When the Dust Settles

Responding positively in times of great tragedy.

We are very pleased to introduce a new section to The LifeExcellence
Newsletter. Make a Difference will focus on specific ways to help
people and organizations in need, and will also highlight examples
of people who are making a difference in the world.

If you have suggestions for non-profit organizations that you would
like included, or a story of people "giving back" in some way, please
email me at brian@lifeexcellence.com.

We are also pleased to offer our FREE LifeExcellence Motivational
Screensaver, which contains a collection of over 100 awesome
motivational quotes and 30 scenic photos! You can download it
here, or from our website. Install it on your PC at home and work,
and forward it to your friends, family and business associates!

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Table of Contents:

1. Baby Steps
2. Feature Article: WHEN THE DUST SETTLES
3. Quotes
4. Recommended Resources: Abundant Living
5. Self-Care
6. Make a Difference
7. Final Thoughts: The Seven Wonders

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1. Baby Steps

What will happen once the rubble is cleared, when the television
cameras are gone, when September 11 is no longer at the forefront
of our thoughts? It is my hope that tremendous good will continue
to result from the tragedy that caused so many to take action in the
past couple weeks.

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2. Feature Article: WHEN THE DUST SETTLES

The events of the past couple weeks have changed the world. Two
things particularly amaze me: The magnitude of the tragedy caused
in such a short period of time, and the incredible response to this
horrific event from people around the world.

September 11, 2001 will be remembered as a tragic day in U.S.,
and indeed world, history. And yet history will also recognize this
period as a time when the free world united in time of need. Blood
donations at an unprecedented rate. Hundreds of trucks filled with
clothing and supplies. Children in schools collecting pennies, and
corporations matching their donations. Prayers and support from
around the world. Political parties dropping partisan ways, and
governments joining together. The reaction to the tragedy might be
more extraordinary than the events themselves.

I wonder what will happen when the dust settles...

What will happen once the rubble is cleared, when the television
cameras are gone, when September 11 is no longer at the forefront
of our thoughts?

Yes, life must go on. And, obviously, the world will not continue
to dwell on these events like we have the past two weeks. But I
hope that this tragedy will be a wake up call to transform our lives,
to become more aware of life around us, to become more caring
and considerate of others, and to love one another unlike ever before.
I hope that we will have a deeper understanding of the frailty of life,
and that our actions will be altered in response to that understanding.

What will happen in your life, when the dust settles? It is my hope
that tremendous good will continue to result from the tragedy that
caused so many to take action in the past couple weeks. Here are
several examples of how we can continue to respond positively,
even after the dust settles:

1. Do something for others. The time and money contributed in the
past two weeks has been unprecedented. Keep giving, in big ways
and little ways. Donate clothes and/or money. Volunteer your time,
even if it's an hour per month. Send a card to a friend.

2. Do something for yourself. No matter how busy you are, take time
for yourself. Every day. Enjoy the simple things, like reading a book.
Or do something you've always wanted to do, like take a class.

3. Forgive others. Grudges and grievances are unhealthy emotional
baggage. Let go of it, so you can get on with your life.

4. Give yourself a break. We are sometimes overly critical of
ourselves, and this can be very detrimental. Do the best you can,
and be okay with that.

5. Know what's really important, and who matters. Is the way you
live your life consistent with what you say is important to you, and
with whom you say matters most in your life? If not, then determine
how to get from where you are to where you want to be.

6. Take care of unresolved issues. If you don't have an estate plan,
get one! If you've wanted to say something to someone, then say
it. Don't leave anything to chance. Get it handled.

7. Give yourself the gift of happiness. Happiness is a choice, and
it's available to everyone. Make the shift from "achieving to be
happy" to "happily achieving."

Have you made positive changes recently that will now become a
regular part of your life? If so, please email me. I'd love to hear
from you! brian@lifeexcellence.com.

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3. Quotes

Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by day,
in all the thousand small, uncaring ways.
Stephen Saint Vincent Benet

We only have this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand...and
melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.
Marie Beynon Ray

He is blessed over all mortals who loses no moment of the passing life.
Henry Davis Thoreau

If you spend your whole life wanting for the storm, you'll never
enjoy the sunshine.
Morris West

And if not now, when?
Talmud

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4. Recommended Resources: Abundant Living

Love: What Life is All About
by Leo Buscaglia

Leo Buscaglia is one of the great teachers of living and loving-full
of passion, charm, humor and wisdom. This book will convince you
that the road to a fuller, happier life is open to you, and it reveals
how every day can be enriched, enhanced and, most of all, enjoyed.
To order book, click here

Prescriptions for Living
by Bernie S. Siegel

Prescriptions is a storybook filled with parables, reflections and
personal anecdotes that illuminate the beauty, magic and truth in
our everyday lives. As Siegel reveals, hope and joy is everywhere
if we know where to look and how to see it.
To order book, click here

Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and
Rekindle the Spirit
edited by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen

Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers share this
treasury of collected stories that have touched the hearts of people
everywhere.
To order book, click here

Tuesdays With Morrie
by Mitch Album

This book chronicles the time together of a student and his former
teacher. Album rekindled his relationship with Morrie after learning
of his teacher's battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a touching
book, and one that you will want to revisit periodically, in order to
reinforce the powerful lesson that the story provides.
To order book, click here

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5. Self-Care

Are you feeling drained of energy? If you are, then check your
stimulant intake. Although they can create energy in the short-term,
the long-term effect of stimulants is quite the opposite.

To reduce stimulant intake, consider drastically reducing, or even
eliminating, the following: Alcohol, refined sugar, caffeine and
nicotine.

Reduce intake over a couple weeks, to help avoid any withdrawal
symptoms. And seek professional help, if necessary, for alcohol
and nicotine dependency.

You should soon start to notice a dramatic improvement in your
energy levels. That's your body thanking you!

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6. Make a Difference

American Liberty Partnership

The American Liberty United Partnership is an Internet industry
initiative that was created in response to the September 11 tragedy.
Its purpose is to connect people who want to help with the
organizations that need it the most.
To help victims and their families, click here

America's Tragedy Around the World

I have been deeply touched by the many emails from subscribers
around the world. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and
for your support. "America's Tragedy" is a visual essay of support
around the world for America during this time of hardship.
To view these touching images, click here

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7. Final Thoughts: The Seven Wonders

A group of Geography students studied the Seven Wonders of the
World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list
what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World.

Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most
votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a
quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if
she was having trouble with her list.

The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my
mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can
help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the
World are to touch, to taste, to see, to hear..."

She hesitated a little, and then continued "...to run, to laugh and
to love."

May you be reminded today of those things which are truly wondrous.

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Thank you for reading the LifeExcellence Newsletter.
Enjoy the WONDER this week!
- Brian Bartes

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For more information on coaching, please visit our website at
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Are you ready to take action toward the achievement of your
goals? What if you had someone to support, motivate, challenge
and encourage you as you play at a new level?
Call our office at 734-254-9970, or e-mail us at
coaching@LifeExcellence.com to set up a free coaching
consultation.

For more information on coaching, please visit our website at
http://www.lifeexcellence.com/.

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