NEWNESS AND CHANGE

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single
moment before starting to improve the world.
- Anne Frank -

A man decided that he would change the world.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change the country.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his community.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his street.
But, be wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change his family.
But, he wasn’t successful.
So he decided to change himself.
AND HE WAS SUCCESSFUL.
AND HIS FAMILY CHANGED AND THEY AFFECTED THEIR STREET.
AND THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET AFFECTED THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED THEIR COUNTRY.
AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY AFFECTED THE WORLD.
- Glenn Beck -

Does this resonate with you? It sure does with me! At midnight tonight we will begin
a New Year. I love new. I love clean slates. I love the new page in my journal that signals a new beginning.

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: . . .
Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not;
See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? . . .
(Isaiah 43:18-19)

Do something NEW! You are a world changer!
Blessings,
Beth

WONDER in a Bowling Alley

"Isn't it here? The wonder? Why do I spend so many of my living hours struggling to see it? Do we truly stumble so blind that we must be affronted with magnificence for our blurry soul-sight to recognize grandeur? The very same surging magnificence that cascades over our every day here. who has time or eyes to notice?
All my eyes can seem to fixate on are the splatters of disappointment across here and me.
I close the bathroom linen closet. Pick up a brush to swish toilets. I don't need more time to breathe so that I may experience more locales, possess more, accomplish more. Because wonder really could be here - for the seeing eyes." (1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp)

Yesterday I found WONDER in a bowling alley.I was with my entire family - from my one year old grandson to my 91 year old father. As all fifteen of us, spanning four generations, threw gutters and strikes, laughed and high-fived, ate pizza and watched Gram (me) land firmly on her behind and slide down the alley, I was lost in the wonder of it all. Really, who ever gets to have those moments? How many can we expect in a lifetime?

Watch for the WONDER of your own life this week. It is all around you - just waiting for your seeing eyes.

Wondrous blessings,
Beth

WONDER

"The world will never starve for wonders,
but only for the want of wonder."
- G.K. Chesterton -

Engage your sense of wonder - it is all around us!
Laus Deo,
Beth

My Prayer for You

I have been in the mid-west for five weeks. There have been some lovely highs and a couple devastating lows. This morning as I sit in a silent house (remarkable in itself!)I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the seasons and blessings of my life. God tells us that in this life we will have trials...yet, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:9

Here is my prayer for each of us as we celebrate Christmas and ring in a New Year.

Dear Father,
Thank you for Your love and thoughts toward me.I know, no matter how things appear or what my circumstances may be now, that You see. You know. You care. You are in control. I am never abandoned or left alone. Thank you for the family and friends that love and support me. May I be a person who offers compassion and understanding, freely and without judgment.
Thank you for the comforts of my life. Move me to help those in need.
Thank you for the freedoms I enjoy. Remind me never to take them for granted. Give me Your heart for those who are held captive - physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Compel me to take a stand for what is right, to speak out for those who have no voice, to step up and take action when my heart hears Your voice.
You are the God of Peace and Joy, Renewal and Restoration. I will follow Your example. I commit to spread Light and Laughter and to forgive even when I don't want to.
Thank you for health and long life. Show me what You have for me in 2012. Lead me and direct my path. Use me in a way that brings goodness to those around me; in a way that makes a difference in the world. I say yes, You can use me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

I appreciate you in my life and work and look forward with great anticipation to travel through 2012 with you!
Blessings,
Beth

Finally FREE

Now and again I see or hear something I feel compelled to share with you all. This is one of these times. This video is the story of Dewey Bozella, a man wrongly convicted, who spent 26 years in prison. www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=2568

When we talk about the fact that you may not have any control over events in your life, but you have ALL the control over how you respond to them...this is exactly what we are talking about. Dewey Bozella is a free man - he is now out of prison. Dewey Bozella was never imprisoned in any of the ways that truly matter. His heart, mind, and spirit have always been free to soar. He never allowed walls and bars to close him in or keep him from a life of fulfillment and real joy. He never succumbed to anger or bitterness. Remarkable!

God wants to work a miracle in your life. Never give up. Trust and believe. There is power in the waiting and expecting.

