Making Choices…

Park Avenue Productions is off to a new adventure on Saturday!  We’ll be in Ecuador for the week.

Have you ever intentionally stepped outside your comfort zone?  I think that’s the best way we can grow. .. by pushing ourselves to our perceived limit and stepping off the edge. 

What happens?  Surprising events and experiences.

 This Saturday, my husband Joel, our son Andrew, myself and a few others will venture beyond my comfort zone.  We’re returning for our second time to do a healthcare mission for Causes For Change International, a local nonprofit that provide free healthcare to poor children in Ecuador.  The kids there literally have nothing.  We received donations to pay for the dental supplies, and then will spend time serving 1500 kids in six days.  My husband, a holistic dentist will be doing dental exams and extractions.  There is no equipment.  No electricity.  So it’s back to basics.  But the basics of pulling teeth can save lives.  Kids in Ecuador die of dental infections. 

Our son, Andrew assists Joel, often holding a flashlight over each child’s mouth.  (Remember - no electricity!)  He also teaches the children how to brush their teeth, and gives them their own toothbrush.  (The families can’t afford to provide a toothbrush for their children.  And — if they have a toothbrush, it’s just one for the whole family.)

I do whatever I can.  From putting small amounts of tylenol pills into a plastic baggie to providing musical entertainment for the hundreds of kids who wait outdoors in 90-degree heat for their dental exam.

For me, the “stretching” involves simple things — like no hot water, primitive bathroom conditions and the lack of fresh vegetables (or any vegetables) — due to concerns over parasites.  Being out of my comfort zone makes me appreciate the abundance of grace that we have here in the United States. 

Still, I also recognize how beautiful it is when we are the recipients of so much love and gratitude.  Ultimately, we too are being given a great gift when we go to Ecuador.  We feel truly uplifted being around such loving, caring people.  If more Americans could experience a week of service like this, I’m sure their perspective would be different… and there would be a lot more peace in this world.

 We are so connected with each other.  So, even though I’m a bit anxious about our upcoming trip, I look forward to the experience to serve the children.  I’m also so grateful for the loving support and donations by our friends.  Here’s to an amazing adventure!

Dear Friend,

The more I read — both inspirational books, “how-to” books and uplifting books,  (yes, those have been my mental “diet” for awhile), the more I realize the power of our own thoughts.

Today, I’d like to quote directly from Rebecca, at www.theScienceofGettingRich.net.  The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles is a classic in the world of wealth creation and inspiration.  If you want a free copy, I’ve attached it for you. 

Rebecca’s words are so powerful.  For some reason, it seems so easy to fall into patterns of lack… That’s why it’s extremely important to listen to our inner thoughts… and focus on being positive.  Rebecca is offering an online course through the Science of Getting Rich where YOU determine your own tuition.  Isn’t that great? 

Here she is… 

“I’m convinced that your commitment to transforming your own thinking and your own life will contribute to transforming our whole world. All the world’s great wisdom traditions, great religions, and our greatest philosophies acknowledge that our reality begins in our thinking.

• What if we actually BELIEVED that for a change?
• What if we actually decided to ACT on that?
• What if we really believed in and PRACTICED — in thought and action — what Mr. Wattles calls “the right motive, which is more life to ALL and less to NONE?”
• What if we individually and collectively put our minds and hearts and hands to the test Mr. Wattles invites us to prove?
• What if, in that process of bringing our own individual hearts’ desires into form in our own lives, we began to radiate “the impression of increase” out to all the world so that others all around us begin to “catch the vision,” too?

My friend, what do we have to lose by giving it a shot?

I’ll tell you: Nothing but poverty thinking and the overwhelming global belief in scarcity and lack, nothing but the physical manifestations of that thinking in our lives and in our world. Change has to start somewhere and it starts INSIDE — with me, with you.

What if we dared to create a vision that big? Are you willing?”

P.S.  Here’s what the Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles states:

“Guard your speech. Never speak of yourself, your affairs, or of anything else in a discouraged or discouraging way.

Never admit the possibility of failure or speak in a way that infers failure as a possibility.

“Never speak of the times as being hard or of business conditions as being doubtful. Times may be hard and business doubtful for those who are on the competitive plane, but they can never be so for you. You can create what you want, and you are above fear.

“When others are having hard times and poor business, YOU will find your greatest opportunities!” [Emphasis added by me — because it’s TRUE. And true about YOU!)

I love this quote by French author, Anais Nin…   “We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” 

Perspective is everything, isn’t it?  

