This months newsletter focuses on two great books, "Choosing Happiness" and "The Artist's Way" and the potential for transformation of our selves in the ever-learning process.

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.

~Seneca~

The "Too Busy" Excuse. Being busy can be our greatest excuse for not taking charge of our lives, not taking responsibility for how we are affecting other people, not acknowledging or expressing our values- not being real.

"I don't have time" is a statement that is never more than half true. When it becomes, " I don't have time to think about my life, what I am making of myself and how I am affecting other people," it is never true.

Not Choosing Is Also A Choice Passivity is a quite understandable reaction to our over scheduled, over driven, relentlessly superficial culture. But it is not a healthy one.

Not choosing is also a choice that will shape your character as inevitably as any other.

Letting yourself know that you are choosing, making your large and small choices consciously, and taking responsibility for them, are the basics for living well.

Self-respect and integrity depend on conscious choosing. Who you are, and who you are becoming, depends on what and how you choose.

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: If there is any reaction, both are transformed.

~C.G.Jung~

Many of us wish we were more creative. Many of us sense we are more creative, but unable to effectively tap that creativity. Our dreams elude us. Our lives feel somehow flat. Often, we have great ideas, wonderful dreams, but are unable to actualize them for ourselves. Sometimes we have specific creative longings we would love to fulfill-learning to play the piano, painting, taking an acting class, or writing.

It takes nurturing to make an artist. The reward for attention is always healing.

Spending time with your "inner child" is recommended on a weekly basis. It will be very difficult to find time in your busy schedule, but it is worth it for your well-being in this stressful world.

Some suggestions include: Visit a toy store, a book store, an art store, an antique store, a sporting goods store. Go to a park and swing, ride a bike, fly a kite, go fishing or canoeing, go for a slow walk in the woods. You don't have to do things that cost a lot, simple things that you remember enjoying as a child will refresh your soul.

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I received this book as a gift, quite by surprise, from my good friend's mother.

We began corresponding and have become friends through letter writing even though we have yet to met. It has given us the rare opportunity to reveal what is in our hearts without fear of rejection.

She is dying of cancer and has been giving away things she thinks others will enjoy. Even in the face of death, she is still thoughtful of others. I'm sure she had no way of knowing at the time, how the book and the correspondences with her, would transform my life. She has quickly become my hero. ~Laurie S.~

We don't carry this brand of inflatable exercise balls, but if you happen to have one of these, please take note.....

People searching for motivation to exercise may have another excuse to sit still: Inflatable fitness balls that might be key to toning your abs also could explode and send you crashing to the floor.

We will be giving you treatment ideas in each newsletter.

Sit in a chair, lie on the floor or stand upright. Now inhale and try to tense every muscle in your body at the same time. Hold this pose for a 10-count, then let out your breath and release all of the tension you've been holding. Practice this until you feel you can release every tight muscle in your body. Be very thorough in tensing every muscle, and be equally thorough in relaxing every muscle.

The next step is to do the relaxing part while you are walking, running, or doing any activity and you'll have a great tool to use whenever you need it.