Elizabeth Rightor's tagline "Helping People Blossom" is apropos to her personality and life philosophy.

Elizabeth is one of those magnetic people who radiate intelligence and an open heart. Having journeyed through her own challenges and changes of late, she says she has emerged with an even stronger sense of self, more empathy and greater courage.

She walks her talk, emphasizing that personal challenges always offer growth opportunities if we look for the benefits rather than the disadvantages.

She believes fall into winter is an ideal time for both acceptance of change and the intentional release of what isn't working or needed any longer.

"Nature shows us with breath-taking beauty that change is the most poignant of paradoxes. It is both beneficial and unavoidable. Changing seasons make us aware that we must find a way to release the old to make room for the new," she states.

This year, coupled with the current financial crisis and the political climate here in the U.S., this period of transition has been an emotional challenge for many people. So I asked Elizabeth for her advice: How do you stay composed and upbeat when the world is a little crazy? How do you stay focused on your dreams? She offered the following tips:

• Stay in the present moment as much as possible. Thinking about what could have been or trying to plan for what might happen in the future can drain you physically and emotionally. A good question to ask yourself is, "What do I need right now?" Then, just take the next best step.
  
  
• Choose to look for and focus on the positive. My mentor once told me, "Fear is a gross misuse of imagination." I try to remember this about fear when I'm faced with anxiety, imaging what could happen. Rather than worrying that "anything can happen," be excited that things beyond your wildest dreams can happen.
  
  
• Let go of expectations. Be open to the outcome and appreciate the learning and growth the transition offers. Be at peace where you are and be carried by the surprise of your own unfolding.
  
  
• Trust that you are resilient and have the strength and resources you need. There is a Chinese proverb I've always admired, "You can only go halfway into the darkest forest, then you are coming out the other side." Trust that things will get better.
  
  
• Set positive intentions. Think about what it will feel like when you are on the other side of this transition. Use all of your senses to create this picture of your life.
  
  
• Appreciate life's natural rhythm. We are constantly evolving, becoming. Our transitions move us forward in life. According to Harrison Owen, four spiritual laws govern all of life: whoever comes are the right people; whatever happened is the only thing that could have happened; whenever it starts is the right time; and when it's over, it's over.
  
  
• Connect with people and resources that ground and uplift you. One of my favorite books is Transitions: Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life by Julia Cameron. It's filled with reflections and tidbits that can bring meaning when nothing seems to make much sense.

Elizabeth Rightor is a private practice therapist in Seattle who blends training in Family Systems Theory with energy medicine, spirituality and her own gifts of intuition and insight. She specializes in helping couples and women experiencing anxiety and depression. To learn more visit her website at: www.elizabethrightor.com.

Dream board: "The Path" by Pamela Jackson

Progressing from confusion or worry to clear vision can be challenging under the best of circumstances.

Trying to accomplish this when world events, media attention and people who've been knocked off their center want to suck you into a "fear" state is even a bigger challenge. Getting guidance is all about staying on track for personal growth and gaining momentum toward dream manifestation.

Experiencing progress and surprising results
Forward moving and growth-focused teleseminar clients like business coach Pam Jackson of Seattle are experiencing life- changing results even during these tumultuous times.

Pam says of her experience, "The dream board process has been helping me through some difficult transitions, making sense of the uncertainties, opening up more possibilities than I ever imagined before. Old limitations and inner blockages are dropping away. A process that had begun for me years ago, but I now see gaining powerful momentum as I go through your course."

The Releasing Your Blocks and Embracing Your Success one-month teleseminar enables you to receive powerful insights from your wise inner self. You get help identifying what is holding you back and the next best steps to take for immediate empowerment!

Each week you complete simple clarifying exercises and themed dream boards that feed you the information you need to know in the right progression.

What I do best is provide you with feedback and insights that clarify what your intuition and spirit is trying to show you. When you come from a limiting belief, old perspective, self-doubt or worry, it be hard to see the authentic message for yourself. My gift is being able to see the truth being revealed.

During this month of gratitude and blessings, give yourself the good gift of expansion (rather than the waistline kind).

Sign up now. Go to: www.melissawadsworth.com/products-services

"Dance through life as if you could see the full magic of everthing you create!"

Canadian photographer and artist Dominique Hurley

Photograph of Firedancer Leak Horlick.

Women Embracing Change "Women, Wine and Art" Pre-Holiday Event
Novemeber 13, 2008, 5:30 - 7:30
Kirkland Women's Club, 407 First Street, Kirkland, 98033
$25 Go to this link to sign up: www.womenembracingchangeseminar s.com

Dinner and a Dream Board
Tuesday, November 18, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Watercress Asian Bistro
Full family-style dinner/beverage
All dream board guidance and materials included
Reservations required, 206-384-1890
$50.00
16505 Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052

Melissa Wadsworth is a self-help author, inspirational speaker and dream leader. Through her writing, presentations and seminars, she emphasizes the vital importance of wide-awake intentional awareness and intuition development for a fulfilling and successful life path.

If you wish to use any of the articles from this issue in your own electronic newsletter or ezine please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from What You Notice Matters! a complementary ezine from conscious living expert Melissa Wadsworth, www.melissawadsworth.com. Interviews and articles deliver inspiration and tips for achieving personal and professional abundance through awareness.

To access archived issues go to: www.melissawadsworth.com/