Power Talk

Power Talk

Your way to success in every aspect of your life.

It was 30 years or more ago that I attended a wonderful Seminar by Career Track called Power Talk that alerted me to the power of words and phrases. I was shocked to find out that many of my expressions and the words I used in my daily interactions were considered by the trainer running the course to be Powerless! It was quite a shock to me to realize that I was speaking and not really making an impression. In fact, I lacked what today is called the WOW factor!

That Power Talk Seminar was a life-changing and a life-enhancing experience for me. Here I was the Executive Assistant to the director of Human Resources of a large US company and one of my most important job functions was interviewing and signing up every new employee in Ontario. Of course, we had a company spiel that I followed for inductions. However, after that Seminar, I must admit my presentations were given with flair and a lot more power phrases. I deleted what was termed Powerless phrases, words and expressions from my presentation and injected instead some Power Talk. I started to watch what came out of my mouth, and how I presented the company and its amazing benefits to new employees. I noticed that I held the attention of the inductees 100 percent and it became a dialogue of questions and answers instead of just them listening to the old spiel.

One powerless phrase that the presenter hammered into our heads to get rid of was “I will try!” It is absolutely one of the most powerless phrases there is. Instead, a power talker would say “Do leave it with me ………………..”. Another powerless phrase is “I’m not sure!” a Power Talker would respond positively with something like “It will be interesting to find the answer to that!” I have no doubt we can all think of countless ways to be enthusiastic and answer with Power Talk phrases.

Power Talkers must be aware to use their voice for Emphasis when speaking. It is advisable to not use words that cloud or hide the message you are trying to convey. Speaking too fast and too loud sometimes actually loses the attention of the person or persons you are talking to. They will start tuning you out, so it is advisable to slow down and lower your volume if you want to catch their attention for a point you are making.
Today 30 years later we have progressed on the Power Talk circuit to knowing and understanding the energy of words. We can now consciously delete words from our vocabulary which are considered low vibration or powerless words and instead use only those words that are of a high vibration.

Many of us know from experience that school was not meant to teach us how to succeed in life. I cannot recall any of my teachers explaining that words have energy and that high vibrational words carve a path to succeeding and attaining one’s goals. Today we know that simply by programming the brain using high vibrational words, and phrases, we can attract positive results in our everyday life situations. On the other side of the equation, low vibration words and sentences when used continually only serves to attract negative results.

After the Career Track Seminar, I became the speaker and the watcher. Whenever a negative word or phrase left my lips unconsciously, I made a mental note to not repeat it a second time. Years later when I read Yvonne Oswald’s wonderful book Every Word Has Power, I started using the word Switch to alert me when I unconsciously found myself falling into the low vibration word zone.

In mentoring and presenting Motivational workshops I came to realize there were words and phrases that had to be avoided and deleted from people’s vocabulary. In order to set goals and use only positive life and career-affirming words and phrases, I mentored individuals to totally remove from their daily way of expressing themselves what I termed P.O.M.’s (Poor Old Me) using low vibrational words and phrases. The energy of those words and phrases felt heavy and burdensome. I imagined them weighing the individuals down and keeping them stuck in all areas of their lives. The transformation from low vibration to high vibration words and phrases when they talked made such a huge difference in their lives and careers. Indeed! Words do have power!

I would love for you to share how you changed from Low Vibrational talk to become a Power Talker.

Namaste,

Sharon

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

follow-your-heart-sharon-deryck

Great sages, spiritual wisdom teachers and many ancient teachings all tell us to Follow Our Hearts.  This “cry” has been heard  for millennia, and yet in various stages of our lives many of us found it prudent and necessary to nurture the heart and follow the mind.  For example, many family “bread winners” have had to overlook the whispering of the heart in order to bring home the bacon, while working in companies where heart is shunned and the mind rules.

