Dear Appreciated Clients and Friends,   This month’s article in on change.  To get the most from the article, I ask you to become an observer of your own change process.    My experience of humans is that we are judgmental creatures.  And if we have been around awhile, we may have developed tolerance which over time melts into acceptance for others exactly as they are.  Everyone that is, except for ourselves.  It seems the last person we develop acceptance for is our self.   I ask you to consider that as you journey through this life be compassionate with yourself.  To find tolerance melting into acceptance for yourself.  To awaken to the reality that you are on a journey, a journey to be the best you possibly can in each and every moment.  Each step in our change process is just that, a step.    My wish for you is for each step to be surrounded by gentle compassion.   The "Joy and Money" newsletter and the "Cultivating Prosperity" newsletter family is growing.  Thank you to all who have passed the newsletter along to others.  And welcome to all the new folks who have shown their interest in a new twist on old topics, money and prosperity, by subscribing.   Blessings, Mackey   Contents: In the News! Client Focus: Larry Watson The Four Steps of Change Upcoming Events Favorite Website: www.weather.com   In the News: Watch for Mackey’s monthly article, "Smart Women, Smart Money" in the Northern Kentucky Challenger.

Client Focus: Crafting a Prosperous Business:  Larry Watson “I had the belief system of a starving artist.  After taking a class from Mackey and doing the exercises in The Intersection of Joy & Money, I was able to change my beliefs and create a prosperous business.” – Larry Watson, Potter   Larry Watson was first introduced to Mackey through her “Prosperity in Action” class held at New Thought Unity Center.   The book was used throughout the course and helped Larry change the way he viewed the world – especially his business.   “It helped me realize that my belief system was limiting my ability to attract or even enjoy prosperity.  My Mother and I both held the belief that you cannot enjoy financial abundance as an artist,” explains Larry.   Larry’s beliefs would color the way he saw events in his business.  For example, if his sales were not as high as he expected at an art fair – in the past he would think “Artists are destined to be poor – it’s the way it is.”  Now he looks at each situation objectively and thinks what can be done to improve the results next time.   “I plan on taking Mackey’s course a second time. I was able to make such important changes the last time, and there is even more that I can do,” says Larry.   Larry’s business is prospering.  He sells his pottery to both individuals and retail shops.  And, his new corporate gift program is growing as companies realize how special it is to give ‘hand-made’ gifts to their employees and customers.  To see his work, visit his web-site at www.watsonclay.com or make an appointment to stop by his gallery.  Larry can be reached at 859-635-5599.