This past week, I hosted Dr. Steve Taubman, the “Master of Misperception.”  Steve is also an amazing speaker, best-selling author and results catalyst on my teleseminar that was entitled, “Dissolving The Invisible Barriers to Success.”  We had a fascinating conversation… which focused on how we all have invisible blockages that prevent us from reaching our highest potential.  But — when we create a state of awareness and learn how to recognize the voices within our head that are not our own — we can discover why we’re being blocked. .. and ultimately dissolve the blockages!

(I’d love to get Steve out here to the Chicago area.  If anyone is looking for a great speaker, I’d highly recommend Steve.  What he does onstage involving hypnosis is eye-opening.)

Steve is an outstanding example of someone who reinvented himself many times over.  Before becoming a keynote speaker, sales team trainer and author, he was one of the most sought after hypnotists by college and corporate markets, performing thoughout the U.S and the Caribbean.  Later, Steve graduated valedictorian from New York Chiropractic College and became a successful chiropractic physician.  He taught himself magic and then began performing at corporate events and resorts — while running his practice!!  When he realized that chiropractic wasn’t fulfilling anymore, Steve sold his practice and went on a spiritual quest for the answer.  You can find it in his book - “Unhypnosis:  How to Wake Up, Start Over and Create the Life You’re Meant To Live.”  (www.stevetaubman.com)

Having a teleseminar with Steve was a wonderful way for people to not only learn about Steve’s topic, but also a way to get to know Steve, the person.  We now have an audio clip of the program too. 

To listen to the replay, click this link: http://www.AttendThisEvent.com/?eventid=10934877.

As Steve reminded all of us, what is real?  Only the present.  That’s why it’s so important to live fully in the time we have.   Even when we’re faced with fear, Steve recommends embracing that emotion…. only by feeling the fear can we then learn to dissolve it.  As Steve says, “Everyone has a gift waiting to be discovered and unleashed.”

Dear Friends:

In the spirit of gift giving that has become a part of the ritual of the Hanukkah festival of lights celebration, I offer you eight gifts that do not cost a cent.  I hope you will share this freely with all who are privileged to be a part of your lives. This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your relationships. The author of these thoughts is unknown but deeply appreciated. 

The Gift of Listening
But you must really listen. Don’t interrupt, don’t daydream, don’t plan your response. Just listen.

The Gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The Gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

The Gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a Favor
Every day go out of your way to do something kind.

The Gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gift of a Compliment
A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job,” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

These are eight important ways we can contribute toward whole and healthy relationships. They cost nothing, yet they may well be the most valuable gifts we can ever offer another.

One more gift… if you’d like to get free marketing tips, feel free to add your name and email to the opt-in page on my website – www.parkaveproductions.com.

Wishing you a healthy, happy holiday season and new year!

Warmly,

Lynn Sanders,

Park Avenue Productions, Multimedia That Makes A Difference”

Thanksgiving is a special time of year.  A time to reflect on family, friends and all the blessings we have.   A time to freely express our gratitude. 

As I continue learning, we choose our thoughts.  Why not choose positive thoughts every day?

This time of year reminds me to choose to live consciously day…  remembering that we are all connected… and that G-d lives within each of us.  How can we reach out to someone in need and uplift someone else’s life?

In preparing for a presentation this week about Jewish holidays, I came across this story from the Chabad website.  I’d like to share it with you… it’s titled…

———————————————————–

“We Are All One”

In his latter years, the Rebbe would stand for hours every Sunday, as thousands of people, both Jew and non-Jew would stand in line to receive his blessing. The Rebbe would look each person intently straight in the eyes for an eternal moment, often smiling, sometimes answering a question or providing advice, always giving his blessing or answering “amen” to the person’s own request. Each person received from the Rebbe’s hand a dollar bill to be given to any worthy cause of his or her choice.

All agreed that the spectacle was entirely supernatural. As the line went on, the Rebbe became increasingly invigorated, as though he himself was receiving life from these people. When, after many hours, the line would finally dwindle away, the Rebbe would turn to his personal secretary and ask, “Is there no one else?”

It happened one day that an elderly woman waited in line, sitting upon a small chair which she moved ahead together with the line. When she finally arrived before the Rebbe, she could no longer contain herself. “Rebbe, I am younger than you!” she burst out. “And I only sat…and you stand here and greet each person… and just look at you!”

The Rebbe beamed and replied, “When you’re counting jewels you don’t get tired.”

———————————————————————-

As November vanishes into December, let us recognize the jewels within each other.  Just as the glorious colors of autumn are so appreciated, we can also make time to appreciate those in our lives now… Thank you!