sample pages from - dr. louise aznavour · we have bigger houses and smaller families, more...

©Copyright, 2005 REVISED EDITION 2009

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♥ ♥

♥

OPPORTUNITY COMES.

IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE AND ALERT

YOU MISS IT....

AND THE WORSE THING IS

YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW THAT

YOU MISSED IT!!!

♥ ♥

♥


>>>>>>>>>> P. 31 >>>>>>>>>>>

♣ ♣

♣

SOME PEOPLE DO NOT COME UP

WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS THEMSELVES

AND YET

THEY ARE READY TO CRITICIZE

THE IDEAS OF OTHERS VERY EASILY.

♣ ♣

♣


Are you one of them?

Holding the Mirror of Reality to your face,

consider this:

When someone brings you a suggestion for you to

consider, do you get curious and ask yourself:

‘What do I like about this suggestion?’

‘How can I use this idea?’

Or

Do you tear the idea apart to get rid of it

because you do not know much about it?


Do you ignore the suggestion perhaps because

you are scared of anything new or different

coming your way?

Do you turn your back on the idea because it did

not come from you?

Do you reject and bury the suggestion because

someone else other than you may get the

credit?

Do you reject it simply because no one has

done it that way before so therefore why rock

the boat?


Holding the Mirror of Reality to your face, decide,

which of the above fits you most of the time?

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________


>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 42 >>>>>>>>>>>

FOR SURE WE ALWAYS BRING

HAPPINESS TO OTHERS:

SOME ARE SO HAPPY TO SEE US

COME OVER

AND

SOME OTHERS ARE HAPPY TO SEE US GO!

ARE YOU COMING OR GOING?

☺


SELF-DISCOVERY EXERCISE:

What words someone who likes you will use to

describe you?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________


What is one word someone who dislikes you will

use to describe you?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

What is your personal motto (saying)?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________


Here are three personal favorites:

‘…… AND WHY NOT’ ♦

“LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH” ♦

‘DON’T GET MAD, GET FOCUSED’ ♦


>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 44

What do you want your gravestone to read:

e.g., a funny one I saw said “All dressed up and

nowhere to go!”

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________


The above exercises give you quick checks on

your principles, on your desires, as well as things

you need to focus on.

These are some useful materials that I work with

while doing Creativity Consults to individuals and

groups.

♦ ♠ ♥ ♣


>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 48 >>>>>>>>>>>>

ARE YOU TOP HEAVY?

Scientists say that the left-brain controls the right

side of the body whereas the right-brain controls

the left side of the body.

Today you found out if you are right or left brain

dominant. Based on the information you just

found out about you, consider the following:

If you are dominantly a left-brain thinker, is it

true that you are mainly logical, systematic,

goal oriented, verbal, step-by-step and

linear in thinking?


If you carry more of the characteristics of a

right-brain person, is it true that you are

mainly spontaneous, instinctive, emotional,

using images and seeing the whole rather

than the parts while you think?

Do you agree or disagree with the

scientists?

Do you have any personal opinion on this

issue of the functions of Right Brain versus

Left Brain? Do you care?


BALANCING ACT: OPTIMIZE THE USE OF

YOUR BRAIN

If you are Right Brain dominant which exercises

did you select from the ones proposed?

If you are Left Brain dominant which exercises

did you select from the ones proposed?


________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________


>>>>>>>>>> P.55 >>>>>>>>>>>

Read the following slowly and picture this:

What if you slept? And what if in your sleep

You dreamed? And what if in your dream

You went to heaven And there plucked a strange

And beautiful flower? And what if

When you awoke, you had The flower in your hand?

Oh, what then?

= Samuel Taylor Coleridge =


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 60 >>>>>>>>>>>

“Walk Softly… Breathe Calmly

…Laugh Intensely”

= Nelson Mandela =

Through the controlled breathing exercises we

practiced today, you learned that you have

voluntary control over the electrical circuitry of

your own brain.

The brain waves at will can be slowed down or

speeded up.

These breathing techniques will fill you with

energy and at the same time help you slow down


your brain waves from beta to alpha waves inviting

inspirational thinking.

