heartspark blog

Spark Notes

Susan Clark — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:30:40 +0000

There is a humongous circle of people surrounding you, and they’re all waiting for you.

Waiting and hoping.

Hoping you’ll notice them and allow them to help you.

Things that are weighing you down come easily to them.

They even find them fun.

Hard to imagine, but it’s true.

So make their day. Invite them to help you.

Who is going to be the lucky one today?

… tomorrow?

… and the next day?

You catch my drift?

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Spark Notes

Susan Clark — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:30:10 +0000

I’m a student of the science of happiness and do you know what I’ve learned?

There are really only two emotional states: joyously happy and able to become joyously happy.

What’s it going to be for you today? I’m not saying it’s easy, but it is up to you.

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Spark Notes

Susan Clark — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:30:23 +0000

Let’s play a game. The only rule is that you have to take action whenever your head and heart agree.

That means when you’re asked, you say, “yes;” when the door opens, you walk through; when you get the urge to jump, you take the leap.

Only if it feels right, of course.

Game on!

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Spark Notes

Susan Clark — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:30:45 +0000

Have you ever considered that the person who is barring the door to your success may be the same one who holds the key?

Sure enough.

I won’t mention any names, but it begins with [insert your name here]…

Use the key!

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the heartspark way: Slow Down & Be Quiet

Susan Clark — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:30:20 +0000

“Silence is a source of great strength.” ~ Lao-Tzu

At heartspark, we have found that slowing down and being quiet is essential to the other success practices. It creates a quiet space within yourself from which your current path can emerge. And one of the best ways to discover and cultivate that quiet space is through meditation.

Meditation can take many forms, but the benefits can be life changing. Studies show that regular meditation shifts brain activity out of stress zones, aids natural healing, decreases chronic pain, controls high blood pressure at levels comparable to prescription drugs (without side effects) and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Daily meditation also slows aging! One study found that people who’ve meditated for five or more years are physiologically up to 15 years younger than non-meditators. They’re also less anxious, neurotic and fearful, and more spontaneous, independent, self-confident and empathetic.

Reap the Benefits

Here are some simple ways to slow down and be quiet today:

Reclaim silence as part of your daily routine through gardening, yoga, or just turning off the TV, radio and computers.
Use your commute. In the car or on the bus, turn off the radio, sit up straight and breathe evenly. If you get behind a slow driver, take it as an opportunity to slow down yourself, and resist the urge to get irritated or pass them.
Take a walk with no destination. Stop to look at something beautiful.
Close your eyes and revisit memories that invoke a sense of peace or mystery: A walk on a frozen lake, time spent with animals, a visit to a mosque or temple.
Try the Zen practice of shikantaza, or “just sitting.” Sit comfortably, but keep your spine straight and hands in your lap. Breathe slowly, releasing body tension. If your mind races, acknowledge the arrival of each thought but set it aside, as though placing it in a basket for later. Try this for 15-20 minutes each day, whether at home, in the sauna at the gym, or in a private room at work.
Do one thing at a time. Just staying fully present in what you’re doing—not multi-tasking—is a form of meditation. As a monk friend says, “When you’re eating oatmeal, just eat oatmeal. When you’re washing the bowl, just wash the bowl.”

When you find that quiet place inside yourself, you may be surprised at what grows there.

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See Liza Beer at Dog Fest 2010

Admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:26:39 +0000

If you’ve ever met Liza, you know how in tune she is with all types or animals and people. You can see her in action at Indigo Summer Dog Fest 2010 where she will be talking about and offering Reiki to dogs and their humans.

The fun-filled festival is this Saturday, August 14th from 10am to 7pm. Activities include: scootering and K9 scent work demos, pet first aid and nutrition workshops, pet portrait photography, crafts where you bedazzle a shirt for your dog and your dog paints a shirt for you (my favorite,) live music and more.

Proceeds benefit Indigo rescue. Find the fun at 15640 Airport Way, Vernonia, OR. $10 per car includes 3 tickets for game entries. Friendly on-lease dogs welcome. Learn more at: www.indigorescue.org.

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Spark Notes

Susan Clark — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:30:32 +0000

Want to know how to impress your friends and neighbors?

The secret to being seen as absolutely stunning, wildly successful and amazingly brilliant is simple:

Choose to be happy.

Works every time.

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Anna Mortsfield Joins Wells Fargo…Again

Susan Clark — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:00:07 +0000

Congratulations to Anna Mortsfield as she finishes her first official week in her new Project Manager position in support of Wells Fargo’s Oregon Regional President of Retail Banking. Talk about the power of knowing what you want! After leaving Wells Fargo about a year ago, Anna took time to travel, relax, drink fine wine and restore a wonderful sense of balance to her life. While she was looking for her next career opportunity, she took on a temporary assignment or two until she was ready to set her sights on what she really wanted. Once that became clear, it was only a matter of time. She’s now back at Wells Fargo, but in an entirely new area where she has lots to learn and tremendous value to add.

Let’s all toast Anna tonight for making the transition look so fun and easy!

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Lying, Cheating & Stealing Are Not Company Values

Susan Clark — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:30:13 +0000

Are you concerned about lying, cheating, or stealing in the workplace? If so, register for this free webinar sponsored by Portland State University and presented by heartspark alumna Sally Rhys, Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional, of Focus on Business Ethics.

If there is no concern, that’s even more reason to register — what management doesn’t know could hurt them! Research shows small organizations are disproportionately victimized, median loss per incident is about $160,000, and losses equal about 5% of an organization’s annual revenue. Yikes!

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT Sally will, with her trademark wry wit, open your eyes to dangerous myths regarding misconduct in the workplace, and provide simple, inexpensive tips for businesses to protect themselves.

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Spark Notes

Susan Clark — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:30:40 +0000

There will soon come a day when you will have reached the top of the mountain, achieved success beyond your wildest imagination, mastered fame and fortune, changed the lives of so many for the better and you won’t be able to remember when you thought it to be impossible because it will be so easy and feel so natural.

Mark my words.

I will be there to walk down memory lane with you. It will be fun to play, “Remember when….?”

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