Seasonal Newsletter: Spring 2018
Deep Creativity Newsletter
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Springtime: New Life & New Beginnings
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As golden daffodils bloom, the natural world comes back to life.
When the dark days of winter make way for springtime, growth, and renewal, it’s time for new beginnings. In our gardens, when the danger of frost has past, it’s time to plant seeds of corn, squash, and beans, and set out new tomato plants that will bear fruit in the warmth of summer days.
In our lives, as well, it’s time to plant seeds of new possibilities, to cultivate our dreams and begin bringing them to fruition.
- Is there something you’ve been dreaming of—making a creative change in your life, beginning a new project, starting a new job, setting off in a new direction in life?
- This springtime of renewal is a perfect time to listen to your heart, follow your passion, and bring your desires to life.
As Goethe once wrote,
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it, Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
You can begin your new growth process by connecting to your strengths.
A few years ago, a team of positive psychologists conducted a study of character strengths and virtues in all world cultures, looking back from the 21
st
century to earliest recorded history. They discovered 24 character strengths common to humankind, publishing their findings in
Character Strengths and Virtues
(Peterson & Seligman, 2004). Each of us, they found, has five top strengths, or “signature strengths.” Research has revealed that that discovering and using these strengths can bring us greater physical and emotional health, joy, and well-being (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005).
What are your top strengths? One way to find out is to think of a time when you felt fully yourself, filled with expansive energy, joy and vitality.
What were you doing?
What did it look like and feel like?
Then ask yourself what character strengths you were using--Creativity, Curiosity, Judgment, Love of Learning, Perspective, Bravery, Perseverance, Honesty, Zest, Love, Kindness, Social Intelligence, Teamwork, Fairness, Leadership, Forgiveness, Humility, Prudence, Self-Regulation, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, or Spirituality.
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For a free guide to discovering your own strengths,
click here
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Spring is also a time for spring cleaning in our homes and gardens, sweeping away the cobwebs of the past, weeding out what no longer serves us. In the gardens of our lives, this means casting away the shadows of doubt, releasing old grievances that drain our energies. Is there something in your life that has been dragging you down—a painful memory from the past? an outgrown obligation? an old commitment that no longer makes sense?
It’s time to visualize what you want to weed out, plant, and cultivate in the days to come.
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Coaching can help you unlock your hidden passion and potential, connect with your strengths, and clear the path to move forward with a new sense of joy and meaning. This month, I’ll be giving away a free coaching session to the first person who contacts me.
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References
Peterson, C.& Seligman, M. E.P. (2004).
Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification.
Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N, & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions.
American Psychologist, 60,
410-421.
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I am a positive psychology coach, researcher, and best-selling author. My books include
The Tao of Inner Peace
,
The Tao of Personal Leadership
,
The Tao of Womanhood
,
Inner Gardening:
A Seasonal Path to Inner Peace
, and
Your Personal Renaissance: 12 Steps to Finding Your Life’s
True Calling
.
My coaching uses the latest research in positive psychology, mindful listening, powerful questions, and other creative techniques to help people like you overcome roadblocks, achieve your goals, and discover greater joy and meaning in life.
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I am an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and a member of the
International Coach Federation
(ICF) a leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals.
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I am also a Certified MentorCoach (CMC) with the internationally recognized coach training community
MentorCoach LLC.
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Check Out Diane's Blog
Tao Leadership for Today
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Diane Dreher, PhD, MA, ACC, CMC
Diane Dreher Coaching & Consulting
© Diane Dreher 2018
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