Direct Life Coaching

Despite living in Florida and going to the beach - I have never been caught in a rip current (commonly misnamed a "riptide"). I live in an area where these are pretty prevalent - and know plenty of people who have experienced its surprising presence.

Unfortunately, rip currents claim a number of lives each year from swimmers who get caught in the current, panic, and then drown in the process. Given the intense circumstances, it's understanding how this happens. One minute you are in knee deep water - and moments later you are being pulled out deep to sea. Not a pleasant experience.

In reality, surviving a rip current is quite easy when you know how to deal with it. Here is a diagram of what to do:



But, this blog isn't so much about surviving an actual rip current - but it had me thinking - how is this any different than life? What kind of "life" rip currents have you gotten caught in and almost drown as a result?

Think about it. You're doing your own thing, enjoying the surf, thinking you have things figured out - and the next thing you know you are getting pulled in a different direction against your will.

What do you do?

Well, most of us, myself included, often fight this change. We push back! We fight harder against the resistance knowing "we know the right way!" "I won't accept this because it's not fair!" "If I only push harder I can will my plan to work!" "I refuse to accept this change!" "This can't being happening to me!" "Not now!"

Sound familiar?

But sometimes, no matter how hard you push - it's not enough. It's a battle you cannot win - and in the process - it might even wear you down.

What would happen if you didn't resist and actually allowed the flow to carry you to this new place? Instead of getting pulled out to "sea" - what might you be able to "see" from this new perspective?

The goal or destination has not changed - but the path to get there might need a new strategy or approach. As with a rip current, the solution is not to be pulled out to sea and then stop and give up. The solution comes from recognizing that once we accept "what is," we can now see there are other options that provide much less resistance - and in this case - no resistance at all.

It's time to swim parallel.

Albert Einstein once said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

Resistance, or change in life, forces us to be open to new solutions in order to progress. This is not a bad thing - but actually an opportunity to discover and grow in a new way. If we always try to stay where we are - how can we ever go anywhere new - or better - more exciting - and more fulfilling?

In her spiritual guidebook Science and Health, Eddy writes, "Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution."

There is always a solution to each problem we are faced with - but it might require being open to a new perspective to see it. As I write this blog, I can admit that I feel I have been pulled out to sea in my own life rip current - yet here I am - looking at the shore and starting to swim parallel for a new perspective. I know the path is there - so I am going to keep swimming.

If you feel yourself dealing with your own rip current - I would love to help you swim with some coaching.

You know how to find me :)

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583

Labels: Albert Einstein, life coaching, mary baker eddy, rip current, Science and Health

"There are no insignificant moments!"

If anyone has seen the film or read the book "The Peaceful Warrior," that phrase is probably one you have spent some time thinking about.

Isn't it true?

I got the chance to put that idea into practice this past week on my way home from St. Louis. I had just spent an inspiring two days deepening my spiritual discovery which included viewing the clip from "The Peaceful Warrior" mentioned above.

When I got to my car in Ft. Lauderdale, parked on the top of the long term parking garage, in 91 degree heat - I discovered it was dead. I left the lights on - so the battery was toast! In that moment, for a few seconds - there was some frustration, anger, and a pinch of self-condemnation.

But, I also realized that I had the CHOICE of what I made of the situation. So, instead of staying in a mindset of "whoah is me," I decided to make the best of it.

It only took a few minutes to contact security and let them know I needed help. So, in those few minutes I had to wait for assistance - I decided to stop, listen, and see what was "significant" in this moment.

Meaning, now that I had moved on from the disappointment of being inconvenienced from "my schedule," might I be able to see and appreciate what was going on around me in that moment?

So I tried. There was the parking lot. Nothing too exciting about that. Though, there was a row of beautiful palm trees I hadn't noticed before - which was a stark contrast to all of the concrete. I saw a plane take off from the airport - and I thought about all of the people on the plane and the excitement of going on a journey. I heard birds, felt the heat, and noticed the huge line of taxi's waiting to pick people up.

Hmmm...maybe there was nothing significant after all.

Then, a security guard pulled up in a golf cart realizing he really couldn't help me - so he called the service truck. The man was an older gentleman, Jamaican descent, and had a wise and gentle presence to him. Instead of taking off he decided to stay and keep me company.

After a few minutes of small talk, umprompted, he shared this story with me (and picture the Jamaican accent):

"So there was a man in a village who was really down on his luck. He lost his family, lost his job, and really had no reason to live. He didn't even have any money for food. While walking around he noticed a tall tree. He decided he would end his life by jumping off the top of the tree. As he began climbing the tree he found an old chicken bone. He licked the bone but could find no extra meat or anything on the bone to feed him. So, he dropped it to the bottom of the tree. As he got to the top of the tree, many of the townspeople could now see him toward the top. They gathered at the bottom of the tree to see if he was going to jump. Right when he was about to jump and end his life, he noticed a man at the bottom of the tree picking up the chicken bone he had dropped. The man also tried to lick it clean, but he couldn't find anything either. In that moment, instead of jumping, the man yelled down to the man on the ground, 'Don't move - I'll be right there!' He then climbed back down the tree to help the man."

"So you see," my new Jamaican friend told me, "Even when you think you got it bad - there is always someone who has it worse. So be happy!"

