When attending networking events or social occasions, I am often asked,
“what do you do?” My response depends on the situation. Sometimes there is the short answer: I am a life coach; I work with seniors; I offer support and assistance to caregivers, I am a consultant.
Its’s about having a client understand.What I do is not as important to me as why I do what I do. We often hear the answer, “I want to make a difference.” That is true. For me the real answer is knowing that I have helped someone to bring about a change in their life. It’s about seeing them believe in themselves again. It is about a client becoming a friend. It is about having a client understand that what they are doing matters. It’s about not sitting still and taking action to bring about changes that I want to see — attending seminars and knowing that I am making a difference.
Coaching to me is about support. It is also about assistance, It’s listening to a client’s story. It’s realizing that these people trust me. It is about hoping that eventually others will understand and take the appropriate action that works best for them. It’s not about me. It’s about a client seeing clearly their own agenda.
As a certified life coach, it’s important for clients to understand that I care about them and their futures. It’s seeing the light in their faces when I remember the little things and the no so little things — a birthday, a new contract, a date, a referral. it’s a call from someone who heard something I said or did a while ago and they are wondering if I am still on that path.They are ready to take on some of the challenges in their lives.
Why am I doing this? It’s about that fifth grade teacher who saw something special in me and took the initiative to suggest enrollment in a summer camp. It’s about the college professor who read my essay and recommended a graduate scholarship program. It’s about the recruiter who asked me to stay after the class and question me about my future.
It’s about taking that extra step. It’s about believing that in the end someone actually “gets it”.
I ask you to take some special time out for yourself; to do something special just for you. Know that you deserve so much more than what you are giving to yourself at this particular moment.
Join me on this journey. I believe in you, your what and your why.
Joy and light.
A Day At The DMV
- Recently my daughter and I spent a few hours at the DMV. She was getting registration, new license and other requirements for her car. It was another way for us to spend quality time together. (If you are familiar with DMV lines, you know we had more than enough time to share special moments)
She received her number and was told it would probably be a 45 minute wait. We left for a snack and returned. Her number B105 had not been called when we returned.
How do you spend time at the DMV? We waited, talked and observed others.
As we were watching and waiting, we noticed several seniors entering with their caregivers. (we assumed) Some of them were using assistance devices — walkers and canes. My daughter’s question to me was, “Mommie, why are they here? Is it for State Identification?” My response was “They are here for drivers licenses.”
The disbelief on her face was quite apparent. Our watching and waiting continued. We heard their numbers being called. We watched them take their vision test. We observed as their #caregivers assisted them with all transactions. (check writing, holding them up to read signs, assisting with walking)
The question is, how safe is it for seniors to drive? We all age differently and if you receive my blog or newsletter, we are Aging Gracefully. It must be noted that as we age, our strength is reduced along with our vision and our reaction times.
There are precautions we all must take as we drive. Some are more important as we continue to age.
Be certain we know the road signs.
Travel on less busy streets.
Drive during daylight hours.
Use public transportation.
Try ride sharing.
It is everyone’s responsibility to be a safe and defensive driver. Let’s do our part to continually improve as we age and to understand that age can interfere with our driving. Have that conversation with your loved one about driving. Refer them to DMV or have their physician have a talk with them if you are not successful in convincing them to drive less or to allow others to assist them with their driving.
Happy Driving to You.
Getting Closure
It’s mid-summer. Mothers Day, Fathers Day, graduations and weddings are some of the reminders of summer.
Summer can be a time to get closure on things left unsaid and undone from our past. They days are longer with more daylight to reflect and think even in the midst of our busy schedules. It really is mid-year. It’s time to tie up loose ends to get better understanding and more peace of mind on what has happened in our lives and to learn the important life lessons that are being taught.
Let’s make a commitment to get answers to those questions that need to be answered. Take the time to focus and stop our endless mind chatter.
Call friends, colleagues, family members and lift weights that have been burdens for too long. Write a letter if you are not yet ready to confront them or the challenge directly. Writing can be the beginning of the healing process.
Closure is knowing that you have done your best. Closure allows us to do what is needed at the time.
At a later time, you may be able to do more. Anger and uncertainly become a part of our past. We can move on to more pleasant memories without reliving moments of anxiety and stress.
It’s time for us to appreciate ourselves and move on to new adventures.
Happy Summer to you and your New Beginning.
Joy and light,
Thinking Of YOU
As we move into the 5th month of this year, I am wondering how you are treating yourself, where your thoughts are leading you, how you are responding to others and how you are deciding to move forward. We are moving closer toward mid-year. I encourage you as I practice and continue to encourage myself on the importance of self care. May is not only designated as Mothers Day. I trust yours was wonderful and as inspiring as you are. One of the designations I like for the month of May is “recommittment month” This is the time for us to focus on what truly matters in our lives, what we truly are committed to follow through on and with. Re-visit those New Year’s resolutions, objectives and goals. Determine which of them really matter and will make a difference in your life. Focus on recommitting to what makes you shine, what will make your life more of what you honestly want for 2015 and beyond.
At New Beginnings, the focus is always on You — what works best in your life, what you want more of, what is making your life more exciting, more interesting, more YOU. There are new and exciting presentations, workshops and seminars in store for more of what works for you. I appreciate your feedback and experiences with what’s happening at New Beginnings. The Mother/Daughter Conversations were loaded with valuable information. We uncovered some truths that may have been uncomfortable in relationships. We discovered some ideas that make our lives better. Are mother’s always mothering? Should that be their role?
My desire for you is a happy and fulfilling May filled with the beauty this time of year brings as you continue to shine and be empowered.
Joy and light,
Angela
P.S.
Call for your personal consultation. 310 673 3349. Let’s schedule some workshops that make self-care more fun and an experience that we look forward to in our daily lives.