Do I Need a Life Coach
I am in the middle seat of the row on a plane bound for Salt Lake City when I suddenly close my book and look up. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. I look out the window, which the sleeping passenger next to me has left open, and try to settle myself. I had been engrossed in a book, sucked into the story, and I had not noticed the nausea rising until it seemed too late.
It wasn't the story. It was turbulence.
The plane bumps and jolts along. It is trying to decide whether it is a 2025 roller coaster or a 1925 Model T Ford on a farm road. With sudden drops that make your body fall but your stomach rise, and then a series of hard bumps to jostle all of your internal organs, I wonder how many other people are struggling. How long will it be before I can get back to my book?
I sigh and glance down at the back of the book, now sitting closed in my lap. There is a picture of the author. He looks like a nice, regular guy. I read a few words about him. He's an author and a life coach.
I look back out the window and begin to think. Life coach. I have very mixed feelings about this career. Get ready for a bumpy ride on a flight called "My Feelings about Life Coaching."
First, I feel like everyone is a life coach these days. I have two homeschool mom friends who are life coaches. I am sure they are great life coaches. They are both wonderful people, wonderful friends. But how did they become life coaches? Why are they life coaches? (Honestly, I should interview them so I can find out.) And why is this guy on the back of the book a life coach? He's an author. A fiction author.
When I think LIFE COACH, I think of motivational speakers like Tony Robbins or Robin Sharma.
Second, is it easy to become a life coach? Cynicism is never a pretty thing. I feel vulnerable admitting that I am somewhat skeptical about this career. (And if you are my life coach friends reading this, I am so sorry I have these feelings, and I hope you will love me anyway.)
Third, could I become a life coach? I mean, this is my gap year. Maybe it's something I should explore. Maybe I should try out.
Finally, do I need a life coach?
OK. I don't know these answers exactly. But during my gap year, I think a life coach would help me reflect on what I value most and what I want to pursue. They might have me take a giant sheet of paper and write all my hopes and dreams in colorful Sharpie markers. Then, I would probably write all of my skills on separate Post-it notes. Then, I could match my hopes and dreams with my skills, sticking my post-its all over my giant dream sheet. All of this would be done at a workshop with other clients of my life coach. We would stop for lunch and chat and laugh, and discover - surprise - we are connected in some way and can help launch each other's careers. After lunch, I would review my dream sheet and write down my five biggest takeaways from the morning. Then. I would think. I would think about which one I wanted to pursue first. I would circle it with my favorite periwinkle Midline highlighter and then pick a slightly contrasting color to write my next step. I would give myself one small, doable homework assignment to accomplish before my life coach and I meet again, probably on Zoom.
Of course, I'm not a life coach. I just made this up based on TV and movies. But, honestly, it sounds like a pretty good idea.
I glance around the plane. I look back down at the book.
I'm in the middle seat on this plane, and I am in the middle seat in life. I'm not going anywhere right now, on purpose. Life is a little bumpy right now, and if I think too much about it, I get a little nauseous. So, it's time to look up and take some deep breaths.
It's time to dream a little, think a little, and assign myself some homework.
First things first, pray! I'm going to pray about every detail, and invite others to pray too! You can pray with me. If you are on a crazy life journey, let me know. I'm willing to pray for you.
I don't know if I'll be any good at it, but I think I just became my own life coach.
It wasn't the story. It was turbulence.
The plane bumps and jolts along. It is trying to decide whether it is a 2025 roller coaster or a 1925 Model T Ford on a farm road. With sudden drops that make your body fall but your stomach rise, and then a series of hard bumps to jostle all of your internal organs, I wonder how many other people are struggling. How long will it be before I can get back to my book?
I sigh and glance down at the back of the book, now sitting closed in my lap. There is a picture of the author. He looks like a nice, regular guy. I read a few words about him. He's an author and a life coach.
I look back out the window and begin to think. Life coach. I have very mixed feelings about this career. Get ready for a bumpy ride on a flight called "My Feelings about Life Coaching."
First, I feel like everyone is a life coach these days. I have two homeschool mom friends who are life coaches. I am sure they are great life coaches. They are both wonderful people, wonderful friends. But how did they become life coaches? Why are they life coaches? (Honestly, I should interview them so I can find out.) And why is this guy on the back of the book a life coach? He's an author. A fiction author.
When I think LIFE COACH, I think of motivational speakers like Tony Robbins or Robin Sharma.
Second, is it easy to become a life coach? Cynicism is never a pretty thing. I feel vulnerable admitting that I am somewhat skeptical about this career. (And if you are my life coach friends reading this, I am so sorry I have these feelings, and I hope you will love me anyway.)
Third, could I become a life coach? I mean, this is my gap year. Maybe it's something I should explore. Maybe I should try out.
Finally, do I need a life coach?
OK. I don't know these answers exactly. But during my gap year, I think a life coach would help me reflect on what I value most and what I want to pursue. They might have me take a giant sheet of paper and write all my hopes and dreams in colorful Sharpie markers. Then, I would probably write all of my skills on separate Post-it notes. Then, I could match my hopes and dreams with my skills, sticking my post-its all over my giant dream sheet. All of this would be done at a workshop with other clients of my life coach. We would stop for lunch and chat and laugh, and discover - surprise - we are connected in some way and can help launch each other's careers. After lunch, I would review my dream sheet and write down my five biggest takeaways from the morning. Then. I would think. I would think about which one I wanted to pursue first. I would circle it with my favorite periwinkle Midline highlighter and then pick a slightly contrasting color to write my next step. I would give myself one small, doable homework assignment to accomplish before my life coach and I meet again, probably on Zoom.
