What Is Your “Signature Presence?”

Let’s explore this idea a little further. Cramer and Wasiak define your Signature Presence as the unique set of assets that make you stand out. If you have low self-esteem like a lot of amazing, stellar human beings, you may feel that you don’t have many assets, or that nothing makes you really stand out. Look again–this time through the eyes of those who love and adore you. Your spouse, your best friend, your mother or father, your cat or your dog–whoever it is that seems to see you as amazing and absolutely fabulous. Now write down what they see, or what they would say about you. When you get going on this, you’ll find it just goes on and on. Your assets include everything that is good, right and working about your body, mind and relationships–as well as your skills and abilities, talents, interests and passions. The world of self-appreciation is a vast and beautiful realm, that holds gifts beyond measure for you and everyone who knows you.

A Great Goodfinding Exercise

Since I wrote last month’s newsletter focusing on “Gratitude, Appreciation and Optimism,” I have been trying a new exercise I want to recommend to you. If you do this for at least 3 weeks, I think you will notice a big difference in how you feel about yourself and the world around you. Try this writing exercise for 10-30 minutes a day, 4-5 days a week, ideally in the morning:

1. Get comfortable in a private place, with a journal and your favorite morning beverage–and maybe some relaxing music.
2. Write about what you’re grateful for from your past. Think of all of the times you have felt peaceful, loved and joyful. Remember the fun you’ve had, and the times you’ve been inspired. And list the people you’re grateful for, and what they have meant to you.
3. Then shift your focus to the present, and write about what you appreciate about your body, mind and soul right now. Then think of what you appreciate about your home, your possessions, and your relationships.
4. Finally, write about what you’re looking forward to, and what you are optimistic about in your future. Stretch your imagination a little (or a lot, if you’re brave) here. Let yourself imagine that things will just get better and better for you, in many different ways. Picture good health for yourself and your loved ones, and see things working out in those areas where you have concerns.

It is very important that you write these thoughts down. The act of writing your ideas on paper (better than a word processor) slows down your brain and activates creative emotional processes that make it more likely that you will benefit in the present and future. Oh, and by the way–keep doing it! A lot of times, these exercises feel great at first, then the newness wears off and you might think it doesn’t work any more. This will always work–persistence pays!

Learn “Asset-Based Thinking”

Since you’re reading this newsletter, I know you will love this book: Change The Way You See Yourself by Kathryn Cramer and Hank Wasiak. The authors will take you on a journey into your own worth and value, emphasizing that you’ve got what it takes every step of the way.  These authors really get it, and they offer “it” to you in a very readable, fun and beautiful format. The book is full of pictures (actually more than text) that inspire and uplift you as you learn that you are amazing.

What they’re teaching can be summed up in their byline, Asset-Based Thinking. Their books and programs teach you to move from reactive to proactive, unleash your power, expand your influence and maximize your potential. They use terms like your signature presence. I love that. It is so refreshing and encouraging to me to see the success of such fine materials being made available to everyone. Your assets far outweigh your liabilities–learn to focus where the real value is, inside your very own self.

Goodfinding Videos

Get ready for some fabulous videos! Let’s start with this one featuring musicians (some of them street musicians) from around the world performing a very moving version of the old favorite, “Stand By Me.” This kind of multi-cultural collaboration process is so powerful–learn more at PlayingForChange.com. Be sure and check it out if you haven’t seen it, or want to see it again! In a similar vein, you’ll be smiling heart to brain when you watch these young folks dancing in a public train station. That video will make you want to jump up and join in! Now for a good laugh and some deep appreciation, watch this baby leading a yoga class. If you just watched these three videos, you did yourself a huge favor!

How would you like to make stress work for you? That’s right–you can learn to use the stress in your life in positive ways, with some simple techniques. I strongly encourage you to watch this 6 minute video featuring Bruce Cryer, Founder and CEO of The Institute of HeartMath. Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure and watch the video on this page, describing the EmWave Personal Stress Reducer, which can also help with sleep problems and improve your prayer and meditation practice. HeartMath offers a 30 day trial period, so you can only gain by ordering one of these amazing devices!

The Process Of Illumination

There is a way of thinking and focusing your attention that will lead you closer and closer to alignment and connection with the source of wisdom and goodness within you. We might think of this as a way of making decisions through the Process of Illumination. The idea here is that there is something really, really good inside you, and it is your true, authentic nature. This is the place that your inspired, or illumined thoughts come from, and the more you focus there the more powerfully connected you become.
The technique is simply to use the creative power of your attention to focus on those things about yourself and your world that bring the lighter emotions of comfort, hope, pleasure and love. Once you are thus “illumined” from within, you are better equipped to face the challenges that life brings. So this is not a matter of denying the reality of difficulties–it is an approach to help you connect with your power and magnificence so that you will be up to the tasks that lie before you.
Through the Process Of Illumination, you become brighter, lighter and more brilliant with each positive thought you focus on.

