What we talk about in Hidden Gems

(Just a short list)

What it means to get out of your own way ...

Stepping out of a comfort zone and developing more confidence ...

How to avoid feeling stuck and isolated when facing a new life challenge ...

When you care about something more than your friends and family do...

When you are open to something new but others around you are not...

To what extent should you be there for family when they don’t appreciate it?

How many times is it wise to extend the olive branch?

Is having a relationship with God more difficult than it should be?

When to put your dreams aside and when to pick them up again...

Finding meaning when those around you struggle...

How do I recognize my purpose and determine value in what I do?

Who’s really shooting me down?

Being so busy fixing yourself, you realize your life has flown by...

How to reject “modern inconveniences” and re-embrace the natural rhythms of life ...

How to relax and not feel compelled to be busy all the time...

When is kindness a weakness?

When you want to be liked, are the right people liking you?

When is it okay to get off course?

The First Topics...

I am working on the first few Hidden Gems meeting topics.  

Here are the three topics:
(1) The Third Power Principle:  Formula for Fantastic Health

(2) Living with Your Health Personality:  the 5 Personality Types and What that Means About Your Health Decisions

(3) Healthy Family/Healthy Calling

The direction of future topics depend on you, the participants. The four basic categories are God, Health, Family, and Calling..... Wherever the conversation takes us.  Remember, you are the mentors.

RSVP so I can plan ahead. 

Mondays at 12:30  and Thursdays at 5:00/5:15
277-1362

Our Souls Are Hungry for Meaning

Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth or power. Those rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little bit different for our having passed through it. 

-Rabbi Harold Kushner

As we venture out in the world to find our calling, we can sometimes get lost along the way.  We don't do it on purpose but it can be overwhelming.  We're told to try new things but for some reason we can't seem to stick to the real good things.  The not-so-good things are very tempting, giving us instant gratification.

Fame
We see people who jump from being unknown to famous so quickly they let the intoxication of it lead them into poor decisions.

Comfort
We see people who seek out so much comfort that they are weakened by it, unable to be independent or finding fulfilling relationships.

Wealth
Wealth is a tool.  It can be used for great good, but it can be misused and money is spent on self-indulgence.

 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered      away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  -- 1 Timothy 6:10

It is a perversion for people to want to enjoy money, but merely to make use of God. Such people do not spend money for the sake of God but worship God for the sake of money.

St Augustine, City of God, Book XI, chapter 26

Power

We always hope power is used to bring people up and not to break them down.

But meaning?  What is meaning?

“Man does not simply exist, but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment.” – Dr. Viktor Frankl

But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.  --Exodus 9:16

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.  --Proverbs 20:5

Is meaning a life without fame, comfort, wealth, and power?  Or is it fame, comfort, wealth and power shared so more than one benefits?  So we all benefit together?

Mentoring and being mentored gives us meaning.  Mentoring means we are enjoying our interactions with people.  We are meant to grow together.

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."  --Genesis 2:18

How to Use Community for Personal Transformation

This article is provided by the free article sharing source: ezinearticles.com.
By Audrey Seymour
To transform society into new paradigm ways, we must first face the challenge of transforming ourselves and our own behavior.

Have you noticed that no matter how many trainings you take and how much inner work you do, the path of change still isn't easy? It's because we are creating entirely new perspectives that have never been seen before.

Do you try to do too much of it on your own? Do you tend to treat yourself with too much discipline structure and too little community structure? Consider that you may need less "just try harder" and more "just reach out more."

It's common to feel that personal transformation is a private affair, and to forget that returning to wholeness includes the fact that we are tribal and thrive when connected.

The kind of changes we need require our full heart and soul.Soldier-style discipline will not take us out of old-paradigm thinking. On the other hand, letting ourselves be inspired and held accountable by like-minded others allows us to stretch while keeping our hearts open.

10 years ago when I left the corporate world to start a business coaching practice, I blindly continued my Type-A behavior and tried to force my progress. Luckily my body rebelled! I had to slow down and find a new way forward that allowed for more heartfelt connections and presence.

Are you trying to create new paradigm results with old paradigm heroic methods?

Here are common limiting beliefs that might be keeping you from taking advantage of the power of community:

1. I don't need any help because I know what I need to do; I should just try harder.
2. If I don't push for change, nothing will happen.
3. If I invite others into my process, I might listen to their opinions rather than my own heart.
4. If I let people know I need help, I will lose respect in their eyes.
5. I don't have the time and/or money that ongoing support would require.

Take a moment to explore what might be keeping you from receiving the full gift of transforming while in relationship with others.

After several decades of inner work I'm very familiar with the terrain, but every time I treat myself to a mastermind group or coaching session I am struck with the acceleration available. I'm not talking here about being exposed to new ideas, because that can happen in informal settings or on your own. What I'm pointing to is the kind of ongoing mirroring and reinforcement that allows us to gain traction in those slippery places.

Being witnessed by another or a group in a safe setting allows our deepest intelligence and wisdom to arise, take shape, and have a bigger impact on the world. Consider forming a mastermind group or partnership, hiring a coach or taking a class.

What challenges might you be able to dissolve with solid community at your back? What form of alliance would inspire you the most?

Audrey Seymour MA PCC is the founder and principal of Clear Change Group. She and her team help mission-based businesses increase their impact and financial flow. Visit www.clearchangegroup.com to view our library of articles and resources and receive your copy of "Eight Mistakes That Keep Change Agents from Making a Difference."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Seymour

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7348071