I know what you're thinking, it's not spring yet; but, the weather is starting to change. After a hard winter in most of the country, things are starting to thaw out and warm days are starting to outnumber the cold. Spring is just around the corner and I can feel it.
Winter is a difficult season. That's why "winter" is used to describe so many bad things and feelings in literature. The cold weather leaves a coldness in our souls. The difficulty traveling through snow and ice makes it difficult to propel ourselves forward in our dreams.
Now that spring is on the horizon, there is new life beginning to bud. Warmth and energy fill the air. I know that we are still in for a few cold days and some snow storms; but, I choose to focus on the good days. I am going to steal the life, energy, and rebirth from Mother Nature and plant it right in my soul.
When you have a warm day, take advantage. Enjoy the sunshine and the energy it brings. Use it to fuel your spirit and propel you toward your hopes, dreams, and goals. It may not be spring quite yet; but I can feel it in the air. I am not going to let that feeling go to waste!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Deep Breath
It seems that lately I have frequently faced the feeling of being completely overwhelmed. There is too much to do and not enough time to do it. My mind is always racing. It gets to the point that I overload and I don't even know what to do next. That is the point that I tend to quit. It just seems easier that way. If I shut down and avoid all of the noise that is rattling around my brain, I can pretend that it doesn't exist.
The problem is, all of that noise is still there when I come back to reality. I often find that these extended breaks, while fun, are not very productive.
I have found a new way to cope, take a deep breath. Sometimes that's literal: I take a moment, take a few deep breaths, and continue with my day. Sometimes it's figurative: I take a coffee or lunch break, listen to a favorite song, watch a little T.V., or read a chapter of whatever novel I am currently reading.
What I don't do now is check out and quit. When I used to do that, I never got where I wanted to go. I failed to accomplish tasks that were actually important to me. Finally, I wasted a lot of time retracing my steps and regaining the ground that I had lost while I was on hiatus.
You get the point; don't check out completely, just take a moment to take a deep breath.
The problem is, all of that noise is still there when I come back to reality. I often find that these extended breaks, while fun, are not very productive.
I have found a new way to cope, take a deep breath. Sometimes that's literal: I take a moment, take a few deep breaths, and continue with my day. Sometimes it's figurative: I take a coffee or lunch break, listen to a favorite song, watch a little T.V., or read a chapter of whatever novel I am currently reading.
What I don't do now is check out and quit. When I used to do that, I never got where I wanted to go. I failed to accomplish tasks that were actually important to me. Finally, I wasted a lot of time retracing my steps and regaining the ground that I had lost while I was on hiatus.
You get the point; don't check out completely, just take a moment to take a deep breath.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Stronger Than You Think
I am a person who struggles with low self-esteem. This, of course, is a common problem for many women. We don't believe that we have "what it takes." The problem is, we sell ourselves short by not putting ourselves out there to test if that is really the case. For me, it is my overwhelming fear of failure that holds me back more often than not.
However, in the past few years, I have come to discover that, in most cases, I have what it takes and then some. All I have to do is overcome my fear, step out in faith, and try. When I do, I find a wealth of strength, power, wisdom, and courage that I never knew existed.
What is holding you back right now? Is there something that you want to do that you are too afraid to try? Chances are, you are totally capable of achieving whatever it is that you are striving for. If you weren't, you wouldn't have the desire to try.
I want to encourage you to dig deep inside. Ask yourself what you dream of. What is it that you are truly passionate about and want to try? Now, stop making excuses and go out there and do it. You don't have to go alone. Find someone to LifeWalk with you to help you achieve your goal. If you don't try, you'll never be able to discover just how strong you are.
You have the power within you to make all of your dreams come true, you just have to go out there and do it.
However, in the past few years, I have come to discover that, in most cases, I have what it takes and then some. All I have to do is overcome my fear, step out in faith, and try. When I do, I find a wealth of strength, power, wisdom, and courage that I never knew existed.
What is holding you back right now? Is there something that you want to do that you are too afraid to try? Chances are, you are totally capable of achieving whatever it is that you are striving for. If you weren't, you wouldn't have the desire to try.
I want to encourage you to dig deep inside. Ask yourself what you dream of. What is it that you are truly passionate about and want to try? Now, stop making excuses and go out there and do it. You don't have to go alone. Find someone to LifeWalk with you to help you achieve your goal. If you don't try, you'll never be able to discover just how strong you are.
