…of? Nah, don’t think so. OK, so I am struggling to capture a title for this blog post, just like I have struggled the last two weeks over what to write. (Hence my absence.)

On a positive note, the past two weeks have been rather busy and very humbling in many respects. I just finished teaching my first round of some Core Essentials Program courses at Coach U and have to say….I HAD A BLAST!! The students were awesome and the evaluations were tear-jerking. (That is what I meant when I said “humbling”.) Never did I anticipate the response received, (to be honest) and I am so grateful to all the students. It was their contributions and their energy that made the classes so amazing. So why am I humbled?

Well, because I still find it easier to give a compliment than to receive one. It’s not that I don’t like receiving compliments, I do. It’s just not always easy for me, and I admit that. My initial response (in my head) is “I’m just a woman who is doing what she loves. I am no different to anyone else. I put my pants on one leg at a time like everyone else” (Besides, I’ve tried to put my pants on both legs at a time and I fell over -- not advised.)

What I came to realize this week, as I was writing “thank you” emails in response, a compliment is a gift. To receive it with anything less than gratitude and appreciation is tantamount to smacking the gift giver upside the head and throwing their gift back at them.

Most recently I was tagged by a dear friend (and adopted little brother), Phil in this fun little “get to know more” exercise. So I gladly accept the tag…here goes nothin’…

Four Jobs I Have Had: (prior to coaching, of course)
1) Online Community Developer
2) Enrichment Program Kindergarten Teacher
3) AIDS Educator/ Executive Director of AIDS Prevention Organization for Youth
4) Financial Service Representative

Four Places I've Been:
1) Most recently.. Portland
2) England
3) France
4) Germany

Four Music Artists I Am Listening To Right Now:
1) Fergie
2) Rachael Yamagata
3) G. Love and Special Sauce
4) Seal

Four Favorite Foods:
1) Sushi
2) Veggie Lasagna
3) Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (for those days when comfort food is in order)
4) Shrimp

Now for the fun part…tag, you all are it!!

(SIDE NOTE: I wish to apologize for my absence. It started with a wonderfully relaxing vacation to visit some friends. (Thank you, Cassi and Jeff! ) Followed by a nasty cold upon my return; note to self: always drink Airborne before boarding a plane.)

My morning ritual during the weekdays is usually pretty consistent; roll out of bed, start my computer, let the dog out, make coffee, start e-mail program, grab coffee, let the dog in, and settle into my office chair. Before I dive into work or personal-related e-mails I always go directly to my “Notes from the Universe” e-mail folder.

It was a Thursday morning and with coffee in hand I read the following trinket :

Ever notice, Pam, that in the long run, those who don't eventually go "within," often go "without."

You got the power,
The Universe (www.tut.com)

I gotta tell ya, I truly look forward to my daily notes from the Universe courtesy of Tut.com. These little gems either make me really think or they make me laugh hysterically. This one was no exception. My take-away…

The more I learn, the more I coach, the more I read, the more I teach, the more I have come to know that if I want to walk my own walk, as well as manifest the good stuff I have to go within. Deep into the core of me, where all the good and not so good stuff resides. This means that I have to be willing to shift and grow from the inside out. Think about it…

I could dress up my outsides with great clothes or even plastic surgery, but let’s face it, if the inside ain’t pretty, the outside’s attractiveness will fade.

I could make boat loads of money, drive the greatest car, live in the coolest house, but if my insides aren’t happy, a big bank balance isn’t go to make me happy either.

The Universe (or Tut.com) is right, I do have the power…we all do. I have the power to choose, to change, to grow, and to go within rather than without. I choose to go within, I choose to continue to remove the stuff that does not serve me (i.e. fear of not being good enough) so that I continue to bring in and bring forth the good stuff. Won’t you join me?

Together let’s dig deep to unearth and finely tune the good stuff that is just waiting to CONSISTENTLY see the light of day. But first, let’s remove the stuff that stands in the way and does not positively serve. With that, let me ask you, what’s something you wish to eradicate from your inner core that is no longer serving you?

We have the power!!