[fullwidth backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
One Has to Answer the Call…
[/fusion_text][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” style_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””] 
[/imageframe][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]I am writing to you on this day, Sunday, January 24, 2016 because Inspiration, with a capital “I,” hit me upon awakening and, well, I had to share. Today is also the day of my birth and I cannot help but remember my amazing mother who brought me into this world. She passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 4:33pm in my arms. For me, this was a huge blessing.
First, what a powerful beginning to 2016! I don’t know about you but this year has already proposed itself as a huge opportunity for personal growth, expansion and most of all, “Deep Work.”
Over the years and as an avid student, I have been fond of working from a deeper place. What I mean by this is that I’ve always loved to work from a place that requires some serious sit-down time; a place where one has to focus, introspect, ponder and reflect.
Today, I realize how non-coincidental it is that I own a practice that requires for me to perform “Deep Work” on a daily basis. The very word, “practice”, implies on-going action in which one gets to perfect, advance, enhance and evolve her work.
Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success In A Distracted World by Cal Newport is the title to a book that I recently listened to and one that I would like to pass on to you. Its premise is all about how to cultivate a culture of discipline to deepen one’s practice as a “deep” thinker, doer, focus-er and manifestor.
I particularly love this idea because a lot of what I find in my work today, and especially among young people, is that taking the time to systematically think things through and/or take the time to practice a skill on a daily basis, has become “passĂ©”. It seems that for many, investing the time to perfect a skill requiring a longer thinking or doing process has become obsolete.
I love the book “Deep Work” because it gives me a sense that I’m ok with choosing not to rush. It made me feel like I’m not crazy because I don’t want to spend so much time on social media. Although, let me be clear, I am also learning how to become more visible via marketing and social media but I am realizing that I can do it “my way”. I am a solo/entre/creative-preneur, after all! I don’t have to force anything but rather allow for my own marketing evolution to take its course at the same time as I respect and follow the rules around marketing and social media for optimal alignment and success. It is always a travail of balance.
It really is all about learning to identify what works best for oneself but as many of you will agree, the finding out of the “how-to’s” to a fulfilled and aligned life requires time, the possibility of confusion, the right to change our minds frequently as well as our right to try new things over and over again until they feel right.
Essentially, my great Inspiration this morning was the realization that after all of the “hard” work, endless hours of studying, attending workshops, teaching seminars, interacting with thousands of people ranging from circus clowns to IT management teams, that the bottom line is this: invest the majority of your time in learning about your own interests and passions.
This is your starting point. Even at your most confused states of beingness (e.g. Oh, I just don’t know what I want to do with my life or what my passions are!!) listen more “deeply”. Take some sacred time to listen to yourself and mediate every single day if only for five minutes. Calm down your nervous system. Focus on your breath. Slow down. (I offer great meditation app options below.)
I hope that several of you will read this newsletter today because I want you to know just how much I appreciate you in my life. And I am talking about “you” my present and past client, my family, my friend, my mentor, my colleague and my teacher. As time goes by, I am increasingly struck by the importance of being connected and communicating from a “deeper” place.
I can absolutely attest that your success is directly correlated to the amount of love that you freely give in this lifetime. All of your achievements, efforts, and work will only take you as far as your capacity to truly practice the Art of Love-Giving.
I remember at one of Tony Robbins’ Unleash The Power Within workshops his exact words: he said, “Don’t get into a relationship to get. Only get into a relationship to give.”
It hit me like a ton of bricks. It was from that very day that I chose to become more conscious about being a better wife, friend, colleague and sister by giving more love. And this has made an outstandingly huge difference in my capacity to live a fully fulfilled and successful life.
Meditation Apps that I use:
Insight Meditation; Chakra Meditation; Calm
Books: Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success In A Distracted World
I finally got hip and started using audible.com đ
Music: Today, I’m listening to one of QuĂ©bec’s greatest stars, CĂ©line Dion, who’s husband, RenĂ© Angelil recently passed away. You’ll recognize her best for her hit song, My Heart Will Go On.
Charity I support: http://unstoppablefoundation.org
I am a writer, presenter, coach, mentor and teacher. I am a Certified Hellerwork Structural Integration Practitioner, Visceral, Craniosacral and Psyco-emotive Therapist. I am an ongoing student of Medical Anthropology, Esoterism, Integral and Holistic Anatomy.
Thank you for being with me on this journey!
With much love and gratitude,[/fusion_text][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” style_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””] 
[/imageframe][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Anne-Marie DuchĂȘne[/fusion_text][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][/fullwidth]
