In This Newsletter:

Featured Article:
Make a Lasting Change

Time Out for Dreamers
Audio Visualization

Time Out with Patti Teel Internet Radio Show

Dream Starter/Visualization:
Stairway to the Stars

Time Out For Dreamers

Sign up to receive my newest Dream Maker visualizations for children. (Available in audio format for your child's listening pleasure, or as text- so you can read them to your child. ) This month I've recorded a special New Year's visualization for children entitled, Stairway to the Stars.

January's visualization:
Stairway to the Stars

The Floppy Sleep
Game Book

A Complete Guide for Parents on children's Sleep and Relaxation

You can learn more about the book and order it via our website by clicking here.

Or you can order through Amazon.com by clicking here.

January, 2008

Make a Lasting Change

Each January, with renewed determination, most of us make New Year's resolutions and plan to better our lives. But if you're like me, you may have one or two areas in your life that you've been unsuccessfully trying to change for years. For me, that's going to change. Because this year, I'm ready to take them on! And I challenge you to do the same! First, take a moment to give yourself credit for all the goals you have accomplished. Now, choose an unfulfilled goal that continues to be a thorn in your side. Make sure it's something that you really want.

Since we've tried and failed to reach this goal before, in order to accomplish it this time, something has to change. It's imortant to acknowledge that there are two basic components that affect our ability to make a change: 1.) our thoughts, feelings, and words and 2.) our actions.

Every statement, thought, or feeling can be thought of as a prayer, creating a vibration that is carried out into the world. When our feelings, words, and thoughts are in alignment with our purposeful actions, we are co-creating the life of our dreams

Attaining our New Year's Resolution:

Monitor your thoughts, feelings, and words.
Remember, whatever we focus on will continue to grow. Oftentimes, we may think we're focusing on what we want when our attention is really on the lack- or the need of it. This is a common problem and one that I'm still trying to master. Since so many people want more money, I will use it as an example. If your goal is to have more money, try not to let your thoughts dwell on how much you need or want it. If you do, you're likely to attract more need and more want. Instead, visualize yourself as having already attained it. Think, feel and speak positively about it. Your positive thoughts will lead to opportunities to take positive action.

Reframing, or thinking in a new way.
Since we're working on a goal that we had trouble accomplishing in the past, it's more than likely that we'll need to change our thinking, first and foremost. Let's continue with the example of monetary abundance. If you want more money, but you wish you never had to deal with it-- or that it's a necessary evil, you're not exactly inviting it into your life. Change your thinking. When you begin to enjoy money- whether it be in the giving, receiving, earning or spending, you will be welcoming it into your life.

Monitor your actions.
Once that you have changed your thinking, it will be easier to take steps to attain your goal. Here are some tips to help:

Find a mentor who has accomplished a goal similar to yours.
Schedule time to work towards your goal. Mark it on your calender.
Break it down into smaller goals.
Reward yourself for small steps and accomplishments towards your goal.
If you take time off from working towards your goal, give yourself a break. All is not lost. You can start fresh.
Keep a designated journal for your resolutions. Record your progress and update it regularly.

This year, make your New Year's resolution.
Then, dream the dream and step into it.

Feel free to e-mail me throughout the year to let me know how you're doing. We can encourage each other!

Time Out for Dreamers Audio Visualizations

I’ve heard from several parents that they have worn out their Floppy Sleep Game CD or are just tired of the same old stories and visualizations and would like some new ones to help their kids relax and go to sleep. In response, I’ve created the Time Out for Dreamers audio series. Each week, I record a new visualization that you can download and play for your children. This month’s visualization is called “Stairway to the Stars.” You can find the words to it in the last section of this newsletter.

Visit the Time Out for Dreamers website to download this week's show.

Time Out With Patti Teel Internet Radio Show

Inspirational Stories and Insights that Lead to Inner Peace
This week's special guest is Ramona Winner. Ramona still remembers the pain she felt when she was the target of discrimination and predjidice. But today, she has transformed that pain into wisdom. Her bilingual children's stories and workshops help children to release their fear-based prejidice, and replace it with understanding.

Visit the Time Out with Patti Teel website to listen to this week's show.

August Dream Starter: Stairway to the Stars

Dream Starters are visualizations which promote relaxation, imagination and well-being as they guide children into the world of dreams.

You can find more story visualizations about Dream Land, where children manifest whatever they desire, in The Floppy Sleep Game Book. Or visit Patti’s new site, Timeoutfordreamers.com for recordings that you can download.

