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Email: info@gogreenlightway.com
Phone: 206.200.7212

What Color Is Your Thinking

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR THINKING?™
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The Green Light® Goal: Create the greatest good,
for the most people, in the best way, for the longest time.

Greenings! Welcome to a new world where the focus is THRIVING. As a creativity catalyst, I want to find out what it takes to foster creativity – and to create a safe environment where creativity is ex-pressed. Years of research and product development lead to a most joyous breakthrough. I discover that LANGUAGE is a crucial key! WOW! Language is changeable! This opens up a world of possibili-ties. Hmmm. I begin collecting language – in two groups. That which stifles and that which supports creativity. Curious. They also apply to relationships. Double hmmm.

The impact expands in every direction. Then comes the realization: we live through language. It’s how we express ourselves. So then, language impacts everything! Triple hmmm! This gives us great power – the power of choice. We can choose language that enriches our lives – and aim to avoid that which diminishes it. In support of this, I create a brain-igniting tool, BOFF-O!® Brain On Fast Forward – a card game, now an app. (See the BOFF-O! tab on gogreenlightway.com.) Amplifying positive thinking, this new field of psychology requires ACTION – and a specific kind of language. This is the foundation of my book, GO! How to Think, Speak and ACT to Make Good Things Happen.

I’m excited to share some thoughts and tools I’ve been working on that help create less of what we don’t want and more of what we do. Red Light: What does not work. Green Light: WHAT WORKS.

Red Light Style   Green Light Style
NO! YES!
STOP! GO!
WHOA! FLOW!

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Red Light – FOCUS: Obstacle – what we don’t want.   Can I do this? (Get a NO!)
Green Light – FOCUS: Objective – what we want. How might I do this? (Get help.)

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Here are clues to the color you’re experiencing in the moment. Add to the list as you notice other clues. (A good question to ask when you in the Red space is, “What might make me feel Greener?”)

Red Light Green Light
Feel tension Feel peaceful
Scowl, frown   Smile, grin
Arguing Discussing
Stressed Relaxed
Stiffness Laughter
Anger Pleasure
Get even Get happy
Feel pain Feel joy
Feel stuck Feel inspired

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Red Alert! The psychology of language is always operating. It’s in our thoughts, words and deeds. It either works against us – Red Light – or for us – Green Light. Being conscious of this, we are freed from auto pilot. We are at choice. While it’s not always easy, it IS always worth it – now and/or later.

So let’s head on down the road. We’ll travel the path of an intriguing adventure – en route to the ever-growing, ever-Greening Self.

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At night you’ll see a Green Light welcome from Christo’s on Alki in Seattle.
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Red Light is a destructive, harmful habitual way of thinking and acting. It creates division, dissatisfac-tion, disappointment and struggle. This ignores the brain’s wisdom and the heart’s desires. It keeps our minds and lives stuck in old patterns. It dwells in what doesn’t work. It is de-energizing.

Green Light is a new, constructive and unique way of thinking, leading to helpful actions. It ignites the brain and creates unity, fascination, delight, possibilities and momentum. It’s what works. It serves us – and the planet. It is energizing.

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The Green Light Scale™
Worst case
Scenario
IDEAL
Scenario

Shift from the 3 Red Light/Worst case scenario to create a 3 GREEN LIGHT Ideal Scenario.
Then move in that direction! From 3 Red to 2 Red is a step in a Green direction. GO! Greenly!

Red Lights show what needs to be Greened. Reds are full of opportunities – for Greens.

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MONEY. An area everyone deals with, that’s full of Red Light thoughts and language. What thoughts come up just with the topic? What color are they?

Here are some elements many regard as Red, with some Greener options. Changing the language changes the experience. What other ways might you express the Red terms/thoughts?

 

Red Light   Green Light
Payments Contributions
Obligations Commitments
Cost Fee

I have to pay my bills. I am processing invoices. I am honoring my commitments.
I worry about money. I choose thoughts of abundance.
I struggle with money. I used to struggle with money. Now I revel in it. Money is a friend that serves me.

Notice what you feel with the Red and then with the Green language. Watch for other Reds to Green up in creating your mindset/experience of money. Avoid the terms that deflate and de-energize you. Choose the terms that lift and inspire you to action. (Funds? Finances? Loot? Dough?)

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Red Alert! We’re surprised by some of the ways our brain works that we don’t expect. Also by some ways we aren’t using what we know. Carpenters often warn the new worker on the job, “Don’t let the hammer hit your thumb.” Intended as a light-hearted welcome, it sets up something else. When told “Don’t drop that!” what often happens? Yep. The thumb gets hammered, the thing gets dropped. There’s a very good reason for that. The brain can’t DON’T DO. It can only DO. So it picks up on what it can DO.

