August 2019 Newsletter

Hello, and an absolutely amazing August to you!
Welcome, or welcome back, to my newsletter. Today's issue is about centering your identity around your struggles, past or present. Enjoy!

"I'm a cancer survivor", or "I have 3 children, 2 in primary school and one who died at birth". While overcoming a serious illness, or losing a child, are major life events which shape your outlook and may influence your future choices, they do not tell the full story of who you are. And defining yourself this way can tie you to a past of pain and struggle, when your present is pretty good.

Sometimes it's not a past problem you've overcome, but a past success you hang onto, since Life hasn't been all that great since. Think of the high school athlete reliving his glory days decades ago, when he was fit and popular. Like the person who defines herself by a former struggle, he's missing the precious present moment.

Since I wore thick glasses as a child, then strong contact lenses as an adult, I saw myself as Nancy Nearsighted, and that's probably how I presented myself to others too. In fact I remember worrying that my contact lenses would deceive people into thinking I had good eyesight! Now my vision history, and improvement, is just a small part of my story, not all of it.

Conquering a big challenge helps us feel good about ourselves, and can give us fuel to face future obstacles. Think of the attitude of the Little Engine That Could, of "I think I can", as it tackled that big hill. Yet hanging on too tightly to this past success could also keep us a bit stuck. If I've been out of glasses for years and seeing pretty well without them, it's fair to ask what I've done lately. I don't want to think I'll never do anything else I'm proud of again!

Everyone's different, and what's easy for one may be more difficult for another. So don't apologize if your little triumph may not seem like much of an accomplishment. Be proud of yourself! I could be called high-strung (my friends are laughing at this understatement). So whenever I manage to stay reasonably centered in a chaotic situation, like getting a flat tire yesterday in traffic, I congratulate myself.

Most of us have many facets: careers and hobbies and important relationships and skills and talents. So when meeting someone new who asks about you, this is a golden chance to redefine yourself in a more positive way. How does 'I'm studying to be ...." or "I'm working toward becoming ..." sound? It's your life, and you're moving toward your future every day with your actions and words. Why not make it the best it can be?

To read about my slowly letting go of my identity as a nearsighted person, click here.

Have you wondered if my work could help you?
I'm now offering complimentary Discovery Session consultations of 20 to 30 minutes, for us to discuss what you're looking for in a coach, and to see whether you and I feel like a fit. To schedule your Discovery Session, click here.

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Please send me your questions and comments
Let me know what you've wondered about concerning energy medicine or vision or dreams. I'll be glad to write a short article addressing that topic. Thank you to those who have sent me questions, or see a question you asked me in a private session written about here. You're helping many other people! Enjoy the start of your August. I'll write again in a few weeks. Take care!