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My Life Coaching website is ready, so now you can view my blog at www.garrettlamb.com

Vuja De

Have you ever had "vuja de?"  It's that strange feeling that you are experiencing something for the first time, and it's totally new and fresh. Yeah...vuja de. You should live outside your comfort zone and try it sometime.

Hatred

"Hatred never ceases by hatred in this world.  By love alone it ceases; this is an ancient and eternal law."  -Gotama the Buddha

Gratitude Day #30

Well....that's it.  30 days of gratitude!  I'm really glad I was able to complete this task and be mindful of what's important in life.  There's so many things and people I'm grateful for that I could probably keep this going all year long.  But I'm going to transition into some different types of blogging and sharing of my thoughts with my readers.  So thanks to everyone for the support!  Today, life is awesome.  Tomorrow....who knows?  But there's always a choice to be made.

Gratitude Day #29

I am so grateful for my friend and fellow life coach, Joni Loftin.  She is a warm spirit and an inspiration to me.  Joni and I are connected on a cosmic level, and it's always comforting to know that we are usually going through the same life struggles and/or successes together.  Sometimes we contact each other at the same time, completely out of the blue, or seem to have a similar experience independent of each other.  Whether I'm happy, mad, joyful, or frustrated....the Universe seems to be unfolding as it should whenever Join is around.  Thanks friend, I love you!

Thanks, Albert

"Everyone is a genius, but judge a fish on ability to climb a tree...and it will live its life believing it is stupid." - Albert Einstein

Gratitude Day #28

Big thanks to Steve Mitten.  He is a master coach, and former president of the ICF.  I was lucky enough today to be a part of his teleconference on marketing and sample sessions.  It's great to learn from master coaches and be reminded to keep on trucking!!!

Gratitude Day #27

Today I am grateful for my dad, John Lamb.  He has always been a positive role model and good friend.  Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Gratitude Day #26

Today I am grateful for my guitar.  It is one of my most precious possessions because it helps me to stay in the moment and be creative.  I love playing my guitar alone, or with friends, and singing my favorites songs!

Gratitude Day #25

Today I am very grateful for my dear friend Joanna Pongowska.  She follows my blog (Hi Joanna!) and always supports me with love and kindness.  She is a strong, thoughtful, and caring person, who I learn from every time we connect.  She holds a special place in my heart, and carries with her a part of my family, and a spirit that will never die.

Gratitude Day #24

Today I am grateful for the teachers at my work, and their total dedication to the students.

Gratitude Day #23

Today I am grateful for lyrics from Dave Matthews, damn that man can write!

From one of my favorite songs, One Sweet World:


"Nine planets surround the sun,
Only one does the sun embrace.
Upon this watered one,
So much we take for granted.
So let us sleep outside tonight,
Lay down in our mother's arms,
For here we can rest safely."

Gratitude Day #22

Today I am grateful for delicious, homemade granola.  My sister helped in perfecting the recipe, and it has been so fulfilling to bake it, bag it up, and distribute it to my wonderful friends and family!

Gratitude Day #21

Today I am grateful for my Grandma June, who always shares great wisdom and quotes like this one: "When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen to you.....either there will be something solid for you to stand on.....or, you will be taught how to fly."        -Patrick Overton

Choices

This is the menu in the cafeteria at the middle school where I work.  It makes me want to cry.  What are we teaching our children?  Is this the way to teach about good choices and healthy lifestyles?  I'm afraid we are setting them up to fail.

Journey

An old Chinese Proverb, spoken by the Buddha, Steve Jobs, and many others....."The journey is the reward."  ...how refreshing!

Gratitude Day #20

Today I am grateful for the sun, providing my friends and me with light and warmth while we play in the park...It's November in San Francisco and the weather is beautiful :)

Gratitude Day #19

Today I am grateful for Lindsay and Noah Kovner....and their new son, coming in 4 months!

Gratitude Day #18

I am grateful for the teamwork displayed tonight during our Thanksgiving dinner.  Everything was delicious!

Gratitude Day #17

Today I am grateful for my ukulele.  It's a beautiful instrument that helps me to be creative and in the moment.

Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving day approaches, I'm reminded of the doctors and nurses at Stanford Hospital who cared for me five years ago.  Their professionalism, love, and desire to perfect their craft kept me alive and thriving.  I'm also reminded of my girlfriend Erin, whose bravery and unyielding commitment to our relationship was one of the most incredible things I've ever witnessed.

When my sister's stem cells were injected into my system on Thanksgiving day of 2006, it changed me forever.  It was such a pivotal point in my life, it's hard to explain.  I know my family was also changed, and they learned a lot about themselves throughout this unfathomable challenge.  They almost lost me, and I almost lost them.  But they didn't.....and I didn't.  Why am I still here?  Why do I get to still breathe fresh air when I step outside, eat three meals per day, smile, laugh, and cry?  Others haven't been so lucky in dealing with the horrible disease of cancer.  Maybe I'm not supposed to know why I survived until later in life.

Tomorrow I will most likely be drinking wine and eating an enormous amount of food, subsequently slipping into a nice, cozy, food coma.....so just in case I forget to tell everyone.....Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thank you to everyone who loves me and supports me.....you know who you are :)

Gratitude Day #16

I'm grateful for my roommates who help create a warm and respectful environment where I live.  We have a great place in the city, and we all keep it very clean and cozy.

Gratitude Day #15

Today I am grateful for my friend Josh Nadler, he has been a tremendous asset for my business.  Thanks Josh!

Gratitude Day #14

Sometimes I'm reminded how lucky I am...today is one of those days.  There are so many people in this world that don't have food and fresh water, and go to bed hungry.  Tonight when I got hungry for dinner I simply went to the store, bought some pasta and German sausages, and prepared them in my kitchen.  So today I am grateful for the opportunities I have and for the food that I consumed.

Gratitude Day#13

I am grateful for beer, it's delicious

Gratitude Day #12

Today I am grateful for my cousin and brother, Erick Wilkinson.  Today is his birthday and he is one of those special people I think about regularly, and always attempt to emulate.  If only the world could see his generosity, love, and willingness to put others before himself.

Gratitude Day #11

Today I am grateful for the Coaching Alliance!  We had a great meeting last night where some very helpful tools were introduced as a way to start group conversations.  Thanks again to everyone who attended.

Gratitude Day #10

I am grateful for the relationships I have with those closest to me (you know who you are).  Whether it's during easy times or challenging ones, I always learn something about myself and I appreciate you all so much for being yourselves and holding a space for our relationship.

Gratitude Day #9

It's mid-November and the sun is shining!  I'm so grateful to live in a wonderful part of the world with a moderate climate

Gratitude Day #8

Today I am grateful for my future success in coaching, and for the success I already have.  Thanks to all the other coaches who support me unconditionally.....

Bullying

We've now crafted a society where we tell children in school: "Don't bully" or "Don't cyber-bully."  But if you look around our culture, the adults in power are not practicing what they preach.  The news world and celebrity world slander each other constantly.  They point out flaws in politicians and actors, and are quick to judge others and say hurtful things.  How about we stop and take a look in the mirror.....

Gratitude Day #7

Today I am grateful for my heart which pumps blood through my veins, and my lungs which distribute oxygen throughout my body.  I'm still here, world....and I'm not planning on giving up any time soon!

Gratitude Day #6

Baby Greyson!!!  You are my hero!!!

Gratitude Day #5

I am so grateful for my cousins Heather and Chris Klaftenegger, and all the other military families who commit their lives to giving.  I'm also grateful for Heather's baby boy!  He was born this morning on 11/11/11....Wow, what a day!!!  Baby still to be named...

Gratitude Day #4

I'm grateful for my coaching session today with Beth Brotz.  She took me through a meditation exercise, which really helped focus my energy and be mindful of the NOW.  I came out of the meditation with a clear intention: I AM SUCCESSFUL!  I PERSONIFY JOY AND LOVE!   .....thanks Beth :)

Gratitude Day #3

Today I am so grateful for my cousin, Heather.  She has always been an inspiration to me and a guiding light I can always count on.  We have shared many years of laughter and tears together, and soon we will be sharing in the joy of her new baby!

Gratitude Day #3

I'm grateful for all the middle school students at work, and all of their smiling faces!

Gratitude Day #2

Wow, it's almost midnight and I forgot to put my gratitude for the day.....

