“Who is dreaming the story of your life? You are. If you don't life your life, if you don’t like what you believe about yourself, you are the only one who can change it. It’s your world; it’s your dream. If you’re enjoying your dream, that’s wonderful; then continue to enjoy each and every moment. If your dream is a nightmare, if there’s drama and suffering, and you’re not enjoying your creation, then you can change it.” ~ From The Fifth Agreement

I continue to say that you are the leading lady in your life; and only you have the power of the pen to re-write the script of what is not serving you. Don Miguel and Don Jose speak of this in The Fifth Agreement.

If you don’t like something in your life, change it. Only you can.

Maya Angelou says it this way: “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.”

Well said. And enough said.

Here’s to all the leading ladies!
Coach Carolyn

On Monday, the Conservative Party launched a campaign video. It's on their own party website, and their official YouTube one.
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It features a four week old baby, reclined back, being force fed from a massive baby bottle.
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From the political party hoping to be in charge of the Health Service. From the political party hoping to take over the UK's global obligations on the world stage.
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From the political party hoping for your vote.
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Two truly interesting things about this. Mothers picked up on these images, and acted, within hours of the the campaign launch.
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The Conservative Party, four days later, has still to even respond to their efforts. It's pretty clear to me - No One Is Listening.
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Personally, in an attempt to get an understanding of how this happened, what their intent was, and where this video was going to be shown, I contacted the Conservative Party direct. On phoning them, and explaining my business, I was put through to an answer-phone to leave a message. This was lunchtime, Monday. I phoned switchboard back, explained I had serious concerns, and wanted to speak to someone. Not possible. "The lady who answers information enquiries.." would pick up the message. "She was at lunch." Could I speak to the press office? "No." Can I speak to anyone at all? "No."
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I left a message. I explained clearly it was a really important matter, and I required information.
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No one has replied.
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The next day, I emailed David Cameron. Explained there was no response, no way of getting through, could someone help?
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No one has replied.
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Some mothers, who have contacted their own Conservative MPs, were told their complaints were passed on. I'm not aware of any actual responses to the complaints.
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The bottle feeding images are still in the video. Despite it being perfectly clear that many people have informed the Conservative Party that this is a massive own goal in their publicity machine. That baby bottle deaths are a serious international issue. That their own credibility is on the line, in terms of them both understanding the global issues, the domestic health issues, and their own ability to listen to the electorate. The images are still there - they have still yet to respond.
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On the YouTube site, you can find people complaining - including me. No official response at all. In fact, one other commentator, has suggested the outraged complaints about the bottle feeding image, is a Labour 'plot' to discredit the Tories.
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As if.
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The Tories are doing all the damage themselves, I assure you.
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What to do about it? Well, direct complaints to the Conservative Party .
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Otherwise... it depends where this video appears. Political parties can not put campaign videos on television, so you shouldn't see it there. Sometimes, however, such videos are shown in the cinema, and in print. If you see these images, in the cinema, or in a magazine, then you can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority. You need to be very specific about where, and when, you saw it.
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OFCOM wouldn't normally be involved in such complaints. However, after I chatted with them on Monday, they said that as it is a political party, they'd like to be informed if people do complain, so complain to them as well. However, this is only if the video appears outside cyber space. Like the ASA, a complaint can only be made if the images appear in mainstream media: in the cinema, on a broadcast channel, in print. So, again, you need to state where and when you saw it. No one can act for YouTube and the Conservative Party internal website.
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If they act at all, that is.
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For, of course, we're slam bang in the middle of more gray areas in the UK's protection legislation on Code, and how well we do, or don't, enforce it. The Tories aren't selling you bottles or teats. They're just using the images, blindly, and with no understanding or respect for the issues. They are acting irresponsibly, unethically... they're being quite thick, really. Stupid. Insensitive. Ignorant. But are they breaching broadcast guidelines...? Only way to really find out, is to complain, and see what happens.
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Might as well, should it turn up in paid slots somewhere. It's not as if they are listening to complaints direct to them!
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You can also report the video to the Baby Law Feeding Group, and see if adding your voice to others, helps somehow, somewhere. Sending them money for their work, would also help in the long run. Or sending money to Baby Milk Action, for the same.
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People do bottle feed. Images of such, in appropriate forums, such as dramas, documentaries, educational material.. they are acceptable. Especially when done responsibly, and with an eye to Code, whether it technically covers the material, or not.
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Nothing about the bottle feeding in this promotion for a political party hoping to gain Government, is remotely responsible, or appropriate. And the party's refusal to engage with the complaints, or the issues, speaks volumes: gives out a very clear message.
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And it's not a good message, in terms of gaining people's trust, and garnering their vote. Or saving babies' lives.
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As you know, your words are truly powerful. I believe your words are one of the most powerful weapons you have for or against anything in your life. You literally have the power to harm or the power to heal.

So, STOP, TAKE A BREATH, and ASK:

How am I sabotaging myself with my words?

If you are one to speak daily affirmations, are you really speaking from a place of fear or a place of faith?

Do your affirmations make you feel constrictive or expansive? Do you really believe what you say on a daily basis?

If not, then perhaps you need to re-word your affirmations. One of the tricks I have found helpful for myself is to interject the choices method in my affirmations. If I say an affirmation and cannot quite feel into it, yet it is something I choose for my life, I preface it with the words, “I choose…”

So, if I my affirmation is “I am healthy, wealthy and wise.” Now, if I am not feeling this, I can change it to, “I choose to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.” This feels more authentic to me.

Just for today, I challenge you to take another look at your affirmations. See what feels constrictive or expansive to you.

I choose to make this a fabulous day!
Coach Carolyn

1:01 AM

Mommy In The Morning

Posted by Doncrack |

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Original artwork by Shona Begg. Who assures me that her four year old helped a lot, not just by posing, but by finger painting in the sky. And giving it its title. :-)
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Because sometimes, we just need to remember the joy!
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11:16 AM

Breastfeeding is not Lewd

Posted by Doncrack |


 
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