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. “ – Micah 6:8

Blessings,
Beth

Spiders, Shingles, and Geranium

In August, when I was in the throes of physical misery, I took my two oldest grandsons to family camp for a week. I didn’t have the spunk I would have liked, or am used to, but we had a wonderful time. The morning after we returned I woke up with sharp pain in my shoulder blade that radiated under my arm around to the front. I found 5 white welts in a small circular area. I assumed I had brought a nasty spider home in my jammies. Two days later I returned to Phoenix and the spot became red and hot. I headed to the Dr. thinking I had some venomous infection. No such luck – shingles. I knew nothing about shingles except that it really hurt.

It is the chicken pox virus revisited in a whole new way. I had the three biggest markers – compromised immune system, general anesthesia , and drug reaction. The rx was Acyclovir and an antiviral ointment. I was loathe to take anymore meds – as the last one had nearly killed me – however, the dr. convinced me that this was gonna hurt and might last awhile. I filled the med but not the $184.00 lotion – no way, on a ,”You’re probably too late but MAYBE this will help”?!?

One hour later my mama called and when I told her my bites were shingles she said,
“Oh my! I just cut this article out about shingles being cured by geranium essential oil – no idea why. Now I know. God knew you had shingles.” Twenty minutes after mom, my sister, Brenda, called and said, “Oh gosh, I was just reading about that. You need geranium oil.” Ok, when God brings it twice in 20 minutes I have learned to pay attention! Brenda also told me I needed clove oil for my immune system and skin sores from the shingles. It has properties that promote feelings of protection and courage as a bonus for me! Then she said, “Didn’t you buy some clove when you were at my house this summer?” I had forgotten and had no idea what I bought. I hadn’t unpacked from 10 weeks away.

I went upstairs and found the bag at the bottom of the suitcase. Guess what I had? I only bought two oils and they were geranium and clove. I already had what I needed, without even knowing it! Isn’t God awesome? I put the geranium directly on the shingles and the clove oil on the bottoms of my feet. A week later there was just a small pink spot. Shingles cured. NO meds. NO pain. Even the doc was impressed.

Is anyone else using essential oils? Let us know which ones and your report. My sister Becky and I are experimenting with a liver formula for high triclycerides and fatty liver. I will keep you posted on our progress.

Laus Deo,
Beth

p.s. Since this writing my triglycerides have dropped 200 points!
I will have Becky guest blog the recipe.(mind you, I have changed
my diet and exercise too)
In the meantime check out her blog at www.wordbouquet.wordpress.com

MARY CHRISTMAS

It’s the Christmas Season – peace, joy, love. But, how do we get there? Whether or not you believe the biblical story of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, Mary has a lot to teach us about how to get there. The following is paraphrased from a message by Jim Nicodem on the traits of Mary’s heart. If you would like to read the story it is found in the first 3 chapters of the book of Luke in the bible.

Mary had a reflective heart. When the angel told her what was about to happen to her, she pondered and treasured these things in her heart. How often do we let the important things get crowded out by the trivial – or just too much busyness?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Mary had a believing heart. Imagine a young girl being told she would bear the child of God. She believed the unbelievable; “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary had a submissive heart. She wanted to please God. She chose to honor her family. When it came time to travel to Bethlehem for the census she was nearly ready to deliver. She didn’t have to go, but she wanted to be with her husband and share the childbirth with him. She calls herself a “servant of the Lord.” I have often wished I had more of a servant heart – that I was more thoughtful or generous, and better at putting others’ needs ahead of my own. A good place to grow my Mary heart, I think.

Mary had a sharing heart. When she became pregnant she immediately went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. We are designed to do life together.
“Joy shared is joy doubled.
Sorrow shared is sorrow halved.” (anonymous)
Who do you share your heart with? Both the joy and the sorrow?

Mary had a worshipful heart. In the first chapter of Luke is recorded a song she wrote to honor and worship God. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior…for the Mighty One has done great things for me…”

This week set aside some time to reflect, pray, and worship. It will bring peace, joy, and love.

Mary Christmas,
Beth

Be Good for Nothing

Mark Scheeren has some wonderful thoughts about the path to happiness. He says there are some daily habits that are indispensible. I agree. See what you think…

“Selfishness is one of the main causes of unhappiness., so try this: Be good for nothing! That is, be good for absolutely no reason whatever. Nothing will help you understand the rewards of a positive lifestyle better than selfless action. Be kind and considerate to everyone in your life, beginning with your spouse and children and family - start right now. Do nice things for others without expecting anything in return. Get out of your comfort zone and spend time doing what someone else needs or wants, rather than following your own desires. It will probably be uncomfortable, and no one will give you a medal for it, but eventually you will feel good about who you are and begin to feel a sense of real happiness.”

