Quote of the Month
“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad.” -- Denis Waitley
A Winning Attitude
Many people, including me, would have deleted the email immediately. Margaret Eckrich knew better. When she got the message from Allegiant Air Lines announcing a contest for a free trip from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Tampa, Florida, she knew she would win. She had to. A good friend, Pat, in nearby Venice needed a visit from Margaret and their mutual friend, Karen.
Contestants were to show up at the airport by 6:00 p.m. on a Thursday with their bags packed for a 7:30 flight. The winner and one companion would board the plane immediately for a long weekend in Florida.
Margaret called Karen and told her to get ready and meet her at the airport. Margaret told her husband she was going to win a contest, and she would see him on Monday. Karen told her husband she was going to the airport to humor Margaret, and she would see him later.
At the airport, each contestant was given one raffle ticket. Margaret wrote her name on her ticket, folded it in her special tri-fold way and told the ticket taker that she was going to win. There was no doubt in her mind. Karen folded her ticket the same way.
At 6:15 the contest organizer selected a young boy in the gathering to draw a ticket. Margaret drew a sharp breath when she realized the ticket had not been folded. The winner’s name was Keith. The crowd waited, but Keith did not appear.
The young boy drew a second ticket. Margaret saw the special fold. Even before the name was read, Margaret and Karen were jumping up and down yelling, “We won! We won!” The astonished officiant read Karen’s name. The two winners grabbed their bags to board the plane while the assembled crowd cheered.
When Margaret told me this story, she said it wasn’t unusual. In fact, she fully expected to win. This wasn’t the first time she’d won a trip or cash. She had a ritual: she visualized her win, affirmed it to several people, and prayed about it. Believing she would win was the ignition switch that got Margaret off the launching pad.
Art of the Spark Workshop - July 7, 2012
To paraphrase Denis Waitely, if you believe you can live happily ever after, you probably can. But with the divorce rate hovering at 50%, you might want to hedge your bets. Let’s say you have a good relationship. It’s solid. Surely your marriage can survive. But is it enough to merely survive? Wouldn’t you rather thrive? Don’t you want to have fun, excitement and romance until death do you part?
Consider attending the next Art of the Spark Relationship Workshop on Saturday, July 7. It explores love, romance, and fun for couples in committed relationships -- married, engaged, dating or partnered. If you are not in a relationship and still want to add more fun to your life, bring a friend. The creative approaches and techniques can benefit all your current -- and future -- relationships.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to avoid five common mistakes couple make:
- Express love in ways their partners don’t understand
- Use surprise when it’s ill advised
- Are so busy with other responsibilities that their relationship gets lowest priority
- Become bored because the focus is on all work and no play
- Think they can’t afford the time or money to invest in their relationship
Special guest Molly Lord, creator of Tuned-In Workshops, will teach how to use music as a tool to rekindle fun and passion. When I did Molly’s Tuned-In Workshop last fall, I realized how music influences all our relationships. Naturally, I was most interested in how music can enhance our romantic adventures. After two successful field tests, I decided to ask Molly to join me for the next Art of the Spark Workshop.
Date:...........July 7, 2012 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Time:...........10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location:......Pilates Plus Studio
42 South Raven Mine Drive
Colorado Springs
Cost:...........$99 per couple if paid before May 1
$109 per couple if paid between May 1 and May 31
$119 per couple if paid between June 1 and June 30
$129 per couple if paid between July 1 and July 6
Includes:.....The Art of the Spark (one per couple)
A very romantic light lunch
To Register, go to Workshop Schedule. For more information, call Mary at 719 649-3201 or email mary@adventuresoftheheart.com.
Tuned-In Workshop, April 21 and 22, 2012
Molly Lord can help you define your life’s meaning and direction -- through MUSIC! What tune is your life singing?
Date:...........April 21 - 22, 2012
Time:...........10:am to 5:15 pm
Location:......Cheyenne Canon Inn
2030 W. Cheyenne Blvd
Colorado Springs
Cost:............$225
Early Bird Special - only $175 (postmarked by 4/11)
Awesome Buddy Deal! Bring a friend: 2 for $277
To register, call Molly at 719 473-1971 or email her at mollyalord@gmail.com. For more information, go to www.mollylord.com.
Schedule Your Own Art of the Spark Workshop
It's easy to host your own Art of the Spark workshop tailored to meet your needs. You provide space for the workshop in your home, office or church, tell your friends about it and I do the rest. When a church or non-profit sponsors the event, 20% of proceeds will be donated to that organization.
For more information go to http://adventuresoftheheart.com/workshops_411.html.
Rave reviews from past participants Art of the Spark Workshops
“I was deeply touched by the things that happened that afternoon. My husband, who has always been a great husband but never particularly demonstrative, totally blew my socks off… He’s been so warm and considerate since that afternoon -- I’m just elated!” — Linda Lauck
“On a scale of 1 to 10, the workshop was an 11. It was filled with substance and depth, yet still playful and easy.” — Ronna Vigil
“Mary has a wonderful presence and a wealth of information that is invaluable to any relationship.” — David Thomas
“LOVED YOUR WORKSHOP!!!! Thank you for bringing an extra spark to our relationship. I know the next 10 years are going to be that much more amazing!!” — Noelle Arbon
“I not only endorse and recommend this class, but feel that Mary has put a creative and fun approach to a subject we sometimes take for granted in this fast-paced world of ours.” —Dr. John Daugherty
“The course brought together many new ideas and all the things that have worked for us but were forgotten.” —Tom Saponas
Buy The Art of the Spark
Have you read The Art of the Spark? You can get one for yourself, or buy copies as gifts for friends.
If you are hosting a party and want a fun and unusual icebreaker, try Romance Bingo.
Food for Celebration
Sautéed Kale and Brussels Sprouts
When my dear friend Kelly Young made this dish for our book club, several of us had seconds. I had thirds. It was absolutely delicious.
Tahini Dressing
Tahini Dressing is a staple in Kelly Young’s kitchen. Not only does it add wonderful flavor to Sautéed Kale and Brussels Sprouts, it’s great on salads, too. I’ve used it on garden salads with whatever produce I have on hand and green salads with various fresh fruits, like strawberries, mangoes and blueberries. It’s become a staple in my kitchen, too.
Chocolate Truffle Cake
This has been one of my favorite gluten-free desserts for years. I served it at a gathering several months ago. Nancy Gibbs loved it and asked for the recipe. Since then it’s become a favorite among her friends. They even packed it in when they snowshoed to a cabin in the Colorado Rockies.
Until Next Time
If you enjoyed this free newsletter, please forward it to friends. I care about people and how they celebrate. If you have any stories you’d like to share, please send them to me atmary@adventuresoftheheart.com.
Wishing your a life of romantic adventure,
Mary Zalmanek
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