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Coaching Groups – Winter Summit 2015

Sm Coaching Groups

 The 2015 Winter Summit 

begins January 26th

Each Group Will Be a Deep-Diving, Unconventional,

Coaching Event giving you the Tools You Need to Reach YOUR Goals!

From the comfort of your home, you’ll get a weekly, 1-hour live session that includes teaching from an expert, coaching from me, Suzette Parker, a Board Certified Life and Relationship Coach, and the opportunity to engage in a small group discussion designed to move you toward your desires.

Without spending thousands of dollars, gain knowledge and insight, learn to create Action Steps that are right for you and be inspired to achieve the very thing your heart is longing for.

If your desire is to be a better parent, gain health, or land the job of your dreams, we have created a group for you!

Each Group will have a members only ‘secret’ Facebook group – This gives you another place to get your questions answered, interact with those in the group and gain inspiration throughout the week. By creating a ‘secret’ Facebook group and using it as our coaching portal, you’ll have all the information you need in one convenient and easy-to-access location.

Check Out The Groups

PARENT LIKE A PRO!
~Successful Strategies for Families to Thrive

Have you ever felt like a bad parent? We all have! Have you ever felt guilty because of how you feel about your children? We all have! Parenting will always have it’s ups and downs but you CAN enjoy your children! Kim’s 25 years of experience working with children, parents, couples and families through not-for-profit organizations and at the university level, combined with her vibrant personality give her the ability to connect and help people of all ages. Expect to laugh and cry as she relates her own personal experiences, shares wisdom and empowers you to recreate your family into the very one you’ve dreamed about.

For More Info on PARENT LIKE A PRO! and Kim Kompel

 

CATAPULT!  
~ How To Leverage Your Unique Wiring To Land Your Dream Job

If you’re going to soar over the competition, smash through personal barriers, and finally land your dream job, you’re going to need a catapult. Jesse Rice is an author, speaker, and personal development expert. For almost 20 years he’s been working to help people connect the dots between how they’re wired and their best-fit career. Known for his paradigm-shifting insight, hilarious personal stories, and captivating stage presence, Jesse is passionate about equipping and empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their greatest impact.

For More Info on CATAPULT! and Jessie Rice

 

BIOHACK Your Health Naturally!
~ So You Can Feel Younger And Do More In Less Time   

Take your current health practices (or lack there of) and elevate them to the next level by learning some of the leading best practices from experts in natural health, including ways to BIOHACK your: Diet, Lifestyle, Sleep, Exercise, Productivity, Understanding of HOW Your Body Works, and an Understanding of conventional and naturopathic medicine and how they can work together.
Join me and  Christopher Wakely Naturopathic Physician | candidate 2015   

For More Info on BIOHACK Your Health Naturally! or To see Christopher Wakely’s Bio

 

 

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Today’s Remarks From A Client

I finished up with my last 2 coaching sessions for 2014! As we were finishing up our call she said, “I am certainly a testament to coaching and you are welcome to share what I’ve said.” So here it goes… “Since I started coaching I have changed a lot. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. Here are just a few of the ways I’ve grown:
– In how I view the business I own and the roles of the investors – it’s not so wrapped up with emotion any more.making_change_happen
– I’ve become much more self sufficient in a lot of ways
– I’m now living within my means – never had anything to budget before but now I do!
– In my relationships with people, family and friends
– My need to constantly pack rat has changed – been able to cleanse in lot’s of different areas.
– I’ve confirmed that quality is better than quantity
– I am confident in knowing that I am called by God to do what I do and appreciate the roles of others
– It’s become even more evident that it’s wise to include wise people in my life.”

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Your Reactions-Who Is Controlling Them?

Rubber-Band

“The remarkable thing is I have a choice every day of what my attitude will be. I cannot change my past. I cannot change the actions of others. I cannot change the inevitable. The only thing I can change is attitude. Life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it.” ― Charles R. Swindoll

Multiple credible sources say that  life is 90% about our reactions. If that is so, we need to learn to react in ways that are beneficial. To do that we have to decide of time who we are. We have to be very sure and confident in both our heart and head, of who we are because reactions come from that deep place. When we have this kind of  confidence – we control our reactions and they become helpful.

Reactions may be flippant and short lived, or drawn out for months or years (as was mine in the story below). . . but the truth is a reaction comes from what we believe in our heart and head.

