I hope this won't sound trite. But I figure since the Oscars just happened that I would have a great excuse to do this. It feels like I'm writing my acceptance speech. But it's my blog and I can write what I want, right? So in this blog I want to write about my friends. You have heard me mention my friends in all my other blogs, but I really want to stress in this blog how great they really are.
I feel that the people you surround yourself with are nothing less than reflections of who you really are. I would love to think I am as wonderful as my friends are. They are all unique, successful, wise, smart, and sexy to say the least. If I'm half of that, I'm doing pretty well! These friends also teach me things. I have learned many things about myself through the long nights on the phone, the girls nights, the dinner parties, you name it. We are a pretty roudy bunch when you get us all together and when we leave each other's company, we've left with something to think about.
It's amazing how some go through life and not see people like the ones I've picked up. I have learned throughout the years to keep my eyes peeled for people I think can help me accomplish my goals. I usually see a little of me in all my friends. And I'm sure you do too. If you look around and all your friends are negative, sour, angry, or just downright unpleasant; these are, or will become attributes of you. Be careful who you surround yourself with. This can be a major monkey wrench if you're trying to be successful. You need people who will lift you up and support you, not bring you down. And take note, that you must be there when they need you.
Being a good friend is just as important as having one. Friendships like all other relationships are give and take. Depending on the issue it may be your turn to either give or take. Beware the friends that only take; they can be draining! If that's the case create a little distance. Distance can sometimes be healthy for a relationship. If you are a good friend you know, because your friends tell you. I work to be a good friend, this is a relationship like all you encounter. And working is just part of the plan.
You need to have key people you can count on when things get tough. Your friends will help uplift you when bad times come. I've really got a great support system, because there are times I forget it's "bad times." Get your support system. Don't push people down and not help them because you feel threatened. Take the time to look into the unknown, and who knows what you may find. Surround yourself with people you want to be like.
Keep Going,
Amie
Showing posts with label Recipe for Survival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recipe for Survival. Show all posts
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Recipe for Survival (Part II) Giving
I am writing this particular blog because it was requested from a friend of mine. After a little time and some careful thought, this is what I came up with. This blog deals with depression. After experiencing a little, I realized that many of you are going through the same thing. With the holidays here, I am sure it has not made it any better. So I thought "Since the Holidays don't make your problems go away, now is just as good a time as any to deal with the issue."
The last week of October was quite monumental for me. My grandfather died. I am fine and my family is fine. He'd been sick for a while, but it still hurt. It was the first time I had ever experienced the death of someone close to me as an adult. It really made me see how swiftly life passes. It made me realize how we wallow so hard in our own self pity that we forget about the world around us. There is so much going on and everything is moving so fast that we forget to slow down, take a moment, and help others in any way we can. We don't have a lot to give, but we should give what we have. Giving makes us open to receive gifts, and friends, and moments.
I realized every moment I spent with my grandfather was a special one. When he died I got a little down for a while. It made me understand some things:
I knew I needed to deal with these feelings. I could have easily gone to a doctor and asked for a perscription, saying to myself and to him, "I need something to cope." However, that is not what I suggest you do. One suggestion is get involved. For me, I knew I had to volunteer later that week, I had people depending on me to help them. It also gave me something to look forward to. There is something in being needed that makes your endorphins flow. It literally makes you happier to be a part of something that is bigger than you. You learn a lot about yourself when you volunteer. It is knowing that you are there for something other than yourself. It is the changing of your perspective. It is giving. Medication just covers the symptoms, it does not deal with the problem. You must learn to deal with your problems. If you wouldn't pick up a liquor bottle everytime you felt you couldn't deal with the pains of life, why would you pop a pill?
I understand the need to take a mental break sometimes. I understand the fact that you cry and get upset; I do too. I want you to take this with you -you can't let these "issues" stop you in your tracks and cause you to sink. Have you ever seen an anchor hold down one of those cruise ships? You cannot let your problems become your anchor. Deal with your problems one at a time. You know the old addage, "Rome wasn't built in a day?" or "Don't bite off more than you can chew?" Prioritize and deal with the biggest issues first. Sometimes you may have to break those big problems up into bite-sized peices. Remember, people understand how you feel. Most people have been there and will help in any way they can. Once you start giving, people will give to you.
