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Portage
February 2008 Newsletter In This Issue...
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| Welcome
Hey All My intention, if anything, of this newsletter is just to present the musings of a wandering woman. Take what works for you. Discard what does not. I won't mind a bit. It seems to me there has been an unusual lack of sun in Northern Michigan this winter. It has felt exceptionally drab and dreary. My observation was confirmed last night on the evening news. 120 inches of snow makes for a lot of overcast skies. But wait! There are hints that something is breaking loose. This too-long quite winter is getting noisy. I hear a giggle coming from the woods around my home. Could it be the longer daylight is beginning to make a difference? I think so. It's starting with the red squirrels and the blue jays. They have always been the leaders. They're taking personally the job of waking up the woods. They've been here all winter. And just a week ago, they were scurrying and flitting about, quietly and seriously searching for food. Now they sit on the tree outside my bedroom window with no other purpose but to chuckle. By March, today's chuckles will become guffaws as everyone gets in on the act. I can take a hint. I can make my own sunshine. So each day I will sit quietly and let the laughter come to me. I’ll let it bubble up from the bottom like a long suppressed, runaway spring. I’ll let the corners of my mouth turn up and the fizzy turn into involuntary giggles. I won't turn back. I don't even need something to laugh about. All it takes is a willingness to risk losing a little control. Laughter is free. And it takes nothing away from the seriousness of other activities. We don't need to delay laughter for an earned day off. Can I become as contagious as those rowdy jays and disruptive red squirrels? Can I pull in the curious who will be unable to leave me without their own little chuckle? I hope so. The jays and squirrels have brightened my surroundings and broken the long silence of winter. I'm eager to pass it on. Take some time each day to laugh out loud and let the gifts that laughter brings come to you. Then snatch up those gifts and giggle at what has presented itself. The world outside you and the world inside you will appreciate it. "At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities." ~Jean Houston "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." ~Victor Hugo "Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit." ~Author Unknown "When people are laughing, they're generally not killing each other." ~Alan Alda Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself. An outstanding read by Alan Alda. I'm having so much fun with this one. Want to know how something works? Check out www.howstuffworks.com Please check out my Market
America franchise web portal at www.marketamerica.com/debmartin/
I am a board member of a wonderful non-profit organization called A Hand Up Coaching. You can learn more about us at www.ahuc.org. A Hand Up Coaching coaches are helping women make a difference. And the women helped through A Hand Up Coaching consider the assistance they receive to be priceless. Please consider being a part of this gift. While our coaches and everyone else in the organization give their time freely, A Hand UP Coaching has operating expenses that must be met. It costs us $75 in operating expenses to work with a client for 90 days. Your tax-deductible investment is literally a lifeline for these women. We are not a government program. We operate efficiently and lean, ensuring that our donors receive the highest possible return on their investment. Your donation will help a woman move beyond her circumstances. You will help a woman become productive and strong for her family and community. You become a team member in her success. ALL of your money goes to the operation of the program, not salaries. A Hand Up Coaching has affiliate coaches in major cities across the country. From Kansas City to Sacramento, Dallas to Philadelphia, Los Angeles to Detroit, your contribution will very likely help a woman in your area. You can help today by mailing
your tax-deductible contribution to:
Pam will need your name and complete address so we can acknowledge your donation. She will send you a letter so that you may fully deduct your donation from your income taxes. Thank you Peace and much love
The Fine Print
You can subscribe to this newsletter by visiting the subscription box on my home page at www.portagecoach.com If you find value in Portage please pass it along and ask your friends to subscribe. Thank You. Help me stay with you. If you are enjoying Portage, please protect your subscription. If your email address is about to change, please remember to visit my home page and subscribe your new address. And if your email service automatically deletes large broadcasts like this one, let them know you want Portage from Deb Martin to come through. Portage is published 12 times a year and distributed monthly by e-mail. Comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. Please forward any or all of this newsletter to those you know will appreciate it and encourage them to subscribe for themselves. Although this material is subject to copyright, you may reprint this publication, in whole or in part, in your company publication, in training, presentations, or wherever you feel it would be of benefit. This also holds true for members of the media. All I ask is that you include the following: Reprinted with permission from Deborah Martin of Portage at http://www.portagecoach.com The names of newsletter subscribers are not shared or sold. Copyright (c) 2008 by Deborah Martin. All rights reserved. |