Coach Lori Park

"An Honest Look  At REALITY"

Sometimes holiday gatherings can be challenging.  When they are, we need to take an honest look at what's going on.

Maybe you find that others don't have the same beliefs or opinions that you do.                    NEWSFLASH: They aren't suppose to!!!

Think about your Thanksgiving table, if every dish was seasoned the exact same way, the meal would be dull and boring.  But as it is, some dishes are delightful to your personal taste, while others you can take or leave....HOWEVER all the dishes bring value to the meal.

So it is with the people around the table.  Each person brings an unique flavor to the gathering. Since we have no control over others, we have only our-self to look at.  Are we bringing something that blends with the occasion, or something sour and off putting?

This is my personal way to prepare myself for theses...

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.

FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real)

Real or Not, fear can leave you with the feeling of being "trapped".  It can leave you feeling hopelessness, which can be quite paralyzing.

With just a change of your focus, you'll be able to regain your strength in a short period of time.

First, understand that "Yesterday's History" and "Tomorrow's a Mystery".  All your power is in the here and now!

Each day, make sure you take care of your spiritual needs, and no, I'm not talking about religion.  I'm talking about the spirit inside of you.  That place that offers extreme joy and happiness, the place where inspiration comes from.

Walk outside in nature, meditate, sing a happy song, laugh, smile, run.  Allow yourself to express itself.  Do things that brings you joy AT LEAST once a day...and hopefully throughout the day.

By doing this everyday, your days will be happier because you're bringing happiness in daily.  When you're happy, your soul is free to express,...

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!

When you walk in another persons shoes, and see the situation from their perspective too; it's easier to have compassion and forgive them for some ill placed words or mistaken action.  We are all trying to navigate through this life and learn our own lessons.

That is what we came here to do.  Learn and Grow.  We might not get things right the very first time, and there will be mistakes; by others, and also ourselves.  So have equal amounts of compassion and forgiveness for all involved, including you.