Women's Wisdom

Feeling Poor? Read This!

If you have assets worth more than $61,000, you are among the world's richest 10 percent of adults.

Collectively that 10% owns 85 percent of the globe's total wealth.

Here's how the figures breakdown:

>> Richest 1 percent of the world's population owns 40 percent of global assets.

>> Riches 2 percent owns 50 percent.

>> Richest 10 percent owns 85 percent.

>> Poorest 50 percent of the world's population owns less than one percent of global assets.

Feeling less poor now? :D

In Spirit,

Lauren

From:  World Vision - Summer2007
Source: World Institute for Development Economics Research

Just Add Water

You know I love sharing with you - especially when it means looking at things from outside the box! I love to wake us up; make us more conscious in our choices, our daily living.

With that said, consider this:

At home, the average American uses 80-100 gallons of water a day:

  >> Flushing the toilet: 5 gallans per flush
  >> Brusthing teeth with water running: 2 gallons
  >> Running the dishwater: 12 gallons
  >> Taking a 5 minute shower: 25 gallons

CounterPoint: The average African *family* uses a total of 5 gallons of water a day

Surprised?! I was! :D

Water is life...When a community gains access to clean water, its child mortality drops by half.

From: World Vision Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, World Resources Insitute

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

>> Be Conscious of how you use water. Don't run the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. Use water-saving shower heads and use gray water (shower, dishwather) for watering your lawn and garden. When I lived in California during the 7 year drought, I became very aware of when and how much water I was using. We're so fortunate to have ample clean water in America. What an opportunity to express gratitude!

>> Help provide a well for a community. Visit www.worldvisiongifts.org to purchase a share of a traditional or deep well. World Vision's water projects around the world have given 10 million people access to clean water and improved sanitation. You can be a part of the solution!

>> Learn more about water and poverty. "Water Wise", teacher's guides adn materials are available at www.worldvisionresources.com Or find education information online at www.watermatters.worldvision.org.nz

More little-known information for you to think about:

Major Uses for Fresh Water:

North America:
>> Domestic Use: 13.3 percent
>> Agriculture: 38.7 percent
>> Industry: 48.0 percent

Africa:
>>Industry: 7.3 percent
>> Domestic Use: 8.6 percent
>> Agriculture: 84.1 percent

From: World Vision Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Can you feel your mind expanding? Your consciousness awakening? Good!

Now go enjoy your day and be grateful for that glass of water you're drinking!

In Spirit,

Lauren

Seek the Handle

Ready for a funny story? I thought you might enjoy a light-hearted look at how some of our actions become deeply ingrained without our conscious knowledge.

Some time ago, my refrigerator handle broke. One of the screws sheared off so the handle was no longer functional As a temporary solution, I re-attached the handle to the other side of the refrigerator (I didn't know our refrigerator was bi-handled :D). This allowed me to open the refrigerator door easily; but the door now swung open the other direction.

Over and over again, I found myself unconsciouly reaching for the refrigerator handle in its OLD location. And over and over again, I had to get conscious and Seek the Handle in its new location. This happened numerous times a day, as you might imagine. And it got darn right funny watching the old, ingrained behavior operating by default.

Days later, I'm still reaching for the handle in the OLD location. It became an amusing metaphor for the old beliefs in my life. How even when we've implemented a new strategy or solution, the old behavior takes a while to clear out. This is a simple example, so imagine if the habit you're wanting to change is to quit smoking, eat healthy, stop being co-dependent, exercise, recover from trauma, etc. It can take a LONG WHILE (days, weeks, months, even years) to clear out (unless you have the benefit of some energy tools like Emotional Freedom Technique "EFT").

Just today, I was remarking about how the habit of reaching for the refrigerator handle in its NEW location has become ingrained and now that the handle is finally being fixed, I'll have to go through the process all over again. (Only this time, I have EFT to shorten the process...Hmmm...this could be VERY INTERESTING!)