So watch out for the nasty, sneaky Red word, “Don’t”. Switch the auto-pilot Red instructions. “Don’t look away when you… swing the bat, drive the car, chop the onion, run the saw.”
Greener: “Look where you want to: hit the ball, drive the car. Watch the knife, the saw. Watch your fingers when you’re …” Replace the don’t do with the DO. Greener, more powerful – and DOable.
AVOID merely stating what’s not wanted. State what IS wanted.

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Red Light Green Light
Unconscious Conscious choice
Destructive Constructive
Exclusive Inclusive
Divides Unites
Hurtful Helpful
Contracts Expands
Violence Harmony
Brain brake Brain break

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Another way to generate Greens is by making new ideas that serve the Green Light Goal: Create the greatest good, for the most people, in the best way, for the longest time. BOFF-O! Brain On Fast Forward is the game/app that equips you to generate new Green ideas – in a flash!

You combine a Launcher (SUITCASE) with a Booster (ADDRESS SAFETY) into a new idea.
In this case, the idea addresses keeping your suitcase safe, with a voice-activated system. This is just a sneak preview of part of the game. You think Green all the way through. (Free download in app stores.)

Play the free version and see how many new ideas you can make in 5 minutes. Play it again later and see what you get in the same time. Then see what Targets you can hit with your ideas.

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What a difference a little Green action makes!
I have a glorious time at the annual Seattle Art Fair this fall. Artists and galleries from many countries exhibit. Above is an eye- and heart-catching creation, in a mahvelous gallery. The shot on the left is what I first see. I’m frustrated that the lighting is counterproductive. I resist my usual urge to just quiet-ly and unobtrusively move it a few feet to where the light will bring it to life. I can imagine getting a good public scolding from the exhibitors. So I ask a representative, “What needs to happen to move this adorable Teddy Totem to the light?” She said, “The base is concrete! It’d take four guys to do that. And it’s already sold.” She turns to a customer.

Okay, so now I figure I’ve covered myself by the conversation. Next, I look around for help and see two candidates. I approach them as heroes-to-be, show them the challenge and mention, “They said It’d take four guys to move it.” I ask if they had two friends close by to help. They immediately came over, check it out and get down on their haunches to push it over. The first effort clued them in to the teddies’ weight! Their second full muscle push moved it to exactly where it needs to be. YAY! We stand back and ahhh at the difference. I thank them profusely. We three are lit up by the Greening.

Everyone who came by experienced a happy new view. All it took was a Green thought followed by a Green action: finding a couple Green folks. They make it happen. I still do the happy dance whenever I see these photos and remember the joy of a little action making a big difference, thanks to a pair of Green heroes.

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My Calico Siamese rescue kitty sends you a
high five (well, actually a high four) for all
your Green actions! She thinks you’re purrrfectly meowvelous! She’s “Cally GO Cat.” (Tweaked calico to add my book name.) Her purr is not to be heard, but seen and felt.

She’s a very Green kitty cat and loves to get her exercise by racing around and or being chased – or run after some long fern stem or other nature toy.

When I lean over to pick something up, she’s likely to jump up on my shoulder. I hang on to her tail and she becomes a fur stole, warming my neck. She’ll ride as long as allowed.

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“We become what we think about.” Earl Nightingale

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Our brains LOVE new questions, new connections, new challenges.
Green Light is a shift from boring and ignoring our brain
to feeding and re-seeding our brain.

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Sing yourself awake (and asleep) with, “I GO, GO, GO the Green Light way!” Make up your own tune. You’ll reinforce your intention to think Greenly. This kine of mental aerobics builds our Green neural network – and skips, avoids and retires Red neurons. Plus when we shift from Redding to Greening, we turn off the stress bio-chemicals (cortisol and adrenaline) and turn on the feel-good bio-chemicals (serotonin and dopamine). It’s good for our body, mind and spirit to GO GREEN! Good for the world too!

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What do you want to create in your life? Whatever it is, choose Green thoughts and actions to support it. Want to stop smoking? See Green Light in action. Google Nicci Tina and her mission. (Clever name, huh?!) Shift the undesirable Red Light style to the life-enriching Green Light style, from Redder to Greener choices.

I am a smoker.
I used to smoke.
I am a non-smoker.
I am inhaling fresh air.
I am making good choices.
I am loving my healthy life style.

Notice the progressive shift in thinking, language, images and intended actions. Apply this approach to any areas you wish to alter. Choose the language that serves/works with your brain. Create a Green mindset.

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The above shows a key breakthrough process. It is a shift – a powerful progression of instructions to the brain. Note the sequence in the six previous statements:

1. The focus is on what we do not want.
2. The language used affirms what we do not want.
3. The undesired is absent. (smoking) It can trigger old patterns/habits, thoughts and actions.
4. The element to avoid is absent.
5. The focus is on what we want.
6. The presence of what we want is affirmed.

Our ongoing goal is to focus on 6! Saluting our every shift, each transformation from Red Light to Green Light – and Green to Greener!

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A magnificent Green red room! This amazing space in the downtown Seattle public library is lus-cious!!! It’s a glorious redness. Red steps lead up to it, encompassing you in it’s high energy.

