On my desk was what I call the “I-know-this-is-important-and-I-want-to-record-it-or-act-upon-it-but-other-things-are-taking-precedence-right-now” pile. There was such a weight on my shoulders of all the items I wanted to eventually go through, that I couldn’t concentrate on what was really important right now.
For me it is an amazing lesson that I seem to need to hear again and again. I do not have to do everything myself or by myself. Things can get done without my direct effort. So much stress in life is caused by the belief that we control and need to control everything in our life.
One of the ways I know I have gone off track is when my husband asks me where I want to go to dinner and nothing comes to mind. Honestly, I have no desire or opinion. The only thoughts in my mind are what my husband likes or dislikes. This may seem very insignificant but I think it is actually very major. If I do not have an opinion on something as simple as the food I’d like to eat, what major decisions am I also not able to make?
Thank you to everyone who voted for me and congratulations to the other writers, including my friend Laurie Foley, who made it to the Top 10.
Best Coaching Blog Writers 2010
My friend’s mother used to say, “Life is too short to be pissed off.” I learned of this at her memorial service and the meaning became even more poignant.
Lee DeWyze, one of the three finalists and a native of Mt. Prospect, came home for a parade and concert.
Although this is a trying time, I feel blessed to go through it. No, really I do. You see, now I will have a chance to practice what I preach. As I tell clients every day, self improvement is about a set of habits and tools to use daily, not a program what one learns and then goes back into their daily life. These tools are there to call on when things get rough or when we are pulled off course – just like I was recently.
Every day I tell clients to take care of themselves first. I show them different tools to relax, recharge, and center themselves. I explain how we are no good to others if we have not first taken care of ourselves. But I haven’t seemed to have followed my own instructions.
All too often we move through life not being aware that we have a choice in what that life looks like. We go through our days doing what our parents did, what are friends are doing, what we perceive society expects from us, or just accepting what comes our way.