Sunday Newsletter - Right Relationships Now (5 May 2024)

Sunday Newsletter

Hello and Happy Sunday!  

I hope you have had a chance to catch your breath and relax today. 

I have been out walking with my dogs and noticing how quickly the trees and earth is springing into life. Last week the trees were bare and this week they are luscious and green. I love the reminder that something new can be born from what appears to be dead and that the universe works on its own right timing. 

What’s it like where you are? Are you appreciating the new life around you?  

Global Change Ongoing

I am drinking a cup of Earl Grey and considering the acceleration of the change happening around the world. If you’ve taken me up on my free coffee and coaching chats recently, you’ll know that this is what I am all about. Helping folks navigate the coming seismic shift with Agency, wisdom and simplicity. 

I am pulling resources together, showing up more often and totally switching my focus to building the new as the old crumbles.  

Part of my own process has been to begin where I am. Taking the time and really getting honest with myself about where I am hiding, resisting and am out of alignment with the task ahead.

That’s what’s got me taking a fresh look at my ‘Goal Setting with the Who’ program. I am working through it myself before I put out to anyone else.
Already, I am adding in modules on Identity, Agency, Clarity, Unconscious Activation and relationship to – Self, Spiritual, life, family, work etc.

Without understanding yourself and your future self it can be a challenge to show up daily in a way that moves you closer to mastering your goals and yourself.

How are you showing up in your world?

The New Layout 

I am taking feedback on the format and length of this weekly Newsletter and will be making further adjustments. 

You can read this Newsletter on the website here:

I would love your thoughts on things so far and what you would like to see going forward. 
Simply hit reply and let me know. I so appreciate it.

This Weeks Business Boost
The Power of Relationships 

In the book, Six Years in the Hanoi Hilton, author Amy Shively Hawk tells the moving account of her father, Captain James R. Shively and many other POWs who endured years of unending torture and severe deprivation at the hands of the Viet Cong. 

Amy interviewed many of the survivors of that awful ordeal. 

The thing that stands out about how those POWs survived such inhumane treatment was their reliance on each other for moral support. For those POWs, a fate worse than torture or starvation was solitary confinement. 

They confess that they gladly would have endured the pain of torture rather than be separated from their “brothers,” as they called each other. 

During the ‘Lockdowns’ in 2020, it was the isolation that caused an increase in mental health problems, and despair for those who could not tend to their elderly parents and vulnerable family members. 

During that time the seeds of division were planted that many are still clinging onto. 

And still, we often take our relationships for granted. 

It’s interesting that, on their death-bed, no one wishes they had had more stuff. People and relationships are what’s important to them and on their minds and hearts. Stuff is temporary. People are forever. 

I know that I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to repair my relationship with my father before he passed.

We Are Made for Relationships 

We must ask ourselves why we need such extreme examples as Lockdowns, or the death of someone close,  to remember how vital relationships are to our very existence. We need others. We need relationships. 

Obviously, we need relationships to engage in the kinds of businesses we run. But more than that, we need relationships like we need air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat.  

Relationships meet a basic human need.  

And it’s good to remember that we meet that need for others as well. It’s true, others desperately need you! 

Things that Kill Relationships 

But if relationships are so important to us, why do we find them so difficult at times?  

The answer:  

Anything of value takes time and energy to cultivate and maintain. This is especially true of relationships, but we forget that.  

Fear and cognitive dissonance can also prevent us from maintaining the relationships that are valuable to us. We would rather divide than understand. We'd rather be right than happy.

So, here is a short list of everyday behaviours and attitudes that put a strain on any relationship: 

✤ Being self-absorbed. If everything is all about you, your life will be very shallow and probably void of deep relationships. 

✤ Viewing others as mere means to an end. No one likes feeling used or taken advantage of. This is a form of abuse. 

✤ Failing to invest time and energy into a relationship.
Relationships are like gardens. We must cultivate the ground, plant good seeds, water it, and pull out those bothersome weeds. 

✤ Complaining, blaming, accusing, fuming, and not forgiving.
Those are all caustic behaviours that are sure to undermine a relationship. Unfortunately, I have seen these become more prevalent in the last 4 years, in my world. 