(Just for fun, I had to insert a touch of Green – to emphasize that in this case, red is very Green!
Red is a great color for clothes, cars, fire trucks and more.
It’s a lousy color for a life style.
Live Greenly!

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Red Light Green Light
Inertia ACTION
Give up easily Be resilient
What repels What appeals
The Dark The Light

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The news is full of Reds. The good news is it’s news because it’s not the norm! Remember this!!! We must gather our own Green news. Notice the Greens. Share inspiring stories of people Greening others – and the planet. GO for Green, Greener, Greenest! COLLECT GREENINGS! It equips you for a vital role – being a conversation shifter, one who Greenly shifts talk away from the Reds, into Greens.

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Ask your brain “What’s the IDEAL?!” Remember your brain eagerly awaits your declaration and focus
on the superblious powerful Green motto: I deal in the IDEAL!

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Red Light Green Light
Direct by Red mandates. Lead by Green example.
Kill momentum. Grow momentum.
Negative intention Positive intention
Attack and destroy. Improve and create.
Low conscience High conscience
Truth is irrelevant. Truth is foundational.
Lewd, crude, rude Kind, caring, compassionate
Promote the petty. Go for wisdom.

Red Light is often easy, quick destructive action – without accountability – or even visibility.

Green Light yields a great harvest of happiness – a natural result of doing good in the world.

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WRONG. We sometimes hear the phrase, “There’s nothing wrong,” when addressing something that didn’t go well – or as planned – or recommended. Our brain responds to that message in a surprising way. The brain hears, “There’s nothing wrong” as “WRONG! Uh oh! There’s something wrong!” The statement may have had a Green intention, yet it is received in a Red way.

We have many associations with the word “wrong” – from childhood, from school, from work. “Wrong” is a heavy, negative word. It carries lots of Red baggage. “Wrong” immediately sets off our defense system. We hear it as the first shoe falling – and await the second one. Helpful phrases include, “Let’s take a look at this.” Let’s work on this.” “How might we handle this?” “What’s another way to do this?”

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A step further. “There’s nothing wrong.” This Green intention arrives in a Red delivery truck. The Green results are diminished. Check out a variation of the message.

Helpful dialogue starters:
“Everything’s right.””It’s okay.””All’s well.””Things are all right.”
(The same Green intention, delivered in Green language, has a Green effect.)
“Now we have an opportunity to … create a new plan, make a new choose. What’s next?

This is Greener. (All the energy generated is Green. There’s no Red energy to overcome, to cancel, to replace (or disremember!). Beginning with a Green intention, following with Green language and action, is likely to be received Greenly and generate a Green response. This builds a Green base to build on.

All’s well. Here’s what’s so/what happened:… So now what’s next to create? Greener yet.

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How much do I practice thoughts that bring me joy, and how much do I practice thoughts that bring me pain? – Abraham-Hicks

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Red Light Green Light
Churnalism Journalism
If it bleeds, If it leads,
it leads. it serves.

Churn the “news.” Sound bites as news. Headlines as stories. Endless repetition of Redness. Making the small significant, the significant sensational. Often this means focus on the small stuff, ignoring the big stuff. Gossip vs. NEWS. Genuine, classic journalism is still conducted by some. Green heroes and sheroes. Let’s support them!

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Meet G.B. – for Green Being. Geeby, my short hair Calico Siamese rescue kitty, is a sweetheart. Her loud, happy purr cancels any concern. (Her Greenness disappears my Redness.) I shall record it!

She and Cally are both very Green – they’re so creative. They can turn anything into a toy. Their coloring? A work of art. None of their eight feet are colored alike. They have a meowzillion shades on their luxurious fur coats.

I put a white board on top of the cupboards, above the window in the kitchen. Linking the two opposite walls, they now have a real catwalk. Heat-seeking misses, they sometimes nap in the sun up there.

Geeby’s a mischief maker – a creature after my own heart. She created a trick I just love. When I’m standing at the computer too long and she wants to play, I will suddenly be surprised by a “TWHACK!” She’s just raced in on her little cat feet and thrown all four legs and her little body up against my calf! Then she runs off, expecting me to chase her, which I usually do. She and Cally make great laugh-generators.

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Check out kindness.sg. To help build a gracious Singapore, the national Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) encourages people to internalize courtesy, kindness and consideration. SKM en-courages everyone to start, show and share kindness. Very Green Light actions. Visit and Like the site. Take their Kindness survey for work. Offer an act of kindness today – and daily. Create a kind-ness game at home.

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In Our Hands is an excellent resource, inviting all ages to explore ways to serve the planet.

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The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. – Ayn Rand

The first half confirms that permission is unnecessary. The second conveys an expectation of opposi-tion. The statement is intended to be bold. To Green the statement further switch the second half of the sentence to, ” who is going to join me?!

