Direct Life Coaching

My brother told me that when he was figuring out what classes to take in college – if he noticed that there was a written paper on the syllabus, he would drop the class. Papers just weren’t his thing. I feel the same way whenever I buy something – be it furniture or kids toys and I find out that “Some Assembly is Required!”

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!



I feel robbed! I am already spending money on your product and now you are going to punish me by making me put it together. I don’t think so!!

Unfortunately, life can feel that way sometimes – confusing and incomplete.

I got a call from a good friend of mine recently who discovered that his reading comprehension was not where it should be, and he was hoping I could give him some prayerful and encouraging ideas.

The first thing that came to my thought was “incompleteness.” No, I wasn’t seeing him as incomplete, but that sure is what this test was trying to label him as. He knew this couldn’t be true of who he was, and I didn’t accept for him either.

Praying about his completeness really hasn’t been hard, because I have been praying about my own completeness in many different ways over the past 18 months. Losing my job and primary source of income can make a guy feel incomplete. Also, falling on your head and recovering from a neck injury also made me confront my completeness.

For each instance – the only place I go to feel complete is to Spirit. In Spirit – I know I am connected to an unlimited source of abundance, supply, creativity, income, ability, flexibility, strength, wisdom, intelligence, receptivity, dominion, and protection. From what I know and have experienced in seeing myself in a spiritual light – there are no limitations that cannot be overcome. Any obstacle or idea that tries to interrupt me from my perfection is simply denied and reversed by viewing the situation through Spirit’s eyes – the only reality!

In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy writes, “God could not put Mind into matter nor infinite Spirit into finite form to dress it and keep it,--to make it beautiful or to cause it to live and grow. Man is God's reflection, needing no cultivation, but ever beautiful and complete.”

The last sentence is my favorite, that man needs no cultivation, but is already beautiful and complete. Doesn’t that go against everything we are taught and learn? So, accepting that this idea is true and that we are complete – then…

THERE IS NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!

I am complete already! All my pieces are included and they are already intact. In fact, the only assembly required is not beyond us, but within our own thinking. It is when it feels like we are lacking the proper intelligence or resources that we need to reassemble our thinking and remind ourselves that Spirit has created us complete and beautiful.

Could we ask for anything more?

I have seen examples all around me recently just screaming for a new concept of completeness. Another good friend of mine has been experiencing personal hell with all the problems confronting his business right now – so I have been reversing every incomplete idea with what I know to be its spiritual completeness.

Hey, what law do we recognize as highest…human law…or spiritual law? I know what I am choosing.

It is so freeing to approach life from the standpoint that we already have everything that we need. There is nothing “out there” we need to get. There is no “new boss” or “new job” or “new city” we need to get to before we have what we need. We have it right here – right now!

(Batteries not included)

Ugh ;)

Much love!

Travis

PS - Remember, if you want to get an e-mail update whenever I post a new blog, just send me your e-mail saying, "Put me on the list!"

Did you hear the one about Jesus, Snow White, a troll, and Dora the Explorer's mom...



I have to thank my wife and my daughter for the picture above. My daughter is 4 years old...and she loves playing pretend (I love it!). The other day she was playing make-believe when I noticed that she had the most unique cast of characters having a conversation with one another. My wife being the photographer took advantage of the moment.

Besides being hilarious, it reminded me of one of the things that are so great about kids.

NO BOUNDARIES!!!

Hey, if Jesus and Snow White want to play with one another...why not? Throw in Dora's mom and a troll...and now I am interested ;) That's a story!

Kids don't care what goes together...what fits...everything is fair game. Kids also don't categorize themselves based on the activities they do either. It is just something they do - NOT who they are!

As adults we lose that flexibility. School is a big culprit (don't get me started), but as we get older, we begin to divide and separate people, activities, jobs, friendships, etc. into cliques and social circles. My guess is...you even do it at work. It's everywhere and we all do it.

One of the hardest questions for me to answer is, "Travis, what do you do for a living?" I cringe every time I get that question, because there is no ONE thing I do for a living. Of course...I understand the question is, "What is your career," but this is just another way of stacking ourselves up, comparing, and separating ourselves based on the one or two things that become our public identity!

