Pop Quiz

By Traci Vincent | Published April 19, 2011

iStock_000014983701XSmallI received an email recently from author, Ross Anthony, who I met several months ago at a local book signing.  In it, he mentioned that a particular incident happened to him and he described his reaction and the subsequent events as his “Pop Quiz” for the day.  I have been thinking about this since that day and have been wondering how I score on the daily pop quizzes that come up in my life.

As I remember back to my school days, pop quizzes usually entailed a couple of scenarios.  One…I was completely unprepared. I hadn’t done my homework or studied, and the quiz was a shock and an instant cause for feelings of stress and panic.  Two…I was prepared.  I was up to date on the class assignments and reading and I felt equipped to get through the test although I hadn’t expected to have the quiz.  My stress level was neutral and I felt confident that I would do okay on the test for the most part.

Does anyone ever expect to have a pop quiz? What is the purpose of a pop quiz anyway?  Is it a test of our readiness, our ability to think on our feet or a test of our self-management skills beyond daily schedules, outlines and structure?  Or is it a consequence for “students” who lack self-discipline?  Could it be a reminder that if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready?  Perhaps it’s a test of our listening and focus skills and how we implement these tools in daily life.  Or is it a quick check on our current knowledge and understanding?  Or maybe it is simply an opportunity to use a sudden event or “test” as a point of observation on where we are at in that moment and how we can learn, grow and evolve both personally and professionally.

I’ve been reviewing the pop quizzes that have happened to me over the past few days, and I think I have discovered areas where I need to learn and prepare more or get more organized to keep my fears and stressors in check.  Fortunately, I have had some “tests” or  experiences that I felt really good about too.  My confidence was able to shine as I handled these pop quizzes and challenges with grace, poise and inner strength.

How about you?  How did you score on your Pop Quiz today?

Traci Vincent

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World’s Youngest Motivational Speaker!!!!

By Luis Rosario | Published April 19, 2011

Long time MorningCoach.com member Sanjay Mehta has been consistently listening to JB Glossinger’s top rated podcast for quite some time now. Sanjay’s son 6 year old Anand Mehta has also been absorbing this information, which in turn has lead the to the birth of the World’s Youngest Motivational Speaker!!!!

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Wake-up, How Is Your Morning Going?

By Debra Moser | Published April 18, 2011

iStock_000007941689XSmall[1]Are you one of those that skip breakfast or your workout, are you screaming at the kids to get a move on while madly dashing around like a ”mad hatter” in the morning trying to get everyone out the door?  I’ve had those days myself until I organized my routine to make it easier for me and everyone else in the family.  Not only is it beneficial for your sanity but your overall health as well.  You can’t do it all yourself.  Learn to let go of control and delegate.  When the whole family participates it teaches your children responsibility and respect.

1.  Make time for yourself.  For many this is hard to conceptualize.  As JB would say, “without vitality nothing else matters”.  We have to make a difference in our own lives first.  If you don’t look after yourself then you don’t have the energy to help others.  I have always found that establishing a routine adds stability to my life.  Make the commitment to meditate, listen to MC Coachcast, your Sacred 6 and or workout in the morning.  You are showing the universe that you value yourself and you are abundant.  Finding your own rhythm and routine is essential to improving your life.  If you can’t workout in the morning then ensure you make time for it somewhere in your day.  Let’s not forget that breakfast and good nutrition is part of this equation. It is the most important meal of the day.  If you can’t set out your meal then wake up 15 minutes earlier so you have time to prepare and eat your breakfast.

2. Night Before.  Doing a few things the night before can keep you moving in the right direction in the morning without worry.  Pick out what you want to wear for the next day (include asking your older children to do the same) and lay it out.  This would also include workout gear.  It saves you wasted time and energy staring mindlessly in the closet trying to figure out what to wear for the day.  If you go to the gym, you can always sort out your gym bag while doing laundry on the weekend.  Set your coffee pot on a timer (if you are so inclined) and prepare your lunches for the next day.

3. Plan your meals.  Planning your weekly meals ahead of time can save you time and money while encouraging good eating habits. If you wait until the last minute this often leads to poor food choices and the dreaded run to the nearest fast food chain. Schedule it in your calendar as a weekly task and at the same time you can create your grocery shopping list.  Crockpot meals are a great time saver with plenty leftovers for lunches and the freezer. Veggies and fruit can be cut up and divided into plastic baggies to save time and easy to grab in the morning.  Remember to be flexible things happen!

