We’ve decided to kick off the day with some positive thinking.
Let’s face it: We’ve all weathered our fair share of storms, and we don’t want you to think you’re alone on this rollercoaster, called life.
So, we’ve consulted Life Coach, Teri Johnson, author of Overcoming the Nevers, for an exclusive chat about how to turn the negative into the positive- and how to gain strength when it feels like the whole world is against you.
It’s worth a read….
Celebzter: When did you decide to become a life coach?
Teri: I’ve always been an encourager and a cheerleader to others in my life. I’ve always been one to share my life experiences with others and lessons that I’ve learned to help another who is struggling. I’ve mentored and have been sought after for advice for many years. But I decided to “formally” become a Certified Professional Coach in August 2010 and have not looked back. And why did you decide to follow this vocation? I am passionate about helping others and feel fully alive when I’m connecting and encouraging others to be the best version of themselves. I find great satisfaction is seeing others rise above and become who God has created them to be. My heart smiles when I see light bulbs go off inside another person and they discover the truth about whom they are.
Celebzter: What exactly is a life coach?
Teri: In general a coach is someone who gives instruction or advice. A coach is an instructor or mentor, or teacher. So, a life-coach helps others with life. They listen and come along side their client offering instruction and advice – they encourage, offer accountability, cheer on their client to move forward, to achieve goals, cultivate and sustain positive change in their lives.
Celebzter: Do you believe that we “allow” certain bad things to happen in our life? For example we keep making the same mistakes over and over and don’t seem to learn?
Teri: Every day bad things happen to good people – it’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality of life. What matters most is our response to every situation. We always have a choice to respond positively or a choice to respond negatively. Wounded people wound others – that also means that when we are wounded we are capable of wounding ourselves. So, yes – there are times that we “allow” certain bad things to happen in our lives. If we continue to do what we are doing, we will continue to get what we are getting – those things can be harmful and painful. When we decide we want to something different we will have do something different and that requires change. Often times for someone to get to the point of making a heartfelt sustainable change they will have to experience an extreme amount of pain. I know that was the case for me.
Celebzter: But there are some things that can’t be helped, right? Like the economy at present has hit a lot of people hard.
Teri: The only thing, the only person we have the power to control is yourself. Everything else – people, situations, outcomes, the economy, the stock market, etc. is out of our control. We can choose how we respond to each of these and that response is what matters the most. When we understand this completely and when we understand that we cannot put our faith and reliance on “things of this world” those things that are shakable, nothing will have the power to bring us down. Relying on the Source of all good things, our Higher Power, God is the one and only foundation that cannot be shaken.
Celebzter: Is it safe to assume that we will all go through some really tough times in our life?
Teri: I believe the answer is yes.
Celebzter: What advice can you offer for people who have hit a real low when nothing is going right and they have those feelings of hopelessness and despair?
Teri: Look UP! At this very moment you have the power to make the shift from where you are to where you want to be. You are never stuck — you always have a choice. You just have to give yourself permission to grow, to love, to thrive.
Celebzter: Sometimes belief that things are going to get better isn’t enough, what steps can one do, in terms of their attitude to turn their lives around?
Teri: The key word here in your question is ATTITUDE. If we are willing – or simply willing to be willing to incorporate new tools into our life that is where we start, and must maintain an attitude of willingness. Couple this with an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE by creating a simple gratitude list every day of things that we are truly grateful for changes our thinking. The statement, change your thinking and change your life is powerful and true. We will be transformed by the renewing of your mind. How do we do this? Renew our mind? Discover the truth about who we are. We discover the truth by connecting with our Source, our Creator, the God – our Father who has a plan a purpose for our lives.
Celebzter: What is the secret to happiness in your opinion?
Teri: Happiness is bliss, high spirits, and contentment, cheer. Happiness is JOY. Happiness is PEACE. Happiness comes from within and can be found when we are connected and in a personal relationship with God. When we are connected to the vine the fruits of the spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are growing and producing within us and through us. I don’t believe this is a secret, many people have discovered this happiness and feel peace, joy, and contentment even when they are in the “eye-of-a-storm.” Our life will never be free from difficulties or hard times – but we can experience happiness as we abide in Him.
Celebzter: And can you share your tips on how to achieve this?
Teri: I share tips, a solution, in my book, Overcoming the Nevers. I call it a “toolbox for living” — the toolbox is broken down into a series of 12 simple steps that I feel can be practically applied to our lives – if we are ready to do the work. Here’s a brief summary of five of the steps…
1. Willingness – Freedom starts with willingness. You have to want this for yourself. There is no one who can decide for you, or do the work on your on your behalf. Willingness is readiness.
2. Acceptance – Do you have the strength to make the changes necessary to turn a situation around through an attitude of acceptance? Or will you remain powerless, remain in the state of non-acceptance and let everything around you dictate how you feel? I can’t change somebody else. Period.
3. Surrender – All of us are surrendered to something. What we surrender ourselves to ultimately become our god, what we worship, turn to, or rely upon. The question is, what are we surrendered to? Is it something firm, solid and long lasting, or something that can slip away, burn to ashes or be swallowed?
4. Courage – We cannot overcome an issue we do not know exists, we need to search. We cannot become who we were created to be, without embracing our strengths and uncovering our God-given gifts and talents. So we need to look through our lives carefully to find the answers. How do we do this? Without fear with courage, boldness and bravery.
5. Responsibility – We have a responsibility for ourselves in all areas of our lives in all of our roles. No one can attempt to change us or to control us, unless we give them the power. We need to be the change. Admitting opens this door. Will you walk through it?
Celebzter: Lastly, what are your fundamental tips to staying strong and getting through the tough times?
Teri: What I’ve found is that we must never take our emotional or spiritual growth lightly – we must never get to a place where we become complacent thinking that we’ve “arrived” – the moment we shift our attitude and rest in our laurels we risk going backwards, we risk getting blind-sided by the next obstacle. Just like our physical fitness, for us to stay physically strong we need to continue to workout – if not, we lose muscle mass and cardio capacity. Same holds true with our emotional and spiritual fitness, for us to weather the storms of life we must stay “fit” emotionally and spiritually. Persevere, choose to grow every day – discover truth. Embrace love. Experience Joy.
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