I'm back! With many thanks to Michael for writing last month's SOS Monthly. If you missed it, check it out and let him know what you think.

Big, big news in July. Become Your Own Great and Powerful was featured in a full-page iUniverse ad in The New York Times Book Review and became an Amazon bestseller the very next day!

This month we look at the issue of choice and personal power. Why do so many of us see choice as black or white, instead of as a continuum of grays? Don't limit your self...

Fall Fashion Forecast:  Any Shade of Gray

As I hear from more and more readers of Become Your Own Great and Powerful, I’m noticing a pattern. Rightly or wrongly, many women I’ve spoken with perceive their life choices as either black or white. The pursuit of financial success, a great career and professional recognition fall on one side (let’s call it “black”). The successful relationships in one’s life—friends, family, community—fall on the other, “white”, side. We see these goals and values as mutually exclusive. Women who try to pursue a combination of black and white (any shade of gray) are seen as an exception to the norm.

• Why do we think there is no continuum of choice in how we live our lives—only two, mutually exclusive, extremes?
• Why do we perceive any point on the continuum as “wanting it all”, and deem it impossible?
• Why do those of us at one end of the continuum look with disdain or jealousy at those of us at the other end?

What’s wrong with living in the gray areas? Gray can be a very powerful color:  steel is gray, battleships are gray, thunderclouds are gray.

Living in the gray areas can definitely make your life more powerful, too. Having enough money or a job that we love, makes us much happier people. As a result, we are a much more positive contributor to our friends, family and community. Conversely, if we have truly successful relationships, we find it easier to succeed in our work.

Stop expending all your energy limiting your choices, and spend some time thinking about where you truly fall on the continuum of choice. Imagine what your life can become with more than just two choices available to you!

So, my fall fashion forecast is gray. Any shade of gray you like. Be a trendsetter, and give your self permission to add a little gray to the wardrobe of your life.

I really do appreciate all of you who read this e-zine and my blog on a regular basis. However, some folks prefer it if they hear the words, rather than just read them.

So...this month I'm launching SOS Audio, a collection of audio files that you can either stream or download and listen to at your convenience.

This month's featured interview is Laura Young, Dragon Slayer and member of the Secret Order of the Tiara. Laura talks with me about her personal power timeline, collaboration, and how she wrote her story for Become Your Own Great and Powerful.

SOS-Recommended Web Site

This month's site is really cool, and it has tiaras all over it! Allyn Evans has created Queen Power. Join the Crown Me Club to receive Allyn's newsletter, where I'll be regular contributor as the Queen of Personal Power.

Pay a royal visit to Queen Power...

Big, big news in July. Become Your Own Great and Powerful was featured in a full-page iUniverse ad in The New York Times Book Review and became an Amazon bestseller the very next day!

Thanks to all of you who have purchased it, and who are sending such wonderful feedback.

Why not head on over to Amazon and write a quick review?

Join Me at the 1st International Women's Teleconference

I'm really looking forward to presenting my mini-workshop, Become the Leader of Your Life, at the First International Women's Teleconference. The conference is completely virtual--no travel required! Early bird registration discounts apply through September 16, 2005.

Find out more...

Another Special Book Offer for You

One of my fellow authors, Mickey Michaels, has recently published a fine book called Successful Divorce & Single Parenting. Even if you don’t need it, chances are you know someone who does. If you are one of the first 500 to purchase the book (for yourself or for a gift), you will receive a collection of free bonuses whose value is over 10 times the cost of the book.

There are dozens of powerful bonuses in the following areas: Managing Divorce, Effective Parenting, and Personal Empowerment. For example, I'm offering a free teleclass, valued at $165.

But you must act now. Mickey expects these copies to sell out quickly. She's offering these exceptional bonuses as your reward for acting now. Click here to check out the bonuses, then just follow the instructions.

Get Involved, Get In Touch

If you’re interested in exploring more about life transformation, personal power, and cage rattling, or just about tiaras and the really cool women who wear them, here are just some of the ways for you to connect.

Visit my blog, Creating An Ideal Life While Wearing a Tiara. I post all kinds of musings, questions and general craziness here, and you’re welcome to join in and comment on any and all postings.

To have SOS Monthly automatically sent to your inbox each month, please complete the form below:

SOS Monthly Sign-Up Email:

All new subscribers will receive a copy of my special report, Turn On Your Personal Power and Lead Your Self to Greatness (a $19 value).

Want to do some cage-rattling of your very own? Write for SOS Monthly!

If you are inspired or provoked by any of the SOS Monthly topics, or you think there's a topic I've been ignoring, let me know. I'm happy to give you the space to do some cage rattling of your very own.

The mission of SOS Monthly is to inspire and empower you to lead the big life you want--right now! Comments, feedback and ideas for stories are always welcome.  Also, please feel free to forward this along to anyone who might be interested and/or benefit from its contents. All story ideas, comments and suggestions are most welcome.  Send me your input!

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©2005 by Barbara Bellissimo. All rights reserved.