There are few people I know who "are their job." When I was in Boston, my title was "Community Supervisor" for a Web site. Not the most interesting or exciting title, and it definitely didn't represent the passion and joy I brought to my work. It says nothing of the qualities I express, and bottom line, it was just the thing I did from 8-4 M-F...it wasn't "who I was!"

I can feel so many people out in the world trying to figure out "who they are" and they keep trying to define that with their job. If that is our measuring stick, there is going to be a lot of dissatisfaction. I always loved thinking about work not as "what you do," but rather, "what you bring to the thing that you do." Po Bronson and Mark Albion wrote books about people who feel totally satisfied with the work in their life - glamorous or not. And my friend Dax-Devlon Ross' book specifically highlighted African-Americans who have found their passion in life - often marching to the beat of their own drum.

I always enjoy talking to people who love what they do - because you can feel the joy they have for their work. Yet, it never feels like they are consumed by their work, instead, their work is the outward expression of their internal qualities - not the other way around.

This past year and a half I have worked hard to stay boundary-free in my thinking. I also have avoided "finding a job," but instead have looked for work that is the outward expression of the qualities I feel I can express. The opportunities keep coming - and they keep coming in the most unique ways. I feel spiritually in tune with what I am doing - my work feels pure - and I feel I am expressing my own unique qualities.

I like to think of the parable in the Bible about the man who gave each of his servants a number of "talents." After awhile, he checked in on them to see that some of them had taken their talents and increased their talents - so he gave them more. But, the one servant protected his one talent, and hid it out of fear. So, his lord scorned the man, and gave his talent to the man with ten talents.

The way I see the parable is like this: We all have been given talents - so we need to express them to the best of our ability. Even if we have only one talent...take it...use it...grow it as best you can...and you will be blessed with more. If you are sitting there feeling like you have no talents...come on...are you serious? Quit with the pity party and get on living! My guess is that you have some fear getting in the way of your talents!

Staying open to opportunity - and really trying to grow my talents have taken me in some interesting and exciting directions...even random. So much so...if anyone would like to attend the Anger Management workshop I have been developing...I will be presenting a pilot demonstration on September 9th (plenty of spots still available).

So, we are not our job - but our job is one of the expressions of who we are...it is the outgrowth of one of our talents. Don't limit yourself based on your job or title, don't settle, don't be afraid, and don't be afraid to march to the beat of your own drum (even if you have no rhythm).

Now, if you'll excuse me...Snow White and Jesus are taking a ride in Barbie's Jeep...I gotta go!

Much love,

Travis

Check out more inspiration at the Spirit on the Job home page!

Remember, if you want me to e-mail you every time I have a new blog - just send me an e-mail saying, "Sign me up!"

This is more of an update than a blog. I just wanted to alert everyone to an op/ed piece in The Christian Science Monitor featuring my friend Traci Fenton. Traci is the CEO of WorldBlu, and she is the brainchild behind the concept of Organizational Democracy. Click here to read the article.


Last night I found myself watching the Enron Documentary, and then clicking over to see the conclusion of the Spike Lee Documentary on Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Although very different in content, they both exposed the arrogance, ignorance, and danger of bureaucratic and hierarchical organizations.

I applaud Traci for trying to bring to the world another option :)

Travis

There is a story I have heard a few times over the years, and each time I hear it...the message speaks loud and clear. It's called "the monkey trap," and it is the method used to catch spider monkeys. Now, if there are any spider monkey's out there who feel this story is a load of bananas...just let me know.

And the story goes... (as paraphrased by Travis)

Trappers have discovered a safe and harmless way to capture spider monkeys. They place something savory (my word choice) for the monkey's inside a heavy bottle (there is a similar technique using a coconut...but the same idea applies). The bottleneck is big enough for the monkey to reach its hand inside, but once it clenches its hand around the food, its fist is too big to get out of the bottle. The bottle is also heavy, so the monkey is unable to escape with the bottle. The only way to get free - is to let go of the object inside of the bottle.

You guessed it - the monkey doesn't let go! Not even when the captors return, and the monkey can still flee by just letting go - but it doesn't. It fights, goes into a panic, but it allows itself to be captured because it won't let go of the prize.