Years ago, I reacted to a friends cutting accusations by reeling in hurt for far too long. The truth was she had seen right through me, but my pride kept me from realizing it and owning up to what she was getting at. I had offered to help and it offended her greatly. She accused me of thinking she was inadequate. Her tone and choice of words were just plain mean, calling me names and such. It was true, I did see her as inadequate. But the truth is, I believe we are all inadequate in some way – that’s why God created us to live in community.  We are supposed to be there for each other and help each other where we are inadequate or weak.

I reacted with an uncalled for amount of  hurt. Had I been forthright and acknowledged the fact that she was right, that indeed I did see her as inadequate,  things would probably have played out better. But I shut down. Putting that into words was not something I was willing to try to do in the moment. It didn’t feel right to say and the last thing I wanted to do was respond to meanness with meanness. But shutting down did not help me! It hurt me tremendously! And I reeled in hurt for a long time.

She  attacked me when I was offering help. Instead of responding with acknowledging the truth that she so aptly exposed, I apologized – repeatedly – expecting to, in time, receive forgiveness. That never happened. Even upon my final apology, begging for forgiveness weeks later, she ridiculed me telling me I was acting like an adolescent. It was so very bizarre to me that a grown woman would choose to be so insulting.  But that is not the point. My reaction was weak – based on fear and insecurity. It was my reaction that caused me so much pain.  Had I been bold and chosen confidence, knowing my intentions were pure, her words would not have been able to penetrate my heart.

Since then I have learned that my reactions come from the belief about who I am. Like most people, I struggle with insecurity and fear, so I have to consciously choose an attitude of confidence and boldness. By confidently saying that I was sorry she was offended and boldly stating that my offer was motivated out of love and compassion, I could have avoided feeling so much pain. It was the attitude fear of insecurity that I chose that caused me to first, shut down,  and then be bitter for a while.

The feelings of woundedness and bitterness keep us down and prevent us from choosing healthy attitudes of  joy, thankfulness, boldness and confidence. As Swindoll says our attitude is something we can choose. If we can choose it, we can change it!  And boy does that change feel good!

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September Newsletter

~Suzette’s Thoughts & Aha Moments~

I was pleasantly surprised how many people asked me why they hadn’t received a newsletter recently. I suppose I should have given you a heads up that I was taking the summer off. Below are two articles that were in my September 2014 Newsletter. 

Now it’s over, and I’m back to coaching, writing, taking a social media class, preparing to do Groups Coaching in January and I’m also in training with Stronger Families to present the Oxygen For Your Relationships seminars. 

My main article (below) is more like a journal entry with a purpose. Because of my interest in social media, I feel the need to say…. 

I am aware that Social Media is used as a platform for

many unhealthy mind games.

Some use it to elevate their cynicism or depression with posts like, “Consumed by existential dread I….” others play ‘Compare & Despair,’ thinking everyone’s life is great except their own. 

I almost deleted the article, because I had a great summer, doing lots of fun things and I don’t want anyone comparing or despairing thinking my whole life is somehow “better” than theirs – it’s not. I’m glad I decided to sleep on it before pressing delete.

As I slept (for a couple of weeks 🙂 I thought about the many articles and posts that share the dark side of me and even the difficulties of my marriage. Even in this article, most will notice several things we had to deal with this summer, but those who play ‘Compare & Despair’ will overlook them and note only the trips and parties. That is what their chosen lens allows them to see. It is a choice. 

I find it valuable to write and reflect. It helps me see the meaning and purpose for my life, and maybe more importantly, notice growth. I hope that by sharing you will be inspired to reflect and notice your growth.        

 

~Growing In Wholly Living~

Reflecting to Find Meaning, Purpose & Growth

In flight, I wrote – reflecting and writing about the events of our summer. 

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We had just spent a week in Honduras at The Leadership Center, a business school for very poor girls who are are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to get further education

June 2014 – Our summer kicked off on a Saturday when our youngest son graduated from high school. The next day, we had a back yard BBQ with close to 100 people attending. He decided he wanted a graduation party and used social media to his advantage. Oh my! Little did we (or he) know that so many people love him! The cards and gifts were overwhelming. He hand wrote 100 thank you notes which showed he assigned great meaning to that event. Reflecting on his actions, helped me realize the value of the event.I too am grateful for my life but I have a history of belittling my own life experiences causing feelings of insignificance and a myriad of personal struggles. By choosing the lens of insignificance, life often seemed meaningless. Take a look at my summer and note the lens I’ve chosen. It’s not a fake way to live, it’s a choice to look through a positive lens.