It was a great day when I took the Bronze parachute offered me and fixed my compass to steer me through the uncharted waters of a new life and career guided only by my heart’s longing to be of service.  In the All Girls High School I attended I was in Brescia House – our colour was Red – Root Chakra. Our House Motto was SERVIAM which is Latin for I Serve, and so with the many Holistic Courses I had been taking over the years for “personal growth” turned out to be my unconscious preparation for a major transition from Mind to Heart Centered work.

Many women share how unhappy they are in the corporate world of “dog-eat- dog” mentality and would like to get the confidence to leave and branch out on their own with a creative endeavour they have set their hearts on.  I always tell them, ‘when the time is right you will know,  or like myself something will happen to give you a push and the confidence to finally take that leap of faith’.

Here are some important life lessons I learned along life’s highway as an entrepreneur and have had the privilege of sharing with many of my clients and friends.  Some you may already know and practice, however repetition is known to be the best teacher in life.

  1. Your commitment to be of service to others is an important way of defining you and your business. The saying “people may forget who you are but they will never forget how you made them feel”, is so very true.
  2. Spend more time on the WHO you are, than what you do.  What you do will always be less important than who you become.  Knowledge is important.  However, it will never take the place of your soul light, your heart’s wisdom, your courage, your integrity, or your reputation as someone who can be trusted and who keeps her/his word.  Always try to keep your word.
  3. Life is often filled with challenges and obstacles. When you find yourself challenged, get in the habit of asking yourself the following three questions:
    1. What is the lesson for me?
    2. How can I grow from this experience?
    3. Am I living and fulfilling my Life Purpose?
  4. Clean out your messes! What is a mess?  It is anything that uses up your energy in a non- productive manner. E.g. untidy office, desk, living space, also friends/people who drain your energy – avoid them as much as possible.  Anything that scatters or uses your energy stopping you from being productive.  That is a mess!  In Feng Shui a clear space opens up for all your manifestations and dreams to appear in your life. (This one is from my mentor Raymond Aaron who in each session had us deal with the messes!).
  5. Be happy for someone else’s success even when you are struggling to get your business to the level you desire. What this does is; it raises your energy vibration. (Law of Attraction) and you find yourself manifesting your desires at a faster rate.
  6. Don’t feel bad if someone doesn’t like you. Love yourself!  Remember you are the only person you will have a relationship with for your entire life.  Love, honor and cherish… You!
  7. If family members or friends are not very supportive, try not to let their negativity sap your energy and your desire to succeed. Be focused on succeeding and you will.
  8. Don’t be afraid to say NO if your heart is telling you to. There is power in the word NO if done gracefully.  Saying NO allows you to not give your power away.
  9. Live always in an attitude of deep and profound gratitude. Life will love you back!
  10. ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART! Your head may be saying YES to something and your heart is telling you NO.  Your heart is the true compass leading you safely along life’s highway with grace, love and the perfect outcome.

Many Blessing

To your success.

Namaste

Sharon

 

 

 

Change

Happy Fall everyone.   Enjoy the beauty that is all around us at this time as we enter a Changeperiod of new Change.  It has been awhile since I communicated with you via my monthly Blogs.  In March, Change  (here I am in this Blog personifying change) came into my life while on vacation in Arizona resulting in a shatter/broken right ankle.  Change had some big plans for me as I went from month to month with a slow recovery not realizing at the time that I would end up mastering the art of Patience and finding tremendous Balance in my life.

As I lay waiting to be brought home for surgery, I called/texted severing all links with any business commitments that demanded my time and attention, anything that would distract me from the healing process that lay ahead.  I realized Change was with me to stay.  I felt that I would be laid up for 3 months.  Little did I know that six months to a year was more realistic for healing my ankle injury.  I had no idea what I was about to experience, however I was mentally and emotionally ready and I knew I was about to embark on a journey directed by Change.   I felt as if an adventure was about to begin.  I had no  negative emotions whatever regarding my condition and I felt as if unseen forces were supporting me.

