Mar 19, 2007 | 11:09 pm
How are you feeling?
For the past 2-3 weeks I’ve been feeling pretty low. Nothing’s been wrong – in fact my life has never looked so great in many respects.
A growing career? Check.
Surrounded by supportive friends and family? Check.
Health and wellness. Check.
Love in my life? Check and mate.
And along with all that greatness was a deep sense of not being authentic – being fake or phony. I’ve never really felt like this before. Sure, I’ve had my slough of “negative” feelings before, but this was completely new. What a fantastic opportunity!
You might wonder how a negative feeling can be a positive thing. After years of coaching, I have learned that feelings are just simply feelings. They are nothing to be afraid of after all. I had to learn tools and skills for what to do when I have feelings. Skills like asking for support from other people, taking time for myself, or doing some other behavior. And through it all I can simply just allow the feeling to exist, check it out, live with it.
Yesterday I did a little exercise to help move those feelings along. I’ve been doing this long enough that I’ve learned to trust my instincts that I can usher a feeling out. It’s not rocket science after all, and with support it can be even a fun experience. While tipping back a beer and sharing a plate of calamari at the beach with my boyfriend, I was able to honor all of my feelings and make a new choice of how to show up in the world.
This is what I create for my clients. I don’t save you from feelings, or change your feelings for you. I support and guide you through the process of building your own set of tools and skills to create the life that you want to live.
How are you feeling? Whatever the answer, congratulations.
Truly Yours, Joseph
PS. Not feeling anything or feeling everything? Numb? Out of control? Yeah, I’ve been there too. That’s OK – we can work on that.