Get Your Story Straight

Once upon a time...

The familiar phrase that launched us into whimsical childhood stories and now serves as the title to a very popular television show.

It's all about STORY, the purposeful weaving together of facts to arrive at a predetermined point. Your story is not only about what has happened to you, but about what you have become as a result of what happened to you.

I once heard a story about two brothers who were raised by their father, a drunk who was often violent and couldn't hold down a job. One brother grew up to become a thriving businessman who loved his family and never took a drink. The other brother grew up to be just like his father. When their father eventually passed away, both sons made the same statement at his funeral, "Everything I am today, I owe to my dad."

Same story, same statement, different outcome. What made the difference? The way each brother interpreted the story.

Trainer/Mentor Coach and Dean of Curriculum at Coach Training Alliance, David Krueger, M. D. says, "Story is the most powerful way humans communicate. Stories give birth to possibility. Stories are a way that we resonate with our earlier selves, connect with others, and create a road map to proceed. Our brains are wired to process information in narrative form. The narrative we construct navigates our lives."

What stories have you been telling yourself? How do these stories make you feel?

Don't remain a prisoner of your past. Can you change what happened? No. But you CAN change how you see and experience your present and future. Research has proven that your subconscious can't tell the difference between a real or an imagined experience. The mind only goes by what its told. So, if you don't like what you see, change the script! Here's a wonderful article segment by Joseph M. Carver, Ph.D. about how to do just that.

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." ~ Proverbs 23:7 KJV

Worth More Than Gold

Just a reminder...

God sees the special in you. Do you see it too? Value yourself.

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog if I Want To!

Today is my 48th birthday. Yay!!! I feel blessed to be alive to see another year.

I'd like to celebrate it blog-style by sharing a few of my FAVORITE things. (Heck! Oprah does it all the time. I don't see why I can't give it a shot, right?)

#1 - My AWESOME, LOVABLE, FANTASTIC, MAGNIFICENT (Can you tell how much I really love these guys?) Family

Husband, B. J. - My true soul-mate and my rock. This man is so good and so loving, I don't have the words to describe him. I love being his wife, but I'm even more honored to be his best friend. Love me some him!

Tyler - My lovely, vivacious, multi-talented 17-year-old. She's my harmonizing partner (we love to sing!). I'm the keeper of her secrets. She's our first-born. Thank you, for letting me practice all my first-time mommyness on you!

Drew - My thoughtful, handsome, creative 16-year-old. My boy is the BEST! Sure, I'm biased, but that's allowed. He always looks out for his mama and he knows I'll always look out for him. Thanks for reminding me to notice and enjoy the simple things in life, son!

Reagan - My cute-as-a-button twin (at least that's what people tell us). She's the one who challenges me, but in a good way. So gifted, inquisitive, and bright; always keeping me thinking and laughing. Wise beyond her 13 years, she never ceases to amaze me with the way she thinks. Her poems always melt my heart. I'll be there, front and center, when you accept that Pulitzer Prize, Mini-Me!

#2 - COFFEE (By itself, in something else... you name it!)

If you know me, you know this. However, let me be clear. I DON'T drink it every day because I don't want to become one of those cranky caffeine addicts. I also DON'T hang out in Starbucks every chance I get, although I will heartily accept their gift cards (HINT-HINT).

#3 - PINTEREST

It's the one social media site that is my weakness, which is strange because I rarely even chat with anybody on it. I just love all those beautiful, bountiful boards, filled with ideas, recipes, tips... I've been known to lose 3 - 4 hours on that site. Not good. So I'm in a self-imposed self-help program, right now. I'll tell you how it goes... right after I pin this neat tip for softening brown sugar...

#4 - LIFE COACHING (at least my brand of it)

I've actually been life coaching for years, I just didn't know it. I've always been the kind of person that people trust to tell their problems to or ask for advice. My true appreciation for this gift only started manifesting itself in recent years. Whether it's women, married couples (along with my wonderfully wise husband), or teens, I love inspiring, motivating and encouraging people to live up to their full potential. So fulfilling and rewarding!

#5 - CHOCOLATE

A picture is worth a thousand words...

So, there you go. Just a few of my favorite things. They always leave me with a special sparkle in my eye.