Three days after my accident I was on a stretcher flying home flat on my back in the most fabulous private plane, a White Lear Jet.  I was told this was the plane of choice for the rich and the famous.  Coming home, I was accompanied by 2 medical personnel and the Jet was piloted by a former Air Force female Captain along with her male co-pilot.  We were flying 4,000 feet above commercial flights and arrived in Toronto at 6 a.m.   It was valet service all the way.  We parked in a special hanger at the airport where an ambulance and 2 attendants along with my personal medical team took me straight to my hospital for surgery.  All this thanks to my travel insurance.  Do not leave home without it folks!

Having a shattered right ankle with plates and screws does not allow one to carry on their normal day to day life.  In fact the change from very active to inactive was huge.   I was used to fill every hour of every day with “Do-ing”.  Here I was now just Be-ing and I must admit,  enjoying it!  For 3 months my waking and sleeping position was flat on my back with my right leg/foot in a cast elevated 24/7 and having to depend on someone else for my daily needs.   All my life if I needed something done I would do it myself rather than ask someone else and also I disliked injections.  Well, my friend Change, changed all that because I had to learn to give myself daily injections to prevent blood clots and rely on others for my every need.  That was a major Change!

This Change came at a time when I felt I was at the pinnacle of my life.  Change made me look within and the answers were profound.  Here are some:

  1. Change had been knocking on my door for a long time.  The universe was trying to get my attention.  However, I felt so secure in my day-to-day status quo life I ignored the signs.
  2. If you don’t “listen” to the little voice within to change direction, the universe will give you a swift kick in the rear to get your attention!   WOW!
  3. Always listen to your heart – not your head. Your heart knows what is best for you!

“Heart is truth and head is doubt!”

  1. When Change knocks, even if what is being presented seems financially unstable or unsafe, know that doors will open and opportunities will flow your way that you never imagined!
  2. Learn to say NO gracefully and with a smile. People will respect your decisions and feel safe around you.
  3. Doing nothing is not a crime! In fact that is when your heart gets your attention, speaks to you and puts you on a major highway (of life) when previously you may have been on a side street.
  4. Speak your truth. Be compassionate and kind always.  In doing so, you give others permission to do the same.

Anatole France said  “All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”   What I thought would have been so hard to let go of, was done for me with a broken ankle.   That is why I love Change and welcome it into my life.  It is not always joyful, however it always leaves a precious gift.

Seasons change!  We never hear of summer refusing to change, not allowing autumn to show off her glorious colours.  As humans we too must look forward to change with a positive outlook knowing that Change is there to show us what we can become.  Change steers us towards the bigger picture, thus helping us to reach our potential.   I would love to hear how positive change changed your life.

Be well,

Namaste

Sharon

REFLEXOLOGY

EgyptReflexologyLargeThe Ancient Art of
Healing through the sole

 

Reflexology is a hands-on treatment whereby a trained individual known as a reflexologist  using controlled pressure with their thumbs massages the reflexes on each foot during the treatment.  This is a drug free treatment that has many benefits including relaxing and de-stressing the recipient on many levels.

So what is Reflexology?  If the text books and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs  are to be believed, reflexology was the “spa” treatment of the ancient royals.   That is proof of how reflexology was practiced by ancient cultures a long time ago.  Somewhere I read that reflexology was a prelude to acupuncture in ancient China.  Whether that is true of not I cannot say, however I do know reflexology is a form of acupressure.  Why?  Because of the pressure applied to the feet during a treatment.

It surprises me when someone asks with a perplexed look “what is Reflexology?”  I have had a few individuals look really puzzled when I tell them I am a trained Reflexologist and give a brief explanation of the benefits one derives from a treatment.   Recently, I had someone looked me straight in the eye and retorted, ‘who would want to work on people’s feet!’  After that encounter I decided it may help to share the origins and positive attributes of this wonderful relaxing ancient art that is widely used in Clinics and hospitals in Europe and which is catching on in North America.

A reflexology session is known to elicit complete relaxation and can de-stress the most anxious or stressed individual.  “Working on the sole, calms the soul.”   This wonderful ancient art has many positive effects on the nervous system and I am told it is one of the treatments of choice at Mount Sanai hospital used in their Breast Cancer recovery program.  Hat’s off to their progressive approach to healing.  Having volunteered at a Hospice many years ago offering Reflexology treatments, I experienced first-hand how reflexology helped each individual.

