Friends,
Forgive me for neglecting the blog. I ought to have done better. Fortunately, I have forgiven myself and am ready to move on to rather exciting news. I've recently concluded that I would like to dedicate more time and attention to one-on-one coaching. Public speaking is wonderful, and when I have an opportunity to do it, I will pounce on said opportunity... In the meantime, I can make a real difference in people's lives through one-on-one coaching. I can help people integrate wisdom from lots of different sources and put it into action with plenty of feedback and accountability. Moreover, I can do that for people week after week irrespective of my geography. Via phone or via Skype, I can make a tremendous difference for dozens of people who are committed to positive change. I offer rigorous challenge, feedback, and accountability. In return, I ask for honesty and a genuine commitment to growth. In the course of a 30-minute consultation, we will identify priorities for our work together, and if you are ready and willing, our weekly coaching calls will begin within a few days. The fee for a 30 minute consultation is $55. Special pricing is available for 4-, 6-, and 8-week coaching packages. For more information and to book your consultation, email Lauren@peaceandjoytoday.com. Peace and joy, Lauren This coming week is going to be full. I'm hosting an interactive talk entitled "CROSSROADS: Selecting Your Next Bold Action" on Wednesday, and moving out of my apartment on Friday. Typically I would not pack those two things into one week, but over the last few years I've adopted an "If you're gonna go, go!" attitude. And, when in doubt, try to connect with people. Happily, my Wednesday night plans will give me a chance to do both those things. Plus, taking action aids one's sense of efficacy and that's how I settled upon the title for this evening's post. Indecision is a friend to no one. I hate to see anyone paralyzed by fear, least of all myself! That's where the topic for Wednesday evening's talk originated. I don't want to just talk about helping people or just talk about the difference I think I can make as a public speaker. I want to DO those things. Talk is cheap.
I remember when I was anxiously waiting to hear if I'd been accepted to Harvard Business School. I recall thinking: "I want to be past this. I want to worry about other things like whether to live on-campus or not!" There is so much in life that we do not have control over. Let's really own the things we CAN control. Let's not be the bottleneck in the process of living a richer, more vibrant, and more meaningful life. Easier said than done, I know. The good news is that tapping in to your intuition, your gut, your Source, the Universe is something you can learn. And once you do, you'll spend a lot more time in the company of peace and joy, today and everyday after that. Register for CROSSROADS and I'll see you on Wednesday! As ever, Lauren I am strong and healthy and blessed! I am learning and growing everyday and I can't ask for much more than that. Nonetheless, life presents us with challenges, and I think it is time to bring Peace And Joy Today to the southeast. If you take a look around the site, you'll notice a lot more content--specifically around speaking and consulting--than was in place even three weeks ago. New York City has inspired and born witness to this flurry of creative activity, but this is all news to another major market...Atlanta, Georgia. So, I'm going on assignment. In such a small company, if I want someone to go fire up the southeastern market, that someone has to be me.
I have some work to do out there. Fortunately, I have business school friends who are in Atlanta, but my contacts apart from them and my immediate family are few and far between. It's time to do some nation-building and get Atlanta on the Peace And Joy Today bandwagon. Please take a look at the programs I offer, and if you may be able to help with program execution by hosting an event in Atlanta over the next few months, reach me at Lauren@peaceandjoytoday.com. Let's have a conversation! I believe in love, urgency, and integrity. Let's get Atlanta going with a quickness! As promised, I'd like to give a shout out and much respect to my friend Eric Blair-Joannou for his helpful and encouraging feedback on recent changes to peaceandjoytoday.com. Thanks also for being someone I can share all kinds of triumphs with -- big and small. Your time to guest blog is fast approaching!
In related news, thanks to everyone who has had a kind word to share about Peace And Joy Today. This is just the beginning and I'm so excited for Peace And Joy Today to become a movement that inspires people and compels them to dig deep and find ways to do what they love. Life is awfully short. Go big! With joy, Lauren I think I made at least three New Year's Resolutions. Interestingly, only one stands out now the first two months of the year have passed. What is that gem? It's this: "I'm not taking any sh#t from anybody." I recycle some resolutions from year to year, so if I had to guess, the other two were: (1) be kinder to Lauren, and (2) be bold! Those are great and they never get old, but I'm not entirely sure those were the ones I committed to on New Year's Eve. At any rate, I am having success with "not taking any mess from anybody." I like to add to that, "And I don't care who you are!" I've removed a couple people from my emotional payroll this year and I must say, it feels great to stand up for myself. No apologies, no pussyfooting around the issue at hand.
Several years ago, one of my sisters commented on my penchant for burning bridges after I had a blow-up with a so-called mentor. The funny thing is, I am as peace-loving a woman as you're likely to find. But some bridges need to go! Editing one's life is a life-long process. When it comes to honoring your truth, your dignity, your value as a child of God, some stuff just can't be tolerated. And in 2012, I'm all for taking care of business. So, it's only Tuesday and already it has been a volatile week in the land of Peace And Joy. Yesterday I learned that a very exciting coaching engagement for the summer is not going to reach fruition with the client I had in mind, however, it could happen with some other client and for an even longer period, so I'm keeping it all in perspective... But it definitely qualified as a disappointment. On the flipside, today I visited a good friend and her twin 2 year old girls who came to me with arms extended when I said, "Can I have a hug?" which is something that even my nieces don't always do! And I got to join them for a walk along the Battery Park esplanade...which is very pleasant and the whole experience made me feel I was on holiday.
Ah, the up's and down's of life. I continue to accumulate evidence that disappointment is an inescapable part of a life well-lived. And that's the idea, isn't it? I'm someone who likes to say things like, "If you're gonna go, go!" and, the more sophisticated quote, "One cannot discover new seas without consenting to lose sight of the shore." If you're really going for it, really trying to grow into your destiny, and not just "phoning it in," disappointment is part of the cost of doing business. In that wonderful 1989 movie, Say Anything, Lloyd Dobler pursues the brainy but very attractive Diane Court. His friends warn him that she is out of his league and that he is likely to get hurt. To their warnings, he exclaims, "I want to get hurt!" That's the spirit, Lloyd. Go get 'em. It's been quite a week. Shock and dismay about Whitney Houston's death is morphing into a grim acceptance. Much closer to home, there have been some health concerns in my inner circle. So, last night I found myself engaged in a full-on marathon of Dr. Oz Show episodes and I've emerged in excellent spirits! Today happens to be a pretty sunny, mild day by February standards in New York. I can say, "Today is the first day of the rest of my life," without chuckling. I intend to drink water like it is my job. And return to the erstwhile habit of weighing myself each morning. I ordered specialty beluga lentils in (serious) bulk from my friends at Amazon, and that purchase will make it much easier for me to up my daily protein intake. I also purchased sunflower seeds, as it seems they are an excellent source of selenium which helps fight exhaustion, and I have been exhausted lately. Must go to bed earlier and wake up earlier as well.
It seems, according to Timothy Ferriss, author of The Four Hour Body, that cold showers kickstart one's metabolism. I love a challenge, but that's one I'll save for tomorrow. Peace, joy, and perfect health, Lauren Many thanks to Metropolitan Business Academy for hosting me yesterday as part of its Black History Month celebration! Just as I anticipated, it was a pleasure to meet and chat with bright, young leaders and the school's very dedicated and supportive teachers and staff. It's a bustling school in a bright, modern, well appointed building, serving the greater New Haven area.
I'll have some video of the speech up on the site soon. What an exciting experience to share a few insights and well wishes with these young leaders who will enter college in the next year or two (I spoke to juniors and seniors). After my hosts took me on a tour and I had a chance to pop my head into a few classes, I was ready to enroll, but alas, it was time to return to New York! Thank you, Metro! I'm very much looking forward to my trip to New Haven this Thursday. I'll be speaking to students at the Metropolitan Business Academy as part of their Black History Month celebration. I spoke with the school's assistant principal today and asked him if he was excited. What I meant to say was that I'm bursting with excitement! My parents met in New Haven. They both participated in a summer program at Yale University while they were in college. Many moons later, here comes Lauren to spread peace and joy!
I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak with these students who I might otherwise never have met, and I hope to be of service to them. I do believe I can highlight a few principles from my life that will improve some aspect of their life experience. I'm also grateful--in advance--for the chance to really engage with some young leaders! One of my favorite quotes is this: "Attention is the most basic form of love; through it we bless and are blessed." That's a John Tarrant quote. This Thursday morning, all my attention will be focused on how I can best engage, challenge, and inspire the young men and women of Metropolitan Business Academy. Until then! Lauren |
Lauren A. MosesI have been a devotee of all things inspirational since January 2005 when I first read Wayne Dyer's book "The Power of Intention." This year has been full of change and growth for me. I hope that something you read or watch on this site will strengthen and encourage you! Let's begin this journey together! Archives
October 2012
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