You have the power within you to make all of your dreams come true, you just have to go out there and do it.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snowed In
Like many of you, I am in the middle of one of the worst storms in U.S. history. As I write this, it is -6 outside, the schools have all been closed, and unless someone has a darn good reason to leave the house, they are staying inside.
It is nice to have a snow day once in a while. As kids we all dreamed of snow days. It was a special surprise that didn't come too often. Snow days meant sleeping in, watching TV, playing outside, or simply having an extra day to finish an assignment or study for a test. Kids really grasp the joy and excitement that can come from an unexpected break in the day to day.
Adults, on the other hand, don't handle it so well. We become frustrated with the break in our regular routine. We think of what we are missing out on that needs to be done. Finally, we are consumed by the list of things that are piling up that cannot be done because we can't make it to the office, store, or a regularly scheduled appointment.
Today I want to encourage you to embrace snow days, maybe even plan a few. Make the time to take a break every once in a while. Decide to embrace the unexpected interruptions to your daily routine. You might be surprised at the peace, joy, and fulfillment that can come simply by having a snow day.
It is nice to have a snow day once in a while. As kids we all dreamed of snow days. It was a special surprise that didn't come too often. Snow days meant sleeping in, watching TV, playing outside, or simply having an extra day to finish an assignment or study for a test. Kids really grasp the joy and excitement that can come from an unexpected break in the day to day.
Adults, on the other hand, don't handle it so well. We become frustrated with the break in our regular routine. We think of what we are missing out on that needs to be done. Finally, we are consumed by the list of things that are piling up that cannot be done because we can't make it to the office, store, or a regularly scheduled appointment.
Today I want to encourage you to embrace snow days, maybe even plan a few. Make the time to take a break every once in a while. Decide to embrace the unexpected interruptions to your daily routine. You might be surprised at the peace, joy, and fulfillment that can come simply by having a snow day.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Today is a New Day
Are you getting that "end of January feeling"? The feeling of disappointment in knowing that it is the end of January and you have already failed at your New Year's Resolution. Or the shame in knowing that you haven't even started it yet.
Forget that feeling. Today is a new day and there is no time like the present to start living out your dreams. I have already laid out all of the steps for you. All you have to do now is decide to get moving toward your dreams.
If you are like most of the people in the world, 2010 didn't turn out exactly the way that they wanted it to. If you don't stop and pay attention, 2011 will fly by and it will be more of the same. Why not make a choice and a commitment to yourself to start living your best life today?
Don't waste any more time. Get out there and start living your dreams!
Forget that feeling. Today is a new day and there is no time like the present to start living out your dreams. I have already laid out all of the steps for you. All you have to do now is decide to get moving toward your dreams.
If you are like most of the people in the world, 2010 didn't turn out exactly the way that they wanted it to. If you don't stop and pay attention, 2011 will fly by and it will be more of the same. Why not make a choice and a commitment to yourself to start living your best life today?
Don't waste any more time. Get out there and start living your dreams!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Getting Started LifeWalking
Once you have found a LifeWalking partner, you are ready to begin your LifeWalking Journey. Your journey should fit your lifestyle, your personality, and your needs. It must fit into your schedule and it must be conducive to helping you find a Move Forward Solution to your problem.
There are many road maps for LifeWalking. The Father Daughter Journey and the Move Forward Solution are two road maps that I have written about. Additionally, if you go to the archives of this blog and look up the Girlfriend's Life Survival Club you will find another road map. Ken Larson has written a book titled Opportunity Season that will also provide good direction. The point is, there are several tools at your disposal to help you start LifeWalking in an effort to find your Move Forward Solution.
If none of these work for you, let me give you a few simple guidelines to help you develop your own strategy for LifeWalking:
Try it out. See if LifeWalking is something that can work for you. You won't be sorry.
There are many road maps for LifeWalking. The Father Daughter Journey and the Move Forward Solution are two road maps that I have written about. Additionally, if you go to the archives of this blog and look up the Girlfriend's Life Survival Club you will find another road map. Ken Larson has written a book titled Opportunity Season that will also provide good direction. The point is, there are several tools at your disposal to help you start LifeWalking in an effort to find your Move Forward Solution.
If none of these work for you, let me give you a few simple guidelines to help you develop your own strategy for LifeWalking:
- Set a start and an end date (I like 10 weeks. I don't recommend less than 6 or more than 12).
- Set a regular meeting schedule (it can be daily or weekly and meeting at the same time helps for consistency).
- Set goals and timelines for your progress
Try it out. See if LifeWalking is something that can work for you. You won't be sorry.
