The following are from some of my recent newsletters. The newsletters can be emailed directly to you. See the "signup box" on my Front Page. The email versions will contain announcements of opportunities which may interest you in addition to a short message like the following.

From Vol. 2, No. 7, 6/23/01

The Summer Solstice is behind us and we are now 'officially' into the shortening days of Summer. I hope you're making the most of every one of them!

Many of us have had at least one graduation on our calendars this past month. Whether graduate school or high school, eighth grade or college, or even kindergarten, completion warrants some celebration. It may have taken some time and the graduates - at least some of them - have worked hard. They all deserve our applause. Congratulations!

Many ceremonies were identified in the catalogs, calendars, announcements and programs not as "graduation" but as "commencement." While "graduation" looks mostly to the past and celebrates completion, "commencement" faces forward and celebrates beginnings. This year's graduates are completing one phase of their development but beginning another.

Whether you are a graduate or not, you have the opportunity, here at the beginning of Summer, for a "commencement." As the hackneyed saying has it "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." What's beginning for you? What will you choose for the next phase of your development to be about? What is it that's not beginning? What is there that you've been wanting to do but haven't? What have you allowed to be more important?

Here's an exercise for you. Pick something that you've been wanting to begin - a new diet, perhaps, a walking program or a new hobby. Maybe there's a book you've been meaning to read. Or maybe it's one you've been meaning to write! Whatever it is, write it on a small piece of paper and write "Commencement" under it. Now pick a date in the next week and write that date on the piece of paper. Post the paper where you'll see it every day. Write "Commencement" on the date on all your calendars. Put it in your DayTimer or your PDA. Finally - here comes the tough part! - call at least two people, tell them what you are going to do and when and ask them to call you after the date to ask you how it went!

When your Commencement Day rolls around take that crucial first step into your new, bigger life.

For other ideas about getting started or staying in action on your dreams, talk to your coach. If you aren't in a coaching relationship now, that may be a good practice to begin on your Commencement Day! Call me at 206-679-7668 or check the Puget Sound Coaching Association web site for a directory of local coaches: http://www.pugetsoundcoaches.org

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -- Goethe

From Vol. 2, No, 6, 4/23/01

The papers and TV news programs are all awash in power issues these days. Will there be enough? What will it cost us? How will our actions today affect the environment tomorrow? Why aren't we investing more in alternatives? And will any of those alternatives ever make a significant contribution toward meeting the ever-growing demand?

Balancing hydroelectric, steam-electric, nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal and even more exotic means of production with conservation and improved efficiency in our appliances, vehicles, and heating and cooling systems in ways that continue to encourage business development and job growth yet protects out most vulnerable citizens will not be an easy task. I will, I believe, call for our best thinking and our most serious efforts.

Meanwhile, what's your personal power situation? Are you using your own power efficiently and effectively to propel you forward toward your goals? Are you using it for others - your family and your communities - or are you using it against those you disagree with and those you perceive as blocking your progress?

Unlike oil, natural gas and coal, your personal power is virtually unlimited. You can call on it even in the dark of night and in the absence of even the slightest breeze. No atoms need to be split and there are no toxic wastes produced. And you don't need a license to operate it! However, if you abuse or misuse your power it will reflect back on you. Remember the old cliché, which I believe is all about the use of personal power: "Whoever lives by the sword shall die by the sword."