PERSPECTIVE

The last few months have been a bit crazy.  Lots of big things going on in my personal and professional life.  At times I felt like I was in the middle of a tornado!  Lots of situations beyond my control.  For someone who prefers joy and to see the good in every human, I was not happy.

I was trying to keep lots of balls in the air and the universe kept throwing more for me to juggle while insisting I dance and drink a glass of water at the same time.  No one can do that successfully.  I was tired and depressed.

While on the outside I looked like I was holding it all together, on the inside I was hurt and angry.  Why was this happening?  Does it all have to come at once?  It was easy to get lost in the crazypants that had become my life.

Difficult times can cause a loss of perspective.  Every situation began to grow in size.  My usual way of handling things is to find the solution.  I kept hitting brick walls.  I grew tired and whiny and all victim like.  Ugh!  I knew that I needed to go back and get some tools to handle all that was being thrown at me.  I went to my therapist.

Therapy is a great way to get the proper set of tools to handle all those crazy situations that make up life.  It gave me my perspective back.  There is nothing wrong with seeing a therapist or a coach in order to move forward in life.  Many of you reading this have gone through life changing events.  If you don't have the proper tools in your pocket to handle these changes, things will not go smoothly. 

The fog has begun to lift and I am finding joy again. I want to share a small victory I noticed during this stressful time.  I decided my body wouldn't suffer.  I actually exercised more, not less.  I made sure I ate my protein every day.  I kept the sugar monster from joining the pity party.  These were things I could control about my situation.  In the past, I would have justified having lots of ice cream and no exercise.

    Find the positive, even in the roughest day. 
    If things get crazy, then see a coach or therapist.
    Get your perspective back.

Newlyweds?

My life over the last two months has been one of complete chaos.  My plate has been full.  If I told you everything here, you would not believe me.  I will be writing a screenplay as it would be a perfect Lifetime movie.

When the grand life lesson teacher decides to give you back to back term papers, pop quizzes and projects, you do them.  I kept thinking "This too shall pass".  For the most part it has or at least life is moving in the right direction.

One of the neat things I am getting to experience is time alone with my husband.  We have been married for over 8 years.  During that time, we have never really been alone.  Someone was always living in our home.  Sure, we would get a week here or a week there, but never any length of time without someone residing there.

I am not complaining.  I love my stepchildren as if they were my own, but never having time with your husband can be difficult.  The kids have boomeranged so often that on the day one moved out, another showed up and moved in.  There are many times we felt like we were running a hotel. A few weeks ago, our youngest got married.  Husband and I were looking forward to finally being alone.  With the exception of a kid moving in for 6 days in January, we have gotten our long sought for wish.

Currently it is just us and our two dogs.  I love it!  We have a family room that before now was constantly occupied by one or more of our children and their posse.  We really have never gotten to use that room.  Over the past two weeks, we have taken over!  We watch TV, read and work on the computer in our family room.  When husband wants to go to sleep, no problem.  I can stay up and do what I need to do in the family room.  It is almost like we added on a section of the house! 

We are having fun too!  We are trying to see if we can hold off going to the grocery store for any major purchases until we have cleaned out our pantry and freezer.  We are having some creative meals.  It doesn't matter as it is just us!  Whoop!  When I return home in the evening, the house is just as I left it that morning.  Well, except Molly the dog sometimes tries to redecorate, but otherwise the same.

I am remembering why I married my husband.  He is hilarious!  We laugh all the time!  It is so rejuvenating!  I would guess that this is what most of you experience when you get married, before you have children. We are finally having our newlywed moment.  What fun!  It is nice to have the precious time alone.  I will treasure these days and greedily enjoy each one.

Hopefully, we have entered the peace and quiet stage of life.  Oh and if you need a place to stay, please don't knock on our door.  The Inn is temporarily closed for renovations.

Polyanna? Why not?

Since I have become a certified coach, I have really noticed a change in me.  I have made a conscious effort to lift people up.  I don't really see the good in being negative.  It is a waste of time. 

My husband says that I am becoming a Polyanna.  What is wrong with that?  I would rather look for the good in someone than focus on the bad.  For as long as I can remember, I have had an inner mean girl that hangs out in my head.  For the last few months, I have told her to go *%#$ herself.  She has been quiet and I have not been happier.  Coincidence?  I think not!

I put this picture with my post because it shows love.  That's what it is all about.  Take a moment to find the fabulous in everyone you meet.  Sometimes it may be a bit hard to do, but trust me, you can find something in every single person that walks this earth!  So, get on it!  Join me in Polyannaville.  It is a beautiful place.

Awesome Women!

I had the privilege of attending a working retreat the other weekend in Savannah, Georgia.  I am currently in a class with the women in this picture.  I had spoken with them on the phone, but had never met any of them face to face.

It was remarkable!  For three days I was with twelve amazing women.  We learned, we laughed, we cried.  I am bursting with ideas for business.  It is easy to come up with new things when you are in a supportive atmosphere.

The picture is one of the unusual exercises we did.  We were to write an uplifting message on a piece of poster board.  We had to take our message through a large (very active) park.  Then we were told to stand on a busy corner of the street with these messages and see if we could get cars to honk.  Yikes!  I am one to put myself out there, but not one to put myself WAY out there.

You know the feeling you have when you are driving and see people with poster boards?  I always think "Ugh!  Make it through the light, I don't want to deal with their posters and whatever slogans they yell or crap they are trying to sell."  When you think about it, usually posters are negative or they are trying to sell you the best thing since sliced bread.

Our posters were positive. We were not selling a single thing. I loved watching the faces of people who were driving up to our group.  At first, it was negative, the "oh no" face.  Then their expressions transfer to the "What?" confusion face.  Finally, once the messages were read, we saw lots of smiles and got many honks.  Often people asked what we were doing.  When we told them we were just spreading good thoughts, the answer was always positive.  It was fun!

I learned so much by standing on the corner.  People are not used to positive statements without cost.  That is hugely wrong.  We need to encourage others and often.  Maybe not on the street, but at every chance you get.  Then again, the street corner hit many people in a short period.  A positive thought will always make a difference.

Do you need help with positive thoughts?  I can help.
www.cynthiaokelly.com