With the Holidays here, it is a perfect time to give. Give a waitress an extra good tip, or give a kid a basketball. Give free piano lessons, a shoulder to cry on, or clothes to good will. It dosen't matter what you give, and you don't need a reason and an excuse to give. It really warms my heart this time of year to see how wonderful people are and how freely they give. I just wish we would find an "excuse" all year long. That would be nice. You could start giving now and give a little something all year long and we could start the trend; a pay it forward type of thing. Get involved. Volunteer at a children's home, or homeless shelter. Life is not just about you. And I think the sooner we learn that as a country and as a human race, the better off we will be.
You have to get up. You can't stay there forever. Things will change when you change.
Keep Going,
A
Homework: Add 1 Cup of giving, by doing something nice for a stranger. (Pay it Forward)
The last week of October was quite monumental for me. My grandfather died. I am fine and my family is fine. He'd been sick for a while, but it still hurt. It was the first time I had ever experienced the death of someone close to me as an adult. It really made me see how swiftly life passes. It made me realize how we wallow so hard in our own self pity that we forget about the world around us. There is so much going on and everything is moving so fast that we forget to slow down, take a moment, and help others in any way we can. We don't have a lot to give, but we should give what we have. Giving makes us open to receive gifts, and friends, and moments.
I realized every moment I spent with my grandfather was a special one. When he died I got a little down for a while. It made me understand some things:
- I knew it was a great time for a blog, it would help me deal with the emotions I was feeling.
- Others were feeling the same way, because it was during this time I got the text from my friend requesting I write a blog on depression.
- I could absolutely relate to how depressed people felt. The darkness was calling my name, I kid you not.
I knew I needed to deal with these feelings. I could have easily gone to a doctor and asked for a perscription, saying to myself and to him, "I need something to cope." However, that is not what I suggest you do. One suggestion is get involved. For me, I knew I had to volunteer later that week, I had people depending on me to help them. It also gave me something to look forward to. There is something in being needed that makes your endorphins flow. It literally makes you happier to be a part of something that is bigger than you. You learn a lot about yourself when you volunteer. It is knowing that you are there for something other than yourself. It is the changing of your perspective. It is giving. Medication just covers the symptoms, it does not deal with the problem. You must learn to deal with your problems. If you wouldn't pick up a liquor bottle everytime you felt you couldn't deal with the pains of life, why would you pop a pill?
I understand the need to take a mental break sometimes. I understand the fact that you cry and get upset; I do too. I want you to take this with you -you can't let these "issues" stop you in your tracks and cause you to sink. Have you ever seen an anchor hold down one of those cruise ships? You cannot let your problems become your anchor. Deal with your problems one at a time. You know the old addage, "Rome wasn't built in a day?" or "Don't bite off more than you can chew?" Prioritize and deal with the biggest issues first. Sometimes you may have to break those big problems up into bite-sized peices. Remember, people understand how you feel. Most people have been there and will help in any way they can. Once you start giving, people will give to you.
With the Holidays here, it is a perfect time to give. Give a waitress an extra good tip, or give a kid a basketball. Give free piano lessons, a shoulder to cry on, or clothes to good will. It dosen't matter what you give, and you don't need a reason and an excuse to give. It really warms my heart this time of year to see how wonderful people are and how freely they give. I just wish we would find an "excuse" all year long. That would be nice. You could start giving now and give a little something all year long and we could start the trend; a pay it forward type of thing. Get involved. Volunteer at a children's home, or homeless shelter. Life is not just about you. And I think the sooner we learn that as a country and as a human race, the better off we will be.
You have to get up. You can't stay there forever. Things will change when you change.
Keep Going,
A
Homework: Add 1 Cup of giving, by doing something nice for a stranger. (Pay it Forward)
Remember, there are places that offer assistance if you are in need of help.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Recipe for Survival
I usually come up with things to write by listening to my friends. They don't really know I'll take what they say and turn it into a blog, but most of the time you never really think what you tell them will become a story either. I have said this before, I just want to make sure you know, that when it is time to write another blog-everything becomes a topic!