‘To inspire’ means ‘to breathe in’.

Scientists say that the slower alpha waves

facilitate ‘inspired thinking’ which is an animated,

stimulated and creativity oriented thinking.

So, then how about if you take breathing breaks

and practice the following breathing techniques for

1-3 minutes several times a day?

Be kind to yourself, give yourself a brake...


PRACTICE EXERCISES:

SINGLE NOSTRIL BREATHING

________________________________________

________________________________________

DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING

________________________________________

________________________________________

THE “HA” BREATH

________________________________________

________________________________________


“RAG DOLL” as in ballet workouts

________________________________________

________________________________________

“TURNING SIDE TO SIDE” as seen in

Japan and China

________________________________________

________________________________________


TECCHIES-JEFF LARSEN (ERGONOMIC

HEAVEN)

________________________________________

________________________________________

SHOULDER SHRUGS

________________________________________

________________________________________


BACK RELAXER

________________________________________

________________________________________

PAIN IN THE NECK (THE WRITER’S

POSE)

________________________________________

________________________________________


YOU KNOW WHAT:

WE DON’T NEED TO GET OLD

JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE TO AGE !!!


>>>>>>>>>>>> P.70 >>>>>>>>>>>

CREATIVITY WORKOUT:


‘YES, OFCOURSE...BECAUSE....AND ALSO’

Creativity techniques give you an advantage over

others who may be intelligent. These people may

not have tricks and methods to bring out their

best.

TO BE AT ITS BEST THE MIND

NEEDS TO BE PREPARED


Today we practiced ‘YES,

OFCOURSE....BECAUSE...AND ALSO’.

Participants learn to accept things the way they

are and build on what exists.

This method teaches the team members how to

optimize on a given situation rather than complain

about why things cannot be done.

This is an effective technique used in

improvisation classes and brainstorming sessions

in companies.


The aim of this method is to build up group effort,

reinforce quick thinking abilities.

Make sure to practice this technique with friends

and colleagues. Teach it to your children as a

game.

As their creative juices flow freely and

spontaneously, this is one sure method to get

everyone ‘STAYINGUPBEAT’:

How will you make use of this very powerful

technique we practiced today?

________________________________________


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 83 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

☺

Be aware:

Creative behavior is addictive

As well as

Being a playful path to

STAYING UPBEAT

☺


The rumor has it that Thomas Edison took

breaks often to close and rest his eyes.

During that time, he held a spoon in his hand.

Soon he would drift into a snooze.

Without fail, all of a sudden the spoon held in

his hand would fall to the floor making a

startling loud noise. Edison would jump up in

shock and with many racing thoughts.

Immediately he would write down these

thoughts.

Edison knew that creative sparks would come

while he was in a relaxed semi-sleep state

close to unconscious processes.


Clearly, Edison was a creativity addict. Now, it is

your turn to try it, you might like it, too!

SUMMARY OF HIGHLIGHTS ON BEING

CREATIVE:

You use a kaleidoscopic view of reality

Which is ever changing

♦

You reshuffle the pieces

As with a kaleidoscope

And come up with something new.

♦


You stay alert and observe

Keeping the radar on all the time

♦

You develop a 360° vision

♦

You look at things as everyone else

And think of different possibilities

♦

You stay spontaneous, improvise and say:

“Yes of course ...because...and also”

♦


DURING THE WORKSHOP YOU WILL

PRACTICE METHODS TO INCREASE AND

MAINTAIN BRAIN POWER:

>>>>>>> P.57

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>PRACTICE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>PRACTICE>>>

>>>>PRACTICE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>PRACTIC

E>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>PRACTICE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>


>>>>>>>>>>> P.91 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TECHNIQUES FOR BUILDING EMOTIONAL

MUSCLES AND ‘STAYING UPBEAT’:

Technique # 1

= SELF-TALK:

MOUTH TO EAR CONNECTION =

Do not block initiative in others. Listen to what

they say. You may learn something.

Avoid saying “No” as an instinctive reaction

many negative people have developed.

Be aware of the effect your self-talk has on

you and people around you.