I don't think it's necessary for me to translate the message here - I am sure the message speaks volumes!

I always start to think - How many times have I been the stubborn monkey? Too many times. How many times have I set my sights on what I feel to be the only solution, the only acceptable end result, or the only idea? Too many times. And is it a coincidence, I have a hard time letting go because it is my idea that must be the best idea. I think not.

We can't beat ourselves up too much though. We live in a society that heavily outlines what is important, the best way of achieving it, and what success and happiness look like. And, If you aren't making it - you must be doing something wrong...or so the message goes!

This idea runs rampant in every walk of life. Bosses and managers pound their chest with "my way or the highway" practices! We ourselves often find it hard to bend or be flexible to how another person works if it doesn't fit our mold of thinking. We like to have our ducks in a row...our row...the row I created.

Friendships and marriages go down the tubes everyday because we won't let go of the object in the bottle. We become willful, stubborn, and inflexible...and if you won't do it the way I want it done...than take a hike!!!

An NFL coach got fired last year after a leadership consultant came in and evaluated the whole organization. After numerous meetings with the coach, the consultant concluded that the coach was so stuck in his ways that he would never be able to adjust to the current team's needs. Instead of addressing the present problem, he referred to his prior successes - leaning on his past credentials instead of taking responsibility for his present work.

His hand was stuck in the bottle - and he wouldn't let go - so he was let go.

What are you not letting go of? Is it past success or failure? Is it in image you have of yourself, friend, spouse, or co-worker? Is it a specific path you feel you need to take? We all have them - and we all have to be willing to let them go.

Why let go? Too often we mistake our plan for our principles. Our principles are those ideas or qualities that are not physical...it might be your personal purpose statement...or your vision statement for your company. But, these statements don't map out the specifics of the journey - but they reinforce the ideals that will guide you along the way. In doing so - they leave lots of room for flexibility!

When I was in Boston, I performed professionally for about 4 years, and knew I was where I wanted to be. In a crazy turn of events, I wasn't cast in the next show, and it threw me for a loop (a small loop, nothing serious). For a few weeks, my hand wouldn't let go of the bottle, because "I knew" I was supposed to be performing on that stage. How dare they tell me otherwise ;)

I couldn't free myself to any other opportunities until I let go.

In order to move on...I had to let go...so I did.

New doors opened! New opportunities presented themselves. None of which I would have seen had I willfully held on to the bottle - the way I thought it needed to happen.

Three years later...I am in a different theater...1,500 miles away...teaching, directing, writing, and performing. I still don't know where the path is going - but I know I am not going to let myself get trapped.

In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy writes,"Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress."

Children don't hold on too much. They are flexible, resilient, and forgiving. They live in the moment, problem solve at break neck speed, and rarely harbor old baggage.

Are you more like the child, or the monkey? Do yourself a favor - identify one idea that you need to let go of - AND JUST LET IT GO!!! Then post your comment here and let everyone know how it feels! I dare you :)

Much love,

Travis

PS - If you want an e-mail reminder every time I have a new blog, just send me an e-mail to ththomas@adelphia.net with the subject "Put me on the list!"

Hey everyone - I hate spamming people...even friends! So, instead of sending out random e-mail alerts about the blog, I am developing an e-mail distribution list who will receive an update every time there is a new blog!

If you are interested in being on the list, just send me a response saying, "Travis, put me on the list!"

Thanks!

Travis

I am big Neale Donald Walsch "Conversations with God" fan, so I didn't want to totally steal his title ;) I also was lucky enough to host an event chat with Neale a few years back which only made me like him more. As a matter of fact, CWG is being turned into a movie coming out soon, so check out Neale's Web site for more info.

But, I did steal the title of this blog from a children’s book I was actually named after, "Travis talks with God." It's a nice book about a boy named Travis who has an accident on his sled, and is encouraged by his parents to relax and talk (pray) with God for comfort and inspiration. Travis does, and in doing so remembers what he knows about God, and that God is always there protecting him, so that it is impossible to be separate from God for an instant...even while sledding. That's it, Travis is okay, and returns to the hill.
(I feel like I just did a book report)

Anyway, this past week I had a little conversation with God, a little chit-chat with Spirit, and Spirit talked back!