Well, that's my story - an amusing one at that. So remember to "Seek the Handle". And if you've got some old beliefs, habits, experiences you would like to release (who doesn't?) in a more timely fashion, consider EFT and consider joining me on Wednesday, May 2nd at 1:15pm Eastern for a teleclass on EFT. You can read more about it here: http://womensu.com/SayYesTeleclass.htm

Seeking the Handle, :D

Lauren

P.S. - When I sat down to share this funny story with you, I had no intention of making the connection to EFT and my upcoming teleclass. In fact, it didn't even occur to me. But as I was typing and writing about how long it took to change my old behavior, it occurred to me that EFT could have shortened the transition. SUre, the refrigerator handle is a goofy example, but it's SO REPRESENTATIVE of important habits and behaviors. And now you know...the rest of the story :D

Say Yes to Success - Instead of Maybe

You may have noticed that Women's Wisdom has been quiet the last few weeks. Previously, we've been exploring our everyday beliefs, the ones we operate from, often unconsciously. I was inspired to go further than just talking about these beliefs, and find a way to help you SHIFT from the old beliefs, to new, empowering ones.

By partnering with a colleague of mine, Ann Ross, who is an EFT Master, we co-created a teleclass series to assist you in releasing - once and for all - old beliefs that get in the way of your success. That's what I've been working on for the last few weeks. So Ta-Da! We're announcing our first inaugural teleclass together - Say Yes to Success (Instead of Maybe).

So often we put conditions on our success based on our fears, beliefs, etc. We want to put an end to that. If you're willing to take a risk, albeit a small one, join us for this transformative teleclass on May 2nd at 1:15pm Eastern. Sign up and details are included below. I hope to see you there!

In Spirit,

Lauren

P.S. - While this may be Ann and my first teleclass together, I've been teaching teleclasses for over 7 years. I just love the energy of teleclasses - the group dynamics, the wisdom, the synergy, the co-creation and most of all, meeting people from all over the world!

Say "YES" to Success (Instead of "Maybe")

No-cost Teleclass - Wednesday, May 2nd at 1:15 pm Eastern

The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like and thoughts become things. As you think, you magnetically attract things which resonate on the same frequency. When you look at your life and see it as a mirror it will be obvious to you where you are not resonating with what you really want. We act as a beacon for all of our thoughts and feelings without exception and we receive what we put out.

So what if you could change your thoughts and beliefs around what is possible for you?

Simply deciding you are going to change them is a great step forward; "practicing" and being aware of changing your thoughts is laudable. However, if you are looking for permanent change and a clearing of your energy system, we have evidence over and over again what energy psychology can do for us. This is the missing link to the Law of Attraction.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) changes your body's energy system and your physiology. You vibrate in line with what you want. Manifestation happens much more quickly when you are in alignment with the right vibration and feelings for what you want. There are no "ifs" or "buts" or "maybes"- it happens as a natural process. If you find it difficult to "allow" (one of the key principles of the Law of Attraction) you simply reduce or even eliminate the core belief that holds you back!

If you want to accelerate your success, break through the barriers that keep you from all the success you desire, or create the dream business you have always wanted that you KNOW you can create, join us for this f*r.e*e. teleclass!

Wednesday, May 2nd at 1:15 pm Eastern
Click here to Sign Up Now! or send a blank email to SayYestoSuccess@WomensU.com

Don't worry if you can't make the call - you can listen to it later. Register now and we'll send you a link to the call recording shortly after the live call completes.

This teleclass will be transformational and fast paced and held with deep love and compassion. Are you willing to transform? Are you willing to release the negative beliefs that keep you stuck? Are you willing to take the next step?

Your Teachers/Facilitators:

Ann Ross (EFT master and international trainer) - Ann is an EFT Master, a successful executive and business coach, and an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. For the past nine years she has facilitated change in peak performance and fulfillment coaching for people who want more from their lives, work and relationships. She now trains trainers and anyone in the helping professions, including doctors, psychologists, and psychotherapists in energy techniques. The courses are certified and accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Therapies and integrate Gary Craigs "Guidelines for Trainers". She is an international workshop leader and travels regularly to South Africa as well as facilitating courses in the UK for entrepreneurs. Ann presented at the 1st International EFT Masters Conference in London in November 2006.

