A Creator-based® Life

CMHCoaching.com

Just before a recent new moon, we had a very, very, very dark night.  You know the kind.  It’s inky and unusually black when you turn out the lights.  It can even be dark enough to give one the heeby jeebies.  Creepy dark!

This particular night, or should I say early morning, it was 2am, I opened my eyes to the blackness and somehow managed to bump my Apple watch.  It was on my nightstand charger.  Lighting up, it seemed to illuminate the entire room.

This is the power of illumination on a very dark night.

My watch was no brighter than usual, but against the stark, black, moonless morning, its contrast was brilliant.

Such is the power of an Illuminator.

You may know Illuminators.  They are the people who seem to have an easier time than most navigating challenges and difficult change.  They bring hope and inclusivity, lighting the world around them for others. You wonder how they do it- so many hard things!

Illuminators have a persistent curiosity about the people around them.  That curiosity often overrides their judgment of others and brings them peace.

Illuminators have special superpowers.  They know how to give their full, undivided attention.  For them, attention is not on a dimmer switch.  Their attention is either on or off- a direct current between them and their focus.  No divided energies for an illuminator.  When you are in their focus of attention, it’s like basking in the warmth of a big smile.  You feel better about yourself and life feels more possible.

Illuminators are amazing Accompanists.  I have accompanied many singers and instrumentalists on the piano and organ.  It is a joy to follow and help them be their best.  To do that, I need to be mindful of their needs; whether they lead me to slow down, pause, speed up or change volume levels.  Illuminators accompany a friend the same way.  They discreetly pay attention to the current need, supporting and adjusting to create the best experience for the person in their limelight.  Accompanying a friend is an art form indeed.

Illuminators carry a holistic attitude toward relationships.  They recognize the one thing we all have in common.  Everyone you meet today will be fighting some kind of challenge.  It may be visible or it may be quiet.  We are all growing and in a different place in our progression.  Illuminators can grant grace for growth.

You can create an Illuminator role for yourself through a simple choice.  You can choose to create a willing, humble experience in supporting those around you.  You can practice taking good care of yourself and let that abundance bubble over to others.  We just finished a whole summer of self-care.  Are you feeling stronger?

Perhaps you are blessed with Illuminators in your life-  you know them.  You leave their presence thinking, “Wow! I’m pretty great. I didn’t know that about myself,” or “I solved my problem, brilliant!”  The best Illuminators don’t even appear to be Illumined.  You simply know you love being around them.

Let’s try lighting the world this week.  Create an atmosphere of illumination by choosing to create a life of being curious, attentive, generous, or accepting.  Just pick something little and practice- a long, productive journey begins with one baby step.  

Baby Steps Bob, 

You’ve got this!

*I recently enjoyed a book by David Brooks, called How to Know a Person.  In it, he speaks of Illuminators.

When things are rough, are you brave enough to LOOK? Join Jenn and Beth to learn how to shift life for the better!

Life isn't something that happens to you. It's something you create. The fun is in the imagining! Come hear our top 10 imaginative ways to create a beautiful life! (The first one is no more Mondays...)

What do you do to negotiate change in your life? It can be really hard. Learn from Jenn, Jaycine, and Beth and the Creator-based® Principle how change really is a gift!

Welcome to Season 3! The Olympics are in full swing!

Olympic Mindsets

Do you have an Olympic emotion plan? Learn how in today’s podcast!

Watching our  Olympians win gold (or not) has been inspiring and thought-provoking.  The emotional roller coaster and dedication to excellence we’ve witnessed have energized me and spurred me to consider excellence and resilience in my own life.  

Let’s consider an Olympic mindset in The Creator-based® Way.

Olympians set clear, specific, and challenging goals—one might even call them I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. (Not sure what that means? Come to our I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. Goals class in January 2025 and learn how you can experience the magic.) When broken down into small, manageable steps, those goals are then attainable.

Olympians develop the ability to concentrate intensely on creating their perfect outcome.  They use techniques like visualization to rehearse their actions and stay mentally present. Meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation strategies manage anxiety. Jennifer DeReus, our cognitive and brain specialist, is also a hypnotherapist and an amazing guide in this area.  She guides us with inner imagery in our Masterminds and other classes.

Overcoming setbacks and adapting to changing conditions is crucial to life creation - especially on the Olympic level! Olympians view failures as opportunities for growth.  Out’s not a failure.  It’s a new thing to learn! 

Unwavering dedication, coupled with a strong sense of responsibility toward their sport, grows Olympic talent. I have seen this same talent multiplied with Moms, Dads, and Grandmas—and the incredible love and dedication they bring to supporting growing, strong families. You may not get a gold medal, but you certainly earn one!

Have you ever noticed the mental toughness created by truly, deeply committing to a goal? By really knowing your why? Knowing your why can help you develop Olympic strength in managing pressure, coping with stress, and staying calm in high-stakes situations.

In The Creator-based® Way, we often ask, “What’s your focus?” Olympians focus on what they can control and what they choose to create in life.

