Determination in Iraq

I was delighted to hear the news reports this morning, after yesterday’s elections in Iraq. Apparently one woman ended up giving birth in a polling station, because she was so determined to cast her vote! Early indications are that a huge majority of the population braved great danger to exercise their right to have a say in the future government of the country. I pray this
marks a turning point that starts to bring them peace and stability.

There are some Iraqi diaries at http://tinyurl.com/5pybc. An inspiring entry reads: "...And yes, I did manage to go and actually vote for the list I thought was the best, but I had to walk a total of 10km on foot because of the ban imposed on all cars other than police cars and ambulances. It took me about three and a half hours to do this so I missed the last two sets of the final of the Australian Open tennis..."

Great ideas for 'making a difference in the world'

This article on Ecademy has some great ideas in it: http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=39207. I can personally vouch for Be Unlimited magazine, as mentioned in her item 3. I have been a subscriber since this magazine started and really enjoy each issue.

Make Poverty History campaign

A quick plea for you to please consider signing up for the Make Poverty History campaign... see http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/home.html.

Richard Curtis (director of Love Actually and scriptwriter of Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary etc.) has taken a year out, in order to campaign for this great cause.

I'm off to find a white band at my local Oxfam shop!

Going freelance?

If you feel the freelance life may be for you or if you're already freelance and looking for inspiration, a new direction or to connect with like-minded people, please subscribe to The Purple Newsletter, written by fellow coach Helen McClagish. To do this, visit www.purplecoach.com and enter your name and email address in the Purple Newsletter section.

INDIGO, the film

See http://www.indigothemovie.com/ for details of a special, award-winning film about 'Indigo' (spiritual) children. It stars Neale Donald Walsch (author of the Conversation with God books).

This film is being screened this coming weekend around the UK. Please contact me for details of tickets for Northampton or Gloucester, on 01604 889152. The film is showing in Northampton on Sunday 30 January at 15:00.

24 January 2005 - the most depressing day?

Last week, the local newspaper (Northampton Chronicle & Echo) called me. Research has indicated that today will be the most depressing day of this year. This makes some sense: people are bored of dieting post-Xmas, they spent too much and haven't been paid yet this year, it is cold... and dark. I also think that there is a 'tsunami' effect this year i.e. "I know I am lucky and I should feel great, but I don't - and this makes me feel guilty."

The journalist asked me for tips on how to get motivated, and the resulting article can be read at: http://www.northantsnews.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=317&ArticleID=927525.

Welcome to my new blog

This is a new venture for me - introducing blogging to my website.

Here is a good site that describes blogging:
http://www.blogger.com/knowledge/2004/07/amazing-web-site-machine.pyra.
This was recommended in a really useful PDF about blogging. See: http://www.kimberlyblack.com/pdf/startblog.pdf.

To read about me, go to www.ambitioncoach.com.

Thanks...
Jacky Pratt
Accredited Practitioner Coach (ECI)