Getting Ready

To prepare for these dream starters, (or visualizations), create a quiet comfortable atmosphere in which your child can relax.

Step One ~ Progressive Relaxation, Tensing & Relaxing Muscle Groups
Have your child lie down in his bed. Have him lift each arm and leg individually, holding each limb tightly before loosely flopping it down on his bed. Then have him wrinkle his face and hold his eyes tightly closed, before relaxing his face. (Tense each muscle group for at least 5 seconds.)
Step Two ~ Focus on the breath
Have your child get very quiet and watch his own breath.
Step Three ~ Creative Visualization
Now that your child is relaxed, read (or tell) the following visualization. Of course, feel free to modify it according to your child’s age and interests.

Stairway to the Stars

Dream Land is a magical place that you can visit in your dreams.Here, the kindly Dream Maker has a school for dreaming children, called the Dream Academy. But it's not like any school you've ever been to before. When you visit, you'll find out why....

Before you can visit Dream Land, you must be ready to dream. First, lie down on your back and close your eyes. Be very still-- so still that you can feel your breath going in and out- in and out- in and out. Take one more deep breath in and out. From far away in Dream Land, the Dream Maker knows it's time. She tosses a star up into the sky. Its magic showers down upon you. And instantly, you arrive in Dream Land.

Tonight is a very special night in Dream Land. Millions of stars have positioned themselves directly above The Dream Academy and it shimmers in the silvery starlight. Walk down a path and join a group of pajama-clad children who have already gathered just outside of the Dream Academy. You arrived in the knick of time. From near and far, Dream Land's colorful crystal mountains begin to hum, signaling you and the other dreamers that the Dream Academy is about to begin. The door to the Dream Academy swings opens and in a swirl of dream dust, the Dream Maker walks out the door. Her face shines with excitement. She smiles directly at you and says, "Welcome to the Dream Academy. I'm so glad you're here."

You walk just behind the Dream Maker, following her down a hallway towards your classroom. Her midnight blue cape, which is decorated with gold and silver stars, glides along the floor just in front of you. Walk carefully so that you don't step on it. When you enter your classroom, you notice that there is no ceiling. Bright stars light up the room and soft, white clouds hover near the floor. There is one cloud for you and one for each of the other children. Find the one with your name on it and lie down. Sink down into the cloud' softness. You are very, very comfortable. Relax and enjoy looking up at the millions of beautiful, sparkling stars that have gathered here for you tonight.

The Dream Maker explains that the stars have come here from all over the universe to celebrate the new year and to make your dreams and wishes come true. It's their gift to you. Get ready to wish upon a million stars. Close your eyes and wish for something you really want. (Pause) Your wish can be for something you want to do, or for something you want to have. It's up to you. Keep your eyes closed and imagine that your wish has already come true. Enjoy how this feels. (Pause)

When you wish upon the stars,tiny, sparkling specks of dream dust fill the air. Hold your hands up and fill them with the silvery, sparkling confetti. Sprinkle dream dust on the top of your head, your face, your neck, your chest, your belly, down your legs and onto your feet. It makes you feel happy, tingly, and very, very relaxed. The Dream Maker tosses a star into the sky. It stays in the sky and a stream of dream dust spouts out of it- magically forming a stairway that goes down to your cloud. The Dream Maker continues to throw stars into the sky until there is a star with stairs leading down to each child's cloud.

The Dream Maker tells you that when you are ready, you can walk up the stairs to your special star. There, you will find a door. When you open the door, you can step into your wishes and dreams. Close your eyes and imagine your wish coming true inside your door. When you can see it clearly in your imagination (or dream mind), get up from your cloud, and begin walking up the stairs, toward your star. There is a railing on each side of the stairs making it perfectly safe. Hold onto the railing, if you'd like. Each step brings you closer to your star and the doorway to your dream come true. Keep walking up the stairs. You're almost there, with only three more steps to go. Step onto your star. Just ahead, you see a door with your name on it. There is a padlock on the door. From far away you hear the Dream Maker's voice telling you to put your hands on your heart, where your dreams begin. Sparkling flecks of light come together to form a key. Put your key into the lock and open the door. Step into your beautiful dream. (Pause) Stay as long as you'd like. Whenever you're ready, you can walk back down the stairs and your cloud will carry you safely back home.

"Good-night."