Most of you know how I have committed to spending at least 40 minutes a day praying about different things in my life and the world. This has been so helpful, because it means that I am making the conscious effort most of the day to keep my thoughts on Spirit. This has done wonders in handling all of the obstacles that come up on a day-to-day basis.

So, the other day I was backing out of the garage in our mini-van (don't be jealous), and I was actually feeling fine...no worries...nothing. As I was backing out, the thought surfaced in my thinking, "Just keeping doing what you think is right, and I will take care of everything." It was great...simple...and clear. Like I said, I wasn't even thinking about my career, expenses, decisions, etc...it just appeared out of nowhere.

I even stopped for a second to take it all in. The idea came to me as my own voice, but it was clear that it wasn't mine...meaning...human Travis didn't conceive it. It made me think of the animated movie "The Prince of Egypt" when Moses (played by Val Kilmer) speaks to God for the first time. The voice of God, is Moses' voice. It's not a foreign or mysterious voice - but a voice that he recognizes and understands. In my favorite book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy supports this idea, "Sound is a mental impression made on mortal belief. The ear does not really hear. Divine Science reveals sound as communicated through the senses of Soul-- through spiritual understanding."

I think God communicates this way with all of us. When we de-clutter all of our thinking from all of the distractions and illusions that fill our day and keep us away from Love - we leave our consciousness open to receive these God-inspired messages...or little spiritual hugs.

Now, as far as the message I received, that even made me feel better. You all know how I am constantly praying and listening for the right direction in my life - for myself, family, as well as career. Depending on my own freelance work for income, there seems to be more days of uncertainty than certainty. Yet, my prayer and conversations with God have prevented me from feeling stressed, fearful, or stretched (most of the time). It was just the message and spiritual hug I needed, even though I wasn't even asking for it. More proof that the idea wasn't from me ;)

So, how is Spirit...Love...God talking with you? Is something at work pulling you down? Are you stressed, frustrated, discouraged? If so, maybe it's time you scheduled a "one-on-one" with Spirit...I am sure She has time in Her schedule ;)

(When I started this blog...I really had a different idea in mind, but I kind of like where it went. I'll fill you in on my other thoughts next time. If you'll excuse me, I am going to go rip-off other spiritual book titles that I can use for future blogs!)

Much love,
Plagiarism Travis!

I'm feeling like I am on this spider kick all of a sudden. I created the whole "web" analogy a few blogs ago in relation to life not being linear, but rather all of our life experiences are like an interconnected web. Remove one strand, and it affects the balance of the whole, therefore, all of the experiences (strands) are important.

I was thinking more about that web analogy and how it applied specifically to our individual skills and talents.

(BTW...this from a guy who is TOTALLY FREAKED by spiders...to the point that my wife kills most of them. Ohhh...but they seek their revenge on me at night, when I am sleeping...and I have the bites to prove it!!!)

Sorry about that. Yes, the web. Think about the spiders. The whole point of their web is to catch prey for survival. Their success depends on the strength and reach of that web, and it's ability to lure insects into its path. The larger the web, the better the chance to catch more bugs. Yet, a web that is too big, but not strong enough, could bring down the entire web.

And let's not forget...LOCATION...LOCATION...LOCATION!!!!

That's right, you need to know where the bugs are. Where they hangout, where they fly...etc. if you are going to get in on the action. These spiders...they need to have that web in the right place, or they're not eating!

So what in the heck does this have to do with work and spirituality?

Okay, best case scenario, if your collective skills and talents represent a web, you want to have as large a web as possible, and it needs to be strong. You need to recognize what you are good at and what you enjoy doing...then you need to improve those skills as best you can...and then put yourself in the best possible location to succeed.

For example, if you are a Broadway singer living in Idaho (no offense Idaho), you might be the best singer out there, but you don't have yourself in a position to snag many opportunities. Or, you could live in NYC, but be an awful singer, which puts you in the hot-spot, but your web isn't going to be strong enough to catch anything.

This past year, I have been creating my web. Some of the strands have fallen away, and some have gotten a lot stronger. I am figuring out more and more what I enjoy and am good at, and trying to really reinforce those skills. At the same time, I have been working on skills that are new to me...and trying to see if they turn into new strands in my web.

