Direct Life Coaching

Thank you!
How could I not do a gratitude blog being that it is Thanksgiving? And if I didn't - could I really claim to be a grateful person?

Thank you!

A couple years ago I was inspired to write a personal letter to everyone in my family (siblings, parents, cousins, grandparents) telling them how much I appreciated them. This was a great experience! I recommend it to anyone and everyone - for many different reasons:

1) How good does it feel to know how much you mean to someone?

2) How often do you really stop and think how much someone means to you? If you are like me - it can be easy to take certain friendships and relationships for granted. Forcing yourself to sit down and think about another person reminds you of the impact they have in your life. The simple act of articulating those qualities to paper lets you see how many wonderful people actually surround you.

3) It just feels good - it feels right! Whether or not you hear from the actual people you write to doesn't matter - it just feels good to think lovingly about someone. When you allow yourself to appreciate those qualities in others - it brings out the best in you. You at your best feels good - doesn't it!!!

The fun part for me was knowing how unexpected these letters would be when they were received. Not to get too much into my past - but this was definitely out of character (or so it would seem) of something I would do. I hope it allowed so of my family to see me in a different light - and for the years since I hope I have continued to reinforce the genuineness of the feelings I conveyed.

Thank you!

Two simple words that hold immeasurable power!

It is no surprise for you who read my blog (thanks mom) to know that at times I struggle with self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty over some of the bold choices my wife and I have decided to take. But, on the other side of those feelings is the resolve of trust, faith, innocence, and purpose! But no one ever said living on purpose wasn't scary!

I have spoken before that it is impossible to feel gratitude and lack at the same time. There isn't room for both. If you think you can feel both - I would say that the gratitude isn't genuine gratitude. So, if you think, "I am grateful for everything I have, BUT..." - well...is that really gratitude? Gratitude is powerful because it is the recognition that what I have right now is enough!

Right now! Not 10 minutes from now - or 10 days - but right now. I have enough in this very moment - and I am taken care of right now. So, the goal for me is to always stay in that conscious moment of what I have right now as being enough - abundant - instead of worrying about what more I want and don't have. Gratitude cannot live in that place.

Just so you know - I catch myself all the time expressing fake gratitude filled with plenty of "BUT" statements - and I am always working with catching those moments when they happen. Let 'em go - and get back to what is.

Thank you!

So, as I approach Thanksgiving. I just want to say "Thank you!"

Thank you for reading this blog. I feel like I put myself "out there" each week - allowing myself to feel open and vulnerable - but it is very powerful to do. I am so grateful for the many inspiring responses I have received over the year - and the encouragement you all continue to give me.

Thank you to all of the coaching clients I have worked with this year. You all have given me the confidence and trust in my own abilities - and I have genuinely loved every minute of every session. Although I am the "coach," - it is I who continues to learn from you!

Thank you to Jesse and Frank for still teaming with me as we continue to put on one of the most entertaining shows you will see (humbly of course). I trust you two - and I feel trusted by you. You are great partners - and better friends!

Thank you to everyone in our small church group who continue to redefine the walls of "church" - and truly understand the openness of what church is all about. It was such a blessing that this was the group we connected with when we moved to Florida - and I love seeing how we continue to progress!

Thank you to my family...parents, siblings, cousins, grandma, and grandpa. You all are incredible for supporting my endeavors. Mom, Dad, Tiff, Tam, Tiger - much love! My grandfather passed away a few months ago - but I am grateful for how long I was able to know him. "Not bad for an old turd bird from the U.P."

Thank you to my three monsters - BEAUTIFUL...BEAUTIFUL...BEAUTIFUL monsters! I can't help but wake up each morning with my kids on my mind - and they are the last think I like to see before I go to bed. Man, am I learning from them every blessed day - (and then they offer a refresher course the next week). They are very thorough teachers. I LOVE 'EM!

Thank you to my smoking hot wife! (Come on - I had to have some fun somewhere). She is my biggest cheerleader - my partner in crime - and there is no way I could be doing the things that I am doing - and strive to be the person I want to be if she wasn't in my corner 100%. It's pretty remarkable really. It is the difference between having a happy marriage - and a purposeful marriage - and she has her act together. Thank you Light Shine!

And...just a few more quick thank you's:

* Thank you "back alley" neighbors!
* Thank you Quiet Lightening!
* Thank you HeHe, Papa, and Haydes!
* Thank you Harbur's!
* Thank you Morning Dove!
* Thank you cast of GC Comedy!
* Thank you Arise!
* Thank you babysitters! Really - thank you!

Just...Thank You!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Much love,

Travis

Labels: gratitude, life coaching, Thanksgiving, travis thomas

My wife and I recently flew back from a trip in Michigan with our two young children. Our daughter is five-years old, and our son is a wiggly two-years old. Anyone who has traveled with their own young kids can relate to the not-always relaxing feeling this experience brings.

Well, despite having two wonderful flying children, our youngest son decided to make this flight interesting. He threw things, he screamed, he kicked the seat in front of him, he rolled on the ground, he cried, he taunted his mom, he taunted me - it was one of those flights where I felt other passengers thinking, "Those poor parents!" Or, "Those awful parents!"

At the end of the flight, when we could finally stand (and find some sanity), two young girls (probably 8 & 9) sitting behind my wife and son shared this nugget of helpful feedback, "Boy, your son was really annoying...but at least he is cute."

Kids, they say the darndest things!

My wife and I both bit our tongues, and as unappreciative we were of their comments - they were kind of on to something...

Mainly "...at least he is cute!"

Here were two girls with perspective! Sure, they endured his shenanigans for over 2 hours - and in the end - they found some silver lining to walk away with (thank God he is cute).

Once in our car, we still had a 3 hour drive home (need a new travel agent) - and I had time to reflect on the flight. By all means, it would of been very easy for my wife and I to bemoan what an awful trip we just experienced - but we really didn't. In fact, looking back I was able to express gratitude for the fact that the flight was on time, our seats were together, we got all of our luggage, and that it was over ;)

Seriously though, I was grateful that despite my son's behavior being a nightmare - it was over! Whatever bee got in his bonnet was gone. There was no need for me to keep seeing him that way and reliving the experience - so I freed him from that experience by forgiving him. If he was able to get his normal self back - there was no reason for me to attach any unnecessary negativity. That was baggage neither of us needed.

if you think about this example in a bigger picture - there is a lot of freedom we can give ourselves and others by letting whatever happened go. And not just forgiving, but actually being able to look back at negative experiences and express gratitude for the good that was present as well.

We tend to remember experiences in black and white terms. Something was either good - or bad. But often, there are usually elements of both - but what we choose to remember and focus on becomes the memory we create for ourself.

I challenge all of you - to this week try to find the good in any experience that leaves a negative taste in your mouth. Maybe it's the poor service you get at the store, or a rude co-worker, or an impatient spouse (my wife can relate) - and try to then think back, let go of the negative, and then acknowledge something from the same experience to be grateful for.

If you notice anything interesting - let me know!

Hey - at the very least - if someone ticks you off - they might be cute ;)

Much love!

Travis

Labels: direct life coaching, forgiveness, gratitude, life coaching, personal growth, positive thinking, travis thomas