Visit www.stayingupbeat.com it will help

you to continue ‘STAYING UPBEAT’.

http://www.stayingupbeat.com/


WITH MY ATTITUDE

AND

THE WAY I TALK,

DO I INCREASE OR DECREASE

MY ENERGY

AND

THE ENERGY OF THOSE AROUND ME?

“AM I AN ENERGY VAMPIRE?”


What are you waiting for to change? Conserve

energy for all concerned. STOP BEING AN

ENERGY VAMPIRE Energy is a rare commodity!

Technique # 2

= HOW TO TALK TO YOURSELF =

SELF-TALK “YES / NO”

SELF ENERGIZING EXERCISE

Prior top doing these exercises where you aware

that you created your own moods and even

depressive feelings?

What messages people around you were sending

to let you know you needed to change?


What are some of the words you have decided to

eliminate from your vocabulary?

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________


>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 104 >>>>>>>>>>>>

Technique # 6

= THE THOUGHT STOPPING TECHNIQUE =

Stop the pounding of your heart

By the quieting of your mind

= Anon=

Now that we practiced the THOUGHT

STOPPING TECHNIQUE how can you

personalize it and make it more useful to you?


>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 121 >>>>>>>>>>>>

SO,

SAVE YOUR ENERGY

BY

FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS

&

USING TECHNIQUES FROM OUR SEMINAR

SUCH AS

‘THE STIMULUS CONTROL TECHNIQUE’

IN ORDER NOT TO BE DROWNED IN

HELPLESSNESS

WHICH CAN

LEAD TO DEPRESSION


>>>>>>>>>>>> p. 127 >>>>>>>>>>>>>

TECHNIQUE # 11

= MOVE TOWARDS WHAT YOU WANT,

INSTEAD OF

MOVING AWAY FROM WHAT YOU DON’T

WANT =

Which of the two describes you best?

You work hard because you are mostly motivated

by a Fear of Failure.

Or

You work hard because you are motivated by a

Desire to Succeed.


Which of the two would sound most like you?

Why?

“I want to keep my brain active and learn new

things”

Or

“I do not want my brain become lazy and go to

waste.”

________________________________________

________________________________________


“I want to keep my brain active and learn new

things” is moving towards what you want.

“I do not want my brain become lazy and go to

waste” is moving away from what you don’t want.

***

Which of the two would sound most like you?

Why?

“I don’t want you to ignore me.”

Or

“I like it so much when we find quality time

together like this.”

________________________________________

________________________________________


“I don’t want you to ignore me” is moving away

from what you don’t want.

“I like it so much when we find quality time

together like this” is moving towards what you

want,

***


Remember:

Whatever thought

You choose to focus on

Will gain strength.

So, you decide what your focus will be on.

Are you aware of your thoughts?


WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RIGHT AT

THIS MOMENT, hmmmmm?!?

So concentrate on what you want.

E.g. Focus on “How To Get Healthy” instead of

“How Not To Be Sick”. So, make an effort to

MOVE TOWARDS WHAT YOU WANT…

INSTEAD OF

AWAY FROM WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT…


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 150 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TECHNIQUE # 14

= LET IT GO BROTHER LET IT GOOOO! =

The following is

a popular teaching

story. Enjoy!

Two monks were silently walking from

one village to another. Keeping silent

during the day was part of their

tradition.

They came to a river where

a beautifully dressed

woman was trying to pass to the

other side and looking around for help. The first

monk without hesitation picked her up in his


arms took her to the other side of the river and

there let her down.

Several hours later immediately at sunset, the

2nd monk could not keep silent any second

longer and said in an angry voice: “Shame on

you. We are not supposed to even look at

women, forget about touching them. You picked

that woman up and carried her in your arms!”

The 1st monk answered: “But, I let that woman

behind us hours ago. It is you who has been

carrying her in your mind for the past so many

hours. Let it go my brother, let it gooooo!”

Do you know how to let go? What are some

things from your past you need to let goooooo?

________________________________________

________________________________________


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 161 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TECHNIQUE # 16

= SELLING AN ATTITUDE =

Eat junk food daily, you will get your body reflect

that which you have stuffed it with. Cry daily, and

the curves of you face will get a downturn.

