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ENCHANTMENT IN AN E-MAIL - DECEMBER 2000

"Achieving Positive States of Mind and Body Again and Again"

Produced by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein , Psychologist, Life Coach, and Originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF(R)

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Welcome to the monthly publication of The Enchanted Self's e-newsletter!  The following is what you will find in this month's issue.

·         Quote of the Month

·         Blessing of the Month

·         Recipe for Enchantment

·         Article: Inspiration all Around

·         Exercise: Who We Are

·         Announcement 1: New Book on the Horizon: RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT -- THE SECRET INGREDIENT IS YOU!

·         Announcement 2: Enchanted Self E-group is Growing!

·         Announcement 3: Enchanting Questions ...

Quote of the Month

"Get into the habit of singing a tune.  It will give you new life and fill you with joy.  Get into the habit of dancing.  It will displace depression and dispel hardship."

    -- Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Blessing of the Month

"May peace and harmony dance in your hearts as you move through this season of joy and peace on earth. May the spirits that are compassionate help you remember your path."

    -- This lovely blessing was sent in via e-mail by Elaine M. Egidio.

Recipe for Enchantment #6: A Recipe Designed to Bring Light Into Your World

Take a few deep breaths and look at the world around you.  Imagine that you have just returned from a long trip or a serious illness.  Notice the colors and the smells that surround you.   Listen to all the little noises going on around you.  Feel the warmth in the room or the coolness of being outside.  Study all the people and animals that come into your awareness.  See how different each is.  Taste foods one by one and let yourself feel how your house or apartment settles down at night.

I promise that this will help you "settle" in to yourself and before you know it, you will be simmering with a good mood bubbling up inside of yourself.

Article: Inspiration all Around

by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

When I think about the communal sharing of Enchantment, I go back to an earlier longing, which was to know people around the world. 

As a child, I yearned to have pen pals everywhere.  People are so fascinating and different, and yet in so many ways we share parallel experiences.  As I share THE ENCHANTED SELF - A Positive Therapy, I keep having the delight of sharing positive energy with people who are writing to me from around the world. 

A letter can cheer me, inspire me, and convince me that it is worth struggling to strive for what is positive in life.  For example, I received a letter from Cindy Dior, an art therapist from Tempe , Arizona .  She said in her letter, "I am in love with the idea of doing what feels good, tapping into the potential that serves to spark our creativity and positive experiences.  Rather than starting the healing process with people at the place of their victimization--the depressing, grieving aspects of their lives, I want to start from the perspective of what is joyous in their lives.  What is beautiful and meaningful to them?  What is really working for them?  I want to encourage people to dwell on the positive experiences of their lives so that they can maintain a more positive state of being every day.  I am convinced that by practicing a reframing of thoughts and ideas, people can change and grow and become all that they can be."

At the time I received the letter I had never met Cindy.  However, not only did I feel a kinship, but I felt and I still feel a joyous sense that there is a synergy around the world in various places, a magical network of people -- people of all backgrounds who wish and are working for a more wholesome, optimistic world where we can stay committed to a communal sharing of positive energies.

Exercise: Who we Are

Pick some aspect of your life that could be considered tribal such as your religious background, your ethnicity, your community, or your family. 

Over the next month, make a concerted effort to learn more about the 'tribe' you have selected.  Keep a list of everything you discover about it and how this affects you in both positive and negative ways. 

If at the end of the month you don't feel an increased sense of connection with the tribe you have selected, don't get discouraged. For example, if after a month of study about the neighborhood in which you live, you feel discontent, then your neighborhood, although perhaps pleasant and a lovely place to live, it may not contain the essence of what you need to feel part of a tribe.

This does not mean you need to move!  Rather, you may be the inspirational force to make the neighborhood more of a connected place for everyone living there.  For example, maybe you can start the neighborhood newsletter or visit those who are sick or aged.  The tribe may merely being waiting for you!

Tribal study promotes growth because it helps us clarify our identities without presenting a high risk factor.  You do not need to leave your religion or your neighborhood if they turn out to not be a perfect fit.  As I mentioned above, you may find ways to help these 'tribes' work better for everyone while still taking your uniqueness into account.

A thorough knowledge of who we are, as well as a complete picture of what our chosen tribe has to offer or can offer, is important as we make clear judgment calls as to how we wish to live.  This is both the gift and responsibility of being an adult.

Announcement 1: New Book on the Horizon: RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT - The Secret Ingredient is YOU!

My new book will soon be published through First Books Library at http://www.1stbooks.com and available at all bookstores. In fact, I just sent back the third set of galleys, so we are very close.  I will keep you posted on how you will be able to purchase it through this newsletter.  Also, information is about to be posted on my web site with all the details.

This is a breakthrough book, gracefully interweaving psychology/self-help with inspiration. There's one basic recipe: combine unique positive thoughts and feelings with positive actions.  Do this every day, and the rest will take care of itself--as if by magic!  For a sneak peak at the book go to my web site at http://www.enchantedself.com.

Announcement 2: Enchanted Self E-group is Growing!

You are invited to become an active participant in Enchanted Self activities through our e-group at http://www.egroups.com/groups/encself.  Once you sign up and become a member you will have access to The Enchanted Self on-line calendar, message board, chat room, and much more.  I encourage you to take advantage of this free opportunity to connect with myself and other Enchanted Self members, as we explore the joys of a positive and satisfying way of life.  Join us to find out "what's right with you--not what's wrong!"

I will soon be announcing on-line chats and other Enchanted Self events.  I will also send out a note to you explaining how you can get the most out of all of the e-group features.  Now would be a great time for you to sign up and start to learn about how you can benefit from joining our "enchanted" on-line community.

Announcement 3: Enchanting Questions ...

Perhaps you read last month's new bi-weekly publication of The Enchanted Self's e-newsletter!  Each month I will focus on (and respond to) a question about enchantment and/or a reader's ideas on enchantment. Please give us the pleasure of sharing your responses.  They may be posted on the web site or in future issues of the newsletter.

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Have an "enchanting" month.  I wish you all many enchanted moments!

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FORWARDING & REPRINTING

(C) 2000 Copyright The Enchanted Self - All rights reserved.

Please feel free to pass this issue on to someone who might enjoy it.  The Enchanted Self Newsletter is copyrighted but may be quoted, reprinted, or distributed in whole or part without prior permission, provided the content is not changed and attribution is given including:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

THE ENCHANTED SELF(R)

We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as self-healing and professional psychology newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission and send us a sample issue.

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To learn more about THE ENCHANTED SELF(R) - A State of Well Being, Joy, and happiness, please contact me or visit my web site.

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