March 2018: Lessons from Mister Rogers

Okay, so I know Mister Rogers may strike many of us as quaint, yesterday, trite, or maybe even scary (eek! those sweaters!), but when I read his book, I found many little nuggets that I thought many of you might find inspiring or fun as well. Here ya go: 1. A life of spiritual wholeness is represented by looking inward with our hearts (inner disciplines affect how we see others), looking outward with our eyes (how we see others affects how we treat others), and using what we've learned practically, with our hands (serving). 2. Slow down. -Hurriedness causes the soul to be hard and resistant. But taking time and going slow nurtures the soul. -Taking one's time, especially in relationships, allows the other person to know he or she is worth the time. -If we can learn to wait through the "natural silences" of life, we will be surprised by what awaits us on the other side. 3. Be vulnerable. -Be willing to try new things and keep trying new things even if you aren't good at them. -Vulnerability is an important quality because it gives others access to our complexity. 4. Feelings are okay. -You don't have to hide them and there are ways to say how you feel that aren't going to hurt you or anybody else. 5. Be a good neighbor. -Your neighbor is simply the person you happen to be with at the moment. 6. Forgive. -Undesirable feelings or behaviors can be rerouted and released into excellence. 7. Hold onto your innocence. -Appreciate life's mysteries through the eyes of a child - never lose the ability to look at the world through your child's eye. Here are a few of his favorite quotes: Gerald Sittser, A Grace Disguised: We live life as if it were a motion picture. Loss turns life into a snapshot. The movement stops; everything freezes. Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time: If someone knows who he is, really knows, then he doesn't need to hate. Madeleine L'Engle, A Wind in the Door: Love. That's what makes persons know who they are. If any of these strikes a chord, then I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on how you can actually integrate the lesson into your day to day life. If this became a value or idea that you held in high esteem, how would your actions, words, or thoughts need to shift in order to honor that? Your neighbor, Watch this video to watch a beautiful exploration of facing, overcoming, or succumbing to fear Read about how self-control is really just empathy for your future self How could you be a good neighbor today?

BOOK OF THE MONTH   Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix Originally published in 1988, Getting the Love You Want has helped millions of couples attain more loving, supportive, and deeply satisfying relationships. The 20th anniversary edition contains extensive revisions to this groundbreaking book, with a new chapter, new exercises, and a foreword detailing Dr. Hendrix’s updated philosophy for eliminating all negativity from couples’ daily interactions, allowing readers of the 2008 edition to benefit from his ongoing discoveries during his last two decades of work. Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., in partnership with his wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD., originated Imago Relationship Therapy, a unique healing process for couples, prospective couples, and parents. READ MORE HERE!   UPCOMING EVENTS Now accepting applications for the upcoming Beyond Surviving Group Program for Men Starts April 10th Only 6 spots available! Apply before midnight on March 15th, and you'll receive a 50% discount. Learn more!     Attention Bay Area Women Art of Feminine Intuition & Manifestation The Power of Focus March 12th, 6:30p Berkeley, CA I am so excited to be presenting my workshop on "The Power of Focus: What Are You Manifesting" at this upcoming event. During this workshop, we will: * Explore the impact that focus has on our ability to manifest your desires. * Discover the #1 point of focus that is keeping you stick and frustrated. * Learn how to use the power of the brain to shift your focus and manifest exactly what you want.   Learn More & Register Here     March's Theme: Anger & Forgiveness Anger is a healthy and natural response to abuse and exploitation. Our anger as survivors is justified and we need to be allowed to be angry for as long as it takes. Unfortunately, others may want us to “get over it” and “move on” from anger to forgiveness. Learn More & Register Here Rachel Grant, M.A. Counseling Psychology Sexual Abuse Recovery Coach 415.484.5682 www.rachelgrantcoaching.com "What you think, you create"