Lauren Lee (Master Spirit Coach and Women'sU President) - Lauren is a Spiritual Teacher, Master Spiritual Life Coach, Certified Prosperity Guide and Women'sU President. Her passion is empowering women to awaken their spiritual gifts and their Divine life mission. She specializes in supporting women who have had a career in corporate America (where there is not much room for soul) and found the courage to leave it. Creating a strong, synergistic partnership with her clients, Lauren helps her clients find their voice, their courage, their inner fire and their unshakable core so they can build their successful, passionate, purposeful life (and profitable business).

The Dream Squashers

It takes money to make money.

Anything worth having takes hard work.

You always have to work hard.

These are the beliefs I heard during a recent conversation with some of my friends who are also entrepreneurs. I noticed that speaking these beliefs did not empower the speaker, but instead seemed to create a feeling of defeat and hopelessness. These beliefs surfaced immediately following an inspired conversation about business visons and bold ideas. The beliefs had the effect of squashing the dream before it ever had a chance to become real. Squashed. Dead.

Let's take a closer look at these dream-squashing beliefs, for the sake of dreams everywhere.

It takes money to make money. Fact or fiction?

There are plenty of examples where some money has been used to make more money. That is definitely a possibility. But is it a requirement?

An event could be held to benefit a non-profit group with all services, promotions, advertising and even the location being donated and all labor provided by volunteers. No money required.

How about the dream of building a pottery retreat center? Needs are lodging for people to stay overnight. Options: Start with what you've got using existing lodging on the property or get sponsors to pay for building of cottages in exchange for advertising.

And what about bartering? There are several professional bartering networks around the country where people exchange services like massage, web design, PR, coaching, etc.

Maybe the more accurate belief is:  Making money takes an exchange of energy. (the energy can be in the form of dollars or time or labor or...)

Next belief: Anything worth having takes hard work. Fact or fiction?

This one's easy. So winning the lottery isn't worth having? Whew - that's a relief :D  Or when you receive a lovely gift from a good friend, it's not worth having because you didn't work hard for it? Really?

Next: You always have to work hard. Fact or fiction?

How do you define working hard? It is working at some task you don't like? Or one that is unpleasant? If you're doing something you enjoy, is it still working hard?

In recent months, my hardest working days have been spent getting dirty, hot/cold, hungry, sore muscles and worn out rescuing starving horses. The last rescue, I worked from 11am to 11pm, non-stop on my day off from my regular work. Did I work hard? You bet. Was it worth it? You bet! These horses were now safe, fed, and never to be hurt again. I never sleep better than when I've been 'all used up' making a difference and serving our fellow sentient creatures.

So I ask you again - If you're working hard (aka expending effort) doing something you love or that honors your values, is it still working hard? And if so, how do you discern it from working hard on something you don't enjoy?

One final note: it is not at all uncommon to have these dream-squashing (DS) beliefs surface immediately following the expression of a dream or a soul's desire. Coincidence? Not likely. These days, I look at these DS beliefs as confirmation of a big dream, a grand vision worth achieving. These DS beliefs also present a fabulous opportunity to clear out what is no longer serving you and definitely not serving your dream. It's just what you need to achieve your dream!

Until next week, In Joy,

Lauren

P.S. - Need some help clearing out and releasing those dream-squashing beliefs? Consider EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique - a fabulous tool for clearing out the old gunk quickly. And watch for my upcoming May Teleclass/Program co-created with Ann Ross, EFT Master, designed especially for Entrepreneurs. Space will be limited to ony 15 participants. More information on EFT, including a downloadable workbook, is available here.

Pasta and Chocolate Cake

A couple of weeks ago, we started off our belief busting journey on a  light note by looking into the world of tomatoes. Now you know they come in many colors, including ones you probably didn't know about. Your world has expanded, just a little :)

Last week, we dove into some juicy beliefs about how other people affect us.