The oldest reflexology text book I know of was written by Maybelle Segal, R.N. R.D.,  Naturopathic Doctor  (sometime in the ‘40’s).  She practiced this ancient art on her clients/patients and went on to share her knowledge in a simple hand book called Reflexology in which she also shared the positive benefits of this drug free therapy.  Some of which are:

Relieves  migraines  – Relieves Stress and promotes Relaxation  – Relieves Menstrual Cramps

Helps with Post Surgery healing       – Relieves sinus congestion    – improves  circulation for diabetics

Our feet mirror the state of our body and for every organ, gland, limb and body part there is a corresponding reflex on the bottom of the feet.  (See chart below).   Sometimes,  when someone is having a treatment and pressure is applied to a certain area of the feet,  the individual  may  feel the response in the area of the body corresponding to the reflex  that is being worked on. That is validation that reflexology  works on all levels of the body.

foot-reflexology

It is important to note that Reflexologist cannot diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Reflexologist treat the body as a whole , working the entire areas on both feet and not one specific area. Clients are made to understand that reflexology is a complementary treatment and should see their physician for any concerns they may have regarding their health.   To find a Reflexologist in your area, you may want to check out a holistic magazine such as Alive or simply go online.

I welcome your questions and especially your comments if you have had a reflexology treatment.

Namaste

Sharon

The Power of Forgiveness

forgiveness 2

The gift you give yourself.

This theme has been floating around in my mind for quite some time now and I was very resistant to write a Blog about it.  Why?   I really have no answer, so “why not”!  Here it is.  Many of you may relate to this.  Once given a “message” to do something, it does not leave until you follow through with it.   I got a big push to write this. The universe went so far as to put in my line of vision all sorts of articles on forgiveness, they were jumping out at me for weeks, so dear readers, here goes my take on what I know and what I have learned over the years about The Power of Forgiveness.

Forgiveness.   It is the greatest gift you can give yourself.  Honestly!  Try it!

 When you rid yourself of blaming or resenting another for something they may have done or said to you it is similar to a bag of cement falling from your shoulders.  Just imagine living, walking, working, sleeping, carrying that heavy load day after day. Once the load is gone, you lose pounds – literally. You look lighter and you feel lighter.  Your family and friends will notice the difference and you will feel so much happier.

forgiveness 3Apologizing – another form of forgiveness.  If you’ve offended someone – apologize.  Do not drag around resentment with you like a ball and chain.  It only serves to make you sad and bitter.  It will ultimately show in your facial expression and rob you of joy.  It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said:  “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”  Don’t take that poison.  Forgive, apologize, forget and move on with your life.  You are worth it!

Many are of the opinion that forgiveness releases the person who hurt them from blame, thereby allowing that person to believe that everything is “okay,” and “all is forgiven and forgotten.” Not at all!  You have forgiven.  That does not mean you have forgotten the hurt you experienced. By forgiving, you give yourself “that wonderful gift of peace and harmony.” Also you released the negative energy surrounding the episode that caused you hurt.

Here is something very profound I found in an article that makes so much sense:  Scientists, physicians, and psychologists who have researched the relationship between stress and illness have concluded that the ability or inability to forgive affects the outcome of serious illness. People who have a forgiving nature increase their chances of recovery.

I have heard many people say to me, “I will never forgive or forget” when something happens that makes them sad or angry.  It makes me sad for them, because I sense the bitterness they are holding on to in their lives.  One cannot be at peace while negative energy is choking out the love that wants to reside there.

The only advice I can share in a case like that is “Forgive.  You need not forget! Love yourself and know that every moment you spend upset, anguished, angry or hurt because of someone else’s behaviour, is a moment in which you have chosen to give up control of your life.  You are special! Reclaim your power.  There is no one like you and there never will be”.

Live, Love and LaughI would love to hear your thoughts on forgiveness.

May you always walk gently in sandals of love.

Namaste,

Sharon