Debe Bloom Coming From Within

I just got home from a networking event that I co-hosted with a social networking coach.  I love doing these networking events; being in a room with dynamic, energetic, savvy women is an amazing experience.  Working with my ‘partner in crime’ is always fun…and it allows our creative juices to flow.

We take serious time to plan our agenda and make sure that the time invested is from our attendees is well worth their efforts of being in audience.  And our agenda runs tight to the clock to be considerate of everyone’s business schedules.

 

Part of  the agenda is a ‘commercial’, a speech, a ‘tell us who you are’ portion.  The women have anywhere from 90 seconds to 2 minutes that they can call their own, with the microphone in hand.  I had prepared a very poppie, power-word speech that capitalized on my last name.  Being spring (and the focus of our event), I wanted to put my last name into play.  Worlds like…Bunny, babies and Bloom!  Or Bond, Band, and Boost!  But when it was my turn up at the mic, I just couldn’t be ‘that’ person.  I am NOT Sascha.  I AM Debe.  Coaching is NOT a cookie-cutter service…it IS personal, unique and totally about my client.

That became my speech…who I am and what I do sans all the punch words.  And I learned something so powerful today:  Be who you are, from deep within.  Don’t do what others think you should do:  Do what you know you should do.  That’s the real punch!

What have you discovered recently that shows you know who you really are?

Debe Bloom Says ‘Words Are Amazing’

You’ve probably heard that coaches change their niche often throughout their career.  I remember when I was getting my certification that I was told I would metamorphosis constantly and therefore I would constantly be changing my client base.  Little did I know it would be my client base that would be changing my niche.

 

The interesting thing about coaching is that no matter the client or the fence in their way, the same basic questions are asked.  It takes a skillful coach to be able to reach into their toolbox to find the right inquiry to help their client remove those fences, but none-the-same, basically, the questions are the same if the subject matter is about family life, personnel issues or business in general.

 

What brought all this up is that I have two contacts I am dealing with currently.  One has had the ill fortune of getting involved with the wrong person on a romantic level.  The heartbreak is monumental.  Getting this person through all the grief of letting go, of looking towards the future and the positive ‘learning spin’ that the relationship had to offer was my goal.  This continues to be a work-in-progress.

The other contact has had to put a quick-growing business aside due to a sudden (but healing) health issue.  Pulling the fundamental issues of health over money is obvious, but it is actually a catch 22; and catch 22’s can be depressing and confusing.

I made contact with both of the people this morning and my first question to both was : How are you today?  I was asking one how the health issues were while I was asking the other how their emotions were.

Same question…different meanings….all leading to Removing their Invisible Fences.  What’s your feelings about this?

Toot! Toot! from the Eyes of Debe Bloom

Please don’t take this as Tooting my Own Horn, but something marvelous and interesting has been happening for me lately.  Last year I spent my days developing who I am, and being who I’ve become. At the end of the year, the very end, I was bestowed with two very prestigious gifts:
One being awarded the Certified Coach title of 2011 for the Woman Entrepreneur Business Award of Excellence. This was a huge surprise and I’m thrilled to be able to be on the list. This means that there are people out in the world that I have touched in some way; that I have helped make their life and or business better; that I made a difference. What an awesome feeling.
The second year end acknowledgment came to me, also as a surprise, but more like a present. This was something I just wasn’t’ expecting…and it has touched my soul:

So, 2012 is looking—but more importantly, feeling incredibly good for who I have become. Because, in addition to the two honors that came to me at year end, 2012 started off with a huge shout out from yet another person I hold in high esteem.
https://www.facebook.com/TheSNCCWay?sk=app_222972467721305

How nice to know that others acknowledge the value that has been building up within me. How nice to know that they share it with others.

Have you taken a moment to share your positive thoughts about someone who has made an impact on your Life or Business?

Debe Bloom on The Ying and Yang of Life

January is an emotionally hard month for me.  It is the month that I acknowledge the passing of my dad.  Harder, it is the month that I hold with pain in my heart for the loss of my twin sister.

A friend of mine is off to downtown today.  She is going to spend it with her sister.  This is bittersweet for me.  Obviously, I’m wishing I was able to spend time with my sister…and I’m thrilled that she’s able to share time with hers.

I took my husband to the airport shuttle this morning.  He’s gone for two weeks (again). I treasure my time alone; my own space.

A friend of mine (who I’ve dealt with online thru an organization for those who have lost their twin siblings) told his friends that he had to make the painful decision to ‘pull the plug’: his wife suffered an aneurism just 8 days ago and went into a permanent coma.

I am incredibly proud of my daughter who has made her own life in a vibrant city….hours away from me.