This week, let's look at a hard-core, widely-held belief (or two). Are you up for it? If you are, keep reading. If not, then save it for later or hit the delete key.  (I promise not to be offended) :D

Fact or fiction? Pasta makes you fat.

I could just have easily written Chocolate Cake makes you fat.

Are these true statements? Maybe you believe they're true for you. But are they universally true for everyone - like say, gravity?

What do you believe about food?

We certainly have plenty of people, advertisements, magazines, and commercials telling us what to believe about food. And then there's the 'experts' - the health professionals, Recommended Daily Allowances and Food Pyramid, all telling us what's best for our body. Notice how their recommendations change over the years.

Pasta makes you fat. Fact of Fiction?

I bet you know someone or know OF someone who can eat all they want and stay the same weight. (If you're lucky, maybe that person is YOU). And I bet you also know someone or know OF someone who even with diet and exercise, just can't get to their desired weight. Wouldn't these two examples seem to indicate there is more to our relationship with food than the 2 beliefs above?

A friend of mine believes pasta will make her fat. Her underlying belief is that pasta has a lot of carbohydrates and carbs make her put on weight. And so it is. (I couldn't live life fully without pasta!)

"Argue for your limitations and they are yours." - Richard Bach, author

Ready for a challenging question? (If not, stop reading now)

To whom do you give your power when it comes to your health?

Does your intuition, guidance, wisdom come first and take top priority? Or do you turn your power over to a diet program, a health guru, a fitness institute or someone else? How is that working for you? :D

I believe our bodies have an intelligent wisdom that knows what we need and when. We've just been trained from an early age... to ignore it!

When was the last time you asked your body before a meal, what it would most like to eat that would make it feel, good, healthy and digest well? If you've never asked - then you're at the start of an exciting adventure - or maybe experiment would be a better word :) 

If you have asked, but it's been awhile, I invite you to restart the experiment and ask your body what it wants.

Now, I'm not suggesting that your food intake consist entirely of chocolate cake or pasta. Moderation is best - ask your body.  But I am suggesting that what we believe about food and health affects us.

Consider these empowering beliefs:

   My body metabolizes everything I eat.

   My body can handle any mistakes in my eating.

   My body knows what it wants and needs and communicates it to me. And I listen.

And consider taking your power back. You know I'll support you! 

Please share the 'results' of your experiment and your health adventure with me. I'd like to know...

   In Spirit,

    Lauren Lee

P.S. - If you're just starting out on befriending your body and would like support as you get to know your body and it's wisdom, then you might like my dear friend and colleague - Stephanie Wood's - Body Knowledge Program. It starts April 11th and you can read more information here  I found it invaluable in getting to know my body and accessing the wisdom within.

P.P.S. - Have an 'everyday belief' that you would like me to investigate? Then send me an email with the belief, and you might just see it in a future Women's Wisdom (I'm happy to acknowledge your contribution too)

You make me feel like...

Welcome new readers! Thank you for joining me for our ongoing exploration of our every day, most commonly held beliefs. Are we having fun yet? :D

Have you ever had this experience? You're having a great day, full of lots of wonderful connection and synchronicities, and you want to share it with someone close to you. In your enthusiastic state, you share your great day; and then the person responds blandly "That''s great, dear." How does that make you feel? For most of us, our enthusiasm takes a nose-dive, like it just jumped off a cliff.

Can you believe how that person made you feel?!

Or maybe you relate to this scenario more: You and your Sweetie have decided to get together after dinner and watch a movie. An in-home 'date', so to speak. Your Sweetie says, "I just have to make a quick, 5-minute phone call". Over an hour later when you're still waiting (not so patiently), you decide to make your own evening plans. You also notice that you feel really crummy, and feel like you're not very important.

Can you believe how that person made you feel?!