“I’m Gonna Write Something For My Mom”

Something wonderful is happening in Dallas schools. Mary Alice Rich, violinist and composer is working with Voices of Change and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra to introduce new and classical music to students. Excited about her work, Mary Alice says, “For all of these kids, classical music of any kind is new, so I try to build a bridge from very old masterpieces to music written in our time.” She has them form teams of five and write music of their own, which she then performs for them on her violin. Once, as a class was ending, a small Hispanic boy came to her and asked for more staff paper, explaining, “I’m gonna write something for my mom.”

Contrary to what we hear about public schools so often, Mary Alice says that her experience of the schools has been very positive and uplifting. She says, “for the most part, the kids look like they’re happy to be there–and so do the teachers.” She tells of one experience in which she noticed a very talented boy having trouble accepting criticism regarding his performance. The boy’s father later explained that he was “new to their family,” and a little insecure. It turned out that the father is a teacher who had seen the need and potential of this child, and was so moved that he and his wife adopted the boy as one of their very own children.

Gratitude, Appreciation and Optimism

While planning an “Art Of Appreciation” talk for the National Wellness Conference, I started thinking about how gratitude, appreciation and optimism differ from and relate to each other. This is what came to mind: Gratitude is about the good things in the past and present, Appreciation is about the good things that are present, and Optimism is about the good things coming in the future. Goodfinding is the practice of all three–finding the good in past, present and future.

So, why not make it a package deal? Take a mental and emotional break and do some Goodfinding in your past, present and future. Be grateful for all of those who have loved you, believed in you and supported you along the way. Appreciate what is good about right now–what is good, right and working in your life right now? Then do yourself a favor and be optimistic about the wonderful possibilities that lie in your future. Consider lots of wonderful possibilities about what lies ahead for you. In the few moments you’ve spent reading this, you’ve improved your heart function. If you went even further and actually tried some of these exercises, you probably deepened your breathing and raised your energy level!

Feel Good Videos

Here is a beautiful, peaceful video about what makes up “A Good Day.” Watch it now if you have a few minutes to breathe and relax, and while you’re appreciating some wonderful music, thoughts and images, check out The Joy Movie. Now for a ride that will amaze you, inspire you and definitely get your heart pumping. Sit, back, relax and enjoy “Never Underestimate An Old Gal.” And be sure to watch it all the way through. After a minute and a half, this 80 year old dancer will knock your socks off!

These feel-good videos are important! Remember that Dr. Norman Cousins healed his own heart by watching funny movies, and Dr. Patch Adams made humor as a healing tool famous in the mainstream. I once met a woman who works in the “humorology” department in her hospital. Sloan-Kettering pediatric hospital has “Doctors of Humorology,” who are actually highly skilled physicians that call themselves the “Clown Care Unit.” Learn more here. So, remember what is good, right and working in your life and the world around you, focus there, and look forward to things just getting better and better.

Goodfinding In Negative Emotions

Research on happiness finds that there is such a thing as too much happiness! The point is that negative emotions (we’re basically talking about sorrow, fear and anger) have their place, and are even a part of what positive psychology calls “optimal happiness.” When you are emotionally balanced, the negative emotions work as well for you as do the positive ones (joy, love, enthusiasm, humor). Grieving and the emotion of sorrow, for example, are part of love. Read this beautiful story about grieving that demonstrates the love that interlaces sorrow.

Healthy fear becomes vigilance and awareness, and healthy anger fuels effective action. So, as you can see, with healthy grieving skills, appropriate vigilance and awareness, and healthy anger fueling effective action, these negative emotions serve your overall well being and happiness. At its best, anger is a protective emotion, and you can use it to protect your health and happiness with a fierce commitment to a good mental diet, exercise and eating healthy foods and portions. In conclusion, the ultimate benefit of Goodfinding is that it can help you find the value in everything that comes your way in this life!

Storytelling For Health And Happiness

As most of you know, I have another web site, AngerManagementResource.com, which has a wonderful new feature that allows visitors like you to contribute their own stories, which then become web pages that other visitors can read and comment on. You can write on topics of personal healing, anger, or grief and loss. Visit this page to see a full list of topics available. Also check out the stories of Rose and Wayne Waddell, who are regular contributors and have published 18 stories so far! Some of my favorites by Rose are, The Real Person, Inner Child and My Husband And The Veterans.

Wayne Waddell is a benefits counselor with a V.A. Clinic, and he is a vet himself. He tells a two-part story beginning with The Making Of A Soldier And PTSD, that I highly recommend. Wayne’s contributions inspired me to create a page for vets dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which you can review here. As you know, many vets with PTSD go untreated, or receive inadequate treatment. This is a chance for them to get some help that works, and to help each other. On this web page, vets are invited to tell their stories and heal in the process. This is part of a help and be helped campaign I’ve begun on AngerManagementResource.com. So, for your own health and happiness, tell your story now!

Want to create steadily growing income? These stories, and the entire AngerManagementResource.com web business is a product of SiteBuildIt! which now has a new eLearning course! Check it out here, and learn how you can create financial freedom for yourself and your family.