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Breathe Deeply -- and do this....... |
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In This Issue:
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Issue 344 - - February 20, 2007
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Welcome! And what's new...
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3. A’s in College and F’s in Life
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1. Breathe Deeply -- and do this.........
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4. Quotes - - Finding Your Soul
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5. Humor -- If you say so ......
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We have a tree in our front yard that was damaged by a storm and ultimately died. A normal person would have cut down the dead tree and removed the stump. But I’m not a “normal” person. I cringed at the thought of cutting down even a dead tree – and began to look at that tree with different eyes. I called the store where I bought my chain saw and asked if they knew anyone who did wood carvings. Three phone calls later I talked with Terry Truesdell. She said that while she did wood carvings in her shop she had never done anything on a standing tree, but would be willing to give it a shot. She referenced her website and we agreed to meet a few days later. After looking at the incredible carvings on her website I sent her a brief message relaying my excitement about having her come out to our house.
I immediately got this message back from Terry:
NO WAY!!! You're THAT Dan Miller???!?!?!! Well, welcome to the results of my reading your 48 Days! What a gas! I was dying in my job, read your book, and realized I really wasn't the bad person 'they' were brain washing me into thinking I was. ….. I gave 2 months notice at my job, and immediately experienced a peace that surpasses all understanding. I started to breathe deeper than I had in years. ….. Life is so good now! I have tons of energy, feeling creative, and can go into my studio and carve away. God is so good!! This has been the best year of my life so far! Thanks for your part!
Blessings (and thanks for your ministry!), Terry Truesdell
Can you breathe deeply with the life you currently have? If your breathing is shallow and constrained, why is that? What would it take to release “a peace that surpasses all understanding” for you? Yes, this is a Biblical spiritual reference but we know that spiritual wholeness involves more than just an intellectual or emotional shift. It also requires an authentic daily life that includes meaningful and purposeful work.
That may take you on an unusual path. Fulfilling work for you may not be immediately seen as “practical” and “realistic” by those around you. Trust me, you will not find Tree Carver in the U. S. Labor Department’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
Terry did come out to our house. She was able to “see” two amazing faces in that dead tree. Instead of having an ugly stump we now have a permanent piece of art in our yard. Those are my three oldest grandchildren (Caleb, Autumn and Eliza) in the picture who were here for Christmas and got to see this whole process. Who knows what seeds of greatness were planted in their minds as they watched Terry release the wisdom of these faces residing in our tree?
Check out Terry’s website. Carvings for Christ. Make sure you are doing work that touches your soul and releases a peace not experienced by those trapped in meaningless work. Thanks for being part of the growing 48 Days family – and for finding the “work you love!”
Here’s a 1-minute audio message from me to futher inspire you to find your passion!
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Over the years I have been asked hundreds of times –“Dan, how can I do what you do?” I’m complimented by the question as I do think coaching is extremely rewarding. I’ve also always responded with –“How can I help you?” Well, we have finally formalized the process to help you grow your own coaching business.
Beginning Tuesday evening, February 27th at 7:00 PM CST, I will be presenting six weeks of one-hour sessions we are calling Coaching 101. We already have people who are sports coaches, financial coaches, spiritual coaches, life coaches, counselors, business coaches, diabetes coaches, church growth coaches, etiquette coaches, and many more registered as 48 Days Coaches. As you can see, this is not focused on psychological principles but rather on the simple premise of helping people go from where they are to new levels of success in multiple life areas.
There is a $750 fee for this 6-week seminar (free for 48 Days Coaching Connection members). If you’ve ever seen yourself as a “Coach” and would like to structure it as an income-generating business, join us for this launching process.
As a Coach you'll get a website and be able to list your services -- no lag time. That will happen the same day you register. Click the link below or email Kevin@48DaysCoach.com to get started.
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In a recent study by the Pew Charitable Trust, 50 percent of college graduates were found to be lacking in simple life skills. As I mention often, 15% of a person’s success will be due to technical skills (IQ, GPA, Degrees, Credentials) and 85% will be due to personal skills (Enthusiasm, Attitude, Smile, Tone of Voice).
These grads were found to be unable to analyze news stories, to understand basic documents like rent agreements, and to balance their checkbooks or calculate restaurant tips. A new study just released by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), a behavioral and social science research organization, echoes Pew’s findings. More than half of the students nearing graduation at four-year colleges lacked the literacy skills to handle complex tasks, such as analyzing arguments in newspaper editorials or understanding credit card offers. Students nearing graduation at two-year colleges scored even worse. Seventy-five percent of these students also did not have the basic skills.
Duh – I’d say you’d better think twice about spending money on an American college degree – if you are counting on that to prepare you for success in the real world. You may know what year the War of 1812 was fought but not know the importance of a good hand shake.
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Joanne tells me this sounds really negative on college. No I love college -- I did bachelor's, master's and doctoral work there myself; some of my best friends are college professors; I wasn't upset when my own daughter went to college and married a college graduate -- need I go on? I just want you to think about the multiple ways "education" can occur and to take responsibility for being prepared with the skills that you may need to get outside of "college."
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