CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER, NUMBER 22 - ­March 28, 2002

The Positive Choices Series

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The Power of Positive Choices (Conari Press, 2001) was just selected as
one of six books by the Living in Balance Magazine Bookclub
(www.livinginbalancemagazine.com). This is a wonderful magazine
dedicated to personal growth and self-realization­check it out.

My friend, Victoria Moran, has an inspiring new journal book just out
called Body Confident: A Guided Journal to Losing Weight and Feeling
Great (Walking Stick Press, 2002) with a quote from The 12 Secrets of
Highly Creative Women on page 34. I just joined Weight Watcher’s so
Victoria’s journal is inspiring and nurturing to me through the process
of changing my lifestyle and dropping this surprising (to me anyway)
mid-life weight gain. I recommend it! Victoria also has a new book out
this month titled, Fit From Within: 101 Simple Secrets to Change Your
Body and Your Life which was recently featured in Parade magazine and
endorsed by me as well as Dr. Christianne Northrup.

I am busy writing a new book on highly fulfilled women and once again
reveling in the sacred process of interviewing remarkable and uplifting
women. If you have some secrets of fulfillment to share, please send
me an email to gail@creativesuccess.com.

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POSITIVE CHOICES STEP TEN: H IS FOR HONORING
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In the Positive Choices journey, honoring your unique self gives you an
edge in life. You are the author of your own life, so subtract other’s
expectations for you, and write YOUR own script. As women, we are
bombarded with super-woman images in the media. Images of the
super-slim, super-rich, and super-successful, many of which are
artificial and short-lived. Many men feel that they only count if they
make lots of money. Who is the real you and what do you express with
your life choices? I’ve worked with men and women for years who have
wonderful lives, but suffer the pain of not living up to other people’s
expectations for them. I have one client now who is a lovely women with
a strong marriage, two adorable children, and a new business that is
perfect for her talents, yet she focuses on what she lacks as opposed
to celebrating her wonderful but imperfect life. Often, the demons of
destruction are those saboteur voices of parents and other adults who
projected their personal pain onto you in the past. Stop suffering and
elevate your voice to the control tower. So many cruel, competitive, and
ignorant people pass judgements on you in your lifetime. Make yourself
right. It’s time to claim your own life, choose what you have chosen,
and grow from there.

Since the horror of 911, I have seen a group of new clients who woke up
to the preciousness of life­their life. I have seen numerous people who
want to change careers and find their own fireman purpose­work that
matters. Others have decided not to work so hard and allow themselves to
be family- centered, as relationships are their priority. Another client
who is a beloved teacher but wails about the lack of recognition,
status, and income, finally made peace with her calling. As she says, I
wanted to be a teacher since nursery school and I excel at it and revel
in my summer trips. I need to honor my life purpose, even though my
father still relentlessly criticizes me for not going to law school.
Crisis often facilitates focus. None of us know how much time we have
but we are the creators of our own life with its special challenges and
our own glory. Honor the person you are today and navigate your future
with self-acceptance and the freedom to be who you are.

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CHALLENGE
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1) You are the author of your own life story. Is it an adventure story,
a tragedy, a thriller, a spiritual journey, or a tale of fulfilment?
Choose the theme you want and rewrite your story using the Positive
Choices formula to guide you.

2) What manifestations of your body, mind, and spirit are you honoring?
Acknowledge who you are and celebrate it. Delete those doubting voices
and step into your power.

3) What manifestations of your life are you NOT honoring? Select 3
things you will do this month to change that.

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GAIL’S UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEDIA APPEARANCES
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May 23, 2002
12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women workshop at 7 PM
Boston Learning Society, Needham, MA
CALL 781-453-9800 to register

May 26, 2002
Conscious Talk Radio at 8 PM West Coast time with Brenda Michaels
www.conscioustalk.net
Due to great new technology, you will be able to hear this all over the
US--
Details to follow in the next newsletter

August 1, 2002
The Power of Positive Choices workshop at 7 PM
Boston Learning Society, Needham, MA
CALL 781-453-9800 to register

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GREAT GROUPS
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Two of my dear friends are starting groups for women this spring and I
highly recommend their work.

TENDING OUR INNER GARDEN THROUGH THE SEASONS OF OUR LIVES: A Women’s
Circle SOQUEL, CALIFORNIA

Beginning with the season of Spring, this group meets for two and a half
hours 6 times a season and costs $360.00. Marilyn Veltrop, Ph.D. is a
transformational guide and spiritual group facilitator who is committed
to living organically and in balance with her intuition and Mother
Nature. As Marilyn says, “We enter our sacred garden when we stop
searching outside of ourselves for the truth and begin to listen to the
deep sources of wisdom in ourselves. As we tend our inner gardens, we
come home to ourselves.” To explore participation in this circle, call
Marilyn at 831-464-9813 or email her at mveltrop@earthlink.net.

BEYOND MOTHERHOOD...Reclaiming Ourselves
TOPSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

This eight week group meets on Thursday mornings from 10-11:30 PM
beginning April 4th and supports women in finding work, play, or a
special interest that nurtures their own souls. Gail Kauranen Jones is a
mother, teacher, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in transition.
Class is limited to 12 women and costs $199. The group focuses on the
losses and gains of motherhood, the stages of transition, expanding your
comfort zone, and discovering mid-life awakenings and untapped callings
and passions. Contact Gail Jones at 978-887-0846 for more information.

NEW 12 SECRETS GROUP
Cincinnati, Ohio

Monday evenings beginning April 8th 7-9 PM and ending on June 3.
Join Marion Corbin Mayer and Sandra H. Korn for a group focused on The
12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women and tap into your feminine creative
energy. Email Marion at rmayer@dlpco.net or register at
www.creativecatalysts.net.

IF YOU ARE RUNNING A 12 SECRETS GROUP OR A POSITIVE CHOICES GROUP, LET
US KNOW!

HAPPY SPRING!

Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin