Granted, I have only been a mom now for 10 months, and I have a long road ahead of me. But the reason for this post is to talk about the reason I became passionate about this profession.
I remember my own mother when I was somewhere at the elementary school age. At that point I still looked at both of my parents as though they were somewhat superhuman. As many children do, I never thought they had normal emotions, ever got sick or tired. My mom worked full time and still had time to make dinner, vacuum every day and I never saw a speck of dirt in our window sills. But looking back, I'll bet she was so tired.
So where did she put herself on her list of priorities? Second, after me? Fourth, after my older brother and sister? Or maybe fifth, after her 3 kids and husband. Actually, it was probably sixth, because I'm sure she would clean up the house before she took some time for herself.
Remember those commercials in the 80's of the mom in the bubble bath with all the background chaos, "Calgon, take me away!" We should all take time to say that phrase, replacing "Calgon" with our own name. Take yourself away, mommy! Give yourself a break from the cleaning, tutoring, chauffeuring, dressing, bathing, disciplining, entertaining, "room momming", ...I'm getting tired just thinking about it! The way I see it is moms feel like they are speeding down the freeway, petal to the metal, passing off ramp, after off ramp, all the while having to pee really, really bad, but just don't have time to stop. It's time to slow down, get off the freeway and pee. Even if only for a minute. The freeway will always be there when you are done, and you'll be in a much better mood.
I hear a lot of, "But I don't have time! My kids/husband/job/pets need me!" And of course they do, but a rested, happy mommy makes for a happy family. Positive energy is contagious, it radiates all around you, especially to those who spend a lot of time with you. So, if nothing else do it for your family. Be nice to yourself, you have the opportunity to be the nicest, most gracious person the most important person in your life: YOU!
Peaks and Valleys
I think we all remember little things our parents used to say to us when we were kids. I don't mean the "you'll get your mouth washed out with soap" lines, but the positive things. My dad always used to say "peaks and valleys" whenever something bad would happen. I never understood it until I got older what exactly he meant, but it's such a simple verse that says so much.
Lately I have been so looking forward to my future. My marriage, my family, my career and my own personal growth. Then something happens that can make all of that seem like it sits so far into the future, sitting in a dry desert with sad faces looking back at me. But I shrug my shoulders and say, "peaks and valleys". And let me tell you, have I seen some valleys!! But the peaks are so much more beautiful and I can always look forward to seeing one when I am down in the valley.
"Can't You Just Get Your Sh*t Together?"
A few months ago I was watching an episode of "Chelsea Lately". If you don't know who she is, she's a tell-it-like-it-is comic that hosts B list celebrities. She was interviewing a woman who was the star of her own reality show and the woman mentioned that the producers of her show hired a life coach for her. Chelsea says, "Do people really have life coaches? Can't people just get their shit together?"
My first reaction was that I was a little insulted by this! But then I realized, if people really could get it together, there would be no therapists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, personal trainers, closet organizers, financial planners, etc. The list goes on! So, I guess the answer is no, we can't get it together! I'm the first to admit there have been times in my life where I couldn't get it together and needed some help! Nobody is perfect, we all need a little help once in a while to keep us together, I guess even reality TV stars!
My first reaction was that I was a little insulted by this! But then I realized, if people really could get it together, there would be no therapists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, personal trainers, closet organizers, financial planners, etc. The list goes on! So, I guess the answer is no, we can't get it together! I'm the first to admit there have been times in my life where I couldn't get it together and needed some help! Nobody is perfect, we all need a little help once in a while to keep us together, I guess even reality TV stars!
Fulfillment
ful-fill-ment
noun
1. a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires
What a big, enormous word. I think living in this country, and maybe even more so in southern California, we are always wanting more. Once we get what we want, there is always something in some window that we see that we have to have.
Looking around at my own life, I really have everything that fulfills me. A loving relationship, a healthy child, a warm home. I have more than most, I would assume. When you ask someone, "What fulfills you?" it is usually met with a big sigh and the sentence starts with "Ummmm....." People really have to dig deep in their hearts to answer this. Then usually a smile appears as they think of their answer. You can tell a lot about a person by what they say, but you can tell even more by their facial expressions. If they are getting it or not. And if they are not getting it, their disappointment.
I'm excited to know that I will help people make steps toward their own fulfillment. And to quote the Hokey Pokey, "That's what it's all about!"
noun
1. a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved your desires
What a big, enormous word. I think living in this country, and maybe even more so in southern California, we are always wanting more. Once we get what we want, there is always something in some window that we see that we have to have.
Looking around at my own life, I really have everything that fulfills me. A loving relationship, a healthy child, a warm home. I have more than most, I would assume. When you ask someone, "What fulfills you?" it is usually met with a big sigh and the sentence starts with "Ummmm....." People really have to dig deep in their hearts to answer this. Then usually a smile appears as they think of their answer. You can tell a lot about a person by what they say, but you can tell even more by their facial expressions. If they are getting it or not. And if they are not getting it, their disappointment.
I'm excited to know that I will help people make steps toward their own fulfillment. And to quote the Hokey Pokey, "That's what it's all about!"
The First Post
And so it starts.
Why wait? I decided to become a life coach when my own life took a turn. I was faced with a promotion at my retail job and thought about what my future would look like. Hmmm....boring. Unfulfilled. I mean, if you're going to spend 40 hours a week doing something, shouldn't it kick ass? Or at least not be crap? Most people spend more time at work than they do with their own families.
So, I went back to college to get a degree with something I was fascinated with, Exercise Science. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it, but I knew I was going somewhere great. When I read about life coaching in 2002, I knew that was what I was going to do. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I can do this and be great at it. Helping others to live their ideal life. Every day that you spend not trying to lead a more fulfilling life for yourself is a day wasted. And I emphasize "for yourself". Not for anyone else. Sure, we all do things for our families, our spouses, our children, our friends, it's important but when you're 95 and about to die, will you be glad you had a "just okay" life, filled with doing everything for everyone else, or will you be glad you lived YOUR ideal life?
Why wait? I decided to become a life coach when my own life took a turn. I was faced with a promotion at my retail job and thought about what my future would look like. Hmmm....boring. Unfulfilled. I mean, if you're going to spend 40 hours a week doing something, shouldn't it kick ass? Or at least not be crap? Most people spend more time at work than they do with their own families.
So, I went back to college to get a degree with something I was fascinated with, Exercise Science. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it, but I knew I was going somewhere great. When I read about life coaching in 2002, I knew that was what I was going to do. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I can do this and be great at it. Helping others to live their ideal life. Every day that you spend not trying to lead a more fulfilling life for yourself is a day wasted. And I emphasize "for yourself". Not for anyone else. Sure, we all do things for our families, our spouses, our children, our friends, it's important but when you're 95 and about to die, will you be glad you had a "just okay" life, filled with doing everything for everyone else, or will you be glad you lived YOUR ideal life?
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