Blog: Kyle Maynard: Doing the Impossible Kyle Maynard routinely does the impossible. He was born March 24, 1986 with a condition known as congenital amputation. This means that his arms end at the elbows and his legs near the knees. His parents, Scott and Anita, made an important decision early on to encourage their disabled son to be as independent as possible. Kyle refers to this as his pursuit of normalcy. As a result of his drive, he can type up to 50 words a minute with two elbows, eat and write without adaptations, drive a car with little modification and live in his three level townhouse in Atlanta, Georgia. This is his story. As an eleven year old, Maynard was determined to wrestle and he found a coach that gave him a chance to try. In the beginning he lost every match. But that was only the beginning because Maynard, with his iron determination and supportive parents, started winning, and in his senior year, he won 36 varsity matches. In his quest, he defeated several state place finishers and state champions. At the same age, Kyle began weight training and eventually attained the title GNC’s World’s Strongest Teen. He did this by bench-pressing 23 repetitions of 240 pounds. Then in February 2009, with the assistance of leather straps and chains attached to his arms, he successfully lifted 420 pounds. Maynard’s triumphs extend far beyond wrestling and weight lifting. He was proclaimed the 2004 ESPY Award winner – Best Athlete with a Disability – and a year later was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was selected by the U S Jaycees as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Americans. In 2008, Maynard received the Highest Recognition Award of the Secretary of Health and Human Services for his efforts as a life role model, motivational speaker and humanitarian. Then in April 2009, Kyle became the first quadruple amputee to compete as an amateur mixed martial arts fighter. His focus was on grappling and ground fighting. Yet another astounding achievement is that Kyle he is the first man ever to climb on all fours to the 19340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. His companions on this climb were two Marine veterans who struggled through their own incredible adversities to reach the peak. They have a powerful message to the veterans and all kids with disabilities, and that is that no disability is too great to be overcome. He works with wounded soldiers on adapting their fitness regimens to meet their needs with a more functional methodology. In 2008 Kyle brought life to one of his most fervent dreams. He built and opened his first fitness center, No Excuses CrossFit. His inspiring book, No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life is a New York Times bestseller. Kyle Maynard is a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur and athlete. His story puts much into perspective. When we find ourselves too tired, too unmotivated, too anything that keeps us from moving forward, just remember Kyle Maynard and make no excuses. Here is what he has to say about achieving dreams: I’ve always believed that anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless. I’ve always had this attitude about no excuses. A belief that I can go on and do what I need to do. To go on, to succeed, regardless. Have you made excuses and kept yourself from growing? If so, how? What would you like to do about it? j To contact Jean Walters, call 314 991 8439 or jean@spiritualtransformation.com She is a coach and Akashic (psychic) reader for over 30 years.

Blog: How to Raise Your Energy The other day someone told me that they did not understand how you could alter an event or situation by raising your energy. I told them they could easily see how this is accomplished for themselves. My suggestion involved the simple act of going into a gas station to pay for their gasoline and smiling at the station attendant. His face brightened at this idea. “Yes, I have done this and even said to that person, ‘I hope you have a really nice day’ and I have seen the positive effect my smile and demeanor had on the attendant.” I replied, “Then you understand how easy it is to alter the energy of a situation.” One small act, done with intention, can make any circumstance better. You can go to a party with the idea of contributing to everyone’s comfort and fun (instead of hanging out in the corner), and immediately your attention is removed from your own needs (what you want to receive) to giving to others. You end up having a great time at the party because the most natural thing in the world is to give love and support to others. Or, go to work with the thought of making your work place pleasant and positive. Your intention leads you to smile and wait on customers graciously, treat people with kindness, answer the phone enthusiastically, view venders as a resource rather than an annoyance, and take pride in what you do. Another way to bring your energy up is to be grateful. We all have hundreds of things, conditions, and people for which to be grateful. As Americans we have freedom to express ourselves, good drinking water, easy highways to navigate, education, opportunities to work, have friends, laugh and participate in our government. We can choose how we want to live our lives. There is much for which to be grateful. As we give thanks for our many blessings, our energy shoots up. We feel good! The point is that elevating your energy is not a miraculous thing. It can be accomplished with the simplest of intention and when it is, everyone benefits. If you get trapped with negatives, consider changing your focus to doing something nice for someone else. This act and intention not only releases you from negativity, but sets you on a path of happiness. You feel happy because it is through giving that a person begins to understand how much he has to offer. Then as you realize your gifts, you have a true awareness of personal value – Self Value! How to Raise Your Energy: Think of joyful times Be grateful Imagine the Light within each person you meet Spend time in nature Give to someone else Smile at everyone Go dancing Find ways to feel happy. Let your inagination run wild Look at babies and puppies Take a vacation Go visit a friend Activity Every day add to the list above. Do at least one or more of the activities stated. Meditate daily. Everyday write a list of everything you love about yourself. Five is the minimum things to appreciate. There is no upward limit. Go for it! Keep your energy HIGH!! To contact Jean call 314 991 8439 - coaching and Akashic (psychic) readings or jean@spiritualtransformation.com

