The Gift

There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands.

~ Richard Bach

We tend to look at problems as obstacles to being happy and living fully. Things to over come. Things to bear. things to tolerate. Things to get over with. When in reality, probelms are the richness of lfe, the opportunities to test our meddle, and a chance to find out how truly great we are.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will list 3 problems that are causing me the greatest pain today….it could be a relationship, a person, a physical or mental issue, debt, etc….now, I will write on 10 index cards “willingness to willing”. I will tack these cards throughout my environments. This is a prayer…in a short while I will be led to deal with one of these issues at a time. Ask yoruself: what is this problem teaching me?

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Having Hope

Strong hope is a much greater stimulant of life than any single realized joy could be.

~ Friederich Nietzsche

To begin each year in the hopes that we will be happier, richer, or more secure is very human indeed. However, a saner approach might be to reflect on the gifts that were granted to us throughout last year.  Each year, I try to write a list of gratitudes. Instead of focusing on the things yet given or acheived, which frustrates me and causes me to beat myself up; I prefer to look at things in terms of how much I have grown and learned. Let’s get our new year &/or life started on a upbeat note.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will make a list of everything and every person that has come into my life this year…all the successes, gifts, and things learned. Breathe in the good.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Honesty

Being completely honest with oneself is a good exercise.

~ Sigmund Freud

What is this thing called honesty? I think a person must first be honest with who he/she is before being honest about how change can come about, what their intentions are for others, and also before they can be honest with others. One way in which I measure my honesty is to look myself in the mirror each a.m. and ask mself: where was I, who was I with, what did I say, and what did I do???  If I can proudly look myself right in the eye with the answers, then I feel I led a good life the day before… and it is likely that the present day will get off to a good start. I was honest.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will look myself in the eye in the mirror in the morning.. I will ask myself the same questions. Practice self honesty.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Sacrificing Health

The greatest mistake a man can make is to sacrifice health for any other advantage.

~ Arthur Schopenhauer

I made this mistake myself. I understand. I thought for a long time, that as long as I was successful in my career, I would always be rewarded with riches, fame, security, and self-worth. I didn’t see anything else around me (family, friends, play activities, or hobbies). I was too busy with important things (work). I had to be the best, the brightest, the fastest, and the smartest. In my youth, these were needed and rewarded. They were survival mechanisms. As an adult, I worked myself into a frenzy and burned out early. It no longer works for me today.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, what can I let go of today that is causing me pain and ill health? Let go…just one day.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Keep It Simple

After dinner, sit awhile; after supper walk a mile.

~ Old English Saying

Having simple orderliness in our lives will keep us in the here and now. We no longer have work schedules, agendas. or itineries to dictate minute to minute living, when we eat, or when we sleep. It would be easy to fall into a “who cares” attitude. The word G.O.D., I have heard stands for “good orderly direction”. Once we are forced into the land of disability or loss, it is important to reestablish a pattern, schedule, or agenda of our own making. We all need a system that works for ourselves. We need regular meal times, sleep, productivity, low impact & gentle exercise, time with the God of our own understanding, etc. each day.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will set up a schedule that looks something like this  “I need to”  “I want to”  “I have to.”  Now, I will put 3 things under each title….doing one from each column. Now, that is a balanced day.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Accepting Others

In the deeper reality beyond space and time we may be all members of one body.

~ Sir James Jeans

Have we all thought and said at some time, “at least I am not as bad as that guy.”  or   “well, I don’t deserve my pain like he does.”…The sad fact is that as people who are going through trauma and major loss, we are our own worse enemies. We don’t realize that what is said of one person in pain, is said of all persons suffering similar pain. We are one. But, do we act as if we are connected to all other persons going through their own issues? Or, do we shun those who have unpopular problems such as syphillis, AIDS, epilepsy, Hepatitis B, bankruptcy, addictions, cancer, etc?

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will pass no judgement upon anyone else. I wil laccept all others as I would have them accept me. I will suspend all criticisms. Be the example of acceptance.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Are We Owed Anything?

When somebody’s nice to you, don’t take advantage of it. You don’t ride a free horse to death.

~ Delaney Sisters, 1994, ages 103 & 105.

I have often heard in state employment the message that the world or the system does not owe anyone anything. This speaks to the prejudice that those in need are “only on the dole”. Yes, there are  laws, agencies, and benefits that certain people may apply for and be eligible for. That is true. But, just because we have needs or lack resources, does not automatically make us sponges. Nor, are we necessarily owed anything. It is up to the agencies and their workers to interpret policies and procedures and to determine a person’s eligibility for services and funds.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will apply for those services I feel I need and could be eligible for. It is my responsibility to ask for help and seek assistance as needed.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Look Within

How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbors says, or does; but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.

~ Marcus Aurelius

I know we catch ourselves trying to justify our disabilities and crisis management, such as why we are not working fulltime, or why we are on disability, losing our homes, etc. In fact, I have found myself trying to gain approval for starting a home based business, writing a book when I am in pain, or regaining my life. It has always been a waste of my breath and time.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: For just today, I will not explain myself, my problems, or my plans with anyone else. I will not justify or explain anything at all. I will not seek approval at all. Journal, record your feeelings. Go within.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.

Pick Your Battles

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

~ William James

When we are trying to cope with our losses and/crisis, we can easily get caught up in every nuance or upbraid that other humans tend to offer to each other. I have watched countless people with disabilities and pain try to defend their rights and right the wrongs of all of mankind. It wears me out just thinking about the emotions and energy wasted.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will be selective and sane in choosing my battles today. Honey draws more flies than does vinegar. I will lead and teach lovingly.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this workds for you.

Competition

Competitions are for Horses not Artists.

~ Bela Bartok

While we are healing from therapies, surgeries, and/or our losses, we will undoubtedly run into the well-meaning professional or acquaintence who will wish to inspire us with the heroics of those who have come through similar problems and seemingly succeeded faster, and with fewer complaints than us. Everyone has their own pain tolerance levels, rate of recovery, and ability level. I certainly learned that no two neck surgeries were the same.  We can not afford to be compared to others. Respect your own process and rate of recovery. Let you inner being be your guide on how to proceed.

Today’s Life Coach Action Plan: Just for today, I will compare myself with my own inner clock and set of standards. I will let go of the expectations of others. I will learn to politely ignore commentary. I will use show stoppers, such as “that is nice, thanks for the information”.  Or, “I trust my doctor”.

Note: Please comment below and let me know how this works for you.