Direct Life Coaching

Anyone who has a child, or has had to ride in the car with a child 3 years of age or older, knows that it takes less than 10 minutes into the trip before the child will ask,

"Are we there yet?"

I have never traveled with kids from another culture, but I am pretty sure no matter what language they speak - they know how to say, "Are we there yet?"

As a parent myself, this has been very frustrating.

"Why can't you just be patient?"

What is it about kids that need to know what is next? What are we going to do now? What are we doing in the morning?

And, can they not trust their mom and I have their best interests in mind - and that we will actually take care of their needs?

"Daaaaaaaad...are we there yet?"

And even more, what is the actual age when they quit asking?

Well, a little thought dawned on me the other day. I was running around or doing some errands...and here are some of the thoughts that were bouncing around in my head...

* When will I feel secure about my career?
* Where is my next client going to come from?
* How much money do I need to make to feel comfortable?

Then it hit me! Here I am, chastising my own kids and telling them to trust me, yet these are the same questions in my head.

"Are we there yet?"

That is essentially what my fears are asking me?

The idea here is that there is a future destination that makes our fears go away - and once we get there (or achieve a goal), the fear disappears.

Has this ever been the case for you? Does the fear go away?

I doubt it.

Chances are, by the time we get to the destination we are seeking - we have long since projected out our comfort zone to a more distant destination.

When it comes to deferred happiness, or letting our fears dictate our benchmarks - it is a sliding scale.

And guess what, we will never catch up to it.

Instead, maybe we should take our own advice to our kids - and trust that our future, finances, and happiness are actually being taken care of. If we can accept that as truth - than we can also accept that our personal sense of peace and happiness is attainable right now - right here.

Happiness is a choice - not a destination.

You better start practicing your happiness now - or else you won't know what it looks like when you finally reach that goal.

So, how do you practice happiness?

For me, it starts with gratitude. Acknowledging the good already in my life - and letting my actions express this gratitude. If I am truly living gratitude - it means I am showing up happy, compassionate, forgiving, energetic, peaceful, harmonious, etc. And if that is how I am showing up - ta da - it probably means that I am happy.

Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health captures it a little better when she writes, "In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know."

Makes sense. If I want to be happy - I need to put happiness into practice and action.

Now, I can easily recognize that the times that I am not feeling this joy - it is because I am being controlled by my fears resulting in asking questions of, "Are we there yet?"

As I have said in my other blogs - this is all pretty simple stuff - just not always easy!

So, the next time you feel yourself asking the question, "Are we there yet?" - remind yourself that the "there" is already "here."

Now live it!

Much love,

Travis

Labels: christian science, inspiration, life coaching, mary baker eddy, self-help, travis thomas

As much as I enjoy hearing myself talk ;) - I will be the first to admit that I don't have all the answers. This blog each week isn't so much me telling you what to - because I am still figuring it out myself. Rather, it is a way for me to articulate beliefs I am working with and trying to put into practice - and maybe...just maybe...you will find an idea that resonates with you.

I have been blessed to know and come across many people who I truly believe are living a life on purpose. Some of them have drastically influenced decisions I have made in my life, while others continue to inspire me by their laser-like focus of committing to their passions and purpose. These are people I want to bring to your attention as well.

So, occasionally I am going to dedicate one of my blogs to introducing you all to one of these people. This is what I am calling the "The Road Less Traveled" series. (If you have a better name - let me know).

I am excited to kick-off this series with someone I haven't known a long time, but I definitely have a lot of respect for. She and I performed on stage together for a couple of years - and recently she and her husband decided to take the road less traveled.

Literally.

Specifically, they quit their jobs, put their house on the market, bought an RV, and are now traveling the US.

So, before we hear why, I'll let Kelly introduce herself in her own words...

Kelly: My name is Kelly Greene. I am 31 years old and have lived in Florida my whole life. My husband and I met at the University of Florida and have been married 8 years. I feel very lucky to have him in my life. My work experience is mostly in event planning and hotel group sales/catering. I have always been very responsible and for as long as I can remember, I have had a job. In my younger years I was selling t-shirts I made, door to door or baby-sat. I always had a plan for what I wanted to be. Just in case anyone asked, I was always prepared with an answer. As you can tell I am very "by the book", which is why this journey is very out of the box for me.