Scheeren also gives us a list of universal axioms – life truths that guide people to a level of maturity that produces happiness and success. Think about these – do you agree?
Universal Axiom 1: The only constant is change
Universal Axiom 2: You are what you think
Universal Axiom 3: Happiness is the most effective motivating factor in the human
condition
Universal Axiom 4: There is no shortcut to lasting happiness
Universal Axiom 5: To give is to receive

It has been my experience (and scientific studies confirm this) that genuinely happy people are givers. Those folks that are attuned to others as much as to themselves, who will go out of their way to meet a need or share encouragement, are happier and more positive overall. My sister, Becky, calls it having a one-another mentality. We are meant to do life together. When one of us gets lifted up we all get lifted up.

What comes up for you as you read this?
What universal axiom would you add to the list?

Blessings,
Beth

p.s. If you would like to see what my girls are up to…
http://justmethankstohim.blogspot.com/2011/12/25-days-of-givinground-3.html

25 Days of Giving

In the final analysis, there is no other solution to a man's problems but the day's honest work, the day's honest decisions, the day's generous utterance, and the day's good deed.


- Claire Booth Luce -

A couple of years ago my daughter committed to 25 days of giving, commencing December 1. Many of you read about it in past newsletters and shared your thoughts and your own experiences and inspiration. This year I will be in Chicago with all my kids and grandkids for this grand event!

My daughter-in-law sent me the link below to inspire us and give us some ideas.
This woman gathered her parents, husband, and children to commit 38 Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK) for her 38th birthday. Follow her day here. What I love about this is how many people joined in – however small their ROAK may have been. That’s a POWERFUL message – you don’t have to do something monumental – just look around you and jump in! See a need and fill it. Simple as that. When opportunity knocks – open the door and walk through.

We are engaged in an exploration of happiness. Getting outside ourselves; giving to someone else; spreading joy and good cheer; demonstrating kindness and caring – these are the BEST paths to happiness. God guarantees it!

Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

Laus Deo,
Beth

Be Happy...Gain Tranquility

Kathryn Roethel wrote an article about Fred Luskin and Carol Pertofsky, professors at Stanford University who teach tranquility in a class on how to be happy. There are consistently more applicants than spaces – that caught my attention. They began offering the course in 2007 after 4 students committed suicide the previous year. They found that most answers to the problem targeted those people who were already courting disaster. They wanted to come at the problem from a prevention perspective; one that avoided crisis and catastrophe.

One important message the instructors hope to convey is that racking up accomplishments won't necessarily lead to fulfillment, writes Roethel.

"Achieving the most for yourself doesn't lead to the kind of happiness you think it will," Luskin told a student who questioned how she could reconcile her desire for a balanced life with the expectations that, at Stanford, you need to be "the best."
He added that people who are in the best position for happiness are the ones who have strong relationships, and "interconnected webs" of people on whom they can depend for fun and support.

An expectation of happiness on campus, Pertofsky said, can make it even more painful for struggling students who feel as if they're the only ones who aren't thriving.

"In this culture of excellence, it takes a lot to admit when you're hurting," she said.

Luskin’s simple definition of happiness is “wanting what you have” and stress is “wanting something to be different.”

Below are five techniques Luskin teaches for reducing stress and increasing happiness.
-- Keep a daily gratitude journal, listing items for which you feel grateful.
-- Perform a meditation practice, or simply a few minutes of deep breathing and quiet reflection on something that made you happy. Consider what you can do to achieve that happiness again.
-- Make a habit of sharing the highlights of your day with someone close to you.
-- Practice forgiveness routinely.
-- Construct a list of all activities and experiences that relax and rejuvenate you. Use items from this list to manage your daily stress.

This week think about your state of happiness. Rate it on a scale of 1-10.
What is your definition of happiness?
How are your expectations creating obstacles to your happiness?
Who is your happiness person/people? Tell them so. Spend some time.
It takes a lot to admit you’re hurting…ask for what you need. Speak the truth in love.

Please share your thoughts, practices, challenges with us. Let’s make 2012 a year of greater happiness, contentment, love, faith, and giving. YES we CAN!

I would be honored to help you increase your happiness quotient. Call or e-mail at beth.madigan@cox.net or 602.626.8036
Blessings,
Beth

I KNOW There's Something More....