Increase your awareness towards the attitudes

you reflect to the world. What do others read from

your verbal and nonverbal messages?

This week pay special attention to the faces of

people who usually radiate tension, anger and


panic. See how tight the muscles around the

mouth have become.

Don’t take my word for it, look around and

observe.

Look at the facial expressions of models on

magazine covers. There is not a hint of a smile on

their faces. With all the money they are paid, you

would think they owe it to the public at least to

offer a smile.

One day I interviewed one such model and was

told that the organizers order this apathetic facial

expression.

I checked this out elsewhere and received similar

responses from other models.


Ask the following questions:

Why would organizers order apathetic facial

expressions?

What message in general are models

ordered to send…. dissatisfaction?

Boredom? Anxiety? Indifference? Why?

What is your dominant facial expression

when you look into the mirror (tension,

anger, frustration, calmness, serenity…)?

Do you have an irritating, calming or uplifting

effect on people around?

Have a debate with your friends on these issues.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 164 >>>>>>>>>>

NO PESSIMIST EVER DISCOVERED

OR

OPENED A NEW DOORWAY FOR

Helen Keller


>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 168 >>>>>>>>>>

Your Choice:

Waking up in the morning you choose your

‘attitude’ as you would choose the clothing you will

wear for the day. Then, you decide to wear this

attitude. This is similar to having your own choice

for a personal motto as we discussed previously.

So from now on in the morning getting out of bed

your chosen attitude is:

______________________________________


>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 178 >>>>>>>>>>>

TECHNIQUE # 19

= WANT TO GAIN PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE? =

I received the following from a visitor to my

website who felt the depth expressed by George

Carlin and wanted it to be shared by many.

So here it is:

Message by comedian

GEORGE CARLIN

The paradox of our time in history is that we

have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider

Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend

more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.


We have bigger houses and smaller families,

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more

knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet

more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too

recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too

angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read

too little, watch TV too much, and pray too

seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced

our values. We talk too much, love too seldom,

and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a

life. We've added years to life not life to years.


We've been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet a

new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not

inner space. We've done larger things, but not

better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our

prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We

plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to

rush, but not to wait. We build more computers

to hold more information, to produce more

copies than ever, but we communicate less and

less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow

digestion, big men and small character, steep

profits and shallow relationships.


These are the days of two incomes but more

divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,

throwaway morality, one night stands,

overweight bodies, and pills that do everything

from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when

there is much in the showroom window and

nothing in the stockroom. A time when

technology can bring this letter to you, and a

time when you can choose either to share this

insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved

ones, because they are not going to be around

forever.


Remember, say a kind word to someone who

looks up to you in awe, because that little

person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next

to you, because that is the only treasure you can

give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner

and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A

kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it

comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the

moment for someday that person will not be

there again.


Give time to love, give time to speak! And give

time to share the precious thoughts in your

mind.

And always remember:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths

we take, but by the moments that take our

breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 1 person....Who

cares?

Thank you George Carlin; your messages are so well placed!


Dear reader, make a copy and take these words

to bed with you. Read a line or two each night,

slowly. Then contemplate on what you read while

falling asleep.

e.g. 'We've learned to rush, but not to wait'....does

this apply to you? For the next week decide on a

steady pace and a predictable rhythm to practice,

as if learning the steps of a new dance.

>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 189 >>>>>>>>>>>>>


H

O

P

E

“5” ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TOOLS

UMOR

PTIMISM

ERSPECTIVE

NERGY

I while ago I wrote a book with the following

inscription on the cover.

It reads:

“5” ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TOOLS


When I asked several people to read the “5”

essential tools, most adults found only “4”.

Was this a simple matter of deteriorating eyesight

in those adults?

I don’t think so.

Is it possible that we loose the ability to see the 5th

and most important tool, namely, HOPE?

Perhaps we have left ‘hope’ behind. On this point

I am only partially jesting.......