Four Stages of Change In February we looked at how to make New Year's Resolutions move from great ideas and good intentions to lasting change.  We looked at three awareness's that are necessary to make a permanent shift in behavior.   The first is to make a commitment to change realistic, to take the change you want to make and turn it into manageable bites.  The second is to see if you are congruent with your change on every level.  For example, intellectually you think you want to change, but your heart isn't in it.   The third is to understand the autonomy of change.  In February, I stated there are four steps to change and that I would detail them in the April newsletter.  Here they are:   Step One:  Unconscious Incompetence You are incompetent and totally unaware that your life is not working.  Circumstances outside you control your life.  Someone else is at fault.  If only  is the cure of every ill.  You feel unable to find the path to change.   Step Two:  Conscious Incompetence You are incompetent, but you are aware you are incompetent.  This is a big step, a critical step, a step where you may choose to beat yourself up.  Resist the urge.  Instead celebrate your growth in becoming conscious.  The step of conscious incompetence is a difficult but necessary one.   Step Three:  Conscious Competence This is a challenging step.  It requires moment-to-moment effort.  You are now making new choices, but it requires an extraordinary amount of attention.  It also requires forgiveness of yourself, as you will often relapse into your unconscious behavior.  You are like a baby learning to walk.  Celebrate every tiny step.   Step Four:  Unconscious Competence Your change process is now complete. You now make new choices that support and nurture you.  You are no longer reacting from your past; you are creating your future, moment to moment.     Use the anatomy of change to put perspective on where you are.  If you are in step 2, Conscious Incompetence, it is easy to find yourself filled with negative self talk.  Use this anatomy to let yourself off the hook and give yourself the gift of compassion.   Now think of a part of your life that you really want to change.  Use the questions below for reflection and to set some realistic goals for change.  These questions also make great conversation points for your partner or friend.   What step of change are you in right now? What leads you to this conclusion? Can you appreciate the gifts of your present reality? What do you need to move to the next step?   To put the four steps into a visual experience, I have adapted this piece of prose from:  “An Autobiography in Short Chapters,” adapted from the PAIRS, Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Handbook, author unknown   ONE I walk down the street There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in I am lost I am helpless It isn’t my fault It takes forever to find a way out   TWO I walk down the same street There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I see it I resist for a brief moment the habit of falling in I fall in, again  I can’t believe I am in this same place I beat myself up Until I remember this is a step in my change process I see that I created this result It takes a long time to get out   THREE I walk down the same street There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I see it there I walk around it I feel my body in slow motion going back to the hole I fall in as if on autopilot It is a habit But my eyes are open I know where I am It is my fault I get out immediately   FOUR I walk down the same street There is a deep hole in the sidewalk With a feeling of true freedom, I walk around it Next time I choose to walk down another street   If you missed the February newsletter or would like another copy, e mail Sarah at Sarah@CultivatingProsperity.com.   To use this technique and others to make shifts in your prosperity consciousness, pick up a copy of The Intersection of Joy and Money at Joseph Beth Bookstore.  Or order on line at www.joyandmoney.com   Upcoming Events   The Business Breakfast Networking Series at Life Success Seminars Straight to the Top: The Four Ways to Grow Your Business April 20, 2005 from 7:30AM to 9AM.  Join Mackey on the North side of town. What are you waiting for?  Become one of the "Best of the Best".  Discover the four ways to take your business to the top of your industry.  More customers, increased sales, and an improved bottom line.  This session will put money in your pocket! For more information go to http://www.lifesuccessseminars.com   Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Water Cooler Series Straight to the Top: The Four Ways to Grow Your Business May 5, 2005 from 8:00AM to 9:30AM Join Mackey on the south side of town. The Four Ways to Grow Your Business gives you a new paradigm for seeing what is important in your business.  This simple and often overlooked approach will help you get and keep customers, increase sales and improve the way you do business. For more information go to www.nkychamber.com   Complimentary Currencies, St. John’s Unitarian Church (320 Resor Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-1698), May 2, 2005 from 7PM to 9PM.  After three meetings we are moving toward a launch.  In the spirit of the old time barn raising and in anticipation of the new depth of community that can be created by offering complimentary currency, we are considering naming the new currency, Barn Bucks.  Come join us to find out more. All are welcome.  Free of charge. Donation to cover the cost of space is welcome.  Call Mackey at 859-331-7755 or email her at Mackey@CultivatingProsperity.com if you have questions.   Investing Basics: “Everything you always wanted to know but did not know who to ask” What do I really need to know?  How do I make sense out of the stock market?  Are stocks too risky?  Are bonds what I need?  How do I manage my risk?  How do I invest so I won’t run out of money in retirement?   What is diversification?  How do I hire an advisor?  Hear the answers to these and many more questions.  This class is designed to educate you and offers a practical and actionable approach to help you understand and master the maize of investing. Date:  Mondays, June 6 through June 20 Time:   6:15-7:45PM Location: New Thought Unity Center, 1401 E. McMillan, Cincinnati, OH 45206 Materials:  Provided during the class Materials Fee:  $10 during pre-registration; $15 at the door.  Fee: Each class participant determines his/her contribution based upon value received. SRI preview Expand your mind over lunch on June 7, 2005.  We will spend the first ½ hour, learning the truth and dispelling the myths of Socially Responsible Investing.  The second ½ hour, we will discuss investment basics.  Make a difference every day by voting with your money.  Join us on June 7th and find out how to get started.  Call 859-331-7755 to register. Located at 525 W. 5th Street, Ste. 318, Covington, KY 41011.   Favorite Website: http://www.weather.com Rain, rain and more rain, when will the sun come out to stay?  It seems I have become a weather.com junkie as a way to adapt to the unpredictable weather we have had for winter and spring.  Use this site to find out anything and everything you want to know about the weather anywhere in the world.

Buy the Book by clicking this hyperlink http://www.joyandmoney.com/pages/content/buy_book.html