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I reply to a major service’s email with a request to cancel my subscription. The auto response: Please note we will not reply to customer service issues or billing questions from this mailbox. Even though it then gave the proper address to contact, I immediately felt the negative power/Red impact of “We will not…”. It tends to generate a sense of adversaries. An alternative:

Please note we do not reply to customer service issues or billing questions from this mailbox. Only one word was changed but it makes a powerful shift in the recipient’s experience. An even Greener response:

Thank you for contacting us. As this mailbox goes to the delivery department, please help us serve you better by contacting us at the email address below for customer service or billing questions. Greener yet – add: We look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to serve you.

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Situation: You have a general work number for someone and you want their direct number.
What do you ask?

Can I have your cell number? (Can be a put-off and diminish the relationship.)
What phone number do you prefer I use?

(They will likely give you another number – or the “message” that they don’t want to – at this time. Re-gardless, it’s a Greener way to ask.)

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I have a conflict on Sunday. I can’t be there in the morning. I have to run an errand and pick up lunch.
Sunday I can be there after noon.
What works for me is Sunday between noon and 4pm. Short. Succinct. No story.

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The question: “What’s a possibility here?” The brain hears, “Think of one.”
The question: “What are some possibilities?” The brain thinks, “Here are some – and there’s more.”

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Stay within the lines, in the box, inside others’ expectations. (I want to fix you.)
How can I support you in your goals? (I’m committed to your success.)

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I love traveling the path of adventure with you –
along the grand road to our ever-growing, ever-Greening Self.

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We are here to make a difference – Greenly.

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This humorous item was sent by my friend, Adam:
I have finally discovered what’s wrong with my brain:
On the left side, there’s nothing right,
on the right side, there’s nothing left.

The laugh can take us to another version:
I have finally discovered what goes on in my brain:
On one side there’s only Red –
on the other side, there’s only Green.
AND I’m creating a Green-only brain.

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“Every thought seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit.” James Allen, author, As a Man Thinketh

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Only 10% of your happiness can be predicted by your external world; 90% of your happiness is de-termined by the way your brain processes the world. Shawn Achor, The Happiness Factor

The research in Achor’s book affirms the power of Green Light, as it empowers us to recognize Red choices and equips us to make Green ones. Taking Green Light actions makes us happy – and likely others as well.

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A while ago I was at an estate sale and found a fun swirly red and purple rose-like fascinator. I had no idea what I would ever do with it or where I might wear it but it just shouted, “FUN!” So I glommed on to it. A few months later friends invited me to join them for an opening night reception for an outstand-ing clothing exhibit – past, present and all things in between. I thought, “AHA! I must wear my little whimsy flimsy. Twas great fun – and prompted lively conversations and laughs with strangers in astonishing creative outfits.

I’m reminded how Green it is to play! To have fun. And how I must avoid leaving it to chance. Friends and family offer many opportunities. Check your Play Time! What’s the next one? Green someone’s day by creating/sharing a fun experience.

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Obligation/Responsibility/Opportunity

I have an obligation to use my talents.
I have a responsibility to use my talents.
I have an opportunity to use my talents.

How does it feel when you say each one aloud?
Which is more motivating? Why?

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Critics criticize. Coaches suggest and support.

Redness disappears in the face of Greenness.
Where might the Redness disappear in the face of your Greenness?

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Darkness disappears in the face of light.
Where will you disappear the dark next?

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We sometimes hear the statement, “Changing the world, one life at a time.” Great. We can also play a bigger game. Be a multiplier. Let us aim for “Changing lives three Green Lights at a time – for the masses.”

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I’m introducing Green Light to an executive for consideration in his department, He’s very interested. And he has a barrier. “If you can make “X” person stop being so dang Red, we’ll give it a go.”

Generally, the opposite works better. Start with those who already have a Green style. Their skills, upbeat manner and creativity mean they’ll take Green Light further, faster – and have more fun with it. They will attract other Green Lighters and keep expanding. In a short time, with leadership support, the environment will be far Greener. Increased productivity is a natural outcome. The dark Red employee may decide to leave – or as often happens, begin to shift. The new way to be with people becomes preferable. It’s its own incentive.

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It’s grate to go Green.

We can bloom anywhere.

And it’s far easier to shine,

to go Green, in Green spaces,

with Green colleagues.

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Green Light Actions in the World.  May 28, 2013

Marilyn is taking an exciting year-long course called “Team Management Leadership Program.” Participants create a team project – their “Game in the World [GITW]. Most of the GITW’s serve the Green Light Goal. (Create the greatest good for the most people in the best way for the longest time.) Examples are shared here to offer ideas and to inspire additional possibilities around the world. www.landmarkeducation.com. (For course information click on Landmark Communication Curriculum then Team Management and Leadership Program. The information shared here is not an official Landmark post, rather a sharing as a participant.)

* “Voices for the Silent” is a blog with photos and articles showing personal stories/narratives of those who triumphed against all odds. It inspires people to champion humanity. http://mypicturediary.wordpress.com/ Ankita P.