At this point, I'd like to share one of my favorite quotes of all time with you:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
                    - Eleanor Roosevelt

Myth: Someone else makes you feel ...

Truth: You are responsible for your own feelings and how you express them.

We use phrases all the time like "that situation made me feel.." or "that person made me feel..." or "you make feel...", but those are inaccurate statements. We experience the situation or person's words, internalize them, process them, and then... we judge them and decide how we want to feel about them. Yes, this is often an unconscious process; but that doesn't make it less real.

As Eleanor Roosevelt points out in her quote, we decide  to feel inferior or less than or upset or even in some cases, happy. 

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that the situation or person or words are somehow OK. Maybe they are, maybe they're not - only you know. But how we interpret the experience is up to us.

We get to decide if we will ALLOW someone else or a situation to result in us feeling bad. We get to decide if we interpret an experience as demeaning - even if everyone else would agree with us.

You also get to decide if the person/situation is really all about them and what's going on with them and decide that you are still an amazing, wonderful, giving, important, loved woman.

Next time you find yourself in a not-so-empowering situation, remember...

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Your advocate,

Lauren

Purple Tomatoes?

Think tomatoes only come in red?

Maybe you've seen those little pear-shaped tomatoes that come in yellow. Well, I bet you haven't seen a purple tomoate. You're not likely to see it in your local grocery store. You might see one in a health food store. Think a purple tomato is a result of some genetic modification? Think again.

Heirloom vegetables are vegetables from our ancestors, passed down from generation to generation. Vegetables they grew on their land, harvested and enjoyed. Heirloom vegetables are an endangered. They've fallen by the way side of mass-produced, high-volume vegetables.

Tomatoes actually come in all colors, shapes, sizes and flavors. Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving our vegetable and fruit heritage.

So back to purple tomatoes. How many kinds of tomatoes do you see in your grocery store, health food store or farmer's market? Did you know that there are more than 5500 varieties of tomatoes?! That's right, over 5500! Check out some of the varieties here

 

The varieties have wonderful names too, like Purple Russian, Aunt Ruby's Green, Gold Rush, Hillbilly, and Garden Peach. How fun!

Did you know that in 1900 there were 7,000 named varieties of apples in the U.S.? Now there are less than 1,000 of those existing today. How many do you see in your stores? Seed Saver's Exchange maintains the most diverse, public orchard in the U.S., where 700 pre-1900 apple varieties are on display. Want to blow your mind? Visit Seed Saver's Heritage Farm.

BTW - you can request a catalog from Seed Saver's Exchange. Just looking through it will expand your awareness. You might even feel inspired to order some seed and grow your own purple tomatoes. (I did!) Imagine showing your child a purple tomato!

Now you know - there ARE purple tomatoes, and orange, yellow, green, etc. So what else do you think you know for sure? :D Until next week -

In Spirit,

Lauren

What do you Believe to be True?

Starting with this post, Women's Wisdom will take on our most deeply-held beliefs. The ones we live from every day as a society and as women, often unconsciously. We'll take a closer look at these beliefs and how they originated; and then you can decide whether they serve you or not. As I'm fond of saying - use or toss.

Women's Wisdom will get you thinking not only "out-of-the-box", it will have you sitting on top of the box, surveying your world from a whole new vantage point!

This week, I'll start you off gently, with a not-so-serious belief :)

In Spirit,
Lauren

P.S. - Have a favorite everyday belief, you would like to see 'busted'? Email it to me. I'm game...

Are You Feeling OUT Of SYNC?

"Restoring a sense of rhythm to our lives is crucial to discovering Wholeness."
- Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance

Are you IN SYNC with your body's rhythm?

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing color, the geese are flying south, the horses are growing fuzzy coats - all signs of winter approaching. What signs is your body showing of winter approaching?

Now based on my question, you may have a couple of possible reactions:

1) What? What do you mean "what winter signs is my body showing?"

-or-

2) I have no idea!

-or-

3) Now that I think about it, my body has been showing...

-or-

4) My body is showing...

