Coach Lori Park

We are in the "Harvest Season".  Many people enjoy a nice bottle of wine at their Thanksgiving table.

What makes good wine?  Some might say the particular grape, some may say the blending of grapes. Others might say the region the grape is grown.  There are some that say the temperature, the sun, or the shade.  Still others argue the time the grapes are picked from the vine.  And in truth, all of these answers are correct.

There are so many factors that go into the perfect time to harvest the grape, so that the wine can blend its natural flavor, for a smooth taste that enhances the dining experience.

No two years are exactly the same.  Some years have more rain than others.  Some years experience varying temperatures, and at different times during the season.  The time to harvest, becomes an custom evaluation each year, throughout different regions.

The same thing is true for you.  You bring a special enhancement of your gifts and...

As the warmth of summer becomes a distant memory, and the crisp air of autumn is present, we are aware we're moving into a new season.

The changing seasons offers new colors in our landscape, and the sound of crunching leaves under our feet.  Our seasons are cyclical, each taking turn to offer its gifts to all those wise enough to learn and grow from the experience of the season.

The wisdom autumn offers is a time of transition and reflection.  This is a time to prepare for a quiet look inwards to gain the deep understanding that things do change, and it's OK as we cycle through our life.  Another word for gaining through change is "growth".

Many people are afraid of change, and try their hardest to prevent it from happening.  But you wouldn't prevent your children from changing as they grow from their experiences....would you?  It isn't always easy to watch your child go through some of the physical and emotional changes, but at the same time you know,...

In these crazy times we're living in, we need to make sure we aren't adding to the surrounding chaos.

When there are wars, and rumors of wars....how do we become part of the Solution, rather than part of the problem?

We do this by managing our own Emotions.

     -Identify what you're feeling.  Honor those feelings by labeling or defining them.

     -Take a pause for the cause.

     -Think through all your options about what you're feeling.

     -Then respond with a calm and clear mind; rather than a knee jerk reaction to the situation.

Remember....wherever attention goes, energy flows.

Control your attention, and bring peace to this planet.

MANAGING FEAR

The Buddha said:  The secret to Enlightenment is the eradication of fear.

In Sufism: they believe God is on one side of the veil and we're on the other, and our life is the struggle against the veil....and the veil is our fear.

Breaking fear down scientifically:  FEAR is an emotional reaction to a future event, that may or may not happen....with you focused on a negative outcome.

Fear depends on a negative outcome.  It depends on YOU believing in a negative outcome.

When you shift your focus from negative to positive...YOU create a whole different experience.

Perhaps this is why the good book told us 365 times to, FEAR NOT.

Setbacks are only temporary.  Many times, growth is attainable only through those temporary setbacks.  As it affords us time to pause and ponder what happened; think through a respectful solution; and put together a well thought-out plan to move forward.

Hope is the eternal flame that burns within each of us.

Don't forget the power of the positivity you bring to this world!!  Your talents or gifts might be different or unconventional, but it's precisely the uniqueness that is entrusted to you, to bring forth into this crazy world at this time.

Embrace your purpose.

The world is inviting you to step out of your comfort zone and into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.  This is about the very essence of who you are; the energy you bring to every moment.

You are part of the community for change!

First of all....What is the meaning of a secret weapon?

"Something or someone that no one knows about, and that will give you an advantage over your competitors or enemies."

You might argue that everyone knows about LOVE, so how can that be a secret weapon.  You're right, AND THAT'S what makes it even more powerful.

Yes, we know about LOVE, but few realize there are actually invisible frequencies that accompanies all emotions.

When someone is feeling an angry emotion, and another person is feeling a loving emotion; whichever person is feeling their emotion stronger, they will actually neutralize the other person's emotion.

So next time you're in a disagreement with someone you care about.....try this!!

Think about the wonderful qualities this person normally exhibits, remember the good times and caring actions.  Hold that thought....Feeling those feelings grow stronger....then push those feelings from your heart to their heart.  Feel how good that feels, stay with...

BE THE PERSON YOU WANT TO SEE THE WORLD REFLECT BACK!!

Have you ever had someone present you with information that was in direct opposition to your belief system?

My earliest memory of this, is when I learned there's no Santa Claus.  Everyone has their own story about this, and it might not be a big deal.  While my experience was traumatic, and left no lasting scars, this neutral story may help in seeing a bigger picture to current life issues.

In my family, I am the youngest of three children.  When my oldest sister found out the truth through her school age friends, that there is no such thing as Santa Claus, she brought that truth home to us.  Since I was so young, this hit me pretty hard.  I couldn't believe such a thing...I wouldn't believe.  Her information was wrong, and I was going to prove it.  I went to a person I knew my whole life, who knew more than my sister, and mom would set things straight.  I came to find out that my mother backed up my sister's story.  To say I was shocked...

Definition of "Rightness" from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary:

"Correctness or accuracy. Propriety or fitness. Moral integrity."                     

It has been said that humans know what's right from what's wrong by the time a child is 10 years old.  So why do some people lose their way and don't stand up for what's right?

Is it that we care more about what other people think of us? Perhaps we feel pressure or bullying around us. Whatever prevents us from doing what we know is right, is actually compromising our integrity.

It's not always easy to do what's right. But if we maintain our integrity, our lives get easier and our path becomes clearer.  Maybe those who don't accept us for who we are, including our desire to act responsibly, aren't supposed to be in our life anyway.

Never get tired of doing the right thing.  Humanity is counting on us!

Definition of "Freedom" from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary:

"The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint."                      -Syn. "FREEDOM, INDEPENDENCE, LIBERTY refer to the absence of undue restrictions and an opportunity to exercise one's rights and powers.  FREEDOM emphasizes the opportunity given for the exercise of one's rights, powers, desires, or the like."

From time to time in our lives, it pays to pause and re-evaluate where we are along this journey called life.  We are ALL born free.  The question is do you believe you are free now?

If so, did you have to stand up and claim, exercise or defend your freedom?  Was this something you needed to do more than once?  Do you respect others, when you notice people standing for their freedom too?

If you don't feel free now, when did you lose your freedom? ...