* Swimming saves lives, builds confidence and creates health and vitality. This GITW is to raise 4 million dollars to replace an 83 year old pool! This is being done by inviting 4 million, of the 7 billion, people on the planet to donate $1.00!!!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Its-a-dollar-not-just-a-dollar-and-doesnt-have-to-be-only-a-dollar/146125165561396. Constance S.

* Feature length documentary based on working in special education. Film will help raise awareness about autism and raise funds for local schools. Jaime R.

* Senior citizens in two Seattle neighborhoods have a place where they can get the support and companionship they desire to live happy and complete lives. They now have access to “Life Connections Center” one day a month. Jennifer D.

* Creating a “Fresh Film and Lecture Series,” emphasizing healthy eating, that helps people see a whole new world of possibility for their health and well being. Karina Miller

* Creating an online fundraising campaign to help protect the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania by helping fund cameras to film and share photos of wildlife in the park. http://www.ruahaexplorersclub.org Leo S.

* Creating a foundation of Toastmaster volunteers at prisons, sharing and expanding communication skills of prison participants.  Merilee K.

* Collect 50,000 signatures for a local initiative to promote city council election by district rather than at-large. Sarah M.

* Launch a business as an environmental shopping portal that promotes companies committed to reducing their carbon footprint. promote and build demand for products that are made with the environment, humanity and fair commerce in mind. www.GoodtoGreen.com and http://igg.me/at/G2G/x/2600134 Sonja Price

* Create a sustainable living community or increased environmental awareness at the community level. Installation of a home aqua-ponics system is started and will be video-taped for future promotion. Steve S.

* Creating an organization to make tennis available to everyone in a city, free of charge, by collecting new and used equipment, having pro’s provide training and supervision. This will promote social interaction and build community among all comers. Ty S.

======== May 5, 2013

Red Light is an habitual way of thinking that creates division, dissatisfaction, disappointment  and struggle. This ignores the brain and keeps our mind in old patterns. It dwells in what doesn’t work.

Green Light is a novel way of thinking, new with each situation. This ignites the brain and creates unity, energy, intrigue, possibility and momentum. It’s what works.

======== April 28, 2013

Our brains LOVE new questions, new connections, new challenges. We get to shift from boring and ignoring our brain to feeding and re-seeding our brain.

========= April 24, 2013

Notice Greens. GO for Green, Greening, Greener, Greenest! Ask your brain “What’s the IDEAL?!” Remember your brain eagerly awaits your declaration and focus on the superblious powerful motto: I deal in the IDEAL! 

========= April 11, 2013

In Sierra Leone, Mohamed Tarawalley, a gifted leader and visionary, is creating an exciting, ambitious project. Designed to create opportunities for young social entrepreneurs to generate revenue, they have leases on 15,000 acres of tillable land where they will grow rice and peanuts. Their purpose is promoting prosperity, enriching lives, feeding a nation.

======== March 9, 2013

Sing yourself awake (and asleep) with, “I GO, GO, GO the Green Light way” – or whatever puts you in a Green space. Each time we do any of these mental aerobics, we build our Green neural network – and skip, diminish, retire and avoid the Red neurons. Plus when we shift from Redding to Greening, we turn off the stress bio-chemicals and turn on the feel-good bio-chemicals. It’s good for our body, mind and spirit to GO GREEN! Good for the world too!

======== March 1, 2013

We sometimes hear something like, “Changing health, one person one at a time.” We can also play a bigger game – and focus on multiples. I’ve been saying, “Changing lives three Green Light signals at a time.”

======== Feb. 24, 2013

This was sent by a friend:

I have finally discovered what’s wrong with my brain: On the left side, there’s nothing right,

on the right side, there’s nothing left.

Marilyn’s version:

I have finally discovered what goes on in my brain:

On one side there’s only Red –

on the other side, there’s nothing Green.        :>)

======== Feb. 17, 2013

 

Obligation/Responsibility/Opportunity

I have an obligation to use my talents.

I have a responsibility to use my talents.

I have an opportunity to use my talents.

How does it feel when you say each one aloud?
Which is more motivating? Why?

======== Feb. 5, 2013

In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?  Carl Rogers

======== Jan. 30, 2013

Redness disappears in the face of Greenness.
Where will the Redness disappear in the face of your Greenness?

======== Jan. 21, 2013

Darkness disappears in the face of the light.
Where will your face disappear the dark next?

======== Jan. 13, 2013

Your own words are the brick and mortar

of the dreams you want to realize.

Your words are the greatest power you have.

The words you choose and use

establish the life you experience.

