"The Passing of Mentors"

This past month two important people in my life have passed away: Dr. Richard Carlson, author the "Don’t Sweat the Small" Stuff series, and Doug Coombs, a skiing legend. Both these men inspired me in many ways. Their sudden deaths have stunned me and saddened me and ignited much contemplation about my own life. 

Dr. Richard Carlson

I am still trying to absorb the news of Richard Carlson’s sudden passing. If I had to identify the best days of my life, one would be the day I received the letter from Richard with his endorsement of my book, The Woodstock Bridge. I remember running around my apartment, shouting, “Yes! Yes!”, then dropping into a chair crying in gratitude. It had been a rough few years for me and I had begun to doubt my abilities and Richard’s kind words helped me get back on track. That someone of his success and stature believed in what I had written—WOW!

My heart goes out to his family and to my friend Joe Bailey who was one of Richard’s best friends and co-authors. I have provided a few links below that I encourage you to read—you will discover a man of great kindness. From what I read, Richard led by example.  The few emails and letters, we exchanged were always signed, “Treasure Yourself.”  What powerful words. 

Richard sold 23 million copies of his Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Series—23 million copies of inspiration and wisdom. Can you imagine! What an incredible achievement. In the last week since I found out about his passing when I get a little stressed, I find myself, asking, “How would Richard handle this?” And always the same reply—I think with kindness.  

At first, Richard’s passing scared me. I suddenly felt our fragility here, that at any second the Creator could call us. I thought I have so much more I want to accomplish! But haven’t I already achieved a great deal, I asked myself? Many questions like this have come in the last week. I will follow what I believe would be Richard’s advice on such questions—let them be, let your wisdom find the answers! 

Richard, thank you for your honoring us with your spirit. Your guidance back to our innate wisdom is the greatest gift anyone could leave.  

Click here to read a summary of Richard's memorial service
Click here to read a message from his wife, Kris Carlson Tribute from Joe Bailey
Richard's Website

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Doug Coombs & son, David

When I had cancer I had many goals and dreams that I promised myself I would achieve if I was healed. Five and half years later, I have accomplished most of them.  And that fact is truly unbelievable to me. One dream was to ski with Doug Coombs. Many of you probably don’t know who Doug was. Some considered him the best skier there ever was. When other great skiers were asked, “If you had to ski extreme terrain, who would you ski with?”  Unilaterally they would reply, “Doug Coombs.” Doug ran extreme ski camps in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and La Grave, France. It was my hope to attend the camp someday. 

Over the years, I would read everything I could on Doug—he was my age—48. All the articles resonated with the same theme—Doug Coombs was a person of integrity who skied with an effortless grace in extreme situations that would make the best skiers nervous.  They said he was like water flowing down a 50 degree slope. It was the kindness that shone in Doug’s eyes that motivated me to want to learn from him. They say he was always approachable and had an incredible passion for skiing that was contagious. That he was focused and extremely safety-minded but skied without thought, Doug made the impossible look effortless. He always seem to find the natural flow down the mountain—I wanted to be around that energy.

Maybe on the next journey I will get to follow Doug down a beautiful powder slope, honored to know I am following the best there is. If you want to learn more about him, here are few links:

A Legend Falls
Doug Coombs Memorial Fund
Marmot on Doug Coombs

These two men lived lives of celebration. They were examples to me of commitment and passion. I think it's so important to have models, heroes, mentors--call them what you will. I feel grateful in my heart to have been touched by both of them. I will do best to "treasure myself" and to look for the "natural flow". I wish you both a good journey. A Ho, brothers, A Ho.

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 Donate

The National Center for Family Literacy.

I understand this was a special charity of Dr. Carlson--so in his honor I would like to encourage you explore their site and the amazing work they are doing in improving the literacy of both adults and children. 

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Vortex Experience

Angels!

Moved to my New Column!
Sedona Vortex Stories

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Greg's Columns

"Welcome To The Show and It Aint’ Pretty!”

The title is a line from a song by INXS called “Pretty Vegas” written by new lead singer, JD Fortune. Every time I hear it, I think, "Absolutely right!"...read more!

“I’m Very Green!”

There is a magical trail that winds through the Vortex Circles and near the first powerful circle you will find a beautiful green bush that stands seven feet high and six feet wide. I have become friends with this bush and every time I guide clients to this special place, I stop and give the bush a big hug and talk with it. I love this friendly bush—he represents openness to me... read more

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Sedona Photo

In each newsletter I am going to showcase one or two new photographs from Michael Irvine, the photographer of the pictures on my site.

 I post these two pics in honor of Dr. Carlson and Doug Coombs.  The one with the rainbow for Richard and of course the one with the snow for Doug!

Click image to go larger picture

Serendipity

Snowy Serenade

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Coming Soon

In the next three months I plan on releasing four audio DVDs:

• The Art of Listening
• Magnetize Anything!
• Shamanism is a Feeling
• Simple Inner Child Work
  

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Recommended Movie

Saint Ralph

During the holidays I saw this movie for a second time—it just makes me feel good!  The story is about a young boy trying to understand  how miracles happen.  When his mother goes into coma—he decides that winning the Boston Marathon will create the miracle needed to wake her.  Watch this one, my friends, and be a witness to determination and faith in the unknown!
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The Culture of the Warrior Quote

These are quotes from a book I am writing:

“Warriors apologize without hesitation.”

This was a lesson for me this past few months. Thank you, D for getting on me!

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Recommended Book

Note:  I have added an a direct Amazon link to each book on Recommended Books II

Freedom Is by Brandon Bays

This is Brandon’s new book and follow-up to her best seller, The Journey. You all know what a fan I am of that book! There is powerful information in the pages of this new one.  The “Enlightenment” chapter stood out for me.  I was excited to see that Brandon saw deeply a spiritual fact. She understood on her journey that wisdom is innate and that once we stop doing, it just rises naturally in us. It’s the default—it’s always there—we don’t have to do anything to live from it. She saw the simpleness as opposed to making it complicated  Thank you, Brandon for the inspiration.

Amazon Link to Book

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  The Big Insight

“Continue to raise the bar on the standard of what thoughts you are going to give life too!”
                                ---Another one from D (thanks!)

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Resources

The Social Investment Forum

A very comperhensive site about socially responsible investing. There is a ton of great information—check it out!

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Reminders for Regular Clients

Important Note:  Read this list!!!

• Do your “Already Done, Already Accomplished Work”!
• Stop managing!
• Do your assignments!  Doing equals victory!
• If you’re on “email check in”, don’t forget to! 
• If we haven’t spoken in a while, it’s always a good idea to schedule a half hour check in.
• Do your reading—slowly!
• Keep pointing yourself towards a nice feeling!
• Keep drinking your water with your healing words.

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Phone Consultation

Don’t forget I am always available by phone for consultation.  You don’t need to come to Sedona to work with me!  I do have a special price on 4 Sessions.

(928) 274-2427 MT

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Well, brothers and sister, I hope you enjoyed the new newsletter! I had fun putting it together!

A Ho,
Greg

Sedona Newsletter Archive