I'm grateful for Ellen Ercolini's facebook posting, because it reminded me to do my blog. :)

Gratitude Day #1

Today I'm starting my 30 Days of Gratitude, thank you Marla Skibbins for the inspiration!  And THANK YOU for everyone I met this weekend in San Rafael, you are all truly amazing agents of change and positive action.  Co-Activity is indeed, a movement.....

Day #1
I'm grateful for everyone at CTI who helped in creating the new Co-Active® Model.  It has truly become a part of who I am.

"Gravedigger, when you dig my grave, could you make it shallow....so that I can feel the rain?"

I'm thrilled to be spending the next three days at CTI Headquarters in San Rafael.  I get to be with my people...my tribe...the ones who see me for who I really am, and the ones who challenge me to be my best self.  Who is YOUR tribe?

Punctuation

"Let's eat Grandma!"
 vs.
"Let's eat, Grandma!"

...punctuation matters...ha ha

Inspiration

Ever notice your inspiration and energy to accomplish tasks seem to appear at the most inconvenient times?  I mean, it's time to go to bed, but now my brain wants to write.  I was going to get things done earlier in the day, but I couldn't organize my thoughts.  I guess I gotta just go with the flow.........

Human Connections

A great reminder from my friend and colleague Rusty May:
Have you ever wandered into a coffee shop, hoping to find some human connections?  Were you longing for that great collaborative energy, and thinking that others arrived there for the same reason.....only to find people hunched over their laptops, ignoring the world around them?  So why are we all here?  Did we come into this coffee shop, this office, or this world to just zone out and stare at a screen?

Don't get me wrong, sometimes I'll sit in public with earplugs in, blogging my ass off or writing my next book.  But I also make sure I take some time every day to have real connections with other humans.  How great would it be if we could all take a  little break from our computers and have a round table discussion, or participate in an icebreaker-related activity?  Who do YOU want to be in this world?  Think about it.....

Live an Inconvenient Life

Here's a great reminder:  "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."  When we are challenged and pushed into a new situation, we learn a lot about who we are.  If risks aren't taken, there will be very little reward.  So remember to live an inconvenient life, and don't just coast through your day.  So many of us develop a routine of comfort and a pattern of repetition, when we could really be challenging ourselves to live a life of passion, adventure, and positive action.

You Have the Answers

"Everything you'll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body."  -Dan Millman

Is there a better time?

Live your dreams, be exactly who YOU want to be, and don't ever settle for less

Who surrounds you?

It has been said often that the five people we spend the most time with, are the ones that shape who we are. Again, my friend Rony Gerzberg reminded me of this on a facebook posting.  So take a look at who surrounds you on a regular basis, and remember that you have a choice in this matter.  Are these the people who inspire you, fan your flames of creativity and passion, and make a positive difference in your life?  Or are they the ones who bring you down, drain your energy, or stifle your dreams?

Mushy Brains

When will it finally be time to walk away from our TVs, and start connecting with each other creatively?  Too many people's brains are turning to mush.  Sure, we all need our 'down time' or our 'guilty pleasures', but why can't those times contain at least a little bit of truth...

Challenges

What would happen if you started to view all of your "challenges" as gifts, wrapped up with a big red bow just for you?              

This is a nice reminder from a good friend and a great coach, Rony Gerzberg.  Check out her website: www.ronygerzberg.com

Coaching

So often we go through our daily routines, and just react to what is happening in each given moment.  But the beauty of coaching is that it allows us to set some time aside, step back, and realize that we have choices in the way we conduct ourselves and design our lives with INTENTION.

From Pema Chodron

WE CAN ENDURE A LOT
To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms, to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life that, we must realize we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what this world is.

Energy

Energy is a funny thing.  It's always there, in fact we are made of it, but we aren't always aware of it.  When we feel down, it's because we aren't tapping into the abundant energy around us.  Can we tap into it whenever we want?  On command?  Probably.....

