Author: Suzette Parker

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Hurting Hearts Across the Nation

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I couldn’t say this better myself so I’m re-posting a great article.

Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

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Book Review – Magnificent Mind At Any Age by Dr. Daniel Amen

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I read the book Magnificent Mind At Any Age by Dr. Daniel Amen a year or so ago, but return to it frequently to validate what I think I remember. It is a wealth of information on how the brain functions and how we can either care for it and enjoy the benefits or pretend we have no control over it and reap the consequences. He says it’s important to acquire skills for living life to the fullest and that ‘natural supplements, diet, exercise, and thinking strategies’ are vitally important to our brain’s health and our over all well being.

Dr. Amen, a clinical neuroscientist and psychiatrist began establishing clinics in 1989 “specializing in innovative diagnosis and treatment planning for a wide variety of behavior, emotional and cognitive problems for children, teenagers and adults.” What sets his clinics apart is their extensive research. “His clinics have the world’s largest database of brain images related to behavior.”  He is recognized world wide as a leading authority and has authored numerous books.

Amen’s work has shed light on many misconceptions of ‘modern’ psychology. For many years doctors and therapists have promoted the idea that we are not in control of our emotions or, we can’t help how we feel.  He has proven that feelings and emotions are the direct result of what we choose to think. Because we do have control of what we think, it follows that we are also responsible for our feelings. I find it interesting that the proverb, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he,” has been proven true with the latest scientific research!

For more about Dr. Amen’s findings and how they relate to coaching, sign up for my newsletter and see the article: “What Makes Change So Hard? Scientifically Speaking – Our Brains!”  contact me on face book, or email me at coachsuzette@gmail.com if you’d like to receive it.
His youtube videos are a bit dry but worth watching if you’re into this stuff

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What is Engagement Coaching?

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Engagement coaching is more than pre-marital coaching.  It can include sessions with the wedding party and sessions with the future in-laws.

Engagement coaching is somewhat different than pre-marital counseling in that we spend the majority of  time determining the kind of marriage you want to create, then focus on how to make that happen.  We will acknowledge your experiences as children and the models you each grew up with, but recognize that you have the choice to create something similar to what you experienced, something completely different or something somewhere in between.  We will talk about building healthy marriage habits, his needs/her needs, the idea of parenting, dealing with in-laws and a lot more!

Many a couple has regrets about their wedding and/or the  surrounding events.  Excellent communication will often keep this from happening.
The coaching  sessions with the wedding party will give you the opportunity to share with your friends the vision you have for your special day and the atmosphere you hope, with their help, to create.  You, the bride and groom, can also use these sessions to communicate your expectations to each of the participants you have chosen. It will be a time where they can choose to accept the requests made or discuss them and/or re-negotiate their role.

The sessions with the future mother and father in laws are time to talk about wedding expectations, but more importantly set the tone for a healthy relationship well into the future.
As with all coaching, Engagement Coaching, is tailored to the unique needs and desires of each couple.  

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Positive Thinking Not Working?

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We’re a few weeks into the new year and they say 85% of resolutions have already been broken.  If  that’s true for you, my guess is you thought you had a pretty good strategy. You planned to muster up more will power and start your days with positive thoughts. 

Yeah well, don’t feel bad. We’ve been bombarded for years with positive thinking scams – it’s no wonder we, as a society, have fallen prey to this elusive idea that just doesn’t work.


Now don’t get me wrong. I am a huge proponent of making lemonade when life gives me lemons.  Looking for the good in life what I do, but thinking I will accomplish things just because my little mind wants to is ridiculous unless I use my little mind to put a plan in place to make it happen.  That plan has to have a few steps (or even just one)that I can take, today. And then a few more tomorrow and so on until magically, I reach my goal!  Too big of a step and I’m back to square one because my legs only stretch so far … past that point – I am injured.

Exercise is a great example. While we have to push ourselves a little farther than is comfortable in order to move on to the next goal, taking on too much will result in injury. So it is in life.  Injury or failure do not have to end  the pursuit. Everyone will experience them occasionally. Those who become successful are those who view the set back as a signal to take time to recover, then reassess move forward at a more reasonable pace.

Support is another key ingredient. Weight Watchers is highly successful because  they are there for support  and they help you with setting your goals. It’s not just one big number looming out there that feels totally overwhelming….. they help you week by week set little goals that will in time lead you to that big number – and it works! Almost like magic! 🙂

If will power and positive thinking have failed you, it’s not too late.  Find the support you need, set your goal and then make a plan with doable Action Steps.  And we’ll be saying Woot with you sooner than you think! 

Here’s a shout out for the 15% who are on track with their goals! Woot! Keep up the good work!  I’m confident, many more will be joining you soon.

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REDIRECT! REDIRECT!

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We all hit the wall now and then. The question is will you crash and burn or back up, fix the damage and redirect?

So often we hit the wall because we’ve neglected the whispers of wisdom that come in a variety of forms. Maybe it’s because we don’t always recognize wisdom? Maybe we think it’s negativity? 

Do you know what I’m talking about? Like when your plate is too full and you keep forgetting things – like dentist appointments (that would be me.) Could it be I just hate going to the dentist? Not really, but it was easy to think that, to avoid the truth.  The truth is I WANT my kids to get to the dentist and I’d forgotten their appointments! Hmmm, was this brain lapse possibly a gentle reminder that I am not great a juggling 15 balls at once?  A whisper of wisdom speaking? Yes! Fortunately I didn’t hit the wall. I was able to put the brakes on this time. But that has not always been the case.

Too often we get to the point where we can barely function, we have a fender bender, then think ridiculous things, like wondering what we’ve done to deserve this or, we’re not as capable as others or, we just have to be stronger.  Or have we fallen asleep at the wheel and can’t think at all, having analyzed things to the point of paralysis.

Hitting the wall in the first place is quite unpleasant but it happens. So when it happens, what’s a better way to handle it?  What about resting? If it’s not physical rest you need, it’s probably mental. Most of us can’t afford a week of solitude – we have too many responsibilities! But what about a day. NOT to catch up but to think, meditate, pray or journal – yes, a whole day. Long ago there was this thing called Sabbath. A day once a week when people rested – it was planned for, and it happened. What a great idea! So why not try it once?  Just surrender your agenda for a day.

Using some of the time to make sense of the chaos and listening for the whispers of wisdom that have been trying to be heard can bring light to your dark place. Looking at your experience of “hitting the wall” as a rude awakening is probably pretty accurate. The experience is more than a whisper of wisdom it’s the truth screaming loud and clear – REDIRECT REDIRECT!

A better way of living is to rest regularly and be on the alert for those whispers of wisdom, avoiding the wall altogether. Here’s to a year of not hitting the wall!