Gratitude

And so another year draws to a close. I attended a workshop this past Friday on the law of attraction. One of the speakers stressed the need for gratitude, of having an attitude of thankfulness for all events in our lives. Sometimes we have to really work at finding the good in a situation. I know it's not always easy.

Anyone who has worked for me knows I strongly believe an attitude of gratitude is necessary for our mental and emotional healthy. I advocate a gratitude journal; indeed, mine is never far away. It gives me joy to go back and re-read my journal from time to time (most especially when I've having a not-so-fabulous day!).

I thought about some of the tougher times this year and realized how grateful I am for them.

This year I had a client who fired me because of our differing political views. I have to admit I was devastated and I cried. Yet, I am enormously grateful this happened. I am grateful to have seen firsthand how divisive opinion can be, and grateful to have learned to be more gentle and respectful with others. You taught me a valuable lesson and I am grateful.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to be in school full-time. It's not easy - to be in school AND working full-time. I've been exhausted 99% of the time lately. And yet - I'm so grateful for the chance to be around people who support my desire for an education. I'm grateful for my student loans and the grants I have received. And yes, I'm estatic for my 4.0 GPA.

I am grateful that in a world teetering from one economic disaster to another that I am living in abundance.

I am grateful for being strong enough to walk away from a relationship when it became clear I was no longer a priority. I am grateful that I was cherished and that I had the experience of loving and being loved by a wonderful man.

I am grateful for my new business partner, Laurie, and for our new business, Right Track. I intend to impact 400 women in 2009. 400 women and 400 families; I intend for them to be healthy and to move forward and to spread gratitude in their spheres. I intend that we will be the leaders in divorce education and support.

Peace, one person at a time.

May all of my friends, clients, and loved ones know how grateful I am to each of you.

A Life Coach can help you make a world of difference! Coaching focuses on where you are now, where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Visit http://www.readytobecoached.com/ or mail info@readytobecoached.com for more information!

Why is Change So Tough?

It's hard to believe it's been 3 weeks since I've updated! In the last three weeks I've completed the first of a two part move, gone into a business partnership with lawyer, and have continued my own coaching business as well as kept up with my studies at Queens University. Whew! The annual Girls Go To the Bahamas trip is going to be very welcome this year!

My new house is not ready yet. Since my previous abode was rented out from under me, I had to find temporary lodging. An incredibly kind friend of mine has let me move in with her temporarily - AND to work from her home. Fortunately, she has plenty of room and it's working out well.

She and I are also forming a partnership called Right Track. We will be doing seminars across the U.S. in 2009 for Women in Transition. Laurie, is a lawyer and has worked in family law for a number of years. Our seminars are geared toward helping women in transition plan financially and legally (Laurie's part) and how to create the life they want to live (me!). We are very excited. For those of you who subscribe to my Ready to be Coached! newsletter, you will be receiving further information.

And last but not least, your favorite life coach is making straight A's. Woo hoo! Being a full-time non-traditional student is an incredible joy. I'm learning so much; I'm very glad I took the plunge.

Riding the Big Kids Bus

This week I went to Queens for my new student orientation. I'm so excited! It's hard to believe that at the age of 40, I am finally going to school. I feel like a little girl, clutching her brand new lunch box, shoving my glasses up on my nose and getting on the big kids bus!


Queens has a terrific program for non-traditional students which allows me to continue coaching while still going to school full-time. I really need to add two more coaching clients to my current group to make this all happen smoothly! In the meantime, I'm getting ready to launch a new coaching program for Women in Transition, but more on that later!


While at Queens, I got my parking permit (now proudly displayed on my rearview mirror like all the cool kids do!) and my student ID. I can't wait to start getting that student discount everywhere I go! I also explored the campus (beautiful) and found where my classes will be. Classes start this Monday; I'm both anxious and excited.


On the local front, I've been focusing recently on intention. One of the areas I've found most interesting is the power that we have to choose our attitudes. There are always events that happen in our lives that are out of our personal sphere of influence - the only thing we can do to effect change is to choose our attitudes. I make a conscious effort every day to choose to be joyful. As part of this intention, I designed artwork that reflects that choice. You can purchase t-shirts, mugs, or notecards with this artwork on it - tell the world in 8 different languages that YOU Choose Joy! I invite you to visit my online store: Choose Joy! if you'd like to order any of these products. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the new counselling center at The Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, NC. United Family Services is trying to raise $9000.00 by January 2009 for the new counselling center - please join me in supporting this critical need.
A Life Coach can help you make a world of difference! Coaching focuses on where you are now, where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Visit www.readytobecoached.com for more information!

Overwhelmed

Oftentimes I stare at my computer for what seems like hours when it's time for me to write another blog or send out a newsletter. I struggle with balancing my desire to produce meaningful content with the reality that sometimes I'm just overwhelmed.

