growth – Page 2 – Coaching for Wholly Living | Board Certified Life Coach

February 15, 2015March 31, 2015

Testimonials About Groups

With just three weeks under our belt we’re already getting great testimonials!

From the Midwest to the South to the North West . . .

Just a few of the Comments & Questions we’ve heard so far:

( Wondering what groups I’m talking about? The Coaching For Wholly Living Winter Summit 2015 groups:

1 . CATAPULT! – How To Leverage Your Unique Wiring to Land Your Dream Job

2. PARENT LIKE A PRO!– Successful Strategies For Families to Thrive

3. BIOHACK! Your Health Naturally)

Comments

“It was a great first call! I’m really looking forward to next week.” – TX

“That was just my speed. I’m learning a lot… and I thought I knew a lot!” – MT

“That call was fantastic too!” (she signed up for multiple groups) – TX

“Thanks for sharing this. It was a great read” -(per a pdf shared by the group leader) – WA

Great call!!!! Really really really fabulous!!! -TX

“I really enjoyed listening to you as you asked questions to the young mother. You did a great job of making her answer her own questions and take ownership for them. I learned a lot from “watching you in action” that I can apply as I help others. Also, I was able to take my own question and think of it differently and analyze what change I need to make and think through the steps that must happen to reach my own goal. You have a gift with a compassionate yet direct approach. I was impressed with your style.” -TN

Questions

Each group has it’s own private Face Book group where particpants can ask questions. We post a recording with answers so they can listen and get their answers at their convenience.

Here are some of the questions rolling in from our BIOHACK Your Health Naturally! group.

“What’s the difference between a neuropath and a functional medicine provider/healthcare practitioner?”

“Can you address sweating, the benefits? Why some people sweat during sleep and is that good? Normal? Preferred?”

“My question is whether or not the maltodextrin in Monk Fruit in the Raw (it’s also in the Stevia I use) is bad. What is Wakely’s take on Monk Fruit in general. I personally LOVE it.”

“You asked the question “Do you remember your dreams?” What is the correct answer?”

Be on the LOOKOUT

for the announcement of the

Spring Summit groups.

December 2, 2014January 29, 2015

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.”

October 3, 2014January 22, 2015

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.

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!

20140626_164005 — 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…

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!

January 21, 2014January 22, 2015

Saving Relationships – Step #3 – How to Get Over The Past

Is the past still hanging out the with you making it hard to take even these little steps in the right direction?

The good news is that getting over your past is a done deal because guess what? Your past is already over! And you can let go of it too because it’s not holding you – you are holding onto it! It’s your choice as to when you decide to let go. Yes, yes, I know – you want to, but it’s hard to do!! (I asked one of my clients to read this prior to posting and they said that I needed to add…. “it may be hard, but the reward is soooooo worth it!)

So how do folks, who have gone through the most awful stuff, emerge on the other side with relationships that are stronger than before the trauma? Of course, if you think for just a second, you’ll know the answer, but I won’t make you think – I’ll just go ahead and blurt it out. They learn from it! Yep, they allow the tough times to be what they are supposed to be
– a catalyst for growth rather than an excuse for destruction.

What will you choose?
Catalyst For Growth OR
Excuse For Destruction?

I’m going to assume you want to take the high road. And yes, it can be tough to climb high enough to reach that high road, but once you get there the results are far more pleasant – for everyone involved.

What does it take? Forgiveness may be the first thing that comes to mind, but what if you didn’t have to feel that pressure just yet? What if all you need to do right now is humbly accept the fact that what happened is not something you can do anything about and embraced the truth – it’s not worth your time and energy thinking about how things could have been different. Then directed your focus (time and energy) into how you would like your future to look? Often we focus so much on trying to forgive that we stifle our growth and stay in unforgiveness way too long. Maybe God’s way of helping us with the feeling of forgiveness is to grant those feelings to us when we choose to stop focusing on how difficult it is and begin focussing on moving forward.

Every situation is different. But the strategy is the same. We have to change our mindset if we want to get over our past and look at it as a catalyst for growth. So begin asking yourself, how do I want to be different because of this? What is my vision of a great relationship and what is my part in making it happen?

Step #3 – Get Over The Past by Focusing on the Future You Desire

January 20, 2014January 22, 2015

Saving Relationships – Step#2

Okay – this isn’t a secret. Everyone seems to know that human touch is crucial for human development. We’ve heard this statistic: “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” —Virginia Satir – Family Therapist (1916-1988)

But did you know that human touch is crucial for relationship development and is a crucial step for saving a relationship? I’m not talking about sex or even sexual advances. I’m talking a loving kiss on the forehead, a gentle caress of the cheek, a caring back or foot rub, a knowing squeeze of the hand – you get the idea. These are things appropriate for your kids, your parents and YES your spouse. If this seems like a ridiculous suggestion, think again. It is admittedly a small step, but you have to admit, if your relationship is in a mess, it probably happened a little at a time.

So let’s give the little steps a chance!
The cool thing about this step is that it’s unlikely you’re going to get back handed – if you do, you need serious help!! The usual response when this is not your normal M.O. is a look of disbelief or bewilderment – but after a week of taming your tongue, it may be welcomed. If not. . . if it is not warmly received – not to worry. Just try again every couple of hours until it is your normal M.O.

Step #2: Make being affectionate your normal M.O.