Sonia Choquette, author, speaker, PhD/Metaphysics

======== Jan. 11, 2013

We often hear the phrase, “There’s nothing wrong.” Then what follows is usually something about what didn’t go well – or not as planned. In terms of how our brain responds to that, the brain hears the phrase, “There’s nothing wrong” as “There’s something wrong!”  “Wrong” is a heavy word – it carries lots of Red baggage. We’ve all had lots of experiences with “wrong” – and they weren’t positive – or even neutral. “Wrong” immediately sets off our defense system – we hear it as the first shoe falling and we await the second one.

======== Jan. 3, 2013

“There’s nothing wrong.”   This likely carries a Green intention, yet it is given in a Red delivery. The results are diminished.

“Everything’s right.”  (The same Green intention, delivered in Green language, has a Green effect.

“Everything’s all right. Now we have an opportunity to ….”

This is Greener. (All the energy generated is Green. There’s no Red energy to overcome, to cancel, to replace. The energy begins with the Green intention, follows with Green language, is received Greenly and the results are more likely to be Green.

“Everything’s all right – and here’s what is. So what’s next?”   Greener yet.

======== Dec. 31, 2012

“[It’s] the lens through which your brain views the world that shapes your reality. And if we can change the lens, not only can we change your happiness, we can change every single educational and business outcome at the same time.” Shawn Achor, Author, The Happiness Factor

======== Dec. 20, 2012

How much do I practice thoughts that bring me joy, and how much do I practice thoughts that bring me pain?   – Abraham-Hicks

======== Dec. 5, 2012

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” ~Ayn Rand, shared by Dr. Tom Acklin.

======== Nov. 25, 2012

“Don’t look away when you… swing the bat, drive the car, chop the onion, run the saw.” Greener:  “Look where you want to hit the ball, drive the car. Watch the knife, the saw, watch your fingers when you’re …” Replace the “don’t do” with the DO. Greener, more powerful.

======== Nov. 15, 2012

Marilyn recently responded to an email for a major service with a request to cancel her subscription. The auto response was:

Please note we will not reply to customer service issues or billing questions from this mailbox.

Even though it then gave the proper address to contact, she immediately felt the negative power/Red impact of “We will not…”.  “We will not…”.  It tends to generate a sense of now we are adversaries rather than simply communicators. Feel the difference if the message began this way.

Please note we do not reply to customer service issues or billing questions from this mailbox.

Only one word was changed but it made a powerful shift in how the recipient received the message. An even Greener response would be:

Thank you for contacting us. As this mailbox goes to the delivery department, please help us serve you better by contacting us at the email addresses below for customer service or billing questions. We look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to serve you.

======== Nov. 8, 2012

Green Light fosters creativity, an essential skill for success, delight and fulfillment. Check out the most-watched TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity? Then ramp up your Greenings to unleash your creativity.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

======= Oct. 25, 2012

Red Light – FOCUS: obstacle – what we don’t want.  

     Why can’t I …?  Can I do this? (Get a negative, a NO!)

Green Light – FOCUS: objective – what we prefer

     How I can…   How might I do this? (Get help.)

======== Oct. 10, 2012

Want to stop smoking? Check out “Are You Making the Patient Sick?” – an article on our web site: gogreenlightway.com. Introducing Green Light®, it applies this breakthrough way of thinking to health-related situations.

Here’s Green Light in action – for Nicci Tina’s mission. (Clever name, huh?!) It shifts the undesirable Red Light style to the life-enriching Green Light style, from Redder to Greener choices. 

  1. I am a smoker.
  2. I used to smoke.
  3. I am a non-smoker.
  4. I am inhaling fresh air.
  5. I am making good choices.
  6. I am loving my healthy life style.

Notice the shift in thinking, images and intended actions. Apply this to other areas you wish to alter. Choose the language that serves/works with your brain. Create a Green mindset.

======== Oct. 5, 2012

The post above shows a key breakthrough process/sequence. Note the shift/progression in the “instructions” to the brain in the previous six statements. The focus on what we don’t want

  1. The presence of language that affirms what we don’t want
  2. The absence of “smoking”, as it can trigger old patterns/habits, thoughts and actions
  3. The absence of what we want to avoid
  4. The focus on what we prefer
  5. Affirming the presence of what we prefer

Saluting each shift, each transformation from Red Light to Green Light!

======== Sept. 1, 2012

The only way of finding the limits of the possible

is by going beyond them into the impossible.

Authur C. Clarke

======== Aug. 24, 2012

Situation: You have a work number for someone and want a personal number.

Can I have your cell number?

What number do you prefer I leave a message on?

(They will give you another number – or the “message” they don’t want to at that time. Either way, it’s a more comfortable way to ask – for both of you.)

======== Aug. 16, 2012

“Every thought seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit.” James Allen, author, As a Man Thinketh   (shared by Tim Mushen)

======== Aug. 6, 2012

I have a conflict on Sunday. I can’t be there in the morning.

I have a conflict on Sunday, I can’t be there in the morning. I can be after noon.

What works for me is Sunday after noon. Count me in.

