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ast week I wrote about the many things we want in life, not necessarily what we really need to live life, but the desire for something that may feel inexpressible. While hiking on one of our small mountains up here in the Northwest, I saw this beautifully transparent flower (of sorts) and it reminded me how change happens so quickly. One blow on this, and then, transformation…and the pleasure of seeing these fragile fronds disappear like magic. I hope that the short story and the exercise I’m sharing here will help guide you to a deeper awareness of the contentment that you seek.
Marjorie called me about coaching because she had been in counseling for several months and didn’t feel that she was progressing in the positive direction she expected. Somewhere along her journey of the last few years, she had lost her joy for life. There were many reasons. She had divorced six years previously, been recently downsized from a job she loved, lost a close family member the year before and two children had left for college. Her life seemed very empty.
During our first three sessions of building a coaching relationship, I asked her a lot of questions and quietly gathered information. When we talked the fourth time, I asked her if she would be willing to carry a little notebook with her for at least three or four weeks and write down any time or circumstance that brought joy to mind (and why), and if something made her feel particularly sad to jot that down also. She was a little wary, but said she would do it.
When we talked after the first week of her exercise, there were only two instances that she felt brought a glimmer of lightheartedness…and several occasions that made her feel sad. I congratulated her on being aware of her feelings and encouraged her to do the exercise for another week.
The next conversation was full of surprises. She had started to notice things that made her happy many years ago and forgotten about. There were at least seven items she wrote about feeling joyful, even if just for a few minutes…and fewer notes about what created sorrow. I requested that she keep the notebook going for a few more weeks.
I’m sure you can guess the end of the story. After about three months, Marjorie slowly re-realized what made her happy. We were able to continue with our coaching relationship for several more months until her improved emotions allowed her to make positive changes. The vital transitions opened the way for Marjorie to change her lifestyle and live the passionate life she had been visioning.
As usual , this story has brought me to the point of asking you a few challenging questions, if you are wanting something else on your journey:
Do you have a substantial desire for change in your life? Do you want your longing to actually take place, or are you content to simply crave it for a few more years? Are you consciously aware of what is driving your dream? Are you willing to conceive a few questions which will bring awareness to your situation? Will you carry that notebook with you as you consciously begin to create the change that will lead to manifesting your vision?
Call me if you want to chat or visit our island. I’m passionate about guiding others on their journeys to contentment! I’m creating a women’s retreat in late September for anyone in transition, whether it’s discovering a new career, exploring retirement or how to write your book. You will leave our enchanted island with your own personal map, a blueprint for the next steps on your journey. For more information about the retreat, go to www.SharonHooper.com and click on ‘retreats’.
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