By this time, the service guy had jumped my car with cables, and my car was back to normal. I thanked both men for their help, especially my new friend for staying with me and sharing the story.

As I thought back to the story in my car - I loved that it was the guy in the tree who not only noticed the man worse off than him - but in that instant he let go of his own self-pity to come down from the tree to help the man. I am not sure if that was the moral of the story - but that is what I got from it.

So, in my 15 unplanned extra minutes at the airport parking roof - what did I notice? Well, it reminded me that there are no insignificant moments - and if you stop beating yourself up long enough to notice what is happening around you - you might be able to help someone else in need.

Isn't that what my Jamaican friend did for me?

And for me - it was pretty significant!

Much love,

Travis

Labels: Peaceful Warrior, self-help, travis thomas

I am getting ready to head to the airport for a weekend trip - and I came across a blog I wrote about 4 years ago (not published on my site).

It is fun to look back and see what I was thinking about then - and to see not much has changed :) The experiences may be different - but the focus remains the same...

Get a better understanding of my purpose - and live it as big as I can!

So...I thought I would post that blog here for you all to enjoy - it's called...

"Groovy Spirituality!"

I just recently moved to a new office setting - home - and besides all of the wonderful people I don't get to see anymore, there is another object I really miss.

My disco ball.

Say what?

Yeah, my disco ball. I moved, it stayed behind.

Depending on your generation it may symbolize different memories. It may make you think of John Travolta and bellbottom pants, but for me, it has become my spiritual mantra.

Ain't it funky?

So, how does a disco ball become a spiritual mantra?

Well, if you are like me - you often think to yourself, "What is my purpose?" I mean really, what has God put me on this earth to do?

Don't get me wrong, I don't have too many regrets in life, and I really do have an abundantly blessed life, but I still often catch myself thinking, "What makes me special? What are my talents? What I am really supposed to do with my life?"

These kinds of questions have led to many places for inspiration. Most recently those have included Mark Albion's “Making a Life, Making a Living,” Dan Pink's “Free Agent Nation,” and Mary Baker Eddy's “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.”

These books have helped me understand my uniqueness in the world, the talents that only I possess, and the opportunity for me to impact the world by expressing what only I have to offer. (I don't want to sound too special, this applies for you too.)

For example, "Making a Life, Making a Living" showed me real life examples of how people, when putting meaningful priorities in front of them, can achieve unimaginable success. Success not solely based on the bottom line, but success that touches the world in a positive way.

Similarly, "Free Agent Nation" defines a work lifestyle that really resonates with me. A lifestyle that incorporates all aspects of my life, from my personal life to my spirituality. It showed me that I don't need to compartmentalize who I am, but rather, work should be part of the expression of our individuality.

All of these books, in very different, yet similar ways have caused me to look up to a purer and more divine perception of myself.

Looking up also helped me see the disco ball hanging over my head. The disco ball - a collection of hundreds of tiny mirrors fastened together to make one ball. But, if you take one single stream of light - and project it at the ball - the light is reflected in hundreds of different ways. All different, all unique, but all coming from the same source.

Are you seeing where I am going with this?

Do you see why I want to be the disco ball?

If God is that source of light. When I say God, I am envisioning God as a constant source of goodness and love. God as Father and Mother. An ever present supply and creator of inspiration. So, if God is that source - and I am the recipient of that light, it is my opportunity, rather, my responsibility to reflect as much light as possible.

Like a disco ball, if I only express this light in a few different ways - it is not going to have much impact. Basically, there aren't going to be too many people wanting to dance around me.

Can you dig it?

But, if I live a life that tries to express this light and love in as many ways as possible, a life that is a celebration of God's glory, that is a life with impact. A life that touches other people. A life that leaves a mark on the world. A life that represents the allness of God.

Papa's got a brand new bag!

I don't use many big words, but in Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy has a quote that is just downright groovy. She writes, "The universe of Spirit reflects the creative power of the divine Principle, or Life, which reproduces the multitudinous forms of Mind and governs the multiplication of the compound idea man."

Multitudinous - I probably can't pronounce it, but I know I am trying to live it. I know a disco ball reflects multitudinous light - and I know that I do the same.

I try to do this everyday. I try to do it with the people I come in contact with in the store, my neighbors, my wife. I try to express the multitudinous forms in the number of interests that I have, the kinds of hobbies I explore, and the new ventures I keep an open mind to.

And, I also try to bring this to my career pursuits. Looking back on my work experience to date, I have done so many different kinds of work, yet in each one, it was the opportunity to express my unique individuality that made each one rewarding. Whether it has been teaching, coaching, being on the stage and radio, as well as working in a cubicle farm - each job brought me another opportunity to be that disco ball!

To me, that is a life of purpose and meaning. That is a life that feels like I may have an impact. For me, that is living a life as a disco ball. And I know that there are so many experiences I haven't been exposed to yet, but I will.

So, I know you feel it baby! You can hear the music, you can smell the polyester, and it's time to dance. It's not Saturday Night - but I got the fever! Do you?


Have a great weekend everyone!

Travis
561.676.4583

Labels: dan pink, disco, groovy, mark albion, mary baker eddy, self-help, spirituality