========== July 30, 2012

“Only 10% of your happiness can be predicted by your external world; 90% of your happiness is determined by the way your brain processes the world.” Shawn Achor, Author, The Happiness Factor

The research in Achor’s book affirms the power of Green Light, as it empowers us to recognize Red choices and equips us to make Green ones. Taking Green Light actions makes us happy – and likely others as well.

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Greenings

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What do we want? Declare what we want in the form of a Green “I am… ” statement.

This tells the mind what to do for us – to create the state of being: excited, prepared, successful, etc. Declaring, “I am sad,” tells the mind to make us sad. Instead, regarding a Red Light emotion/a state of being, declare how we feel.

I am (a Green Light desire.)  Example: I am excited/prepared/supported/successful.
I feel (a Red Light emotion). Example: I feel sad/upset/disappointed/frustrated, scared, etc.

Saying, I am sad/upset/disappointed/frustrated, scared, etc. anchors that, intensifies it. It is declaring that’s who we are, rather how we feel. States of being are more long-lasting, feelings are more fleeting.

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If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one. Dolly Parton.
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Sorry for the inconvenience.
Sorry for any inconvenience.

The former construction site sign declares that there has been an inconvenience. The latter offers an apology – IF any inconvenience has occurred. This subtle yet significant difference highlights the impact – and the growing awareness that comes from being more fully conscious of our language – and consciously choosing Green.

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Regarding a task:

Sometimes it’s harder.
Sometimes it’s easier.

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Regarding a pain:

Sometimes it lasts a long time.
Sometimes it doesn’t last long.

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Regarding a positive emotion:

Sometimes it doesn’t last long.
Sometimes it lasts a long time.

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Regarding a shoe size:

Your left foot is bigger than your right one.
Your right foot is smaller than your left one.

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The greatest conflicts are not between two people but between one person and himself. Garth Brooks

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“Develop your talents, be they coding or calligraphy, and proceed with conviction and compassion. You are alive, and you should act accordingly.” Andrew J. Swanson, Seattle musician, member of Heatwarmer, Want, and Speak musical projects.

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“We’re all better off when we’re all better off.” Eric Liu, (with Nick Hanauer), The Garden of Democracy: A New American Story of Citizenship, the Economy and the Role of Government, on the Charlie Rose Show.

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Green Light – the Land of the Ideal. This is a great place for our minds to dwell, for our hearts to focus on, for our lives to aim for.

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“You probably don’t want to consider this option.”

This statement Reds all over the Green idea you wanted support for. One, if there was support before, most likely it just got diminished. Two, it plants the seed in another’s mind to dismiss the option quickly, with little or no thought.

“Here’s an option with some benefits to consider.” This Greens up the possibilities for support.

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Don’t plant the seeds you don’t want to harvest.
Plant and nourish what you desire.

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“I just had a great time boating with a friend.”

“Oh, I gotta tell you about the disaster I had boating.”

This is a 1-2-3 strike-out. The “listener” missed the ball three times in a row, with three Red responses to one Green comment. The first strike – ignoring the comment/person. The second, redirecting attention to oneself. The third strike, discoloring the Green conversation with a Red response/action/comment.

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I want the cheaper one.   (The choice is based on lack, scarcity – a Red thought.)

I want the more economical one.   (The choice is based on information, reason – a Green thought.)

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Green Light helps us be more mindful, more aware of the language we use, the thoughts we choose. It’s easy, natural, normal and habitual to be on autopilot. This often means we’re sending our brain instructions that lead to Red results – something we would not mindfully choose. We live our lives by design (Green) or default (Red).

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To succeed in life you need three things : a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. Reba McEntire

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Responding to these two powerful questions will bring us vital insights – especially if we keep at it for some time, over time. (It applies to us individuals, as families, to organizations and more.)

How am I useful to others?
What do people want from me?

James Hillman, psychologist, author, philosopher, creative liver of life.n(See TheSunMagazine.org: an important thoughtFULL publication – 7-12 article.)

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I wish …
I hope to …
I will try to …
I intend to…
I am committed to …
I am experiencing …

Notice the difference in power, in likelihood of the preferred outcome to occur. This progression conveys a Greening of the thought, the language, and thus the results.

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I was at a restaurant picking up food to go. The server’s computer froze up so he called to the back area for help. A manager came over, offering no assistance; in a critical/Red style, she asked “What did you do?!” The manager tried to process my order and couldn’t do it either. Suddenly the computer woke up and the server completed my order. I thanked him for his help. How hard would it have been for the manager to approach the server in a Green way? We all would have felt better – and the company would have looked better/Greener.

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We create our own misery and unhappiness. The purpose of suffering is to make us understand we are the one who cause it. Willie Nelson
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Have you ever wondered why the little zip-shut plastic bags come SEALED?! Their sole function is to hold things, which you cannot do without first undoing the seal. This is a bit like having a car that requires a new key every time you want to start it. Granted, even though this means that thousands of folks have to open millions of bags to use them for the single purpose they exist – to hold something.