Friday, January 14, 2011
How Do I Get a LifeWalking Partner?
Once you know what type of LifeWalking partner you need (expert, Good Samaritan, or peer); it really is quite simple to find someone to fit the bill.
If you have determined that you need an expert, there are countless experts available for hire. You can do a Google search, ask a friend, look in the phone book, or go to a trusted source that lists experts based on reviews and feedback. Go and hire someone that you feel comfortable with. Share your goals with a prospective LifeWalking partner to see if his/her philosophy fits with your goals. Don't settle for someone who doesn't have the same vision for your goals. If you try an expert and after one or two sessions you find that it isn't working, don't be afraid to fire that expert and look for someone else who is better suited to help you.
Good Samaritans usually find you rather than you finding them. If you determined that you need a Good Samaritan, you probably already have someone in mind. Maybe a boss or coworker offered professional advice and support in the past; seek out that person now and ask for help. There might be a pastor or older friend who has offered to walk with you through your struggles in the past; ask if the offer still stands now that you are ready to Move Forward in your life. Good Samaritans are usually very willing to help with little coercion.
Finally, if a peer is what you need, make a list of all the peers that you think you could ask for help. Rank your choices and start with your first choice. Pick someone who is selfless and supportive. Choose a person who could use support try to Move Forward with his/her goals. Ask your friend to LifeWalk with you and offer to walk with him/her to achieve his/her goals as well. If the first person says no, try the next. It probably won't take too many times before you will get a yes. Most people get a yes on the first try.
Go out and find your LifeWalking partner this week. Next week I will tell you how to get started in the LifeWalking process so that you can come to a Move Forward Solution in your life!
If you have determined that you need an expert, there are countless experts available for hire. You can do a Google search, ask a friend, look in the phone book, or go to a trusted source that lists experts based on reviews and feedback. Go and hire someone that you feel comfortable with. Share your goals with a prospective LifeWalking partner to see if his/her philosophy fits with your goals. Don't settle for someone who doesn't have the same vision for your goals. If you try an expert and after one or two sessions you find that it isn't working, don't be afraid to fire that expert and look for someone else who is better suited to help you.
Good Samaritans usually find you rather than you finding them. If you determined that you need a Good Samaritan, you probably already have someone in mind. Maybe a boss or coworker offered professional advice and support in the past; seek out that person now and ask for help. There might be a pastor or older friend who has offered to walk with you through your struggles in the past; ask if the offer still stands now that you are ready to Move Forward in your life. Good Samaritans are usually very willing to help with little coercion.
Finally, if a peer is what you need, make a list of all the peers that you think you could ask for help. Rank your choices and start with your first choice. Pick someone who is selfless and supportive. Choose a person who could use support try to Move Forward with his/her goals. Ask your friend to LifeWalk with you and offer to walk with him/her to achieve his/her goals as well. If the first person says no, try the next. It probably won't take too many times before you will get a yes. Most people get a yes on the first try.
Go out and find your LifeWalking partner this week. Next week I will tell you how to get started in the LifeWalking process so that you can come to a Move Forward Solution in your life!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
What is a LifeWalking Partner?
If you have followed my blog, you should have some idea what a LifeWalking partner is. A LifeWalking partner is someone who walks with you as you process life's problems, challenges, and questions, in order to help you to come to a Move Forward Solution. A LifeWalking partner will help you to quickly and effectively process possible solutions to your problem so that you can come to a better solution faster.
There are three types of LifeWalking partners:
You should have determined one or two resolutions to work on over the past week. Think about the things that you want to work on. Which type of LifeWalking partner would be best suited to help you with your particular problem?
This week decide what type of LifeWalking partner you need. Next week I will discuss finding your LifeWalking partner and asking him/her to help you process your resolutions.
There are three types of LifeWalking partners:
- Experts -professionals in a particular field that you can pay to assist you in achieving your goal (example: a physical trainer, a therapist, a doctor, or a life coach)
- Good Samaritans - people who are willing to help out of the goodness of their hearts (example: a boss, pastor, older friend, or mentor)
- Peers - friends, family members, coworkers, and others who may also need a LifeWalking partner but are willing to help you if you ask.
You should have determined one or two resolutions to work on over the past week. Think about the things that you want to work on. Which type of LifeWalking partner would be best suited to help you with your particular problem?
This week decide what type of LifeWalking partner you need. Next week I will discuss finding your LifeWalking partner and asking him/her to help you process your resolutions.
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