I have been asked several times when I have handed out my business card, "What do you life coach about?" My answer has always been-and maybe stupidly, "Life." Is there another answer to give? I have always thought so, so I pondered one day, as I do most days, and thought "What is it that I life coach about?" I thought of my blog and the wonderful feedback I get usually through emails; I love the emails! I thought about what I say when people ask me for advice. My answer: I coach about survival! I coach you on how to get through the nitty gritty of every day.
Life is hard and sometimes you do need a shoulder to cry on or a friend to laugh with. Life needs a few coaches in order to make it better. You should surround yourself with people who will be your coaches. I surround myself with people who are fun, smart, and just plain old better than me so they can coach me. Who helps you? Who are you a coach to? You want to know a secret? I am just a regular girl. I just understand things and see things that most people don't see because of my perspective. We all have perspectives that are different. This is what makes you special enabling you to be a coach too. There is nothing so special about me that sets me apart from everyone else.
I have lost my job and wondered how I would pay a bill. I have struggled to pay rent and made some really bad mistakes. We are the same person. We have the same story. We should be there for each other. Share our perspectives on the world so we can get through this thing called life together! I heard one day that "big mistakes make great stories." Share your story! Don't let your stories make you bitter or stressed. I used to tell my students, "You have to learn to laugh at yourself." I don' t mean a little snicker either, I mean a gut wrenching, pig snorting, can't really breathe, LAUGH!
Surround your self with people who will help you laugh at yourself. I have been blessed with the best friends in the whole wide world. They are all just some really wonderful ladies who also fit in very well with each other. Not at day goes by that one of them isn't making me look at myself and laugh at the stupidness of a situation. And I in turn also return the favor! Laughter is just really such a wonderful tool that makes everything "OK" for just a moment. Don't be afraid to use your tool. Don't let life eat you up so bad that you forget to laugh. Laughter helps with life.
Homework! Add 2 cups of laughter by watching a funny movie and laugh!
Keep Going!
Amie
I have been asked several times when I have handed out my business card, "What do you life coach about?" My answer has always been-and maybe stupidly, "Life." Is there another answer to give? I have always thought so, so I pondered one day, as I do most days, and thought "What is it that I life coach about?" I thought of my blog and the wonderful feedback I get usually through emails; I love the emails! I thought about what I say when people ask me for advice. My answer: I coach about survival! I coach you on how to get through the nitty gritty of every day.
Life is hard and sometimes you do need a shoulder to cry on or a friend to laugh with. Life needs a few coaches in order to make it better. You should surround yourself with people who will be your coaches. I surround myself with people who are fun, smart, and just plain old better than me so they can coach me. Who helps you? Who are you a coach to? You want to know a secret? I am just a regular girl. I just understand things and see things that most people don't see because of my perspective. We all have perspectives that are different. This is what makes you special enabling you to be a coach too. There is nothing so special about me that sets me apart from everyone else.
I have lost my job and wondered how I would pay a bill. I have struggled to pay rent and made some really bad mistakes. We are the same person. We have the same story. We should be there for each other. Share our perspectives on the world so we can get through this thing called life together! I heard one day that "big mistakes make great stories." Share your story! Don't let your stories make you bitter or stressed. I used to tell my students, "You have to learn to laugh at yourself." I don' t mean a little snicker either, I mean a gut wrenching, pig snorting, can't really breathe, LAUGH!
Surround your self with people who will help you laugh at yourself. I have been blessed with the best friends in the whole wide world. They are all just some really wonderful ladies who also fit in very well with each other. Not at day goes by that one of them isn't making me look at myself and laugh at the stupidness of a situation. And I in turn also return the favor! Laughter is just really such a wonderful tool that makes everything "OK" for just a moment. Don't be afraid to use your tool. Don't let life eat you up so bad that you forget to laugh. Laughter helps with life.
Homework! Add 2 cups of laughter by watching a funny movie and laugh!
Keep Going!
Amie
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