When does the need to model "balance" and a stellar example of how to live my life even out with the truth? I fall behind, I don't get everything done, sometimes weeks go by before I even get the grocery shopping done - and let's not talk about the last time I vacuumed the living room. Seriously.

Then I realized - isn't that part of being a life coach? Isn't it healthier to admit that I have alot on my plate right now? Welcome to my world.

It looks like there will be yet another delay on my new condo. I am buying my very first house - it's a condo in the Harbour Place in Davidson, North Carolina click here to see it! This would not be a problem except for the fact that I've given notice at my apartment and will have no place to live if we don't close soon!

In the meantime, I start college on the 25th at Queens University in Charlotte (Queens) and my grant funding hasn't come through yet which is a scary thing as tuition will be close to $17,000 this year.

Let's see...in the midst of all this, I'm teaching two group coaching classes, have my own coaching clients, and am actively looking for more, and have committed to writing a book for women in transition by the end of the year.

I am completely happy right now and overwhelmed at the same time. It's time to focus on things that will keep me as balanced as possible. What do YOU do when you feel overwhelmed to stay in the moment?

Purpose vs Intention - Is there a Difference?

I saw an interesting comment on a forum recently. The original poster was gleefully detailing a plan that purposed great hurt to another person - simply for the gratification of causing pain. The responder simply asked - I understand your purpose but what is your intention?

I thought - wow. What an extraordinarily powerful question. There's so much buzz in the media today about defining our life's intentions. Really, what does that mean? To me, it's about defining the values that are important to me, the areas where I will not compromise, realizing my dreams. Anything that I purpose to do needs to be in line with my intentions.

For example, if we have a relationship with someone that is full of pain and mutual anger and hurt, what is our intention for that relationship? Is it to let it go? Is it to make peace with what cannot be changed? Is it to repair the relationship and restore it to health? The actions that we take must be aligned with that intention to feel at peace.

And yet, how often do we take the time to define our intentions? To step back and clearly visualize what we want to happen instead of simply reacting without thought?

Our society demands instant gratification. Our children are taught to react without thinking when they play hours of violent video games. As adults, we have an entire world at our fingertips for instant communication. We don't have the time to think, to meditate, to feel. We just react.

So I would challenge you - what IS your life's intention? When was the last time you simply sat in the quiet and meditated on your values and your life plan? When was the last time you checked your actions and motives against your life intention? How would your life change if you took the time to do this?

A Life Coach can help you make a world of difference! Coaching focuses on where you are now, where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Visit http://www.readytobecoached.com/ or mail info@readytobecoached.com for more information!

There's always time for a donut!

Years ago I was frantically trying to get everything done on a hot Saturday afternoon in Tampa. I'm sure you know the drill - working mom trying to squeeze everything in during the weekend, laundry, cleaning, dry cleaners, grocery shopping, you name it, I was doing it.

My son, who was eight years old at the time, was with me. He had been a great little companion that day, not complaining as I dragged him into countless stores, always admonishing him to "Hurry up! I don't have alot of time today!" whenever he lingered.

As we came up to a stoplight, our local Krispy Kreme donut shop was across the corner, glowing and tempting. He looked at me, hesitated, and then asked "Can we stop for a donut?" Poor kid, he already knew the answer would be "No! Not today, honey, I don't have enough time."

And then my brilliantly wise 8-year said the words that would change my life.

"But, mom, there's always time for a donut!"

And I looked into his big, brown, pleading eyes and realized he was absolutely right.

I don't remember what errands we did that day or if we even got everything done. I do remember sitting in the booth with our donuts and hot chocolate, talking and laughing and bonding.

I remember the lesson - and hear his words in my head when I'm feeling especially stressed out or rushed. There's always time to stop and enjoy the moment, to appreciate life, and to be grateful for those that we love. A few minutes of time to stop and breathe gives us the necessary time to focus on what's really important.

When was the last time you had time for a donut?


A Life Coach can help you make a world of difference! Coaching focuses on where you are now, where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Email info@readytobecoached.com for more information!

Perspective Shifts

A Jehovah's Witness, a Zoroastrian, a Muslim, a Catholic, a Naturalist and an agnostic sit down to Easter dinner...

No seriously. That's a snapshot of who was in my dining room earlier this year. From Bombay to Jamaica and back – it was an eclectic and brilliant group of people, unconstrained by nationality or religion or belief or age. As I looked around the table, I thought, “From here comes peace.”
How many times do we make decisions and assumptions based on pre-conceived ideas? We all have prejudices of one kind or another. How many of those have been formed through what we read in the media or watch on TV or are given to us through strongly expressed opinions of others? How many are valid? Do they match your personal set of values and integrity? Do we think peace but feel fear?

I became a coach because I believe that my clients are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. I work with them to shift perspectives so they can achieve the results necessary to create the lives they want to lead. My perception of the world certainly shifted that day. Will yours?

A Life Coach can help you make a world of difference! Coaching focuses on where you are now, where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Email info@readytobecoached.com for more information!