Breathe This Way

It had been a rough day at work – one of those days when nothing goes right and you’re blamed for everything that goes wrong.   I left work defeated, but my day was far from over.  I had a volunteer commitment that night and a networking event after that.  My day had to go on, I just wasn’t sure I could.  I was so exhausted I could barely catch my breath.  

Then my cell phone rang and it was my mom.   She sensed my restlessness and asked what was really going on.  I took a breath…and I begin to spill my guts.  She listened without interruption.  Just an occasional, “I understand.”  After what was probably 30 minutes of me talking and her listening, I realized that I had reached where I was going. 

I said to her, “I’m sorry I’ve been talking this whole time.  I feel better. I guess I just needed to breathe.”  And she replied, “Breathe this way any time.”

After I heard those words, I was able to step back and look at the big picture of my day, and really my life.  I learned that allowing myself to breathe centered me and allowing myself to talk about what was bothersome helped me gain perspective.  But the biggest thing I learned is how important it is to have someone listen to you.  It is our deepest desire to be heard.

In hearing myself, I understood that whatever daily trials I encountered – I was still here.  I had the same power to accept those feelings of defeat that I had to reject them.  I was going to get through this day just like I always have.  And I was able to remember this because someone took the time to listen.  This simple gesture breathed life back into my day.

A Piece Of Cake

I recently dined at a restaurant that is popular for everything on the menu.  When I arrived, I had no idea it was going to be the meal of a lifetime.  Well it was…until the dessert came.

I ordered the “Fallen Chocolate Cake”.  I was very disappointed at the dry texture of the outside of the cake, and I wasn’t too impressed with the presentation. Although I wasn’t completely satisfied with what had been brought to me, I kept eating it – thinking, “Since I asked for it and started it, I’m going to finish it.”  Then something happened.  I got to the center of the cake and I can’t even type what I experienced.  It was a fountain of perfection that made me think, “Oh, this is exactly what I expected…and what I’ve been waiting for.”

Sometimes life can be that way.  We ask for something and then when it comes, we are completely disappointed because of how it looks, how it is presented or how it doesn’t live up to what we had in mind.  However, if we take the time to be patient, keep moving forward – we may find that we are pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Before you reach judgment on an experience, an offering or even a person…take time to enjoy what is in front of you.  Then assess the moment.  At first, you could find you hate it…but most often, we may be thankful for the opportunity to have tried it.  And if we look at the big picture – we are truly richer for the experience.  It’s not hard to embrace this mindset.  Take it from me…it’s a piece of cake!

www.insightfulvoice.com

Just Isn't My Gig

Last night I was watching an episode of Flipping Out on Bravo and Jeff, the owner and star of the reality show, was contemplating firing his assistant, Sarah.  As he talked with his boyfriend, he didn’t understand why after much training, Sarah still wasn’t delivering acceptable work.  His boyfriend responded, “Maybe this just isn’t her gig.”

Simple, but true.  Some of us spend our days in a job where we struggle on a weekly, sometimes daily basis and never seem to get where we most want to go.  When you find out what you are truly called to do…you’re no longer waiting for the moment for all to be well.  You are in your moment and all is well.  I am beginning to face the reality that some things just might not be my gig.  Now, I have DECIDED to use my mistakes to help me move forward.  Is it time for you to make that decision as well?

Out Of The Moment

I was traveling on a business trip and meeting my client for the first time and feeling anxious and nervous.  What am I’m going to say?  What if they ask me about their business – do I know enough?  What’s going to happen?  
 

This is an example of me being not only out of my mind…but also out of the moment.  Waiting and anticipating the moment.  Out of touch with what keeps  me calm.  Out of center…floating around in uncertainty.

It’s funny, I don’t feel this way when I’m life coaching.  To get to this moment in my life I was able to ask the right questions and pay enough attention to understand and discover what I was really supposed to do.  It feels right.  It feels in the moment.  The questions stop and the answers start.  What’s so rewarding about this, is that everyone has the opportunity to feel this way.

Just For You…

Are you looking to get back In The Moment so that you don’t have to face questions of uncertainty?  Starting Wednesday, September 7th, you can sign up for a 30 minute free consultation on www.insightfulvoice.com.