We can all learn from these exceptional athletes. They surround themselves with supportive coaches, teammates, and family, who bring encouragement, feedback, and emotional stability.

Many Olympians develop pre-performance routines or rituals that help them get into the right mental state before a competition. These routines are like habit stacks and evening routines for winding down and closing out the day. Our brains recognize the pattern and settle into the expectation of success.

A Growth Mindset and commitment to constant improvement drive them (and us) to hone skills and performance continually, always looking for ways to do better.  In this way, we push past limits and break barriers- becoming better than we ever thought we could be!

Come see us at CMHCoaching.com

It was a rough morning.  

This is what I heard as I listened to my inner dialogue

I woke up tired.

Complained.

There was a glitch with the bills.

Worried.

My schedule changed unexpectedly.

Felt taken for granted.

More work piled up.

Felt a lack of control. 

My back hurt.

Worried about it escalating and having to stop and not accomplish all that “needs" to be done today.

I was forgotten by someone I love.

I was ANGRY!

After a nice lunch and some thought, I realized…

I didn’t want to feel any of it.

With each step, I resisted the feeling.

Resistance makes everything worse.

At any point, I can change my thinking, allow life to unfold, and accept what comes.

Clearly, some days are better than others.  Permission to be human, my friend.

I like this scenario better:

I woke up tired. 

Choice: Spent 3 minutes in loving-kindness meditation for an extra energy boost.

I had a glitch in the bills and chose gratitude for seeing it. 

Choice:  “I trust.”

My schedule changed.

Choice: “I wonder what good thing my Creator was bringing in place of my finite plans?” 

More work came in. 

Choice: “I am valuable. I am blessed to provide a needed service.”

Received an unkind comment.

That shows me what they’re thinking, “I choose to love them anyway.”  

It’s not about me. It’s about love and choice.

At any point in our day, we can choose back into satisfying, contented thoughts

and Create Happiness.

Come see us at CMHCoaching.com!

I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day yesterday.  

Women are so important to the world! 

When I was a little girl, my Mom made my school lunches.  I had an Archie Comic Book lunch box- Veronica was my favorite.  All the little kids carried lunch boxes. Then, the day came when I grew up enough to have a brown paper bag for lunch instead of a lunchbox.  That was a special day.  All the big kids at school had brown paper bag lunches.  I coveted the crisply folded brown paper and its neatly creased and pointed corners. 

I wanted to ‘brown bag’ it. I remember the pride I felt carrying my “bag lunch” to school.  My Mom wrote my name on the lunch in her strong, determined (probably incredibly busy and stressed) cursive handwriting.  I loved her handwriting and was proud of her beautiful style. Mom had a perfect signature, and I sought to emulate it.  I would recognize it anywhere. It looked just like my Grandmother’s.  Still today, my heart smiles when I see it.

Our signature tells the world who we are.  It represents us.

 It is much like that with our Creator.   As we move through our days, we recognize our Creator’s signature?  Does your heart smile as you see it? Do you recognize your Creator’s signature as well as you know your own Mom’s handwriting?

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Our signature tells the world who we are.  It represents us. Recognizing is an important part of listening.

Listen by noticing and hearing our Creator’s signature in the world.

Listen by getting quiet.

Listen by staying mindful.

Listen by embracing compassion with and from others.

Listen and create hope. 

I will never forget my Mom’s handwriting; it led me to my Creator.  Her love, her signature led me to His signature, listening to his voice. It succors me with compassion, mindfulness, and hope. What about you?

All my love,

Beth

Today is a brand new day and I can do anything I want with it!

Today is a new day- right? It’s the fresh beginning of a new week.  A Gift.  But do I really get to do anything I want with it? There a a nagging objection there.  I mean, I have appointments and commitments and promises to keep.

Is what’s on my list what I want?

If you are feeling heavy in life, maybe it’s time to look again at what you want.  Your fundamental desires.  Allow me to share a few of mine; maybe it will activate thoughts on some of yours.

I want to feel loved, confident, and of value.

I want to feel in flow with my creator and those I love.

I want to actively contribute to my community.

What do you want?

This month is listening month, and I’m sure, my friend that there is a small voice inside you actively trying to let you know what they want.  Quite often hat voice communicates through anxiety, fatigue, or pain.  If she feels afraid or uncertain, the fear may manifest in anxiety and fatigue.  If she feels sad or ashamed, we may feel anger and frustrated from that inner self.  

What is your inner self communicating?

You can talk with your Creator and ask for help understanding.  Watch for hints as you go through your day.  They are there. Take some time and write down what you feel after you have asked for help and watched each day.  Soon, you will understand what that small voice inside you is actively saying.  Soon, you will have inklings of what you want.

Write it down.

Review it often.

Like a small, persistent, and hopeful plant in the spring, it will grow and come to fruition this summer as you continue to listen and explore. 

It’s a new day, and I get to do anything I want with it.

Do what you want with the life that you have.

Today I want to know my Creator and the way he communicates with me better.

Today I want to listen.

Listen.  Focus. Love. Create. 

You’ve got this, my friend!

All my love, 

Beth