<Vol 1 Issue 11>

The 60th anniversary of D-Day will be this June 6, 2004. As promised from my last newsletter and as a tribute to the protectors of our nation and freedom, I'm providing a link to an exerpt from my Aunt Polly's diary.

Aunt Polly was an Army Nurse who served in WWII. Her complete diary is an interesting view of her maturation process. It begins with a flighty trip to Havana filled with boys and cigarettes and parties and ends with her reflections on D-Day. The last portion is what I have included here.

A complete photocopy of the diary has been lovingly placed at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington D.C. by two of my sisters. The original, as far as I know, is still in the hands of my cousin, in Lafayette, LA.

The typed text runs 6 pages and it is in a pdf format. You will need Acrobat Reader to open it which can be downloaded for free.

I am placing it into the public for one reason only, so that others can witness the events of D-Day from a unique perspective. Much history has been written about it, but there is an immediacy to her writing that puts you on the scene.

If you decide to pass it along, please protect its origin by passing along the entire newsletter.

Click here for Aunt Polly's Diary.

P. S. I'm paying attention to the issues that have come up for my clients and have put together a series of teleclasses to help you address them. See Upcoming Events for my NEW! "Un-Retirement Specifics" Teleclass Series. I think you will learn some surprising things...

This past few weeks, I've been thinking about entropy. One of the definitions in my dictionary says its "the degregation of matter and energy in the universe to an ultimate state of inert uniformity" which I have always heard named "chaos."

Think of it, when you allow something to fall prey to entropy, it will degrade into chaos.

Hmmmm. My desk could be a good example of this principle. I bet you have spots you could name as well.

So, I've begun a period each morning that I call "entropy prevention time." This is when I do the mundane housekeeping tasks that make such a difference to my life. I make the bed, clean up the dishes from the accumulation in the sink, and spend a few minutes on my desk top.

This is physical space entropy prevention. There are other areas that need attention as well. My health begins entropy when I forget to exercise or go for a walk or when I eat something that I know will come back to get me later. My spirit needs entropy prevention too. Time spent outdoors is always good for my soul, as is time spent journaling or writing. I also crochet to quiet my mind with the added bonus of lovely lacy objets d'art.

The things I do really don't take a lot of time, but they do take attention. It's necessary to notice that what is happening is entropy reverting to chaos. Noticing where your life is a little frayed, and discovering the small things to do that can prevent it, will free up energy for the rest of your life. And of course, the important part is consistent action. Nothing gets done if all you do is notice. Small actions performed consistently will prevent entropy.

Please tell me where you notice chaos and what one small step you have begun to take for your own "entropy prevention". Send me an e-mail with "Entropy" in the subject line and I'll put your observations and tips in my next newsletter (with your permission, of course.)

For tips on "career entropy prevention" see the Career Tips below.

As a Career Coach, I can be your partner through this process. Please contact me at debra@forwardmomentum.com for more information!

Sometimes everything

the bones of the black

sticks left when the fire

You are not leaving

When you've been at the same job for a while, and things start feeling the same, the tendency is to look outside and find something else that might work better. That is entropy at work, and the 3 years experience you have may start to feel like 1 year three times. It just gets b o r i n g...

There are several levels where you can notice what is happening and decide if it's something you want to put your attention and consistent action to, or not.

The most obvious place to look first and the easiest to fix is your physical space. Are things where they belong in your workspace? How about your computer files - your e-mail in-box? Clearing at this level frees up energy to put to more interesting things. What consistent action can you take - even 5 minutes a day for one week? The key is to notice, choose, and put action to it.

Next, how are your thoughts? Yes - you! What are you thinking? Time spent on griping, complaining and negativity is energy wasted. Your negative thoughts are only going to keep you exactly where you are. Pay attention to the thoughts you give your energy to. Listen to the voice in your head and know that you don't have to believe it. Just because it's a thought coming from your precious brain doesn't mean it's the truth. Pay attention to what is true. Find something more interesting to think about.

One helpful thing to do that can help shift your thoughts away from focusing on what is wrong is to start a gratitude journal. Daily, record your thoughts on what you are thankful for, things you feel in your heart.

I keep a small notebook on my coffee table. At night, when I turn off the news on TV, I reach for the gratitude journal and spend 5 or 10 minutes writing down all the things I'm grateful for that happened that day. It's in a convenient spot that I see and remember. The point is to notice what makes you feel good. Focus on that.

Usually, the physical space and our mental attitude is a reflection of our spiritual space. How does your work align with your values? If you value the energy of working with people and you are in a tedious task-oriented job, how is that impacting your spirit? Where are you getting your spiritual energy? How can you add back to your life things that are in alignment with who you are in your soul? (Hint - it doesn't have to be work-related.)

As you can see, each level feeds on the other. Body, Mind, Spirit. It all works together and any one small thing you do in one space will impact the others.

Let me know how it goes for you!

In continuing with my new focus on the career transition that is obsoletely known as "retirement,"

I am expanding my offerings of workshops and teleclasses.

If you know someone that is within 5 years of retirement, please forward this information and let them know of these classes. It could change their life.

You, or someone you know, are looking at retirement in a few years. You've seen your financial planner, yet, you have this nagging feeling that there's more. Well there is. Money is only one piece of the retirement planning process.

"Instead of absorbing an obsolete view of retirement, we should consider...a flexible life plan that provides for your financial, vocational, physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Unless you look at your future holistically, merely saving up a pile of money will be a meaningless act.

You can have a retirement that is fulfilling and meaningful, but you need to plan for it.

New Teleclass! "Un-Retirement" Specifics.

This is a 4-week exploration of Un-Retirement. Classes are held on Thursdays for one hour. You may opt to take the entire series or sign up for individual classes. Class Topics are:

Week 1 - Finding Meaning for your Life in Un-Retirement

Week 2 - Structuring Your Time in Un-Retirement

Week 3 - Loneliness Prevention in Un-Retirement

Week 4 - Self-Care in Un-Retirement

For the full listing of workshops, teleclasses, and coaching programs with times and costs, visit www.forwardmomentum.com.

You are free to use material from Moving Forward! in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including a live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read:

"By Debra DeVilbiss, CPCC, of Forward Momentum, LLC. Please visit Debra's website at http://www.ForwardMomentum.com for additional articles and resources on creating your right livelihood."

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