Travis: So Kelly, what made you and your husband quit your jobs and buy the family truckster?

Kelly: My husband and I were in a transition phase in our lives. I had quit my job with the PGA (due to burnout), we were trying to have kids, he was frustrated with his current employment. We asked each other one day, why are we killing ourselves working stressful jobs, trying to have 2.5 children and live this "perfect" life? We felt something was missing. We had also heard several stories around that time, of people getting sick or dying young. Life is just too short.

So we decided to put our house on the market, buy an RV and just go. Go see this beautiful country of ours. Go live life, have fun, experience new towns, meet new people, eat different food and if it doesn't work out, we will figure out a new plan. Instead of just talking and dreaming about doing this "someday" we decided to make it happen now.

When we told people what our plan was, we got very mixed responses. Some people said, "that's great, I wish I could do that", other said "must be nice, I didn't realize you won the lotto", and some just thought we were plain crazy. The thing is, you can really do or have anything you want. You need to just do it. We made up our minds to take this trip and everything started falling into place. Now, has it been totally perfect so far? Of course not. That is life. There are always bumps along the way. It is how you handle the bumps and stressful times that make your life journey what it is.

Travis: I love how you both decided that if it didn't work out, you would just figure out a new plan. And of course, agreeing that happiness didn't need to be a "someday" ambiguous time.

I have to imagine though that there were a lot of fears that might try to prevent you from taking this step.

Kelly: There are a ton of fears related to doing something like this, that is out of our comfort zone. Will we have enough money? Will we have mechanical problems? Will we sell the house?

Travis: So how did you get past them?

Kelly: Try and be as prepared as possible, but know problems will arise. You just deal with them as they come. You have to believe that things will work themselves out. Because they usually do.

Travis: Where do you draw your courage and inspiration from?

Kelly: Knowing that there is something bigger than ourselves in the universe and that life is precious and very short. Being thankful for health and asking for guidance.

Travis: You and your husband have been on the road now for just about a month. What has been the most inspiring or transforming experience thus far?

Kelly: That is a great question. I would say, that first day when we pulled out of driveway and out of town. It was such a sureal feeling, because we were rushing around so much before we left. There were so many things to do. It wasn't until we pulled down the road and we had a moment to really think, that it started to set in. We are really doing this, wow...

Now we take each day at a time and do as much or as little as we want. We go sightseeing, hiking, kayaking, or laundry and chores (yes you still have to do chores).

I can't wait to see what the next day will bring, but for now I am living in the moment.

Travis: Kelly, thanks so much for taking time out of your trip to answer these questions! And, for everyone else, if you want to keep track of Kelly's adventures - you can do so my checking out her blog: http://thegreenejourney.blogspot.com

Thanks for taking the road less traveled!

Travis

Labels: inspiration, kelly greene, life coaching, road less traveled, RV

By now everyone is familiar with the recent tragedy on the campus of Virginia Tech.

Response to the news differs. Maybe it kicked you in the gut. Sadness. Frustration. Anger. Prayer. For others, you may be so used to horrifying news and events that you have become desensitized when something like this happens.

Whatever your response, you can't help but feel helpless. I did. Seeing the news for the first time made me feel small and insignificant. What am I doing? How am I helping? How do I respond?

So, how do you respond? How do you move forward? What do you do?

The more I have thought about this today the more I realize there is plenty that you and I can do.

It's not about what you do or where you live - it's about WHO you are - and HOW you are showing up in life.

Maybe that sounds vague, so let me explain.

We are all capable of big things! No matter who you are - you have an immediate impact on the people around you and the community you live in. Every choice that you make and every action you take has influence on EVERYONE.

EVERYONE!

That might feel far-fetched, but it's not. We get so caught up in looking at life based on the results we can see - but never stop to contemplate the influence we have on the unseen. Everyday, you influence everyone you come into contact with, as well as many you never meet. When you CHOOSE to live your life to your highest potential - you raise humanity!

Yes - you raise humanity by the choices you make!

