Dear Friends,
Joyful Equinox greetings to you. This is a powerful Equinox, so make the most of it (for more information, visit www.susanlevitt.com and sign up for Susan’s newsletter). In addition, I wish you a peaceful Yom Kippur, a bountiful Samhain, and a happy Hallowmas. So, how is everyone? What were your wins this week? Is your life looking as you’d like it to? Is your life looking like you DESERVE to have it look? Where are the stumbling blocks? Are they physical, mental, emotional, psychic/spiritual? Would you like to work on your issues with a certified Spiritual Life Coach? Look no further. Here I am. And my initial session is complimentary. Hence, I would encourage each of you to email or call me to set up your free coaching session. You’ve nothing to lose by spending 45 free minutes (other than the long distance charges you might incur) with me.
Questions to ponder before our session: What are you most proud of? What’s the most important thing you’ve done in your life? Where are you feeling the most stress? What’s missing in your life? I look forward to hearing from you. Don’t be shy, step up to the plate. I would enjoy getting to know each of you personally.
REFLECTION:
For this newsletter’s reflection, I’ve chosen a joyful, autumnal poem by Christophe Plantin. Plantin was born circa 1514-20 and died in 1589, therefore making him a contemporary of William Shakespeare. The evidence surrounding his birth is sketchy, but he was born at or near Tours, France. Plantin learned Latin at an early age and began a lifelong love of scientific books. He learned book binding with a master book binder in Caen, France and soon became well known for his exquisite, artistic book bindings and covers. In due time, and following a short residence in Paris, Plantin moved to Antwerp and established a book binding firm, which due to a wound in Plantin’s arm, soon became a printing house. In a short period of time, the printing house of Plantin became well known, and soon, was known as the finest in Europe. Plantin’s typography exceeded any at that time and he became well known. Indeed, he was named “Royal Typographer” by King Philip II of Spain. Plantin’s involvement with a “heretical” sect known as the “Familists” forced him to flee Antwerp for a time, although outwardly he remained faithful to the Roman Catholic Church. After the scandal died down, he returned to Antwerp and publishing. Plantin ultimately turned the business over to his son-in-law as his health began to decline and the publishing house of Plantin-Moretus continued to operate until 1867. In 1876, the publishing house, with all its materials intact, was bought by the city of Antwerp and the country of Belgium and was turned into a museum, which is still operating today. The poem follows:
The Happiness of this World
(Le bonheur de ce monde)
To have a house which is commodious, clean and beautiful;
Tapestried with fragrant espaliers, a garden;
Fruits; excellent wine; a small retinue; few children;
To have, without commotion, a wife who is loyal.
To have no debts, no love, no lawsuits, no quarrel;
No obligation with parents to make division;
To content oneself with little, to hope for no attention
From the great; to scale one’s plans to what is manageable.
To live with candor and without ambition;
To give oneself to piety without hesitation;
To damp the passions and make them obedient,
Cultivating branch and graft, telling one’s rosary
While preserving a free spirit and a strong judgment:
This is to wait at home for death comfortably.
(translated by Karl Kirchwey)
How does this poem make you feel initially? Your first reaction?
Do you feel peace and serenity or something else?
Do you find the poem applicable to life in the early 21st century?
How would you modify it to fit your life? Or would you modify it?
Now read it again slowly, observing all punctuation, and ask yourself these three questions again. I hope you sense the joy, sage advice, sheer exuberance, and quiet dignity of this poem. It has become one of my all time favorites and I read it often. It helps bring me back to center. Do you follow what I mean? I invite any commentary
UPCOMING EVENTS:
We will further explore:
"Identifying and Overcoming Spiritual Obstacles"
Thursday, October 11, 2007 6:30 pm PT
This is a free round table discussion and we hope that you
will take an hour to explore and participate in this on going
topic of the obstacles that you and others have encountered
spiritually
Bridge Line 1-218-486-1300 # 660212
PRAYER/MEDITATION REQUESTS:
IAgain in this issue I urge you and those in your circle to call or email me with your prayer/meditation requests. Your anonymity will be respected at all times. And remember, my hope is that one day this will become a prayer circle wherein we can all pray together for each other. Prayer works and intention is everything.
WEBSITE OF INTEREST:
www.confidenceworld.com (owned and maintained by founder, Sean McPheat, this website is dedicated to confidence building in all areas of life (mental, emotional, financial, etc.) I think all the information will be of great interest and act as a catalyst for your own confidence building plans. My highest recommendation.)
BOOK(S)OF INTEREST:
henomenal and easily readable. Tarnas begins with the ancient Greek philosophers and works his way up to Post Modernism. Available used on amazon.com for a song. Highly recommended.)
Laurie Beth Jones, Jesus, Life Coach, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2004. (In this amazing book, you “learn from the best”. Highly recommended.)
Please know that I’m thinking of each of you and wishing a safe, peaceful, bountiful and prosperous Autumn. Remember, we are what we think. Watch any self-sabotaging “self talk” and keep fighting the good fight. I look forward to “seeing” you again at Winter Solstice. Until then, may the peace which passes all understanding be with all of you.
PS: Remember that I’m a trained Tarot reader (15 years) as well as a Tarot coach and would be delighted to read the cards for you. The Tarot is a powerful oracle (and remember, oracles are found and used throughout history, not the least of which in the Bible) and tool of transformation with absolutely nothing to be afraid of. It is not fortune telling. The cards reveal how things are aspected for a certain amount of time, and you always maintain the ability to change the aspects, hence there are no “bad” cards. Bring me your questions/concerns and we’ll see what the Cosmos, God, the Divine Intelligence, what have you, wants you to know for your greater good. Call or email me for more information and to set up an appointment.
Warmly,
Gavin
Gavin W. Young, Jr., M.A., M.A.P.M., C.T.A.C.;
Founder and CEO (Creative Executive Officer)
Whitehawk Spirit Coaching, LLC
http://www.whitehawkspiritcoaching.com
Email: gavin@whitehawkspiritcoaching.com
Toll Free: 877-238-9724
Phone: 541-535-1558