-or-

5) None of the above (there's always a 'rebel' in the group :D)

Several years ago, I noticed that my body 'automatically' switched into fall/winter mode. The weather gets cooler and in one day, my body makes the switch. How do I know?

During the hot Texas summers, my body thrives on, loves, and even craves salads. Light, healthy, living foods. So I eat alot of salads. But come fall/winter, all of a sudden my body wants warm foods, like soups and breads and stews. And it doesn't want salads anymore. Interesting, huh?

This year, I knew it was coming, so I've been keeping an eye out for it. You know the cycle of learning: 1st you become aware of your behavior; then you only notice it afterwards, then you notice in the middle of the behavior and finally you notice before. I've been watching for the switchover and last week, it happened.

I'm amused at my behavior: looking up heavy, old-style European bread recipes on the Internet; gathering stew ingredients, realizing I need a new crock-pot for slow-cooking, and wanting to stock my pantry with lots of soups.

Another body sign of the impending winter is my body's desire to 'hibernate'. Well, not literally. (Although I love the idea). My body is less interested in moving; it's rhythm is slowing down.

During warmer months, I'm outside all the time, constantly active, being physical. Come cooler weather, my body just wants to stay inside and be cozy. And this is true for alot of you which is why we typically put on 5-7 pounds during the winter months.

My question to you is "Have you noticed these changes in your body?" If so, do you honor them, embrace them and give your body what it wants? If you're not honoring the changes, would you be willing to?

If you haven't noticed winter changes in your body, I invite you to pay attention for the next week and notice what your body is telling you. Consider it a deepening of your relationship with your body.

I've developed some strategies for staying fit during winter months; and I have to tell you, it's still a work in progress. If you have winter fitness strategies that work for you, I'd love to hear about them!

So far, my winter fitness strategies include:

* weight lifting to keep strength and tone, (I enjoy this, believe it or not!)

* exercise videos, like TaeBo, that get my heart pumping and get my body all warmed up on the inside and outside (see www.CollageVideo.com for a huge collection of exercise videos),

* taking advantage of sunny, warm daylight hours

* walking/hiking with my dogs and my fiancee

* dancing to my favorite tunes

* yoga or Pliates (that'll get your fire burning :D)

You might also consider these strategies:

* walking in the mall

* joining a fitness club and enjoying the facilities including hot tubs & massage

* taking up roller-blading, roller skating or bowling (indoor facilities available)

* swimming (health clubs and aquatic centers often have heated, indoor pools)

* amping up your regular household activities

 

Bottom line: Get Conscious about the changes in your body. Notice its rhythms, its cravings, its desires - it is trying to tell you something!

It may be hard to hear what it's saying at first over the rumble of the holidays which encourage us to *speed up*and your busy life; but keep listening! If you need inspiration, look outside to Mother Nature -

Seeing you embracing your body!

In Spirit,

Lauren
~*~*~*~

Lauren Lee is a Spiritual Teacher, Master Spiritual Life Coach, Certified Prosperity Guide and author. Her passion is empowering women to awaken their spiritual gifts and their Divine life mission. She specializes in supporting women who have had a career in corporate America (where there is not much room for soul) and found the courage to leave it. Creating a strong, synergistic partnership with her clients, Lauren helps her clients find their voice, their courage, their inner fire and their unshakable core so they can build their successful, passionate, purposeful life (and profitable business).

** I am accepting only 2 new individual coaching clients for the rest of 2006**
If you've been considering working with me, but have been hesitating, now's your chance! Experience harmonious holidays, and be ready to head into the new year with a clear vision of what you want, a plan of inspired actions, and ready to manifest your soul's dreams!

One of the benefits of having me as your coach is that I work with a small number of individual clients at a time (less than 10), so as my client, you get my attention on a daily basis. I am continually holding your vision, thinking about you, and how I can best support you. I am available to you and consider myself 'on retainer' to you even between our regularly scheduled coaching sessions. Please contact me if you are interested in applying for one of these -2-desirable openings.