Subject: Balancing Service and Self-Development
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Welcome to Celebrating the Journey!
Friday, May 24, 2002
Issue #95
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Welcome Notes
2. The Paradox of Balancing Service and Self-
Development
3. Support the Miracle of Peace
4. Quotes
5. Resources for the Journey
6. Celebrating Out Loud!
7. Humor: Children’s Biblical Knowledge
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1. Welcome Notes
Once again, I welcome our new subscribers. It is
always a joy to have our family grow. I received
several e-mails this past week from folks who
received a forwarded copy of CTJ from friends or
family or coworkers. That’s the best way for our
family to grow: if you like this issue, forward it along.
And as you’ll see in today’s Coaching section, more
than any previous issue of CTJ, this one needs to be
spread far and wide.
I am on the move again this summer and so there will
be an occasional Friday in the next several months on
which you will receive no CTJ. No worries, it will
appear again, usually the following week. If you’re
interested in Margo’s Summer Adventures, send an e-
ail to mailto:Adventures@tothesummit.com, and I’ll
send you an itinerary. Lots of wonderful journeys
and workshops are happening for me.
It is snowing outside my office window this morning
Looks and feels more like February than late May.
Mother Nature seems to be wreaking a bit of havoc
lately, at least in the USA. Hard to know what to pack
for my Summer Adventure! Whatever the weather
where you are, may you celebrate this time of rebirth
and blossoming and joy.
The Celebrating Out Loud section of this publication
continues to be my favorite. I so love sharing our
readers’ celebrations with you all. So please keep
sharing them with us by e-mailing them to
mailto:celebrations@tothesummit.com. There is no
celebration too small to share!
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2. The Paradox of Balancing Service and Self-
Development
In response to our request for topic ideas, Anna
Chapman sent the following e-mail:
Your newsletter is excellent and I am always glad to
receive it. Here’s something that probably affects
many people, especially in these times when we are
bombarded with so many demands. We all want to
develop our talents and get more insight into our
hearts and lives. At the same time we live in the
world with other people and need to make
connections and be of service as best we can. How
about some thoughts on balancing self-development
with service to others?
Thanks, Anna
Thanks to you, Anna, for this topic. This is, indeed, a
question which faces all of us who choose to be on the
path to self-development. The answer lies in the
distinction between being self-aware and self-
obsessed.
Self-obsession places us in the center of our universe.
What can I get from you?
Self-awareness brings clarity about our values and
our place in life. That clarity naturally leads to service
for others. How can I support you and what can I
learn from you?
As paradoxical as it seems, the greater our self-
awareness, the greater our ability to be of service to
others and to the planet. Self-development work
creates more reserves of time, space, energy and
money in our lives which allows and invites us into
service.
When I was a new coach, my own coach told me,
“Grow yourself to grow your practice.” (Thanks,
Steve Straus!) The concept holds just as true with
being of service. Grow yourself to be of more service
to your fellows, your community, your planet.
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3. Coaching: Support the Miracle of Peace
Being of service doesn’t require any certain level of
self-awareness. Nor does it require a great deal of
time or energy. It is true that greater self-
development creates greater ability to be of service.
And no matter where we are on our own path, there
is much we can do in these troubled times to be of
service at a deep level.
Marianne Williamson has a profound idea for being
of service today and every day. Whatever your
concept of a Spiritual Being or Energy – God,
Goddess, Spirit, Universe, Buddha, Muhammad,
Vishnu, Higher Power, energy, Nature – prayer is a
powerful tool: a catalyst for miracles.
Take five minutes of your day and dedicate it to the
miracle of peace.
Here is Marianne’s coaching:
“With threats of suicide bombers in our midst,
warnings of new terrorist attacks, and reports of
extremists having infiltrated the United States, it is
time for those of us who believe in miracles to
ardently begin working them.
“None of us need think, ‘There is nothing I can do.’
While military and economic and political forces have
worldly power, they cannot work miracles.
“And we can, because prayer is a conduit of miracles.
The first thing, the most powerful thing, the most
miraculous thing we can do, is pray. At noon each
day, wherever we are, let us stop for a minimum of
five minutes, close our eyes and say a prayer for our
country and our world. Know that as you do so,
there are probably thousands of other people in your
time zone doing exactly the same thing, thus
increasing the vibratory power of the prayer field.
ideas become stronger when they are shared, and so
do prayers.
“Do what you can to let others know about the
noontime prayer vigil, both here and abroad.
Ultimately we will create a blanket of prayer that
comes over the world in synchronized waves. Let us
begin today. Let us surround the entire planet with a
field of light, and place a golden bubble of protection
over our nation.”
It’s easy to let others know. Simply forward this issue
of CTJ to friends, family and associates, inviting them
to join this world prayer for peace.