Start your day right! Always be mindful and be kind to yourself and you will manifest greatness.  It begins with you to consider that taking care of yourself is not selfish. “The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.  No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.  And the fact that it practically always doesn’t, matters not a jot.  The possibility is always there. “ ~Monica Baldwin

 

 

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5 steps to better listening

By angelogeonie | Published April 13, 2011

listening

Have you ever had the experience of speaking to someone and felt they did not hear one word, maybe they were looking at their phone or watching people go by or just getting lost in their own thoughts.

Lets stop this by being an example to others on how to listen, and thanking other people when they truly listen to us.

Try these 5 step to help you be a better listener

1. Focus your attention on what the other person is saying word for word, remove assumptions from your thought process

2. leave your own agenda out of the conversation

3. repeat back there own words, not a paraphrase but their actual words

4. be curious about the story or situation that is being shared

5. Turn your own internal dialog off

We all have the wish to be heard, by paying attention and honoring another persons process of expression, is a wonderful gift to give

“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something”

- Wilson Mizner-

Angelo Geonie has spent more than a decade studying and integrating the metaphysical principles that enhance and transform the quality of our physical, mental, emotional, and energetic life, and combining the practices with the science of the 21st century quantum physics to produce one of the most transformational technologies. Angelo coaches others to integrate these into their personal rituals for life-long change. Angelo is the facilitator of the Morning Coach Spiritual Book Study program and is completing his Morning Coach Coaching Certification. Visit Angelo’s spiritual Blogs post at http://acgeonie.com/

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Gift of Courage!

By Debra Moser | Published April 12, 2011

iStock_000014997804XSmall[1]I have always thought of myself as pretty resilient in challenging times.  C.S. Lewis said that “courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point, which means at the point of highest reality.” There has been one prayer all my life through many challenges that has never failed me – “God, Please give me courage.”  The prayer always answered and I was given the gift of courage. This came to fruition for me once again last Tuesday night.  My blackberry rang and for a few seconds I didn’t recognize the phone number.  It was my husband’s sister calling me from the hospital.  She delivered the news that my husband suffered a heart attack while playing hockey.  A 38 year old man across the city was playing ball hockey and also suffered a heart attack.  Immediately I thought are you kidding me? Is this really happening?  Yes, indeed it was.  It was too surreal.

The day prior to this incident my mentor recommended a book to read Radical Forgiveness in Any Situation by Colin Tipping. This book came to me at the right time and place.  It helped me to open my spiritual intelligence further. Colin writes “we in the World of Humanity cannot know why a situation is as it is because the answer lies in the World of Divine Truth (Spirit), and we can know little or nothing of that world as long as we are in human form.  All we can do is surrender to the situation.”  When I found out the news, I was able to let go of the need to know why and surrendered in the knowledge that the love of God is in everything.  I am growing and learning from this situation and had to go through it.  Consequently, I worked hard at trying to stay in the present moment, out of ego and practised the gift of courage.

That certainly didn’t mean all was rosy.  As stated in Colin’s book I still had to surrender and feel my emotions.  Before reading this book, I would have heeded the advice given,” to stay strong” for my husband and would have suppressed my feelings until I let it go at a more “convenient” time. That did not happen.  I cried a river of tears, allowed my fear and anxiety to rush through me.  For minutes while I was processing the bad news I never felt more alive. I felt the intensity of this energy through my body.

I was able to bring my husband home from the Heart Institute last Friday and he is doing remarkably well. Sadly, the other man did not survive because there wasn’t a defibrillator on site. This device saved my husband’s life.  We are both deeply saddened by his loss and pray for his family in their hour of need.  I am currently working at trying to raise awareness of the importance of having AED’s (automated external defibrillator) in all sporting facilities, offices, schools etc.  They do save lives.  I am profoundly grateful for his second chance.

I am a child of the universe and a work in progress. There is a reason for everything in life and God does not make mistakes.  I trust that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  With the gift of courage and this experience it allowed me to keep focused in the present moment and move forward with love.  Spirit knows exactly what it is doing and it is not for me to question why.

 

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