I learned from social media that my own daughter was in the emergency room a couple of nights ago—seriously? On Facebook?  I guess she’s all grown up now.

There is, without question, ups and downs in our lives; good and bad. I told my friend who had to make that painful decision that I was in awe of him. It’s the truth; I am.  It takes strength and courage to take that action.  His loss is overwhelming, yet it’s so fresh, he hasn’t felt the depth of if yet.  I am still in awe.

There is only one lesson in this writing: be appreciative and enjoy life, no matter what path it leads you on.  Make each day count. Know that there is a Ying for each Yang.  This brings to mind that great quote of William Purkey’s:

Dance like no one is watching

Sing like no one is listening

Love like you’ve never been hurt

Live   like heaven is on earth

Debe Bloom’s Lentils for the New Year…

Lentils for the New Year…

Yesterday, I received a call from a childhood friend, one who I was able to reconnect with after decades of not being able to locate her (Thank you Social Media!!).  We hadn’t talked in a few weeks and it was a great chance to catch up on the latest; our travels, the people in our lives and our plans for the new year.

Just before what I thought was the end of our call, my friend said “make a pot of lentil soup and eat it right before the clock strikes midnight on New Years’ eve; it will bring you incredible financial luck in 2012.  And then, Deb, you can buy additional homes in the Wine Country (of California) and in the (San Francisco) Bay area.  You deserve so much, including homes in these places where you’d like to live.”

I was so touched by these words.  And I couldn’t just let them sit and percolate because I know the truth. And I shared this with her:

I know that I have my health; that I have my family and my family of friends.  I know that I wallow with passion in the coaching arena.  And the people I’ve met in my networking world are beyond top-notch.  I have a roof over my head and I can breathe fresh air.  My car isn’t the latest model, but it serves me well.  I have hobbies of photography and I’m able to play with my g-daughters (although I still have a bit of a problem realizing that I’m a g-ma—prefer being a Nonee!).  My husband treats me so good with love and adoration and my four-legged companion is by far a good friend, even though she is a persnickety Pekingese.

I allow myself the room to make errors as long as I learn from them….and I keep my mind open at all times to learn from others.  I have enthusiasm for life, for sharing and for exploring.

I then shared with my long-time childhood friend what another friend just told me earlier that day:  If you have 5 people that you can count on, for no matter what reason, be it family members or friends, you have everything.

I can honestly say, I am one very lucky, very blessed and feeling very complete person.  And I can also say that I will be making a pot of lentil soup to welcome the New Year…because it just sounds good.  Will you be joining me?

Dealing with a Loss: Gaining Self

One of the things we both know is that every person is different. We each have our own tickle spots, and our own crying triggers. We each deal with stress in different ways and certainly, we each deal with our own grief in different ways. So what works for you, in the time frame that is best for you, may not work for me.

That being said, there are many who do work on the same level, do cry for the same reasons, do move forward at the same time.

I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t compare your personal story to that of others; don’t look to someone else’s healing as if the same exact process will be working for you.  Walk in the faith, however, that you will proceed in life and your life is going to be excellent.

Realize that the process has already started since you were able to empower yourself just by reaching out to learn more of who you are, where you can be going.

Each of us need to realize that we are in and of ourselves wonderful individuals with a lot to offer society. We stand for ourselves.  We each are stronger than any loss—no matter if it be someone we love, a house, a job, a relationship. We each bear the strength within to overcome any situation.  It’s up to us to allow that strength to come forward.

Have you tapped into your inner strength to Remove Your Invisible Fence©?

Steve Jobs, Rest in Peace

We all knew this day was going to come when the world would lose a modern-day visionary; a man who was highly respected and loved.  We’ve know if for years that one day we would be saying “Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs“…and yet, when I just found out this news, I gasped.

I gasped because, even tho the man himself had been prepared, I wasn’t.  I gasped because, altho it was obvious that his illness had taken over his body, his energy allowed him to be visible, declaring that perhaps he wasn’t near ‘the end’.  I gasped that a man, years younger than I, took his last breath.

My thought now?  Enjoy and wallow in each moment we have….in honor of Steve Jobs–in honor of life–in honor of yourself.

A Special Kind of Person

Recently I attended a marketing conference.  It was chockfull of information, with speakers and of course their pitch for their products.  Each brought to the stage an incredible amount of knowledge based upon their own experiences, both professionally and personally.

Some of the speakers’ messages were solely about their business and although they were excited about what they do, I question as to whether they were speaking from their heart.  Others spoke on a personal level, bringing authenticity to the front.

One speaker, in particular, touched my soul.  He did not have a product to sell; he did not try to pitch the audience in anyway to bring out their credit cards.  But, his message, for me, was the loudest.  His question was:   Are we our body or are we our mind?