✤ Being non-communicative.
Regular, heartfelt communication is essential to creating and sustaining relationships. Without communication there is no relationship. 

Relationships aren’t like math or science where two plus two always equals four and gravity always works. Relationships are messy.  

But so are a lot of things in life. Animal husbandry, keeping a pet, farming, gardening, arts and crafts, adventures, and even running a business are all messy at times. Not everything is predictable, plannable, and prescriptive. 

However, there are plenty of positive actions and attitudes we can cultivate that nurture relationships. Here are just seven of them. 

7 Nurturing Actions 

1. Get to know someone new. 
2. Tell someone you love them. 
3. Serve someone selflessly and generously. 
4. Be kind to strangers. 
5. Listen intently and be all-there when others talk to you. 
6. Show someone you care. 
7. Forgive someone. 

As messy as they can be, everybody needs relationships. Look around you. Who needs one of those seven nurturing actions from you today? Go ahead, make somebody’s day! 

Choosing Happy Podcast Update 

A reminder that the podcast is now published on Wednesday mornings.  

I will also be adding a mini pod on a Saturday, which will be no longer than 15 minutes and will be less formal, more fun and based around a hot topic or experience for me from that week (life or business). Still in the planning (and courage plucking) stage.

It’s the 65th Episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast this week, and you can access it on Wednesday 8th May 2024 – This week’s episode is all about Agency and Happiness – How to get it and Why It Matters Now. 

All previous episodes are available…
You can listen on your favourite podcast host or on the website at www.choosinghappypodcast.com 

Also before I go, 2 quick things: 

#1 – A reminder - I have set up a special coaching offer for May 2024 to help anyone who feels like they need a breakthrough or a clarity session around now. You can find out more here:
May Coaching Offer

#2 – I  am still putting the finishing touches to a new 1 Year Mastermind program. I am rejigging the focus and content to really home in on helping a group of like-minded, business owners thrive through the chaos. As we watch Sweeping global change - Social. Economic. Spiritual.They will have access to training, guest experts, peer mentoring, 1-1 transformative coaching and strategy sessions, Mastermind days, community and accountability to rock their businesses through disruptive and unusual times.

Again, drop me an email if you’d like to have advance notification. 

That's it for this week! 

Remember we create our reality and relationships from the inside out. Even your worst enemy is a reflection of an aspect of you that may require healing.

I wish you peace, creativity, laugh out loud moments, courage, resilience, and protection during these days.
May love, and healing surround you.
May your families and friends be safe and well. 

The coffee and a chat offer is always there, I am only an email away. 

I hope you have a week blessed with opened hearted compassion, high vibes, joy filled days, amazing health, prosperity, grace and ease! 

Heather

Heather V Masters 

Chief Coach, Trainer and Facilitator of Magic 

Taking Your Business Online and Choosing Happy Podcast 

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]  

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you: 

#1: I just launched a new Coffee and Catchup Live on my YouTube and Rumble Channels (Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning –  11 am – live). I'm putting a ton of energy into creating heaps of valuable live content that I think you'll like. It’s my aim to create a healthy habit of live content that serves you. Come check out my channel, and give me a like and subscribe.  

#2: Strategy Calls 

As entrepreneurs, sometimes we just need an hour with another like-minded person to figure out what to focus on next. And to keep it simple. And to identify our next, impactful, action steps.  

Sometimes you’re too close to figure that out for yourself. 

How often do you take time out to move away from the doing in your business, and focus on the big picture, reviewing the dream and getting to the nitty gritty stuff that niggles you every day? 

In the 1-1 strategy sessions I help you cut through the fog and get crystal clear on your next steps toward next level results - more clients, more sales, more effective marketing, tech clarity and simplicity – whatever it is for you. 

If you are interested, drop me a message and I will send you full details and how to apply. 

#3: Follow me on LinkedIn for more Tech, strategy, systems, marketing tips, and happiness-building. 

P.P.S.  

If you have something you want to ask, drop me an email and Let's get your questions answered. 
Finally - look out for the all new Goal Setting with the Woo - coming soon.

Email: [email protected]