01/08/2008 (3:00 PM) - 01/08/2008 (4:00 PM) Eastern  FREE  Join others around the world to discuss: Living from Power and Peace. What does that mean to you? How can we achieve it, as individuals as well as a global community?

Description: I was inspired to explore this topic and discover what part I can play after hearing Zainab Salib speak at the International Coach Federation Conference this fall. Besides founding and working for Women for Women International, which helps women victims of war rebuild their lives, Zainab has written 2 books: Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing up in the Shadow of Saddam (her own story: I read this in 24 hours!); and The Other Side of War: Women's Stories of Survival and Hope. She is a great model of living from power and peace.

I will be facilitating this free teleconference, Tuesday, January 8, 2-3pm CST, 218-486-1616 access code: 227134# (You will be liable for any long distance charges, and I will be recording the call.)

 2: I also read Parker Palmer's book The Active Life (I have purchased my 3rd book by him), about the continuum between action and contemplation.  The idea is that the two go together, that we do not have to choose one over the other.  Our action is complemented and furthered by quiet times of contemplation, and vice versa.  This is also supported in the book The Power of Full Engagement, another recent read about managing energy. It sounds simple, yet I find myself reading only a chapter a day because Palmer's writing is so rich. I am combining action and contemplation in my retreat (still a few spaces available for 1/11)

Renewing Your Spirit and Vision Retreat: looking for that new vision to carry you through this next portion of your wild and wonderful life and/or already feeling overwhelmed?   Holiday Special!      Friday, January 11, 2008, 12:30-4:30 pm in South Leawood .  Lead by Marilyn O'Hearne, MSW, Master Certified Coach, www.marilynoh.com; it includes 2 coaching sessions for new clients & a copy of her Renewing Your Spirit workbook ($359.99 value for only $78) Recharge after the holidays, and make a renewal of vision rather than resolution to boost your PEP (Peace, Energy, and Prosperity) for the whole year. A clear, compelling vision draws us closer and more easily to our goals than a resolution.  Especially for the creative and free spirit personality type, a very structured mapping of goals and steps may bring rebellion rather than results.   Taking the time to clarify and hone the vision at the beginning of the year ensures future success and generates more excitement and energy. I am passionate about not wasting "our most valuable resource: people".   I pair the visioning with renewal practices, from one minute to daily to long weekends and vacations.

3.  I am currently reading Margaret Benefiel's book Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations.  She writes about organizations whose leaders incorporate spiritual values and practices in their work.  The organizations range from Southwest Airlines to U2, and reflect different spiritual beliefs and practices.  Like The Active Life, I read this chapter by chapter, with lots of underlining.  My favorite quote is from Tom Hefferon, managing director and co-founder of the Irish company Document Management Group: "Spirituality in the workforce has huge potential; I think it has a significant future.  In years to come, this could be in two centuries time, I don't know, people will look back and say, 'They just closed down companies who didn't do that.'" (p.77)  These are organizations in which profitability and spiritual practices are linked.  Many in the US are familiar with Southwest airline's story: "Southwest's culture of encouraging creativity, joy, passion, teamwork, and espirit de corps proved to give it the competitive edge."   Also, their philosophy, "that if employees are treated well, they will in turn treat customers well-has paid off."  (p.65)

What can you do as an individual or organization to make a positive impact on how people are treated around the world?  I invite you to sign the Universal declaration of human rights http://www.everyhumanhasrights.org/sign_up/  This is on the Elders website, which I read about in O magazine.  It is founded by Sir Richard Branson and includes Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela.

Wishing you PEP (Peace, Energy, and Prosperity) this holiday season and always.

I look forward to hearing from you!