In contrast young children had no difficulty seeing

the whole picture. Without missing a beat they

would read: “Humor, Optimism, Perspective,

energy, and HOPE”.


Remember:

HOPE UNDERLIES IT ALL

HOPE IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR

HOPE IS A TOOL FOR THE OPTIMIST

HOPE IS THE OXYGEN OF THE CREATIVE

HOPE IS THE PATWAY OF THE RESILIENT

HOPE MAKES HUMANITY LOOK FORWARD

HOPE IS THE VITAMIN OF THE SOUL

HOPE MAKES THE WORLD TURN AROUND

HOPE IS.................


A flower finds its way out of cracks of asphalt and

reaches towards the light and sun...Similarly,

creative people, even in their darkest moments,

always find their way like the flower and reach

towards the light and the sun.


TECHNIQUE # 20

= YOU WANT TO BE STAYING UPBEAT,

POSITIVE & OPTIMISTIC? =

Here is a practical suggestion:

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE

THAN TO CURSE THE DARKNESS

- Chinese Proverb -

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>PRACTICAL EXERCISES

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>> PRACTICAL EXERCISES

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EXERCISES >>>>>> EXERCISES

>>>>>>> EXERCISES >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P. 215 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As usual,

I finish our get together by inviting all of us

To practice the winning attitude:

= AZNAVOUR SAY =

‘STAYINGUPBEAT’

Read what you see below in colored letters:

Which fits you most often, hmmm?

Opportunity Is Nowhere or Opportunity Is Now

Here


READY FOR THE BIG CHALLENGE?

GET SET

GO !!

Exercise:

FOCUS ON PROBLEM SOLVING RATHER

THAN COMPLAINING

SAVE ENERGY!

SOLVE OR GO AROUND PROBLEMS

INSTEAD OF ONLY SEEING PROBLEMS


Try to live 24 hours without criticizing

anyone or anything.

No criticism is to enter even into your

private thoughts.

Also, during this time try not to

complain even once.

Focus only on solving or going around

problems.


WELCOME TO THE WINNING CIRCLE!

GOOD LUCK!

visit >> www.stayingupbeat.com

Dr. Louise Aznavour

PhD Psychologist

(514) 954-1351

Montreal - Canada



OPPORTUNITYISNOWHEREOPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE


EPILOGUE

Consider this:

1. We feel most energetic and empowered

around some people yet totally exhausted with

others.

2. Attitudes that we allow around us and / or

inside us may either energize or deplete us.

3. Creativity, Resilience and Problem Solving get

easier with STAYING UPBEAT tools.


Think of two friends you have. Under equally

difficult conditions, one is Staying Upbeat

(meaning: keeping on being positive) whereas

the other is Staying Up Beat (meaning: not

sleeping, remaining awake defeated).

Which of the two friends will be less exhausted in

the long run? Which one do you think will have

the stamina to solve issues more effectively in the

long run?

Using this perspective, I

hope that www.stayingupbeat.com will raise

awareness and be useful in the process. Enjoy!



There is so much doom and gloom being

circulated in this world. So, to add a lighter touch

and using the motto

“Do not curse the darkness, light a candle

instead!”

I entered the process of constructing a website in

November 2007.

The aim of www.stayingupbeat.com as the name

indicates is to have light-hearted and empowering

entries with upbeat messages. Creativity and

problem solving gets easier in life while

STAYING UPBEAT!

This site will always be under construction.

Following your visit to www.stayingupbeat.com I

would appreciate receiving feedback.

www.stayingupbeat.com

www.stayingupbeat.com


Please Note: Your continued contributions to the

section "YOUR SAY" (videos, slide shows, wise

quotes, sayings, teaching stories that you come

across and want to share) will help us all to

strengthen our resolve for staying upbeat

attitudes.

New items will be added periodically especially

under Brain Workouts, Your Say, Aznavour

Say, Humor, Secrets of Life and Building Good

Habits.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Thank You,


Visit >> www.stayingupbeat.com

Dr. Louise Aznavour

PhD Psychologist (514) 954 - 1351

Contact >>

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

sample pages from - dr. louise aznavour · we have bigger houses and smaller families, more...

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