Blog: Necessity is the Mother of Invention by Jean Walters Success stories are always fun! They give you the impression that if they can do it, you can do it too. The reason for that is that oftentimes success is the result of a simple idea that is tenaciously followed up with until there is a break through. Frequently these are ideas that anyone could conjure. By becoming aware of them, we are encouraged to pay attention to the concepts that flow through our own minds for they might offer the next best seller, great invention, or new business possibility. On that note, there is a great story about a woman who worked in a Dallas bank. In 1951 Bette Nesmith was happy to have her secretarial job that gleaned $300 a month a decent salary at that time. However, Nesmith had one problem that plagued her – how to correct the mistakes she made with her new electric typewriter. Given that she had some past art experience, she knew that artists tended to paint over their errors. Thus she created a concoction that she used to paint over her typing errors. Soon all the secretaries in her building were using her concoction. Nesmith attempted to sell her invention called “Mistake Out” to various companies and marketing agencies and was turned away. Even IBM refused her. Nevertheless secretaries continued using her products. Thus Nesmith created a manufacturing facility in her kitchen and sold her product on her own. Before long, orders begin to flow in and she was able to hire a college student to help her. Neither of them had any sales experience. Plus they were continually informed that “Mistake Out” was impractical and people just wouldn’t use it to paint out their errors, but they kept manufacturing and selling their product anyway. It was true that from August 1959 to April 1960, their company’s expenses were $76 higher than its income. Yet, they didn’t give up. By this time Bette was working part time as a secretary. She saved up $200 and paid a chemist to develop a faster drying formula. With her new formula, Nesmith traveled throughout the country selling little white bottles. Her strategy was that upon arriving in a town or city, she would get the local yellow pages and call every office supply dealer. She then visited stores and would leave a dozen bottles behind. Her orders grew and soon the Liquid Paper Corporation was born. In 1979, when Bette Nesmith sold her company, she was earning $3.5 million annually on her little white bottles. By that time her total yearly sales were $38 million. Her buyer, the Gillette Company, purchased Liquid Paper Corporation for $47.5 million. Not a bad return for an inventive secretary who sought to solve an everyday dilemma. Got any ideas that you need to follow up on? Consult with Jean Walters by calling 314 991 8439 office or jean@spiritualtransformation.com Personal coaching and Akashic (psychic) readings for over 35 years.

Blog: Praise instead - it elevates your energy and brings more joy in your life! The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. William James Most of us, swimming against tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement – and we’ll make the goal. Jerome P Fleishman Give Praise Instead Most of us have been told that it is bad to give yourself credit. Some people call it bragging. It is a behavioral program with which we were raised. But no one told us what happens when you don't honor your talents and abilities. Depriving yourself of positive feedback produces negative results, such as low self-esteem, diminished productivity, and lack of motivation. Since crediting yourself with your natural talents and best efforts is a no-no, people tend to resort to its opposite and more socially acceptable behavior, self-criticism. They find flaws lest someone else spots them first. I could have done better; I am a mess; how stupid of me; my hair is too straight, curly, short, long etceteras. You get the idea. Self-criticism can become a game of one-upsmanship. The competition is to be the worst of the worst. I heard a bulemic lady admit, if I can’t be the best, I will be the worst. This was her rationale for eating to excess and then regurgitating. So who is the winner in this game? A healthier choice would be to give honest,deserved praise for well-rendered efforts. Accolades spur you on toward great achievement. You have many good point. Acknowledge them to yourself. Make sure you are supporting yourself and not vying for other-approval. Judgmental people will consider you egotistical. But they are always looking for the negatives. Don’t let them deter you. Ultimately it is up to you to decide how important their opinions are and if you agree with them. Once that has been settled, you can reap the rewards of a positive self-concept. Honest praise builds strength, resilience, and self esteem. As you progress, you will become strong and unbeatable. Dennis Waitley, author of The Psychology of Winning, states that praise builds, criticism deteriorates. It is his idea that praise, liberally administered, not only elevates self esteem but encourages belief in self. As a person starts to like himself, he takes on greater challenges and risks rand productivity increases. Ultimately, even weak, ineffectual attitudes and behaviors are improved. Every aspect of the individual is strenthened. story. David Viscott, author of Risking, comments, The more you love yourself, the less dependent you are on others. People who like themselves are not found on welfare roles, nor do they linger in depression or lament their troubles to the world. Loving yourself and crediting yourself with positive qualities requires personal and sacred commitment and discipline. It can be controversial, but worth a try. Here are steps you can take to learn how. 1) Praise yourself for possessing at least five positive attributes. You really have many more. Examples might be patience, perseverance, friendliness, honesty, generosity, friendliness. 2) Acknowledge good in everything you do. (Examples can be that you cleaned the house but forgot to dust the furniture. Credit yourself for what you accomplished. If your boss demonstrates a negative mood, credit yourself for remaining pleasant. 3) Give at least five compliments to others daily. 4) Look forward with enthusiasm to some scheduled activity daily. 5) At the end of each day, give thanks for all the positive occurrences. Don’t just look for big triumphs. If you stayed calm when everyone else was ruffled, that is positive. The switch to self praise can be inspiring. Fighting the war of low self esteem requires diligence. This war is no won in one battle. The foe of negativity is often deeply entrenched. However, each positive stroke reinforces your value and places you closer to victory. You possess qualities you can applaud. No one is without virtue or talent. Self confidence is founded on consistent, honest and personal praise. Take the risk of becoming a new exciting you by appreciating your efforts now. Build your value through praise. How to do this… When others want to pull you down with criticism, understand that they would have no need for that, if they were healthy themselves. Forgive them for they know not what they do. People attack when they feel wounded. By the same token, you indulge in similar behavior. Watch your own critical thoughts and ask yourself, what is my pain? Can I let it go? As you discover your own inner woundedness, you will be able to forgive yourself and let go. It gets easier. In time, your positive thoughts will outweigh you negative ones and you will feel good about yourself. It is a process. Enjoy it! To reach Jean Walters: call 314 991 8439 - she does consultations and readings for people all over the world. Or, Jean@spiritualtransformation.com