I am so grateful that our weekend was not ruined by the

very crazy weekend  preceding the party!

There was a deck project that went awry early in the week plus a broken septic pump and then, the day of graduation, an eruption in the back yard when the septic line was punctured! The laid back day reserved for the family to participate in party prep was gone! Instead, the guys spent hours and hours finding and installing the perfect PVC pipe so we could have working toilets, and I went into high gear taking over all the projects, errands and food prep. It was a rough day at the Parker’s house and it wasn’t over yet!

After the school’s graduation festivities, we arrived home about midnight to find we were locked out of our house. The power was out and we only had garage door openers. After an hour of trying to break in without causing permanent damage, we spent a short and restless night at a friends house. The next day, Sunday, started early with usual obligations and ended with the party. We were completely exhausted before the party ever began. Even so, we had a great time and remember the weekend as a crazy bonding experience!

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Suzette & Dave celebrating with an ENCT

This deserves to be acknowledged. We persevered with joy through it all, even the volcanic explosion of the septic line. I am still shocked that we were all laughing and in good moods – all day long! We have definitely been transformed! Five years earlier, we would have been crumbling.

Aware that my husband and I would be emotional wrecks if we didn’t prepare ourselves for being empty nesters, we began making plans early in the year. Five years earlier our eldest son left for college and we didn’t fare so well. We learned the hard way, we needed to prepare ourselves! Planning an Empty Nest Celebration Trip was great. It kept us focussed on something we were looking forward todoing together. It had been 24 years since just he and I had taken a real vacation together.

Two weeks after the party we headed on our ENCT. Reconnecting, exploring, laughing and dreaming together were the main items on our itinerary. It was a fabulous trip! It did wonders for us as a couple, renewing the value and meaning of our relationship prior to kids. We highly recommend every one planning an ENCT.

Running into a friend from high school on our ENCT was an added bonus. We are still trying to fully grasp it’s value and meaning but definitely recognize it was a divine appointment not simply a coincidence.

Weddings of loved ones and another huge BBQ in our backyard are worthy of mention. They were events that could have come and gone without much reflection but there was unity of friends, family and church community that grew in powerful ways because of these events.

The day after we got our youngest settled into his dorm, we left for Honduras. We served alongside a small team of young adults at The Learning Center business school for young women.

While the girls need sponsors to start their businesses once they graduate, the school is slowly becoming operationally self sustaining. They learn how to be entrepreneurs by helping in this process. Business skills are learned both hands on and taught in the class room. While one girl learns how to operate and then is responsible for the water system, others learn then oversee the gardens, coffee plantation, chicken coup, kitchen, etc…

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Prior to graduation each girl has a business plan ready to put into action. The final step is finding sponsors to help them get their business off the ground.

Many things about this trip deserve reflection. I tend to value learning but as I’ve gotten older, it’s hard to remember that it sometimes takes years of preparation to be completely ready to execute plans. I think I have finally learned that it’s ok that it takes me a while to feel confident about pursuing something new. Theirs is a 3 year process.

 

I am also struck by the sacrificial love so freely given by the volunteers and especially the directors, Joseph and Hailey Rham. Though my choice of daily service is not the same, I want to live a life of sacrificial giving. Making a list of ways I currently give helped me by making me more aware of the value of my efforts and it’s helping me decide what I want to do in the future.

As I edit this journal like article, it’s now mid September and we’re having gorgeous, NW summer like weather so I will share one more experience.

Tonight we will be gathering with 4 friends whom we have not seen for years. Incredibly sad events have spurred this reconnection, but I am expecting there will be laughter and fun as we reminisce. I look forward to reflecting with them about how our lives are changed forever by our shared experiences.

Life is full of happenings. Don’t let them just come and go. As my mother-in- love has always said, “we are making memories!” Take time to reflect and ponder on how your experiences are shaping you – it’s good for the soul!

If you are not being molded into the person you want to be,
try reflecting from another angle. We get to choose which lens to look through as we reflect on our lives. It’s not fake, it’s a choice. Whether your summer was filled with sorrow or happiness, celebrations or experiences that taught you tough life lessons, they are all important and worth reflection – as long as the reflection is done through a lens that is helpful for your personal growth.

If you need a new lens and can’t afford coaching, be on the lookout for details regarding coaching groups/classes beginning January 2015. It would be a great way to start the new year!