Last week I contracted with a new client – not so unusual in itself. The fun part was that she wasn’t really looking for a coach and wasn’t sure how her search led her to me. I call that God’s synchronicity in the world and it delights me every time!

She has chosen to enter coaching now because there is a sense that she is not living large enough. Sound familiar? She recently left her corporate job to pursue work that is “more aligned with my values. I want to help people.” She wonders if she is stretching herself in the ways that will most help her to grow. She is definitely feeling a sense of urgency – she has that “time’s a-wastin’” sensation.

“In case you haven’t noticed, there are an awful lot of forces out there striving to keep us in line. Living big means getting out of line. It means dancing the jig when others are waltzing. It means leaping out of the soul-numbing boxes we’ve been squeezed into. Living Big is being brave enough to claim your own truth, being bold enough to read the poem that is stamped across your heart. Out loud so everybody can hear. More than anything else in the world I want to live big. To claim my destiny. To make a difference.

Yes, there’s this insistent impostor who’s always trying to convince me I’m insignificant, that my ideas will never matter. But there’s also this other voice. And it knows better.” (LIVING BIG by Pam Grout)

If you have not journaled before, I urge you to get yourself a beautiful new journal and begin. There is power and clarity in putting your thoughts on paper. Things begin to take shape and HAPPEN!

Here are a few inquiries to pick from to get you started:
What’s one change you could make that would give you more peace?
What attachment do you need to release in order to be free to live BIG?
If you did what you’re thinking, what would it mean to you?
What do you want MORE/LESS of in your life? Make the list(s).
What would you try now if you knew you could NOT fail?

Every day, you are signaled and summoned to embark on a journey
beyond the boundaries of all you have ever known. You need
only relinquish your fears, open your heart, and begin.
- Bob Savino –

Say yes to that other voice – the one that knows better – the one that is calling you into MOTION.

Blessings,
Beth

Standing Stones

In biblical times, when something important happened, the people erected standing stones at the site of the event. History was preserved by telling the story of the event to children and to travelers who saw the stones and asked, “What happened here?” Two well known examples include the stones erected by Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai to commemorate God’s power and covenant with His people, and those erected on the bank of the Jordan by Joshua after God divided the river for the Israelites to safely pass through. They expressed the people’s gratitude and promise to remember.

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving – a day to gather with family and friends and remember; a day to express our gratitude to each other and to God. My youngest daughter, Lindsey, has been with me for several months. She was a gift and a blessing as she nursed me back to health faithfully and sweetly. Saturday we spent our last day in the desert together. She has moved back to Chicago and into the next chapter of her life. We took one of our favorite outings to hike at 49th and Shea, then to the Prayer Garden run by the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary. It was a glorious morning as we moved over the rocks among the cacti, under a beautiful fluffy blue sky, and surrounded by mountains. We stopped to take in the view and knew we wanted to mark this spot. We erected standing stones, each having been prompted to pick up a heart shaped rock for the top. What happened here? Relationship restored, love deepened, heartfelt gratitude expressed is what has happened here in the desert - definitely a place and time to remark and remember.

The Prayer Garden has a large and beautiful seven-sided fountain with each edge proclaiming the names of God and His loving qualities. There are drinking spigots at each name, with cups so you may refresh yourself with:
Father of Comfort
Father of Mercy
Father of Love
Father of Grace
Father of Patience
Father of Faithfulness
Father of Goodness

So much to be grateful for…and I am.
Today, be sure to take some time to get quiet and count your blessings. What events warrant standing stones in your life? If you can get to the actual site, go ahead and set up some stones and express your gratitude. If that is not possible, do it in your own backyard – or perhaps you would just do it in your heart or in your journal. The point is to tell the story – to remember – and to be thankful.

Blessed Thanksgiving,
Beth

I AM a Rock Star!

I started boot camp – at the urging of, and accompanied by, my youngest daughter. For those in Phoenix it is Rock Star Boot Camp and I highly recommend it!
Is it hard, you ask? Oh my! You bet it is! On this path to becoming stronger, healthier, lighter, and more focused, boot camp is a great boost. I am certainly one of the older people in the group but I love the range. There is a woman in her late 60’s in pretty tough shape, but she pushes hard every day. There is a dad with his middle school, overweight son. Let me just say how much I love that. They are having fun together and doing something critical to health and well being for both of them. Any time I see dads actively and lovingly engaged with their children my heart sings! But I digress. The group is largely 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s in varying states of fitness.