The core of my web is solid. Nothing is breaking my core. Everyday I pray, I turn to Spirit and Love and reinforce all of the activities in my life, and try to spiritualize everything I am apart of. This is a constant continuous process. Sometimes I feel like I am not settled, but know that it's not so much discontent, but forcing myself to ask the questions that take me back to my core. Do I need to make some changes...maybe some big changes? Maybe not. But this constant Soul-searching keeps me moving...keeps me growing...and helps me expand and strengthen my web.

The great thing is...when you know what your web looks like, and you've spun it in the right place...then the work and opportunities come to you. You never see a spider trying to shoot down its prey. You create your web, spin it in the right place, and let the work come to you!!

So, how is your web? Strong and sticky...or a cobweb?

Much love!

Arachno-Travis

This past week I had a mini-celebration. Just me...and a little kiss on the cheek from my wife. It was melodramatic, but I was okay with that, because it represented more of a beginning than an end.

If you have read my blog in the past, you know about the Business Leadership course I took back in April. The course was extremely helpful, because it helped me align everything about who I am and what I represent - and it presented ways to help live that life (on my "purpose") instead of settling and delaying the kind of life I want to live.

At the end of the course, I committed to doing a few things that would help me stay on my personal purpose. I recognized that prayer and spirituality were very important aspects of who I am, and I knew I needed to be more disciplined in finding time during the day to commit to them. So, I decided that each day I would pray about four different aspects of my life...and they were:

* Myself
* My wife
* My kids
* My career(s)

I committed. 100 days. At least 10 minutes of prayer for each. Everyday. No matter what! Miss a day...go back to Day 1.

Well, here I am...Day 106!!! (No lapses ;)

It has been huge! It has been challenging at times. But most of all, it has been natural!

You would be amazed at how resourceful you can be when you commit to something wholeheartedly. For me, prayer is already something that I do anywhere I go. When I go running...I pray. So, that was an easy way for me to get my prayers in on the days when I ran. BAM...40 minutes...done!

But, I don't run everyday (maybe a future commitment). So, the next way I got creative was by not allowing myself to listen to the radio in the car until my 40 minutes of prayer were done. There are few things I enjoy more than pumping the ipod on my drive...but what was more important...Jack Johnson or prayer...(sorry Jack!).

As time went on I found myself trying to get my prayers done as early in the day as possible. I tried to do some immediately when I woke up in the morning. I would pray while brushing my teeth, taking a shower, doing the dishes, etc. The cool thing is, on the days when I got all my prayers done early...when I would find myself in the car or at home with extra time...instead of just doing mindless activities...I found myself praying about other things in my life and in the world. This proved to me one major thing...my commitments were not a burden!!! If they were, why do them?

The biggest lesson of the commitments for me is that I have had to DECIDE AND CHOOSE! I have needed to choose what I have time for in my day, because if my commitments are the priority, other things will have to fall away. Let me tell you, you find out real quick what is and is not important. It's a great eye-opener...because things you may think you NEED...quickly aren't so important.

Back to my mini-celebration. At the beginning I really wondered if I could make it 100 days. I had faith in myself...but I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew (I also committed to 10 minutes of juggling each day, as well as 10 minutes of push-ups and sit-ups). I mean...this was an hour of activity that I would get done everyday...no matter what. There were times when I would remember in bed what I had forgotten to do...and then crawl out of bed and finish the commitment.

There is no better feeling than staying on track! When you do the best you can do, and you know you have put the time, prayer, and effort into what you are doing...there is no reason to doubt, fear, look back...and no regrets!

Committing to 40 minutes of prayer a day means that so much of your thought during the day is coming from a pure, compassionate, and spiritually strong perspective. When obstacles and resistance comes your way - I have been so better prepared to handle them, correct them, and move forward. When you keep your thought on Spirit...finding spiritual solutions are much easier to recognize.

It's Day 106! I have given myself a mental pat on the back because I am proud of accomplishing my 100-day (minimum) goal. But, 100 is not the end, it's just the beginning.

So, what are you going to commit to?

Travis