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!