Sep 25, 2019 | Personal Development
“The secret to happiness is freedom…And the secret to freedom is courage.” -Thucydides
Sometimes life throws punches. Sometimes they feel small and sometimes they feel really big. Hopefully we use those challenges as guideposts and opportunities to question, think, learn, and grow.
“Grow Through What You Go Through”. That has been a rhyme, a mantra that I like to keep handy. It’s a reminder that even when times feel difficult and less than friendly, there is grace.
I encourage you to take advantage of these times of challenge even though they feel hard and scary most of the time. Sure, it is easier to hide out, blame the other person or people involved or rag on the situation, but that doesn’t get you anywhere except in a place fear, frustration, and anger.
In these times of challenge, I have an old-fashioned talk with myself and say, “Okay Lisa, I know this feels uncomfortable. How courageous are you going to be today?” Seriously, it is hard for me to get out of my comfort zone and take risks. But, I know when I feel discomfort inside, I’m feeling it for a reason. I know I’ll feel better when I challenge myself to move through whatever it is with courage, compassion, and love.
Just the other day I had to contact a friend to discuss a sensitive issue. I had to find the courage to bring up my concerns in a loving non-threatening way. Once I communicated my concerns and wants, and needs I felt better. Even though it was scary for me to initiate the dialogue, my courage in doing so made me feel much better. The burden I once felt, was lighter.
The advice I give myself is… feel the pain, find the courage, seek freedom and grow. When you act appropriately with ease and elegance you will see the beauty in the gift of grace.
So, move past your fear. Find the courage. Be healthier, happier, confident, and radiant!
I use my own life experience as a reference along with training to support women 40 plus who are going through a major life change and are having a difficult time knowing what steps to take next.
If you or someone you know are facing life’s challenges, and need support, I can provide a safe space and help. Please share my name or email me at lisa@lisajollimois.com.
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Healthier, Happier, Confident, Radiant!
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Sep 12, 2019 | Personal Development
“Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.” Bob Newhart
Have you ever planned an event and had something major go wrong?
Let me tell you about last weekend…
A girl friend and I had made plans to go on a weekend camping getaway. We packed the camping gear, food, provisions, our bikes, and kids, hoping for a fabulous weekend in Acadia National Forest in northern Maine.
Sure, I’ll admit we were watching the path of hurricane Dorian up until we decided to get in the car and drive north. Our plan was to be part of an outing group with our kids. Maine Adaptive, the group we had planned to meet up with was still on board with their expedition, so we were off.
It is not often that tropical hurricanes make it up the coast of Maine. We were sure the storm would go out to sea and the weekend would be glorious.
Ha ha ha… Yes it was a weekend of unpredictability and adapting. Plans ended up being very different than what we expected. Sometimes the only thing you can do is laugh.
We arrived late, later than planned because it started to rain. We arrived at our site put up the tents, threw in the sleeping bags, pillows, and flashlights. Settled in for the night when my friend received a weather alert for the coastal Bar Harbor area…
TROPICAL WEATHER ALERT – LEVEL 1 HURRICANE. The strongest winds and rain where scheduled to be between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia.
That’s where we were! I don’t think I had a wink of sleep that night. The wind was howling. The rain was torrential. By the crack of dawn the tarp over our tents had blown off and water had begun to find its way in our tents. We were wet.
So much for the baked bananas and oatmeal over the fire. We got up. Threw everything in the trunk and headed out to a local restaurant to warm our bodies, drink some coffee, hot chocolate, and be catered to with the daily breakfast special.
All was good. After a lengthy breakfast, we found respite at the forest lodge. There we sat fireside. We dried our buttocks that were damp through our pants, dried our shoes, and coats until we felt warm.
Our bike trip had been canceled for Saturday and our plans changed. Instead of a scenic bike trip through Acadia, we found ourselves with many others in the local laundromat drying our belongings.
We laughed and laughed as we saw all the grim faces waiting for their dryers to be done.
Sometimes the best thing to do is laugh. So we laughed….It truly does break the tension, gives you a chance to take a breather, and regroup.
So we looked at each other with tired eyes, and heads ready to nod off and said, “We need a good sleep. Let’s try to find a hotel room for tonight.”
We looked and looked, called and called for a room. There were no vacancies. We laughed, and laughed more and thought there has to be a place for us. We totally trusted we would find the perfect place for the two of us and our kids.
Just east of vacation central there was a room with a kitchenette, a hot shower, swimming pool, and a Keurig. We felt so grateful and couldn’t wait to hit the hay after we cooked up our fun food, and banana boats for dessert.
We laughed and laughed, and cracked a few jokes about the series of weekend events.
Sunday morning the sun appeared. Our kids had opportunities to ride their bikes and kayak with Maine Adaptive. In the end, we had a wonderful time. It was a weekend we’ll never forget.
Here are a few things that can help you when things don’t go as planned.
- Be flexible, Sometimes the most most memorable times are when plans change. Go with the flow. Don’t plan. Go step by step being totally flexible.
- Find humor in things that are not commonly funny. My friend was so good at this. She kept me in stitches.
- Don’t let your thinking hold you back from having a great time. It’s your thinking that’ll cause you to give up, drive home, and end the adventure. Think about how you can pick the pieces up and have a good time right at that moment.
- Opportunities are often disguised as problems. Look at the sudden changes in plans as opportunities to be creative.
- Take on a positive approach to challenges. You can choose to make it a memorable or not.
I would love to hear about any events, weekend plans, or anything else that didn’t turnout the way you had planned.
Shoot me an email and tell me your story. Did you learn anything?
I am Lisa Jollimois. I work specifically with women 40 plus who are interested in being their best selves. I help women uncover limiting beliefs that open up a world of opportunity to become Healthier, Happier, Confident, Radiant.
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