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In order to choose a coach/therapist you can work with and feel good about, it’s pretty important to know his or her beliefs and what values are most important. I could write a lot here, but want to start with the most important details. First of all, I am a Christian and believe every human was created by God, and apart from Him our hearts are empty. I also believe He created us for intimacy with one another and that when it is severed, depression and loneliness will result. This is why I have such a heart for mended marriages and restoration to take place. Understanding our emotions and increasing our self-awareness is critical if we are to have successful relationships whether in marriage or the job. People often make decisions based on their emotions, and that’s pretty scary if most are not even aware what they feel and/or why. Men, even you can benefit from therapy so give it a try!
God has a purpose for each of us. Scripture implores us to live by His principles, so we can enjoy life to the fullest, not so we can live by a bunch of “rules.” As I have written on the Home Page, freedom is reality and our control is an illusion, a mere attempt to play God.
I believe man is given free will and that most of life is not a series of right and wrong choices to fear but a journey with good and bad consequences. I believe the church has turned many away from God, but that those who look to the church to be perfect and without blemish are often the ones running. Preachers aren’t always right; they’re human just like us and have same struggles. I believe we are all a product of all the choices, good and bad, we have made in our lifetime. We can change despite those choices but often the consequences don’t. This is not at all to suggest, however, that brain chemistry disorders such as Bipolar Disorder are our faults or in our control. We can however choose whether to get treatment such as taking medication.
Nothing determines us; we determine our destiny with the help of spiritual influence. Finally, I believe life is too short to not have a peace and joy in our lives more times than not. Life is tough, and we often need help from others including professionals such as myself, but to stay miserable by choice is no way to live! God only knows the length of time we each have here, and I believe we should make the most of it.
Please do not think you can’t see me if you don’t hold to or agree with all of the beliefs I have. Please know though that how I counsel/coach is based on these beliefs and principles to which I adhere. The fact is that we are all capable of thinking, feeling, and behaving however we choose to. I have a very open mind and rarely have a deaf ear to what people have to say. I am growing every day and want to continue to and can’t if I close my mind to others’ beliefs!
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THE “PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS” CAN BE MORE THAN A TRUE STORY
OF SOMEONE ELSE
Be honest, why are you doing what you are as a career or as a volunteer? Why are you working at that J-O-B and continue to complain about how awful it is. Or maybe you just have convinced yourself this is what it takes to support your family and there are no choices at this point. Really? In America, you really buy that? Oh I know, it’s that some people are just fortunate or grew up on the right side of the tracks or had a good family home where the parents provided the funds to go to college. Have you seen Pursuit of Happyness yet? That may help take away at least some of your excuses. Feeling annoyed, maybe even angry? Good, now do something about it. Whatever your reasons, BE HONEST. If you can’t be happy, there is no need to continue reading on since this article will totally frustrate you and waste your time.
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Now, allow me to assist you in thinking outside the box will you? What have you got to lose? Before we begin, ponder this with me. Why is it most people I counsel have chosen a career that they if they are really honest with themselves admit they dislike (or even hate)? For many years I have thought of how important it is that people, particularly men who are often the primary bread winners, choose occupations that will provide a sense of fulfillment. As I have stated, I often hear the excuse of how it’s too late, I’m too old, I have a family to support, and many other reasons that just frustrate me. I was told often how I could pursue my dream(s) and wouldn’t be able to support my family, much less any material desires. Well, my critics haven’t had much to say now. Do I brag about it? No, I don’t need to. I just know I have been blessed because I have been willing to understand what my true gifts and talents I possess are and pursue the necessary risks. Nothing good comes easy and if it did, you and I would take it for granted and want more. Then when does the satisfaction and contentment ever set in?
I truly want to help you discover what you were meant to do. I am not just speaking of the “right” career but even what hobbies you pursue or volunteer work you take part. There are so many studies that have been done to show how much more depression and anxiety can subside when a person does what he or she truly enjoys. I believe we were all created with certain talents and gifts that nobody else possesses just like we do. Others have the same gifts but not one person has the same life experiences. It has been said that the richest place on earth is the graveyard for that is where many dreams and unused talents die as well. God’s gift to you I believe are those talents and what you do with them is your gift back to Him.
Start here by answering this question: What would you do for free if money was unlimited?
Now if you can answer that, when are you going to get involved and do it? If you are uncertain, continue on. The next thing I recommend you do is take a career assessment inventory. Careers that people really enjoy are ones that match their personalities and their skill set along with the duties required of the job. How many people do you know are not matched that way? I bet they either don’t last long or are miserable. Take the free MAPP assessment below. It will give you an idea of what you might consider as a change. To get a detailed summary, you will need to purchase it but it is certainly worth the investment!
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