Transformation Archives - Page 6 of 42

01/01/2018 by Lisa McDonald

The Ancient God Janis and The New Year

The Ancient God Janis

Did you know that January is named after the Roman God “Janis”?

In ancient Roman religion and myth Janis is the god of the beginning and the ending; gates and transitions; passages and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past.

Janis presided over the beginning and ending of conflict, and hence war and peace. The doors of his temple were open in time of war, and closed to mark the peace. As a god of transitions, he had functions pertaining to birth and to journeys and exchange.

January – The Transition Into The New Year

The 1st of January represents the ending of one year and the beginning of a new one. It provides a pocket of time to:

Be grateful
Reflect and learn from the past,
Reset our focus on the future.

This transition into the new year makes it a great time to set goals, which is where the culture of new year resolutions comes from.

Resolutions which are made with careful consideration can help reinforce permanent changes. However, most New Years resolutions are made in a heightened or inebriated state, which often lacks a degree of commitment. And, as a result then often never gets started or falls away within a short space of time.

Goals are more outcome focused, giving you attainable milestones and time frames. When they are set in a more conscious and committed way, your goals can keep you motivated. Especially if they’re aligned with your highest values and aspirations. January is a great time to reflect on the outcomes you want for 2018, to write your goals and to start taking action.

2018 Special Goal Setting Program

With the arrival of my son December 2015, it’s been a busy couple of years since I’ve run a Strategic Life Review And Goals Setting Workshop. It was a full day where you had to travel to participate. This year I’ve decided to create a different program, something extra special to assist you in reviewing, goal setting and taking action on your goals in 2018.

And … because of this new format it will cost you a fraction of previous workshops held in Melbourne and still have the personal connection that made those workshops so special. Click here to find out more ...

I look forward to inspiring, empowering and educating you to achieve more of your goals in 2018.

Warm regards

Lisa McDonald

PS If you haven’t had a look yet at my program Click here and find out more

15/12/2017 by Lisa McDonald Leave a Comment

The Heart of Your Christmas 2017

During the Christmas season it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season and to get distracted by issues, obligations and stories. Each of these things affect our health and happiness. They affect how we think and feel about ourselves. They also affect how we interact with others and our ability to contribute. That’s why its important to connect to our heart amid the busyness.

Take time to connect with the heart of YOUR Christmas. Reflect on your own heart and what you hold dear. Then, shift your focus to what the festive period means to you:

What is the heart of Christmas for you?
How does it support what you value and hold dear?
How can you use it to express and contribute to others during this time?

Christmas Video

Heart Felt Wisdom

Matthew’s song has some wonderful words. Here are a few of them to remind yourself to stay connected to your own heart in the busyness of the Christmas season :

Slow down
Where ever you are, come back to the heart …
Live while you can. Cherish the moments …
Make sure your loved ones know it …

Remember love and goodwill is something you can spread all year round. It doesn’t just have to be during Christmas or other seasonal/cultural festivities. So … connect with your heart …spread your love and goodwill … more often.

Take steps today to connect with the heart of your Christmas. Then, share your spirit with others.

What are your favourite words from Matthew West’s song? Please share your comments below.

Warm Regards

Lisa

23/11/2017 by Lisa McDonald

Life Is Composed of Lights and Shadows

Walt Disney Hi There,

Today’s wisdom comes from Walter Elias Disney (1901-1966) who was an American entrepreneur, animator, voice actor, film producer and philanthropist. He pioneered the American animation industry.

Here is a great quote from Walt Disney:

“Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows. ”
– Walt Disney

Walt Disney’s Wisdom

Today’s quote highlights the lightness and darkness of life. Everybody experiences both of these during their life time. The highs and lows, the good and the bad … are all a normal part of life. They are also a normal part of pursuing your goals and dreams.

Walt Disney himself experienced the lightness and darkness during his lifetime.

He experienced the highs and lows of success. Some of which included:

Holding the records as a film producer, for the most Academy Awards earned by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations (both records)
Best known for his cartoon Mickey Mouse (who he also did the voice for many years. Also famous for Donald Duck, Mini Mouse and Pluto
Created the first full length animated movie when he created Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Involvement in planning the 1960 Winter Olympics
Involvement in many charitable and philanthropic projects. In 1983 Disney formed the “Disneyland Community Action Team” (DCAT). DCAT became involved with the Special Olympics, the Orangewood Children’s Home, and other local charities. Later the Disney Worldwide Outreach program, was created to give a corporate standard on Disney’s charitable initiatives. On his death he left 45% of his estate went into a charitabl
e trust, 95 percent of which was designated for CalArts, to build a new campus

light and dark Walt Disney also experienced tough times and failures. Some of which included:

Poor Grades. Rose with his brother at 4.30 am every morning to deliver the Times before school, and repeated it in the evenings, for six years. As a result of his grueling schedule he often got poor grades because he fell asleep in class
Finding out that Universal owned the intellectual property rights to Oswald The Lucky Rabbit (which he’d created). Mintz threatened to start his own studio and produce the series himself if Disney refused to accept the reductions. Disney declined Mintz’s ultimatum and lost most of his animation staff.
Having a nervous breakdown in October 1931‍—‌which he blamed on the way Powers operated and his own overwork‍
Losses on pictures and deep debt. The studio began producing Pinocchio in early 1938 and Fantasia in November of the same year. Both films were released in 1940, and neither performed well at the box office‍—‌partly because revenues from Europe had dropped following the start of World War II in 1939. The studio made a loss on both pictures and was deeply in debt by the end of February 1941.

The Journey of Your Own Success

Just as Walt Disney experienced lightness and darkness as he pursued his goals and dreams, you will too. They are both just facts of life. Accept this reality and empower yourself – by gathering the people, knowledge and tools you require to take action on your goals. The journey of success and goal achievement requires persistence, resilience and courage to carry you through the lightness and darkness.

Take at least one action step today to progress and achieve your goals.

I’d love to hear from you – what inspiration have you gained from the life, wisdom and the many films of Walt Disney? Please share your comments below.

Warm regards

Lisa

11/10/2017 by Lisa McDonald

Is Pigeon Thinking Blocking Your Success?

Is Pigeon Thinking Blocking Your Success

I was sitting in a museum garden the other day and there were a few grey pigeons under foot. My son pointed at it excitedly saying “bird … bird”! In his eyes he saw this amazing living creature moving around and was excited to see it was up close. I nodded eagerly in agreement with him, wanting to encourage his enthusiasm for life. It got me thinking about how pigeon thinking creates success blocks, keeping us stuck and preventing progress towards our goals … [Read more…]

04/10/2017 by Lisa McDonald

From Stuck To Possible – Doris’ Breakthrough

Recently I watched the film “Hello My Name Is Doris”, an American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay by Showalter and Laura Terruso. It’s all about Doris who had been stuck in a rut for a long time.

Doris Was Stuck In Her Life

Doris was stuck in her life. She’d lived with her mother all her life, caring for her in her old age, and worked in the same job for 20 years. She’s a hoarder, hanging onto everything from the past which holds any sentimentally or even the slightest amount of usefulness, including one ski and a bunch of old shampoo bottles …. Doris also collects items discarded by others. She can’t let go of anything.

Doris is not alone, there are loads of people [Read more…]

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