Self-awareness and service go hand in hand. You
honor both by adding your energy to creating the
miracle of peace.
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4. Quotes
A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on
harming others, is stronger than any physical force in
the universe.
Wayne Dyer
Courage is the price that life exacts for granting
peace.
Amelia Earhart
It is difficulties that give birth to miracles.
Dr. Sharpe
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though
nothing is a miracle. The other is as though
everything is a miracle.
Albert Einstein
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5. Resources for the Journey
I recently received a copy of the text of Kurt
Vonnegut’s graduation speech to the senior class of
MIT. I don’t know if it’s from this year or the past. I
found it amusingly and poignantly wise and enjoyed
it immensely. I think you will, too. Click
https://www.tothesummit.com/Vonnegut.html
and enjoy.
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6. Celebrating Out Loud
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more
there is in life to celebrate.
Oprah Winfrey
Sheryl celebrates with these words, “I celebrated 10
years sober on May 5th! This last year has been a
real learning experience. And I’m glad to be aware of
the lessons. Glad to be sober and alive today!” Share
her gratitude at mailto:sherylp@juno.com
In celebration of 30 years clean, sober, and abstinent
on May 20th, Phyllis Sbrocco writes, “My journey
thru this lifetime has been filled with wonder and
miracles, and the will to survive has been apparent by
the presence of a Higher Power. My own life, my
family, my friends, my work are gifts from The
Source and I am most grateful
“Thank you all who have been there before me
and those who have held my hand along the way.”
Share your own joy with Phyllis at
mailto:recoveryroom2@juno.com
I celebrate having my BMW Z3 back from the body
shop (see CTJ May 10, Everyday Acts, archived at
https://www.tothesummit.com/archive) and once
again driving this marvelous machine which fills me
with such joy. Anyone else have a car they love and
adore?? Let us know at mailto:lovetodrive@tothesummit.com
Recovery anniversaries aren’t the only days we
celebrate in our lives. What miracle has happened for
you lately? Share it with us at
mailto:celebrations@tothesummit.com
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7. Humor: Children’s Biblical Knowledge
My sister Barb sent these goodies which come from a
Catholic elementary school. Kids were asked
questions about the Old and New Testaments. The
following statements about the Bible were written by
children. They have not been retouched or corrected
(i.e., incorrect spelling has been left in).
1. In the first book of the bible, Guinness’s, God got
tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath
off.
2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree.
Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an
ark, which the animals come on to in pears.
3. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of
fire by night.
4. The Jews were a proud people and throughout
history they had trouble with the unsympathetic
Genitals.
5. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the
Apostles.
6. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam
to eat the apple
7. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit
adultery.
8. Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then
Joshua led the hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
9. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua
told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
10. David was a hebrew king skilled at playing the
liar. He fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people
who lived in Biblical times.
11. When Mary heard that she was the mother of
Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
12. When the three wise guys from the east side
arrived, they found Jesus in the manager.
13. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate
contraption.
14. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to
do one to others before they do one to you. He also
explained, “a man doth not live by sweat alone.”
15. The people who followed the lord were called the
12 decibels.
16. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
17. One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was
also a taximan.
18. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy
acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
19. Christians have only one spouse. This is called
monotony.
20. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert.
Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get
the ten ammendments.
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Give yourself the gift of peace prayers this week.
Namaste, Margo
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Hiring a Life Coach is a great way to be supported in
taking the steps that will lead you to your own
dreams. Margo has a few slots open for motivated
clients who want to shift from, “I like my life, to, “I
love my life!!!” Visit our website at
https://www.tothesummit.com for additional
resources and tools. To schedule a consultation, send
an e-mail to mailto:margo@tothesummit.com
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If you received this copy of Celebrating the Journey
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My purpose in publishing Celebrating the Journey is
to provide you with resources, motivation,
inspiration and energy for YOUR journey of creating
success and freedom in all areas of your life. CTJ will
use stories from my life and others, coaching tips and
resources, quotes and humor to deliver a learning
experience that can enhance your life. I am always
looking for comments, ideas and ways to improve
CTJ. I welcome your e-mails at
mailto:margo@tothesummit.com.
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Copyright © 2002, all rights reserved, by Margo
Chisholm
I invite you to share Celebrating the Journey with
your mailing list, friends, and associates. We ask only
that the entire e-mail with copyright and credits be
included. The author of this article is Margo
Chisholm. You may contact her at (970-704-9336) or
at mailto:margo@tothesummit.com.
—
Come to the edge, life said.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, life said.
They came.
It pushed them…
And they flew.
Gulliaume Apollinaire
Margo Chisholm
Life Coach, Life Counselor
Partnering you in having success, freedom, and
joy in all areas of your life.
970-704-9336
margo@tothesummit.com
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