that they are very specific. Rather than more time I answer the question more time for what? How would I spend that time, doing what activities? Why is it important to me to have more time for that activity? If I want less stress what exactly do I mean by that? Why is it necessary?
I like to review the new lists and put a check mark by the one or two items in each column that seem to jump out at me. These are the squeaky wheels, the ones that were probably repeated several times in slightly different ways. I find that often the items will be an answer or partial answer for each other. If I determine that what I really need is more time and less stress then managing my time better and saying no to things that increase my stress level can be a useful place to start. Brainstorming some detailed ideas is very helpful which then gives me an action plan to put into place for the next week. I remember that for an action plan to work it needs some guidelines, it needs to be precise, practicable, useful, challenging and rewarding when I write it down. Sometimes the plan needs to be broken into smaller segments and implemented over time. The last piece of this process is telling some one else who I know will ask me about my progress.
I like to keep in mind that each time I say yes to something I am in effect saying no to something else and vice versa. Being very specific and conscious about what I say yes or no to, helps me to stay focused and allows me to have more of what I really want while having less of what I find stressful.
© 2008 Karen Ore, All rights reserved.
Quotes
“The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” Frank Lloyd Wright
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” Abraham Lincoln
“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” Andy Warhol
Class-Writing Your Life Story
Have you been thinking that you want to write your life story and aren’t sure how or where to begin? This may be the time to start that manuscript. Instruction on memoir/autobiography, writing exercises, and educational resources, will combine to help you write in your authentic voice. Discover the various forms of life writing, complete a short weekly writing assignment on a selected theme, read your work to the group, and receive feedback on your prose in a supportive setting. The weekly 2-hour class will meet Thursdays, May 22 through June 26, 6:00PM – 8:00 PM at Llama Llama Books. You may register at the Llama Llama Bookstore, 777 E. Main St., Bozeman 587-7779 or directly with Karen 570-6334, karenore@bridgeband.com. Class fee of $100.00 includes instruction and class materials.
Subscription Information
This letter is part of a recurring series of monthly newsletters plus occasional mailings about special offers and programs and is now available in two versions an e-letter version and a mailed version usually sent the first full week of each month. The e-letter list is not sold, rented, or loaned to a third party, ever.
Subscribe
To subscribe please send an e-mail to karenore@bridgeband.com with subscribe in the subject line, also indicate whether you wish to receive e-letters or mailed newsletters.
All the best, Karen
Karen Ore, Life Coach
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-570-6334
karenore@bridgeband.com
”At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” Lao Tzu
Contents:
Article- More or Less
Quotes
Class-Writing Your Life Story
Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
Welcome new readers and thank-you loyal subscribers. Since this months letter is so late in the month I decided to make it a combined April May issue. In response to request I am now offering an evening Writing Your Life Story class beginning May 22; please see details below.
Article
More or Less
“What do you want more of?” This question was asked during a telephone conference call that I participated in several years ago and it is one I come back to often. When life is hectic the idea of asking for more seems ludicrous. Actually if what I ask for more of, is time for being quiet, unhurried, and at peace it isn’t ridiculous at all. It becomes a way to focus on what is important to me and how to best use the time I have. The other part of this is what do I need less have to have more of what I want.
The way I practice this is to take a sheet of paper and draw a line lengthwise down the page. On one side I write the word more and on the other side I write the words less/fewer. Then I write my thoughts, ideas, needs, and wants on the appropriate side of the page. It is important to keep writing without censoring the thoughts until I can’t think of anything else. Some things that I keep in mind is that I want as many ideas as possible and the way to get that is to write continuously and not worry about repetitions, spelling errors or feasibility. I also find it helpful to time this exercise, five to ten minutes per column works well for me. When the time is up I like to go back reread the lists, if anything seems to be missing I add it. This is also the time that I cross out or combine items that are redundant.
On a separate sheet of paper I make another lengthwise line with the same headings. This is where I rewrite items so that they are very specific. Rather than more time I answer the question more time for what? How would I spend that time, doing what activities? Why is it important to me to have more time for that activity? If I want less stress what exactly do I mean by that? Why is it necessary?
I like to review the new lists and put a check mark by the one or two items in each column that seem to jump out at me. These are the squeaky wheels, the ones that were probably repeated several times in slightly different ways. I find that often the items will be an answer or partial answer for each other. If I determine that what I really need is more time and less stress then managing my time better and saying no to things that increase my stress level can be a useful place to start. Brainstorming some detailed ideas is very helpful which then gives me an action plan to put into place for the next week. I remember that for an action plan to work it needs some guidelines, it needs to be precise, practicable, useful, challenging and rewarding when I write it down. Sometimes the plan needs to be broken into smaller segments and implemented over time. The last piece of this process is telling some one else who I know will ask me about my progress.
I like to keep in mind that each time I say yes to something I am in effect saying no to something else and vice versa. Being very specific and conscious about what I say yes or no to, helps me to stay focused and allows me to have more of what I really want while having less of what I find stressful.
© 2008 Karen Ore, All rights reserved.
Quotes
“The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” Frank Lloyd Wright
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” Abraham Lincoln
“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” Andy Warhol
Class-Writing Your Life Story
Have you been thinking that you want to write your life story and aren’t sure how or where to begin? This may be the time to start that manuscript. Instruction on memoir/autobiography, writing exercises, and educational resources, will combine to help you write in your authentic voice. Discover the various forms of life writing, complete a short weekly writing assignment on a selected theme, read your work to the group, and receive feedback on your prose in a supportive setting. The weekly 2-hour class will meet Thursdays, May 22 through June 26, 6:00PM – 8:00 PM at Llama Llama Books. You may register at the Llama Llama Bookstore, 777 E. Main St., Bozeman 587-7779 or directly with Karen 570-6334, karenore@bridgeband.com. Class fee of $100.00 includes instruction and class materials.
Subscription Information
This letter is part of a recurring series of monthly newsletters plus occasional mailings about special offers and programs and is now available in two versions an e-letter version and a mailed version usually sent the first full week of each month. The e-letter list is not sold, rented, or loaned to a third party, ever.
Subscribe
To subscribe please send an e-mail to karenore@bridgeband.com with subscribe in the subject line, also indicate whether you wish to receive e-letters or mailed newsletters.
All the best, Karen
Karen Ore, Life Coach
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-570-6334
karenore@bridgeband.com
”At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” Lao Tzu
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