In the big picture, this is a little thing. What is the big picture? Wonder what the manufacturing process was related to discussing this element. Was it a known factor from the outset or did the machinery and process get set up and then this was discovered? At the point of discovery, did leaders wonder how best to serve the customer – or just what was the easiest, least expensive way to do the job regardless.

The humble little bag is symbolic of the countless choices people make along the way that determine many outcomes, some unanticipated, some simply accepted regardless of consequences, amidst many other possibilities. Green choices require conscious choice. Where are the sealed bags in your life? Where are you sealing bags for others? What new choices are possibilities?

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Someone who tells you they don’t think you’re going to make it, that you’re going to just collapse in a heap and fail may mean well but not do well – for you, at that time. The one who, after you’ve made it through the tunnel, however long and difficult and fearful it was, says to you, “Look what you did! Hooray for you. I can tell you now that for a while I was afraid you weren’t going to make it,” offers support – of a useful, productive sort. This not only allows you to celebrate coming out the other end, but also to acknowledge the achievement itself – and discoveries along the way.

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That’s the exception that proves the rule.

Actually, it may just be an exception – or it may have nothing to do with the “rule”. The rule itself may be bogus. Regardless, it’s an easy, reflex response that may simply “prove” that no thinking is going on – Green or otherwise. Thinking – a very Green thing to do.
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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,

but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

Herm Albright

This is a curious quote. It starts out Green but ends Red. (One is being positive in order to annoy others? And that makes it worthwhile?) Granted, the writer’s motivation may have been humor. Green humor isn’t about manipulation, one-up-manship, putdowns, anything for a laugh. (Granted, it does often add a bit of challenge to one’s funny bone to be humorous AND Green.)

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,
but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

Switch just one word and you Green the full message.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,
but it will serve enough people to make it worth the effort.   (- Herm AllGreen?!)

Play with it yourself to see how else you might tweak the words and Green the message. What can you create that’s humorous – and all Green?

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The Greener you go, the Greener it gets. Michael Hartzell. See www.michaelhartzell.com

for genius marketing ideas and lots of Green thoughts.

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“Only two things change your life: either something new comes into your life, or something new comes out of you.” Brendon Burchard, The Charge.

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“You can recover from the argument.”
“You can move forward from this challenging experience.”

Recovery implies something serious, something major, yet it’s often used for something small.
Change the label to change the experience.

“You’ve had quite a shock.” “You’ve had quite a surprise.”

One who views an experience as a surprise rather than a shock will likely get beyond it faster.

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Stay strong.  Kirpal Singh, author, Thinking Hats and Colored Turbans

 I love that statement! It declares one IS strong – AND it invokes a powerful invitation/command to remain such.

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“If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
Someone shared a natural follow-up thought: “If Daddy ain’t happy, nobody cares.”

Notice the silent partner (often Red) that is often the unspoken, subtle yet powerful element of communication. Just because it’s not stated doesn’t mean it hasn’t been received.

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Recession Generation. This Red sound bite is also a cheap shot – an attention-grabber – powerful, limiting and misrepresentative. That term can take a big bite out of the future for this generation – a self-fulfilling prophecy. It was “just an article title,” yet many times, in this ultra-connected world, those little labels go viral and take on a life of their own. Accuracy/validity can become irrelevant. Let us be aware of the impact of what we say – in the moment and beyond.

Connected Generation. That’s a more descriptive – and Green – label. Only accept labels (if any) for yourself that you choose – consciously – and that serve a Green purpose.

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Notice the color of some of our often-used maxims and phrases. Some include verbal, mental toxins. Let’s notice what we’re really saying.

Curiosity killed the cat.
Curiosity saved the cat.

“She’s drop-dead gorgeous.”

What?! As in “would look good in a coffin?!”

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Check out www.michaelhartzell.com for this 5-19-12 article, “When there is no solution…”
He offers ideas for when others won’t cooperate and people lose hope. Find other wisdom for business success as well.

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A major company sends an email with the subject line: Account Alert: Your account is coming due. “Account Alert” is the subject line starting phrase for a message stating your payment was received.  This prompts a concern – did they receive it, did I forget, etc.  Switching that message to begin, “Payment received,” would be Greener.

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Along the beach there is a lovely little park with a bench. Someone found a large flat rock and painted a tic-tac-toe board on it. They placed a set of black rocks and white rocks on it – and invitation to folks to sit and play a bit. It also generated smiles from passersby – a bonus result of the creator’s thoughtful Green action.

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There were a few rocks arranged in the middle of a sidewalk the other day. At first I thought it was just someone’s creativity. When I got closer, I realized that was doubly so. The rocks encircled a dog doo deposit – kindly alerting folks to its presence – and preventing them from stepping into the brown shoe-glue.

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Grabba Daba Dog Doo – the sign on the back of a truck creatively, humorously – and most importantly, memorably – conveys what their business is. A Green service, with Green humor – a winning combo.

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