This month's seed to ponder:

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."
- William Shakespeare

I have called myself the "Queen Of Plan B" for years because no matter what happened, I was able to take one step back and figure out another way to proceed. Knowing that I had this gift has given me a lot of freedom, especially if my plans included another human being. "Just give it to me straight," I would say in one way or another. I might be disappointed (or even angry) for a bit, but only because I had to spend additional time coming up with another way.

This gift has gradually transformed and deepened in meaning for me. I now call myself "A Queen Of Plan BE" because somewhere along the line I decided to cut out the part about being disappointed (or even angry) about any change in my carefully laid plans. Now I choose to look at all changes in my life as something that's in my face for a reason. How can I be disappointed or angry with that? I still take that step back, but all I have to do now is wait for my next step to reveal itself. In other words I go right to wondering what I "may BE", as Shakespeare so succinctly wrote all those years ago.

Talk about saving time! The more I am able to Walk This Way (hmmm sounds like a great song title doesn't it?) the more valuable time I have to spend any way I want. Less and less bothers me, things are still getting done AND I am doing less mental pushups.

I invite you to step back and claim that you are also A Queen or King of Plan BE. If you are trying to simplify, this is as easy as it gets.

Love,

Diane

GIFT SHOP NEWS

Here is the link to the Gift Shop, ENJOY! There are lots of ideas for the special people in your life, including you. http://cultivatelife.com/shop/index.html

We have plenty of space in the shop for your unique creations. If you are interested in sharing, zip me an email: diane@cultivateLIFE.com

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BOOKS I LOVE

Here is what has been inspiring me lately:

Art Of Effortless Living - Ingrid Bacci, PH.D.
This is a practical guide to achieving more by doing less. Yes, it's possible! Notice how simple I could make this description?

Life Strategies For Teens - Jay Mcgraw
This book was recommended to me by one of my subscribers and I want to thank her for the suggestion - Thanks Jan! It's written by Dr. Phil's son in language that both of my teens would enjoy if they would only open the book. I tried several passive suggestions like telling them it was a good read and leaving the book laying on the coffee table. But so far - no go. One day my daughter Katie was even lamenting that she had nothing to read and when I suggested this book, I was met with a "Thanks, but no thanks," response. At least she was polite.

So what I am left with is this: I appreciated the book because it used examples from adolescent life. Reading those examples helped me to remember my own youth and gave me a broader view of what my kids may be experiencing. That alone was worth the read - and of course there's also the possibility my kids may still read it someday. Maybe when they have teenagers!

Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
This is a book told by a 13-year-old girl who was raped and murdered. The story is about how she adjusts to being in Heaven and her connection to the people that she left behind. There were several times in the beginning of the book where I had to put it down for a couple of days. For me, reading puts me in a place where I can view life from a different perspective. This book offered me the opportunity to look at death and it made me feel real uncomfortable at first. It's not a happy subject to begin with and what made it even harder for me was that it brought back memories of my Dad's illness and death six years ago. However, I was glad I read on because in the end it didn't feel so scary after all. Death is something that none of us are going to escape, at least in our foreseeable future; I guess I want to learn to live with that.

This is the link all of the books on my web site: http://cultivatelife.com/free/books.html. I belong to an associates program with Amazon.com. If you buy a book through my site you do not pay any more for it, but I will earn a small commission, which really helps me out. Win-Win all around I'd say!

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WORKSHOPS/TELECLASSES

GROW YOUR OWN BUSINESS
In just four months you could be well on the way to starting the business or career of your dreams. The course includes a 120-page workbook (with a CD containing extra financial worksheets and a business plan outline) and 12 coaching sessions. Offered in both individual coaching or in a group teleclass setting. Contact me to explore this approach to bringing your dream business into your busy life. mailto:diane@cultivateLIFE.com

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CULTIVATING CHILDREN: Coaching Skills for Parents
This workshop celebrates parenthood and introduces two coaching skills that can make an immediate difference in daily life with your precious children.
Here is the upcoming workshop schedule;

Ocean Pines Community Center Tuesday April 8th, Thursday May 15th, Tuesday August 12
all from 7 - 9pm, Free
To register call 410-641-7717 x 3050

Ocean Pines Library Sponsored by Atlantic General Hospital
Thursday April 24th, 6 - 7 pm
Free, no registration necessary
For more details about this program: http://cultivatelife.com/work/children.html

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MAKE TIME FOR LIFE Workshop
Too much to do, many places to be, make time for this workshop, it'll help lots - you'll see!

Using a simple and easy to implement organizational technique, discover how easy it can be to make time for the things that are important to you, even in the midst of a very busy life.

Ocean Pines Community Center
Saturday May 3rd and Saturday August 16th
2 - 4 pm, Free
To register call 410-819-3395

To request more info zip me an email: mailto:diane@cultivateLIFE.com

PERSONAL COACHING

What can you do to brighten your future?

It is one of my great joys to work one-on-one with people as they realize how many gifts they possess and how unlimited the possibilities are for them. If you are curious about how it would feel to work with a Personal Life Coach, I invite you to call and schedule a complementary sample session.

Even one session holds the possibility of valuable insight for your path. If you feel you can't afford to hire a coach or that you may not want to go further after the sample session, please step through that. If you call me I know we were meant to speak to one another, even if we only speak once. So you see, it's a win-win situation for both of us. What are you waiting for?

Phone: 410-251-7701
Email: mailto:diane@cultivateLIFE.com

I send this monthly ezine out into the universe to express and share my view of the world. It is my wish to touch and make a positive difference in another person's life journey. Feel free to share this ezine with someone you love, but please do so in its entirety.

Diane Armstrong
Student Of Being, Everyday Artist, Mom, Make Life Fun! Coach
web site http://www.cultivateLIFE.com
email: mailto:diane@cultivateLIFE.com
coach for life graduate: http://www.coachforlife.com/aboutcfl.htm
coachville referral listing: http://www.cvreferral.com/2/101427.html