Dear Melissa,

Happy New Year! Well I had the annual Burning O' Your Troubles Bash last evening and delighted to say that this is the first year that I wasn't running around at the last minute scrambling to get ready. What bliss to enjoy burning my own troubles before everyone arrived and then having my crown ready and filled with my New Year's wishes ready for the transformative burning. Yahoo! Everyone had a wonderful time and I forgot to take pictures. (Senioritis!?)

A Fresh Look! The new headshot here is one taken by photographer Eric Beach. Needless to say he is very talented, well priced and an excellent investment. I also recommend his makeup artist of choice Paulina. Many of us need pics for business and/or personal (yes, online dating again!) It is only honest to keep them up to date. That online rule of 10/20, 10 years older and 20 pounds heavier is unfortunately too true not just in dating but often in business headshots. Stop fooling people, and get into integrity.

New Website! I am thrilled to invite you to visit my new speaking and coaching website at www.melissagalt.com. We have merged the two services and provided needed clarity on my speaking topics, details for meeting planners, and rave reviews from audience members. There is also, of course, a sign up for this very newsletter! Your feedback is welcome and encouraged.

Live Well and By Design,

MG

A Reminder for Every Day

Remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remember that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Remember that, of all the gifts we have, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those that are close to us, but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Resolutions vs. Commitments

Sometimes it takes just a word to give us a new outlook and make what may have been a negative into a positive. Since most individuals abandon their New Year's resolutions within the first three days of the year (scientific study!) perhaps it has to do with the word itself. To resolve means – to loosen, release; to break up; to reduce by analysis; to clear up. To commit means – to promise devotion; to promise resources; to entrust something to somebody; to record something for the future. At Burning O' Your Troubles we do release our troubles to the past and COMMIT by promise and devotion to our present and our future. Consider resolving to let go of your past and your troubles and COMMIT to your desired experiences in 2008.

Feed Your Brain for Best Results

What I enjoy most about any holiday is the chance to truly feed my brain. Instead of simply keeping up with all the many details and the frantic pace of life and business today, I allow myself a chance to feed my brain. This means that I catch up on industry reading, take the time to listen to the latest in personal development CDs and MP3s, and enjoy a novel or book of short stories. This serves to open my mind to new ways of thinking, refreshes my outlook and perspective, and reminds me that there is far more to life than the doing we are all obsessed with and taking time to be is a way to feed my brain.

After all, if you don't feed your brain but simply keep it on a diet of work in and work out, you will find your mental capacity diminishing rather than growing. What we read is easily as important as what we listen to (a diet of educational CD's will result in far greater benefit than a menu of nothing but rock and roll or even jazz, unless you are a musician!) We are only able to produce based on what we take in, too often it is very limited and limiting. Go beyond your own mental backyard and explore new technology, alternative viewpoints, different philosophies, and the latest trends. Sometimes we just need to be jogged by something we read or hear to make giant strides forward. Feed your brain, increase your wisdom.

The Wisdom in the Cards

At Burning O' Your Troubles I brought in a tarot card reader for fun. The key to these types of readings is to realize firstly that this is only done in that particular moment in time and can change dramatically even in 24 hours. Much of this type of reading is based on your energies and where you are in your life and your outlook. While many claim to be surprised by the accuracy or predictions what they fail to realize is that the seeds of all of the predictions lie within them. Few people take the time to truly tap into themselves, their energies and focus on their desired priorities and outcomes. When we do we find that we are able to truly design our own reality. Tune in, turn on, and listen to your interior self.

Web Design, Branding, Logo

As I know well the arduous process of finding true professional talent in the arena of web design, branding and logo development I want to share with you my recent stellar experience. Many of you are familiar with Jon Yodis, my web master and daily web expert, and I couldn't do it without him. But Jon is often working with large corporations so when it comes to new web design I sometimes seek outside talent. Jon did do a great job with my initial speaking, coaching and design sites; it was time for an update and merge.