IN THIS ISSUE: EMBRACING OUR INTENTIONS
WISDOM: "The goal of life is living in agreement with nature."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (ancient philospher)
COACH'S CHALLENGE: What are the intentions behind your goals?
SOUL TRAVEL: THAILAND - LAND OF SMILES
2003 RIVER TRIP
EMBRACING OUR INTENTIONS
Most of us have been raised with the notion we must set goals in order to be successful. Our cultural blinders define success and progress in measurable terms and specific outcomes. Goal setting is the particularly practical part of partaking in the pinnacle of progress. (I love alliteration.) "I want to be one of the best in my profession." "I want to have $1million by the time I am 40"; "I want to be able to run 15 miles by January." Great! Go for it! But the end result of reaching that goal might be very disappointing if you have not raised questions when setting your goal about the life you really want to create and the one you are living while you are creating it.
Goal setting is outcome oriented; it's the DOING side of living. What is the INTENTION behind the goal - the "WHO" part of you that the goal addresses. If the intention behind having $1 million by a certain age is to have freedom, what do you mean by "freedom"?. If reaching your goal finds you so caught up in trying to manage your money or discovering the money is no longer enough, what happens to the "freedom" you envisioned? Is the INTENTION behind running 15 miles to be healthy and have more energy or is it just a goal? Is being the best in your profession an ego trip or is your INTENTION to have a fulfilling practice with an opportunity to hone skills and express yourself. INTENTION is the ESSENCE, the quintessential expression of who you are.
Most of us have all kinds of projects we want to complete; all kinds of learning we want to do; all kinds of places we want to go; all kinds of people we want to meet. What most of us don't do is ask what is the INTENTION behind those wants. If we just embrace our intentions, our "goals" materialize at their own pace in their own time and will be in harmony with who we are and what the universe has to offer. The outcomes we want will unfold effortlessly. RELAX!
"I'm working all day and
I'm working all night
To be good-looking,
Healthy, and wise.
And adored, contented, brave and well-read.
And a marvelous hostess,
fantastic in bed.
And bilingual, athletic
Artistic-----
Won't someone please stop me?"
Quote from Judith Viorst (Thanks to Coach Deb Martin)
SOUL TRAVEL: THAILAND - LAND OF SMILES
Thailand, once known as Siam, is a tapestry of ancient civilizations, glittering temples, royal palaces, exquisite arts, diverse and stunning geography, genuine, spiritual and courteous people, saffron robed monks, wonderful cuisine, flowers and great shopping. On top of all of that, it remains relatively inexpensive.
April was not the best time of year to be there as it is hot and humid, but I chose to travel to Thailand as an add-on to my Bhutan trip so April was it. The key to successful travel in third world countries, in my opinion, is having a great guide. I made my arrangements through a Thai tour company that had been recommended to me. The guide, Pew (Pay- u) was fabulous.
Serendipitously, I arrived at the time of the Thai New Year. Bangkok took on a whole different persona from that of large, bustling city, as children who were on holiday stood on the sides of streets with water buckets and, giggling and screaming with delight, tossed water at everything that moved. Trucks with barrels of water and a dozen laughing children in the bed of the truck roamed the streets looking for "victims". Another part of the tradition is smearing talc paste on their faces and those of pedestrians. Inviting the play, I used a "tuk tuk" (an open three wheeled motorized vehicle) instead of a taxi to get around. At the end of the day, I arrived at my hotel soaked to the skin but I had enjoyed every minute of it. Bangkok seemed pretty subdued when I returned again from Bhutan at the end of my trip.
The Grand Palace in Bangkok is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. What lay before my eyes when I walked through the gate left me speechless. I was as awed as I had been when I first set eyes on the Taj Mahal. Gilt everywhere, towers with fine ceramic work, statues, lots of color, gardens, a mix of Chinese and Victorian architecture. It is impossible to describe. Here is where Anna tutored the son of Rama IV (The King and I). Within the Palace grounds is also the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, with its marvelous allegorical paintings, and a 2 foot tall Buddha made of green jasper (or perhaps jadeite) that sits on top of a huge gold altar.
Another must see is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It is the largest temple among a complex of magnificently decorated stupas, giant statues and other smaller temples. The Reclining Buddha is as long as a football field and covered in gold leaf.
Driving north of Bangkok, we visited Ayutthaya. This was once Thailand's capital. It was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Here are archeological ruins as noteworthy as Mexico's Chichen Itza and about twice as big.
Thailand is a feast -- lotus flowers everywhere, the flower market, the floating market, the river, a Thai massage (was that ever a treat), Thai boxing - a national sport, Thai dancers, and the beautiful countryside. I also spent four days hiking in the jungle in Khao Yai National Park. This all was just a glimpse of this wonderful country.
Pew, my guide, who was so enthusiastic and took so much joy in sharing and showing off his country, kept talking about the beautiful beaches in the South. "You must come back and go there," he implored. I intend to return.
|
2003 RIVER TRIP - FLOAT TRIP DOWN THE RIO GRANDE, BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS
This is a five day river float trip (no rapids) through two gorgeous canyons with an outfitter I have rafted with twice before - in Arizona and in Mexico - and can vouch for the quality of their trips. (The food is superb.) I have consistently heard people talk about these canyons and how beautiful they are. This trip has been on my list for some time. We will have live music, campfires and lots of elective hiking opportunities. (Fire was no problem in Texas this year if you built it in a fire pan.) Trip on the river begins February 24 through February 28 plus a day on each side for travel to Midland, Texas and renting a car for four hour drive to Big Bend. We can share the cost of a rental car or cars. The February timing is important because of water level. It is highest at this time and will assure us (reasonably) that there will be water enough (before the farmers take it for irrigation) to float the choicest canyons. The water will probably be too cold for swimming for most people but the weather should be very pleasant. We will have the trip entirely to ourselves if we number at least eight people. The river trip will cost approximately $690 plus transportation to Midland and cost of rental car and two nights lodging. This is a great place to try out your river wings. If you think you are interested, please let me know. NEED $350.00 deposit by October 31. (Phone: 480-949-9511)
Next Month: Adventure in the Tundra
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: "All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are." Pablo Neruda
Consider the "who" in everything you do.
Have a great month!
========= =========
I WANT TO THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE ENJOYING THE MUSELETTER AND THANKS ALSO TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN ME E MAILS OF OTHERS YOU THINK MIGHT ENJOY IT. IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO HEAR FROM YOU. YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED!
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MAILING LIST OF AT LEAST 1000 BY THE END OF THE YEAR SO PLEASE KEEP THE REFERRALS COMING.
EXPLORE MY WEBSITE AND PHOTO GALLERY AT WWW.DANCEWITHEAGLES.COM
EMAIL: allison@dancewitheagles.com
Feel free to forward this on to anyone you believe might enjoy it and encourage them to subscribe for themselves. Comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. My email is allison@dancewitheagles.com Although this material is subject to copyright, you may reprint this publication in whole or in part or use it in any way you feel it might be of benefit. Please state the following: Reprinted with permission from Allison Quattrocchi of Dance with Eagles, www.dancewitheagles.com All past museletters are posted on my website.
Names of subscribers will never be shared or sold.
|
|
WINGS Vol. 1, No. 9, October, 2002