"Depressing" and "Stressing"

Our reactions are a choice.  Very simply put, we cannot control what happens to us nor can we control how others feel or respond to a situation, but we DO have the ability to control our own reactions.  When someone says they "suffer from depression" or a certain situation may be "stressing them out", they are believing that these things are happening to them, and they are using that oh so common victim mentality, rather than understanding that they have a choice in the matter.  The reality is, they DO have a choice.  An interesting way of looking at this theory would be to start replacing adjectives like "depressed" and "stressed" with verbs like "depress" or "stress", as in "stress myself out".  When you make this shift in your language and overall outlook, you are now aware of your choices.  You are selling yourself short when you think that most things are choices except for your behavior and emotions.....because you are better than that, and you have the ability to achieve happiness if you choose it.

What is Coaching?

People often ask me "what is coaching?"  I've answered all different ways, sometimes making sense and sometimes not.  But that comes with the territory, like a lot of things, you have to experience it in order to really understand it.  But a fun way to talk about coaching is to use the analogy of learning how to ride a bike.  Here's the situation:  You are having a mid-life crisis and realize you never learned how to ride a bike.  If you ask a therapist how to ride a bike, they might answer with questions like "Why didn't you ever learn?" or "Is there some fear involved with this?" or "How does it feel that your parents never taught you?"  If you ask the same question to a consultant, they might answer with "Sure, I can show you how to ride....in fact, here are some step-by-step instructions on how to do it effectively."  But....if you ask the same question to a coach, they will automatically assume you have the ability to do it.  They will put you right up on top of the bike, and cheer you on while you're riding down the street!

The Learning Journey

It's amazing how simple it all really is.  When someone can set things straight, and help us to realize our own potential and our abilities to choose how we conduct our lives, we feel saved....like there is hope.  The mind-body connection is undeniable, and when we can tap into the now, and the truth, there is NO LIMIT to what the world can become.  This radio interview with my hero (and grandmother) June Lamb is truly incredible.  http://bit.ly/oaK3T6

My head won't leave my head alone

Fun facts about me:  I wake up every morning with a different song running through my head, and I often hum during the day or have lyrics repeating on a loop in my brain.  Sound like fun?  Most of the time it's not, but then again I love music so it's really a part of me.  Here's some lyrics that I like (I'll do this from time to time):

"So long my misery.  I don't need you....you've only caused me grief.  Forgive me if I fall asleep, I haven't slept in centuries."    ~Brett Dennen

Smile

Go for a walk around your neighborhood today...10 or 15 minutes will do just fine.  As you walk, simply smile.....the results are SPECTACULAR

The Now

"There is nothing you can ever do or attain that will get you closer to salvation than it is at this moment.  This may be hard to grasp for a mind accustomed to thinking that everything worthwhile is in the future.  Nor can anything that you ever did or that was done to you in the past prevent you from saying yes to what is and taking your attention deeply into the Now.  You cannot do this in the future.  You do it now or not at all."   -Eckhart Tolle

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs;

ask yourself what makes you come alive,

and then go and do that.

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Harold Whitman

From Pema Chodron

DEVELOP CURIOSITY

There's a common misunderstanding among all the human beings who have ever been born that the best way to live is to try to avoid pain and just try to get comfortable.  A much more interesting, kind, adventurous, and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop our curiosity, not caring whether the object of our inquisitiveness is bitter or sweet.

Job Interview

Nervous for your interview?  Worried you won't remember something?  Thinking about how to articulate properly?  Well....if you can just use the powers of coaching, you will find your center, and your mind will be still.  From there your confidence, creativity, and true spirit will bloom.  You will become a Jedi, seeing moves three steps ahead and connecting with your interviewer on a whole new level.   .....chance favors the prepared mind.

Inner Peace

To quickly find inner peace...take a deep breath and HOLD it for 1...2...3...4, then exhale and let your shoulders drop.  Repeat four times...

Brain Droppings

September 4, 2011
We are missing something.  It is lost.  Or maybe we are about to lose it.  The ability as humans to connect with one another.  We connect with our digital devices and we connect with our hope of a better future.  But we can't focus long enough to see the truth in each other.  Is there enough time to save us?  I believe there is.  That's why I became a coach.

Brain Droppings

September 1, 2011
A new moth...whoops, I meant a new month.  Okay...meaning?  Probably nothing.  Going towards the light, maybe?  Yeah, let's keep this month full of light.  Give yourself to the world, all of your light.  You have a lot to give.