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.