In my 30’s I was a hard body. I played competitive tennis, had a personal trainer, did 2 yoga classes a week, and aerobics every morning before the kids left for school. In my 40s I got divorced and things started to slide a little. In my 50’s I moved cross country and exercised more regularly. Along came menopause and I found out the hard way that I couldn’t eat the way I used to. I had to lose 50 pounds before it was all said and done. Then came months of serious illness and almost no exercise at all apart from the occasional walk. Some of those pounds had found their way home and, like rebellious children, refused to follow the rules or leave.

Here’s the GOOD news, and part of my learning. My body remembers. My muscles are tired and sore but they can still perform! My brain is remembering. What I am thinking and remembering is that I WANT to be fit again. I WANT to restore my health. I WANT to challenge and push myself. Cool! The truth is that I didn’t really know that last part until the third day. It has gone from being a difficult chore to an exhilarating discovery! I have learned that it is never too late to begin again. It is okay to start wherever you are.

Take care of yourself – and be KIND to yourself. By all means push the old envelope, but do it without judgment or criticism or regret. What is in your life that you wish you had not given up on? That you want to recapture? What will you do TODAY to move in that direction? What support do you need to get going? Who can you enlist to help? My daughter’s encouragement is invaluable – I would not have signed up for this without her. Let’s help each other get what we need to answer the voice calling us into MOTION.

Laus Deo,
Beth

Take Good Care

As a life coach I work with women in transition – whatever that may be. Career change, empty-nester, new child, marriage, divorce, aging parents, moving, death of a loved one, broken relationships, health changes… The reasons for transition are as many and varied as we are!

I have personally experienced all of the above, but the last one really kicked my tail. I was diagnosed with a hereditary kidney disease when I was thirty. While not a good thing, it is not life threatening, requiring lots of water and regular check-ups. When I moved to the desert 6 years ago I was at my lowest weight in years, felt great, and could be outside every day of the year. I did not find myself a new nephrologist…

In the spring I started to feel crummy and my waistline expanded crazily. Both kidneys were in trouble, and I had a 10cm (baby head size!) ovarian cyst. I went under general anesthetic three times in four weeks. I don’t have scientific evidence for this but I am pretty sure that alone could kill you.

It is now six months later and I am amazed at where this path has taken me and what I have learned – and continue to learn. From time to time, as it unfolds, I will share with you my journey. I hope you will share yours too, whenever something resonates with you. I have often said that, no matter how wonderful your relationships with the men in your life may be, intimacy with other women provides something you can get nowhere else. My hope and intention are to make this blog a safe and open place for us to share, listen, encourage, and lift each other.

To that end I will leave you with this…TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES. I know you are givers, lovers, wildly generous, and self-sacrificing. Those are wonderful traits. Learn to balance them. If you crash and burn what will happen in all those areas where you are last in line? I know. I know. I hear you saying, How do I find the time, the money? What in the world does it even mean to really take care of myself? We will explore that too. For now, just take 10 minutes to get quiet somewhere (maybe in a hot bath, or at the park) in the next couple of days and think about what that would look like – physically, spiritually, emotionally, or psychologically - then come on back and let us know what came up for you.

Laus Deo,
Beth

Coming Around Again

Hello! It is good to be back with so many old friends. I have missed you all. I have missed writing to you, about you, and for you. I have missed, most of all, your responses and your openness in sharing yourselves with me. I look forward to all the new friends who will find their way here.

If you look to the right you will read how much I love new beginnings. We are embarking on one together here and now. For those of you who read the newsletters and blogs in the past, you remember me saying that I felt a significant shift coming. It's here... it is happening! We will travel the road together - I know many of you are completely in sync with me as you read this....right?

I also wrote to you, in the final newsletter, of some health issues. I was a pretty sick puppy all summer and have been making some HARD diet and exercise changes. As is God's way, blessings are raining down in the midst of the trials. I am stronger and cleaner than I have been in many years. I am learning, learning. Over the summer I learned about the power of relationship, restoration, and renewal. I learned about essential oils (more on that later - fascinating!),the true value of good health, and got much deeper with God. He is teaching, teaching. I am a Christian. My relationship with God through Christ is the most important thing to me and about me. I will not use this space to preach - yet, we will go to the heart of the matter in all things. If that resonates with you; if you are feeling the call to motion; if you want to be in community with other AMAZING, SEARCHING, TRUTH-TELLING, COURAGEOUS women, then come on along!
Blessings,
Beth