When you live life at your highest potential, you bring out the best in yourself as well as everyone around you. You become an example of greatness, compassion, grace, and peace - and become a force of positive energy into the world. Your one single action raises humanity.

I went to Science and Health for comfort and inspiration, and I found this passage hat supports from Mary Baker Eddy, "The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won. The attainment of this celestial condition would improve our progeny, diminish crime, and give higher aims to ambition."

Now, contemplate a life where you are showing up in your fullest in everything that you do - with "higher aims to ambition." You become a constant expression of goodness and positivity. Your energy inspires others into action - and now your goodness is multiplied and reciprocated further into the world. The ripple effect of goodness is set in motion - and it never stops - it just continues to grow! Your kids see a better you - your spouse sees a better you - your friends see a better you - strangers see a better you - and you being a better you makes everyone else better.

It's your choice. What are you going to do?

There are no insignificant moments. How you treat the cashier at the grocery store has influence. The way you respond in your car has influence. How you talk to the people in your life has influence. You are a living, moving, breathing expression of influence!

Don't bury your head. Don't get lost in the day to day grind of life that you forget that although we walk around as individuals - we are all connected.

How are you doing? Can you be bigger? Can you do more? Can you strive to be a better you?

Yes you can! Is there an alternative? And if you are not striving to show up better in your life, what else are you doing?

Don't get stuck in the muck! Don't be paralyzed by the images of violence and senselessness. You can do something - and you can start right now!

There are no insignificant moments. Click here for a quick example of how striving to be better influences more than you could ever expect.

I know like many of you, my prayers continue to go out to everyone at Virginia Tech - and I expect that comfort is being felt. Go higher! Be better! The demand is on all of us to make a difference!

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583
travislthomas@mac.com

Labels: christian science, inspiration, spirituality, Virginia Tech

I have been out of my routine this week.

I usually blog on Tuesday before teaching acting class, but since this is Spring Break in Palm Beach, my normal writing time was on hiatus. Even on my runs this week I haven't had that one idea come to me that I want to blog about. There are some random thoughts that keep jumping around in my head, but nothing has surfaced as "the idea" to write about this week. In fact, I was even one paragraph into a blog and I scrapped it - it was getting too jumbled and I had just started, so maybe I will save that thought for another day.

Here I am...Wednesday late night...and as my patient (and pregnant) wife sleeps beside me - I write this trying not to keep her up because of the laptop monitor glow (she's a real sensitive sleeper). So, since there is no cohesive blog to dazzle your intellect, here are some thoughts skipping around in my consciousness...enjoy!

* Do you think Ty Pennington (ABC's Extreme Makeover host) knew that he was going to be a mega-superstar by pursuing his dream as a carpenter? Is it possible that he became a carpenter because he loved it - and what happened as a result is due to the fact that he followed his purpose and passions - without outlining or trying to control the results? And, if Ty never made it as a TV star because of his carpentry - would he still be happy? I think I know the answer ;)

* The Florida Gators basketball team repeated as National Champions this week. They had the exact 5 starters that they had when they won it all last year. When they won their first title last year, many were surprised when a few of their stars decided to forgo the NBA draft to stay in college for another year. I mean really - who could pass up guaranteed millions just to stay in college and not make a dime, all the while risking an injury? Even with the win, experts predict that some of their draft-status may have even dropped by staying an extra year. So my questions is - do you think they are happy they stayed? I think I know the answer ;)

* In a letter to his employees this past November, Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey notified them that he would no longer be taking a salary as their CEO, stating that, "I am now 53 years old and I have reached a place in my life where I no longer want to work for money, but simply for the joy of the work itself and to better answer the call to service that I feel so clearly in my own heart." It is my opinion that John has always been working from his heart - and that success was the result of that vision and passion. He is a pioneer in his industry - and might that be more important that his millions? I think I know the answer ;)

Besides, just look at their motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet."

What would happen if you followed your heart? What could you do if you steered your life in the direction to do the things that bring you the most joy and fulfillment?

"Yeah Travis, but my passion is my hobby, I could never create a career out of it."

Maybe not - but do you really believe that, or are you just afraid of committing to the one thing you love most? Don't worry - you're not alone.

