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Posts Tagged ‘choices’

Being a Superhero

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 17, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Ironman on couch

Ironman 3

I went to see Ironman 3 with my son on Mother’s Day. The last three words of the movie are still bouncing around in my head. (If you don’t want to know what they are, then stop reading now.)

One of the reasons I’m awestruck is that they are the same three words that ended the first movie, but the meaning this time is very different. At the end of the first movie, Tony Stark confessed to the world, “I am Ironman.” At the end of #3, he declared, “I am Ironman.”

What’s the difference? The first time around, he was admitting that he was the one performing all those superhero deeds. It was all about what he was doing.

By the end of the third movie, however, I saw the transformational shift in Tony Stark. It’s the burden I bear: I see everything, including comic book heroes through the lens of an integrative life coach.

What I saw at the end of movie #3 was Tony Stark embracing the qualities of Ironman. He declared ownership of those qualities, no matter what he was doing. The words were so powerful, they touched my heart, and ignited the soul-searching question, “Who am I?”

After days of contemplation, I realized “Coach Barbie” is not what I do, it is who I am. It is who I have always been, since long before I became a certified coach. From as early as grade school, I have memories of listening to people and offering multiple perspectives and possible solutions to problems. I have always encouraged others to be better, to dream bigger, to embrace life fully. I am an optimist, and I believe in people’s ability to be happy if they so choose.

I am humbled by this realization. I feel both peaceful and empowered, knowing in my heart that no matter what path I walk, the imprint of my soul will appear on everything I do. That’s really what being a superhero is all about … claiming the spark of the Divine and answering the call of the soul.

I am Coach Barbie … who are you?

Book cover

This book was authored by my own life coach, Aila Accad. I was privileged to read it as it was being written, and it has so inspired me! It goes on sale in bookstores June 24. Click on the image above and “Like” her Facebook Page. Also, be sure to add this title to your “Must Read” list this summer.

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Creating a life you love . . .

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2013| 2 Comments »

Lately I’ve found myself in a circular pattern. When I find an idea to blog about, my schedule is full, and I don’t have time to write. But when I schedule time for writing, I can’t seem to find the ideas or the words.

One or two of these deadends would have been okay, but it’s been over two weeks! Two weeks is too long to go without writing!

Oh, Mom would love that sentence! I used all three forms of two-too-to. You see, when I was little this sort of sentence was a nightly ritual of ours. She loved to teach homophones and challenge me to use them in sentences (spelling each one, of course).

You’ll love our yule log!
The sail boat is on sale.
You’re going to write about your days of yore, right?

I put this memory in my book. Did I mention I’ve been writing a book? No, I didn’t think so. Actually, I thought I had finished writing a book. I scheduled time last December to complete the typesetting and get it printed. Then I got sick … for weeks … and then Debbie Ford died … and then Dannie started his cancer treatments . . . . Things got busy at work, and somehow, I let the book slip away.

But I started writing again a couple of weeks ago as a way to infuse my stressful days with a dose of joy. I designed the book cover and became clearer than ever about why I want to complete this project: Because the exercises I’m creating in this workbook shift me into a place of gratitude. Answering the questions and concentrating on the projects has become a supportive practice, an affirmation of all the good in my life.

As Marianne Williamson said, “Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”

One of the proposed designs for the book cover

One of the proposed book cover designs

In the midst of challenges, if one is to find the strength to keep going, it’s essential to take time each day for that simple recognition.

So, I’ll share with you today’s entry in Creating a Life You Love …:

Exercise #69:

  1. List a minimum of five memories about rainstorms that warm your heart and leave you smiling.
  2. Share one of your happy memories with someone else and then really listen as that person shares a happy memory with you.
  3. Finally, choose your favorite “feeling” from all the memories you’ve recalled and decide how you can create just a bit of that feeling for yourself today, tonight, tomorrow . . . .

That’s it. Rainstorm Memories! I can’t wait to hear what comes up for you. Leave a Comment!

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Celebrating My Secretary Self

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 24, 2013| 7 Comments »

Today is Administrative Professionals Day. Even after all these years, not to mention a significant name change from “Secretary’s Day,” this particular day still feels like MINE.

I began my secretarial career at the age of 15 when my English teacher chose me as her office assistant. Soon, the entire English Department was remarking favorably about my secretarial skills, and I landed my first part-time typing job the summer I turned 16. My skills increased and my career continued into corporate positions with up to 11 bosses simultaneously. At 29, with the help of an SBA loan, I opened my own Secretarial Services company, Happy Fingers. In 1984, mine was the first of its kind in Charleston to offer “computerized typing” aka word processing. Happy Fingers has continued for 29 years, and I still love it.

I acknowledge there’s a huge difference between being someone’s secretary and owning a secretarial service company. It became crystal clear my first year in business as I observed a huge increase in the level of respect I received from my clients versus what I had received from my bosses. I was still the same person, doing basically the same things, but I was no longer a mere secretary; I had become a business owner. It was a paradigm shift that changed forever the way I saw myself.

Over the decades I have grown in both ability and confidence. I expanded into bookkeeping and payroll and received certification as a Professional Résumé Writer. Assisting people with their job searches is actually what led me to become certified as a Life Coach, and that’s why I started writing a blog. My English teacher would be proud!

In 2013, I am not only grateful for my skills but for my 1984 self who was willing to take a big risk. My husband treated me to lunch yesterday, a tradition that started when I was his secretary in the late ‘70s. We reminisced about those early days, talked about the many technological changes, and celebrated the myriad of good choices that led us to an outdoor lunch in a beautiful setting.

This is my day to LOVE the Secretary part of me: the organizer, the detail person, the one who can do four things at once and do them all with amazing efficiency. Happy Secretary’s Day!

1974 Picture from PSC

From the 1974 Nebraska Public Service Commission Annual Report – This was my first Professional Secretarial Position – I was 19

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A Time to Heal

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2013| 15 Comments »

I was feeling a little confused at the cottage this morning. I’ve been so unmotivated, so tired, so content to just sit and stare. That’s just not me. And, yet, it has been me for a while now. Where is my energy? Where is my inspiration? After all, it’s Dannie who’s going through radiation therapy. It’s normal for him to feel tired and listless right now, not me. So what gives?

I was directing my questions to The Universe and fully anticipating some enlightening answer when I heard a THUMP. Something had hit the glass of the French door. I looked out to see a wren lying dazed on the front deck. I swooped up the tiny creature just before my cat pounced on it. I shooed the cat away and took the bird inside.

House Wren

Such a little creature and perfect in every way.

I sat in my rocking chair, cuddling the delicate thing in my hands. I looked at its beauty, watched it breathe, and wondered what would become of it. I decided that for the moment, it didn’t matter. I would simply hold it, rock in the chair, and appreciate the rare gift of holding a tiny bird in my hands.

After a while, it squirmed a little and then hopped onto my shoulder. From there, it hopped to my knee and then flew toward the window. I gently picked it up, opened the door, and threw it high into the air. I watched until it flew out of sight.

Back in the cottage, I thanked the Universe for such an amazing experience. And then I heard the message, “You are like that little bird, a bit dazed but basically okay. I will hold you safe in my hands until you are ready to fly again. Just rest here for a while and let me enjoy the miracle that is you.”

Okay … who could argue with that?

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