Lace Your Communication
Live It Up eNews! March 2009
1. Lace your Communication
2. Recipe: Chicken Korma
Dear Reader
Special Offer of Complimentary Sessions
If you or someone you know has been personally traumatised by the bushfires or floods and needs help, then I am making available up to five sessions per person, with my compliments, for five special people.
For further information or to apply for selection, please email via the Email Inquiry with your name and phone number and a short story of what happened so that you have a chance to state your case in 250 words or less. The five selected will be asked to commit to the five sessions.
Book in to the Think and Grow Rich weekend seminar:
This is a fantastic opportunity to receive your Complimentary Ticket valued at $497 each and to learn lots, and lots, and lots. I’ve been asked if this is a hype job to get you to buy those expensive fluffy courses afterwards, and the answer is ….. read more
I was in tears this week, when I was speaking with one of my psych students whom I mentor, about all the good that is being done by a fantastic company called Nuskin, to Nourish the Children of starving countries.
And to think that they also run out of food every month, leaving thousands of people waiting for more. Whenever you think that life is tough, ask yourself if you are eating mudballs, living in a barely held together shack with no running water, no sewerage, no shade, no nothing.
For me, it’s an absolute reality check that never ceases to increase my gratitude for what I’ve got. Now it’s no use worrying about starving children, the disappearing planet or carbon neutral stuff, if you aren’t doing or cannot do something about it. Plan, Do, Check and Act on things, or leave them out of the plan and let them go.
What am I doing? I am now a proud supplier of 2 bags of rice and lentil mix (fortified with vitamins and minerals) that will feed two children for a month! If you would like to help as well, and know that your bag of food ($25) is actually getting to a child, then please give me a call on 0412 251 196. Or, you can visit the website here: http://www.narellestratford.my-ntc.com and order and pay online.
Until next month, Live Life 2 The Max! Narelle
1. LACE your Communication
© Narelle Stratford 2009
1. L for Listen…. really listen… without feeling the need to: rescue, give advice, speak to fill silence, take control, or pass judgement. Most of us forget that it’s okay to just be with another person. Sometimes that’s the most valuable thing we can do, and the hardest part is that it doesn’t seem like it’s enough.
2. A is for Acknowledge and Accept… if you really listen, you will accept what you are being told, no matter how much you dislike what you are hearing, or disagree with it, or want to argue the point. Acceptance means that you can accept the other person, ‘warts n all”. You don’t have to accept abusive or aggressive behaviour, put a stop to that. You do have to accept that others have their point of view, and it is okay. And acknowledge the other person’s viewpoint by saying something like, “so what you’re saying is that you feel uncomfortable when I tell you to do xyz.”
3. C is for clarify… If you want to understand fully, and make sure that you know what they are saying and that you have got it right, then ask permission to ask questions and clarify your understanding. Do not ask “why” questions. Why questions put us offside and make us resentful and defensive. For example, “Why did you do wear that shirt today?” “Why did you do it like that?” Instead, ask questions beginning with “what”. I’m not sure I understand, could you tell me what is important for you, about xyz”. Or, “I know it probably seems obvious to you, yet I’m feeling a bit lost, what would be your reason behind that?” Asking what questions can help us to go deeper into layers of understanding. Use a calm tone of voice, and look at the person, without getting too close so that you are not overpowering in any way.
4. E is for explore… What will help you to feel better? So, what would happen if….? What solutions are there to this isssue? You don’t have to go into fix it mode. Often, people just want to know that someone cares for them, and understands them.
Remember, we are all different, and we are all doing the best we can at the time, given the knowledge we have, and the limitations we have, and the internal resources we have at the time.
Instead of being annoyed by people, find their quirks amusing!
I’d love to know if this has been helpful for you…
3 Cont’d here: Every presenter wants to sell something at some point, that’s a given. What was refreshing was that every presenter provided great quality information that would help anyone get started on their pathway to opportunities and learning without you having to do a further course.
Of course, you might want to learn more, it’s up to you. And get this: you are attending without paying a cent. It’s free, complimentary for you… So no money is going to any presenters or promoters who put in a whole weekend for you… Will you be so generous?
Master’s Wisdom!
“I love being loved, no pressure, just love…purrrr”
2. Health Tip: Chicken Korma
Take 2 skinned chicken thigh fillets and dice into small strips.
Coat with korma paste (Pataks or Sherwoods are my favourites)
and leave in fridge for a couple of hours.
In reasonably hot frypan, stirfry 1 diced onion, 3 cloves garlic, and 1 tbspn korma paste. Add 2 tbspns grape seed oil in the centre of the frypan, heat, then quickly seal chicken strips.
Turn heat to low, add 1 can of light coconut milk, half a diced red capsicum, 2 stalks celery sliced, and thick slices of raw potato.
Cover with a lid and simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Now add a handful of snow peas, and small broccoli florets, replace lid and simmer for further 2 minutes then remove lid and remove from heat.
Serve with brown, basmati or jasmine rice and poppadums.
(Yes, I know it’s not exactly Chicken Korma, and it is absolutely yummy!)