Rachel Ray was teaching a cooking class in a supermarket before she was discovered. Ty got snatched up for a little show called "Trading Spaces." Will Farrell was a bank teller who decided to get into improv, and Oprah was told she wasn't attractive enough to be an anchor - I guess they were right ;) Now, don't think this blog is about "how to become a star," but these people are merely examples of how following your passions can take you to some awesome heights.

But, don't get it bassackwords! These are people who enjoyed what they were doing before they became stars, in fact, becoming a star wasn't even on their "to do" list. But, strange things happen when you follow your heart.

Unfortunately, more and more people have "made a good living," yet they don't really like what they have. They're the ones who have it bassackwords. It's okay, but it just takes a little effort to go from "a good living" to "living the good life."

Let me leave you with a quote that captures what we are all capable of, from my favorite writer Mary Baker Eddy. She writes, "Each individual must fill his own niche in time and eternity."

Are you fulfilling your niche?

What do you know...maybe this blog has a point after all? Maybe not. Tough, that's all you get this week!

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583
travislthomas@mac.com

P.S. - Thanks to everyone who purchased a book last week - keep 'em coming! You can use this link to buy a copy for yourself or a friend. Plus, if you want to know more about coaching - or know someone who might want to know more - please be in touch with me. The first chat is always free :)

Labels: christian science, humor, inspiration, life coaching, purpose, self-help, spirituality, travis thomas

I am centered in Love!

Right now I am on a personal "Vision Day." This is a day where I take at least 8 uninterrupted hours to study, pray, ponder, and think about my life and the world and "see" it in its spiritual perfection. I am not alone, there were 50+ more people who signed up to do this once a month as well - and at the end of the day you share your inspiration with everyone. I am in the middle of my second day (one a month) as I write this - and I just needed to share this inspiration.

I am centered in Love!

This idea came to me as I was writing "vision statements" for myself. A vision statement involves taking a relationship, job, goal, etc. in your life - and articulating how it would look if you were bringing your true purpose to the table in relation to that idea (relationship, career, etc.).

As I was finishing my last vision statement, this idea popped in my head, "I am centered in Love." So I decided to think about that idea and expand on it.

If I am centered in Love (God, Spirit, etc.) then there is never a moment where I am outside of Love, nor is there ever a time when I am even on the fringe of God's protection and guidance. Yes, I just used the word "nor." To be honest, I have gotten pretty good and seeing my life and existence as always being inside God's love - but there are plenty of times when I don't feel like I am in the center of that love. But on the fringe, I tend to feel like I am dancing there quite a bit.

On the fringe gives me cop-out to know that God is protecting me, but just enough to get by. On the fringe I don't expect abundance - but just enough to get by. On the fringe I don't expect perfect health - but just enough to avoid "the big" problems. Life on the fringe is pretty good - but life in the center is GREAT - PERFECT - ALWAYS PERFECT!!

Then, I thought, expand this idea of "center" for everyone! If everyone (meaning you) are in the center as well - then what does God's kingdom (presence) look like?

Can we all be in the center?

Darn straight!!! But, if you think of the center from a limited material perspective - there is not enough room. But, seeing everyone in the center blows the doors off our perception of abundance and the size of God's reach. Basically, if we are all in the center, yet still individual, then everything outside of our center is still the center - so there must not be an end to the boundaries - just more center. Therefore, God's love and abundance is infinite, never-ending, for me and you and EVERYONE EVERYWHERE!

So, we all have enough money. The world has enough resources. There is no limit to success, health, and perfection - and there is no competition to who can have it - BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THE CENTER!!!

Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health knew about living in the center, she writes, "We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God's creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being."

A friend of mine shared this quote from Paul Zeiter, "There is a natural law of abundance which pervades the entire universe, but it will not flow through a doorway of belief in lack and limitation."

What does your doorway look like? What feeble flutterings or mortal beliefs are keeping you on the fringe?

Like it or not - you're in the center - so why not live a life that expresses that!

Much love everyone!

Travis

PS - I am always available to help you "see" the center in your life. Write me at travislthomas@mac.com or call 561.676.4583

Labels: christian science, inspiration, life coaching, love, mary baker eddy, spirituality, travis thomas