Light Bulbs and Paint, Oh My!

Hey World,

This is Marquita, just checking in to report on my light bulb promise. This was actually a little harder to get right than I thought! I did go and stock up on compact fluorescents and have begun replacing them in my home. I found that they look different. Some seem brighter, some seem dimmer, and the cost is big at the start and pays off in the end. I am following through on my promise, but may need to make another trip to have the type of light I want in each area!

Hum, this sounds like some relationships I've been in. Oh wait, that's my other blog.

The other thing I did while buying my new light bulbs was to buy paint for my guest room. This was another place where it was easy to find a way to help the environment. Instead of buying the usual brand of paint I get, I opted for a brand that has no VOCs, which stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These are gases made up of things like aldehydes and ketones.

So by buying paint without them, not only will I not pollute the atmosphere, I will keep myself and others safe from being gassed at home!

I would love to hear how the rest of you are doing as we brave this new world of change and better options for living.

Peace and Love,

Marquita

The Path Forward

Happy New Year! Today is the beginning of a new year and the world is ready for change. In my life I am not sure I have ever felt so certain of that before. Why do I feel this way. Let's look at a few facts:

For the first time in a long time people in the United States of America worked together and said they wanted change, and made it happen!

As we work out how we can solve our economic issues, it appears that we will do much of it by changing to green energy and more fuel efficient transportation!

We are also looking at making sure everyone has healthcare as a human right!

Locally, more and more organic farms and farmer's markets are providing food that is healthier, more nutritious, and often cheaper!

More and more of my clients want to focus on what is important to them in their lives, and it is not all about money!

People are recognizing that doing work that is full of passion and purpose is far more happiness provoking than big automobiles and gigantic houses!

These are just the things I personally see going on. I believe that at a deeper level their is an actual new stage of development happening to humans that we haven't reached before. This is a level where we understand how our energy and thoughts not only create our personal reality but have a direct effect on the rest of the planet. Last month I asked all of you to begin visualizing abundance in all areas of the world, not just at home. I want you to continue that this month and on onto the year. See it, feel it, taste it, and live it.

To help create change in the world it takes commitment to change at home, in your community, and on a global level. For the month of January, I am asking that you find one thing that you can change at home this month to make the world a better place. For myself, I am committing right now to changing every light bulb in my house to the best compact fluorescent I can find. This is something I have wanted to do, but haven't. It may seem like a small change, but for me it will be the beginning. I will report back here when I have accomplished this task, and I want you to do the same. Please comment on this post telling me what you are going to do, and when you have accomplished it.

During January, begin thinking about community, because in the next month we are going to start looking at how you can build on your visualizing and your personal changes and take that out into your community. You can start by telling all your friends and acquaintenances about this idea and this blog. I would like to hav as many people writing their ideas and hopes and dreams here as possible. If you would like to guest write a blog, email me and we will get it done. This is not about me, this is about all of us. We can make a difference!


Peace and Love,

Marquita

Signs of Change

How are you doing at envisioning abundance in the world? Have you set aside a few minutes each day to imagine peace and prosperity in all parts of the world? I have been doing this, and love the feeling I get as I can see it happening.

I have also been looking at how I can change small things right here at home. This means looking at everything as a place where change can happen. This has been a challenge as I have eight grandchildren who think, as my 4 1/2 year old granddaughter tells me, "You're the best Grandma in the whole world." In the past, part of getting this high of a rating was that I can be counted on for a hot cup of cocoa, a trip to the beach, a warm hug anytime, and plenty of presents under the tree.

This year, I am working to incorporate helping others into this equation. I have always been outspoken about there being enough for everyone. Towards that end, more of my sharing this year has been in the form of helping others, and spending less on things that will not be sustainable as a toy or gift. I recently wrote about this in my newsletter and I have gotten some emails from others who not only feel the same way, but are opening their thoughts and hearts to others. Here are some examples of what I am hearing:

"In that vein, I wanted to tell you that this year, more than most, I have bought food, toys and clothes for the needy folks around here. My office has always done this, but this year, probably due to the precarious economic picture, I have felt more compelled than ever. Since contributing to our Thanksgiving dinner box at work, I have had the pure pleasure of shopping for kids of all ages. Never having had kids myself, I tend to just release my inner child and let her guide me. Believe me when I tell you that she is never far away--I'll always be a kid! :) When I walk out of that store, I almost feel high. Isn't that wonderful?

We have a local woman whose own personal history has caused her to go beyond the call of duty when it comes to charity. So much that she was one of 5 women invited to our State Capitol by Maria Shriver to be recognized for her unrelenting spirit of giving to others. When she is not literally patrolling the streets, she volunteers in a grade school library. Anyway, she recently put the call out to this community for blankets and sleeping bags. Turns out, some of the students she sees are homeless and literally living in the brush around town with their families. She wants them to at least be warm out there.

All that said, here is a woman who embodies the very point of your commentary. When you see this woman, joy emanates from her. She positively glows. There ARE angels among us! "

And this:

"I loved your newsletter this month, thanks for sharing. We have embraced gratitude this year in every form and it's made such an impact on our emotional health. Giving feels so good and it's great to know that we're able to help others. "

Thank you all for help this year!! You are doing more than you can imagine to bring change in the world.

Happy Holidays!

Marquita

Coach the World

This picture represents something I see happening on the planet these days. It seems that more and more people are realizing that we can have an effect on the world around us, and that each of us individually, are involved in the birth of a new world.

This blog is to help achieve a world where there is enough for everyone, a world where it is not okay for anyone to have too much while others are dying from starvation and disease, a world where we treat this amazing planet we call Earth as if it was a cherished child; a child we would not willingly do harm to.

This is the beginning of a challenge, a project, a new idea. The idea of Coaching the World. There is room in this idea for everyone who wants to take part. I'm sure you are starting to wonder how to do that? Let me show you how.

Every month during the year 2009, I will challenge as many people in the world who are willing to sign on to do one thing different that will have a direct impact on the planet. But first, I have a beginning challenge for December, 2008.

In recent years, there has been a change in the thought process of the human mind. We used to think that we as individuals did not have much to do with how the world we lived in works, other than the things we concretely accomplished in our small corner of the planet. Now most people believe that they have the power to co-create their world. Just look at the changes that have been wrought by believers in energy work, followers of the law of attraction, and books such as What the Bleep Do We Know? In my own life, I have seen the power of becoming centered and strong and using visualization and visioning to create a full and challenging life.

I believe that the joined energy of a large group could make a huge difference in the world. Consider this, when you spend your day reading the newspaper, watching the news on television, and talking about the terrible state of the planet, do you then consider what energy you are sending out into the world? One of my good friends, Master Coach Susan Hyatt recently said, "If there's a financial crisis, I'm choosing not to participate." I'm with her. I don't want my energy joining in the problems of the world, I want it to be a part of the solutions in the world.

So here is the December challenge. Every single day of this month, spend ten minutes, visualizing the world as full of abundance. Now, I don't want you to do this only in your home state or country. I want you to visualize your mind going around the earth and seeing people in the rest of the world living in abundance. See everyone wearing warm cloths, with bellies full of food, with families around, and without conflict where they live.

I know that we can do this. We can make a difference. Help me Coach the World this month, next year, and into the future.

Peace and Love,

Marquita