Of course, I'm not a life coach. I just made this up based on TV and movies. But, honestly, it sounds like a pretty good idea.
I glance around the plane. I look back down at the book.
I'm in the middle seat on this plane, and I am in the middle seat in life. I'm not going anywhere right now, on purpose. Life is a little bumpy right now, and if I think too much about it, I get a little nauseous. So, it's time to look up and take some deep breaths.
It's time to dream a little, think a little, and assign myself some homework.
First things first, pray! I'm going to pray about every detail, and invite others to pray too! You can pray with me. If you are on a crazy life journey, let me know. I'm willing to pray for you.
I don't know if I'll be any good at it, but I think I just became my own life coach.
Endings and Then What?
What do you do when the work you have poured your soul into comes to an end? When the project of your dreams is completed? When the passion you pursued comes to its conclusion?
What do you do when you have spent your life, yes your LIFE, in pursuit of one thing, and it's over?
I can tell you how it feels.
You celebrate, but inside, there is a hollow ache. Right in the center of your being. A tangible hole. An unexpected flow of grief hits. Waves of sadness grip your heart as your mind cries "It's over. I don't want it to be over." So, you smile all the smiles, you cheer all the cheers, but, alone, you cry tears that don't seem to release you.
There is no going back.
This is where I am. I have graduated my last homeschool student. All of the plays, games, lessons and school events have ended. All of the time planning lessons and pouring over books is finished. All of the teaching and coaching has come to an end. It's over.
What is next?
I could get a job. Finding something to do is not the problem. The real struggle is finding something that will fill my soul. People say, "Pray about it," and, oh, I HAVE been praying. Praying and Praying. At some point, prayer needs to turn into action. Otherwise I will be praying about what to do for the next twenty five years!
I am 50 years old and I am starting fresh. I am seeking my next life goal. I am seeking a new purpose, one that is as meaningful as the first. Yet, I don't know where to begin.
Like a night hike in the forest, I cannot see very far. The trees seem tall, but the surroundings are slightly familiar. I have done this before. Once, long ago, I figured out what to invest my life in. I was much younger then. More invincible. More unstoppable. Still, I have done this before. Once upon a time, I found my way through the trees. Though this is not quite the same forest, the feelings are familiar. I am older now. More experienced. More cautious. Yet, the process may be the same. Little by little, I will find my way.
Maybe you have come to a turn in the road, a life change: new baby, new job, new location, new something. Maybe you too are at the end of something. You might be wondering, too.
Where is our confidence when everything is changing? In the One who does not change.
I read verses like Micah 3:6 - "For I am the Lord, I do not change." and verses from "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" float through my mind and ease my heart. "Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not. As thou hast been thou forever will be."
I am looking and listening for opportunities around me. I am praying. My hands are open. I know I will take action steps to try some new things. As I take action, in my heart and soul, I will wait on the Lord. I will remember Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage ; wait for the Lord!" You can take this verse with you too.
And I will find my way...to my new life goal. My calling.
What do you do when you have spent your life, yes your LIFE, in pursuit of one thing, and it's over?
I can tell you how it feels.
You celebrate, but inside, there is a hollow ache. Right in the center of your being. A tangible hole. An unexpected flow of grief hits. Waves of sadness grip your heart as your mind cries "It's over. I don't want it to be over." So, you smile all the smiles, you cheer all the cheers, but, alone, you cry tears that don't seem to release you.
There is no going back.
This is where I am. I have graduated my last homeschool student. All of the plays, games, lessons and school events have ended. All of the time planning lessons and pouring over books is finished. All of the teaching and coaching has come to an end. It's over.
What is next?
I could get a job. Finding something to do is not the problem. The real struggle is finding something that will fill my soul. People say, "Pray about it," and, oh, I HAVE been praying. Praying and Praying. At some point, prayer needs to turn into action. Otherwise I will be praying about what to do for the next twenty five years!
I am 50 years old and I am starting fresh. I am seeking my next life goal. I am seeking a new purpose, one that is as meaningful as the first. Yet, I don't know where to begin.
Like a night hike in the forest, I cannot see very far. The trees seem tall, but the surroundings are slightly familiar. I have done this before. Once, long ago, I figured out what to invest my life in. I was much younger then. More invincible. More unstoppable. Still, I have done this before. Once upon a time, I found my way through the trees. Though this is not quite the same forest, the feelings are familiar. I am older now. More experienced. More cautious. Yet, the process may be the same. Little by little, I will find my way.
Maybe you have come to a turn in the road, a life change: new baby, new job, new location, new something. Maybe you too are at the end of something. You might be wondering, too.
Where is our confidence when everything is changing? In the One who does not change.
I read verses like Micah 3:6 - "For I am the Lord, I do not change." and verses from "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" float through my mind and ease my heart. "Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not. As thou hast been thou forever will be."
I am looking and listening for opportunities around me. I am praying. My hands are open. I know I will take action steps to try some new things. As I take action, in my heart and soul, I will wait on the Lord. I will remember Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord: be strong, and let your heart take courage ; wait for the Lord!" You can take this verse with you too.
And I will find my way...to my new life goal. My calling.