We each are so golden in many ways. I have a business associate who is amazing, inside and out. I’ve often fantasized that if I could find a genie in a bottle, I would ask to be on the same level as my associate…on the outside. I like who I am on the inside and what I can share with others.  But, does the shell make the person?  Are we our body or are we our mind?

The speaker at the conference, Zack Weinstein, has a story to share.  For the first part of his young life, his future plans were amazing.  Entertaining others as an actor, dancer & singer was his focus and attending the appropriate schools was on his horizon.  In 2006, an accident put a ‘bump’ in his road which ended him in a wheelchair.  Instead of giving up, he has adjusted to his situation and is sharing his message.

{{Take fifteen minutes and ‘meet’ Zack:  http://youtu.be/rQ0TZ6cxMZM }}

I applaud Zack for taking his life situation and moving forward with it to help others.  His lesson is deep and it is amazing that he shares his very personal issues with audiences.  The lessons that he has to teach others are beneficial, warm, tender, deep.  He clearly shows us that we can Remove Our Invisible Fences. I tip my hat to Zack for being open, honest and willing.

And the question remains:  Are we our body or are we or mind?  And, now that I’ve asked you that question, how are you going to utilize it?

Makes Me Shudder

My adult nephew went to a funeral last week.  It was to pay respects to the father of a childhood friend.  A man of about 57 years old.  He was on his way back home traveling on the freeway, eager to see his wife and kids.

I would imagine that he had spent some long hours working a business deal he was out of town for. Out of town…in a neighboring city only an hour and 30 minutes away from his home.

We’ve all been there, trying to squeeze the last possible moment to get our jobs done.  We’ve all tried to take advantage of moments that we think are idle.  Most of us have tried numerous times, numerous ways to multitask.

There was a time when talking on our phone was done at our desk or on our couch.  And that’s all we did.  There was a time when we sat at the computer and only had one program open at a time.  Seems like things got accomplished in the right amount of time then.  Technology has given us so much more.  Why is it that we need to accomplish twice as much as we did before? Why are we demanding so much from ourselves; from each other?

This man was driving his car, on a very busy freeway.  That in and of itself is an incredibly important job.  But for some reason, despite all the warnings, he had to be multitasking by also texting.  And, as a result, my nephew went to a funeral last week.

Makes me shudder.  Last week, I was guilty of texting while at a stop light. I know that’s a bit safer than while driving, but what I have to say can wait.

• I don’t want to hurt or endanger anybody, including children in other cars.
• I want to see my babies grow up.
• I don’t want to cause pain to anyone who may love me. I don’t want to be in physical pain.
• I don’t want to be in mental pain from guilt.
• I don’t want my dog to roam around the house looking for me.
• I don’t want my husband to be alone.

Will you join me in taking the No Texting While Driving pledge?  After all, what we all have to say, can wait.

The Here and Now

I’m analyzing my life, many facets of it, and comparing how I deal with each part.  What I’m noticing is that no matter what the issue is, I tend to have the same routine for each.

For instance, I have a weight problem. There. I said it.  As if I didn’t know this before.  A year and a half ago, I had a much larger weight problem.  I have been successful in taking poundage off and keeping it off.  I had finally found a system and some products that have helped me greatly in the actual loss of the weight and the maintenance of the weight loss.

Another instance:  I had another huge loss in my life, of a different kind, over a decade ago and every day I ask myself the same question: “Why?”.   This loss deeply hurts, yet I also think it is what defines me today.

On my day-to-day life, I stumble upon many issues, whether it’s with my significant other, a problem a friend is having, or maybe something to deal with my adult children. Sometimes, it seems like I’m attracting a meteor shower of issues.

As I look at this abbreviated list, and look inside myself to see the commonalities of how I process each facet, it’s apparent to me that while I hold my own self-value high, I take one step at a time; one day at a time.  Preplanning to solve future issues that may arise has no purpose since we cannot foretell what is coming towards us.  This, however, is far different than setting goals and cannot be confused.  Where setting goals, something to strive towards, allows us to be the Captain of our own Ship that we want to head towards the destination we are aiming for, dealing with issues that arrive on our deck is just a part of traveling towards our goals.

When it came to my weight loss, I took one step at a time (literally) concentrating on each day as a single unit, knowing that my end goal would be down the road a bit, but never clinging to that longer term goal.  Dealing with my grief, most definitely, was and is, one step/one day at a time—for as long as I need since there is no end-target for dealing with a loss.  Each issue that comes crawling across my path, I tend to deal with it slow and easy, one step at a time.

It is the here and now that I think and solve each issue for.  I think this allows for less aggravation, less disappointment, and smaller mountains to climb.

What single method have you found that you can use to deal with your issues/problems throughout the platforms of your life?