Direct Life Coaching

"The time for thinkers has come. Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity. Contentment with the past and the cold conventionality of materialism are crumbling away." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)

Mary Baker Eddy inked this phrase over 130 years ago, yet the power of the passage seems pretty darn relevant today. There is so much going on in those three sentences that demand a closer look.

Let's go!

(BTW...these are all my interpretations - so take them with a grain of salt ;)

First, let's look at the second sentence, "Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity." Mary Baker Eddy used "Truth" as a synonym for God, and here I see her stating that the knowledge and understanding of God (Spirit, Love, or Being), minus the attachments and separate of tradition or institution, is becoming clearer and resonating with people in a very practical way. A way not dependent on the authority found within four walls, but a way seen in how a life is lived.

Do we see this today? Have you been to a bookstore? Have you seen the best-selling titles? Sure, there are denominational books doing very well, but the big surge in spirituality seems to be happening more in coffee shops and book clubs, chat rooms and meetup groups. Yes, on one side of the spectrum mega churches are thriving, but I seem to see more and more conversations happening outside of the church and in all facets of society. Plus, how many of you had heard of Eckhart Tolle a year ago? Today, if you haven't read one of his books, one of your friends have.

In the third sentence Eddy writes, "Contentment with the past and the cold conventionality of materialism are crumbling away." Could any word describe the current economic breakdown of our major institutions better than "crumbling"? And what is it that has really been crumbling at the core of all this downfall...perhaps greed, irresponsibility, dishonesty? Have any of us in western society not felt the cold conventionality of materialism? I know I have.

Last, but not least, "The time for thinkers has come." I have read this statement hundreds of times over the years, but today it has new meaning. In the past I always interpreted her use of "thinkers" to mean "those committed to thinking spiritually." So, now is the time for spiritual thinkers. Yes, that is true, but now I see there is more to it than that. When I see the use of the word "thinkers" today, it says to me that this is a time of higher consciousness. Not thinking in the traditional term, but thinking from a very "conscious" state of being.

Most of us interpret our lives through what we feel. Good events make us "feel" good, while bad events make us "feel" bad. We tend to be very emotionally driven, and the quality of our day often depends on how we "feel." Stay with me here a second, and now look at your life as a "thinker" or "observer." Instead of being stimulated by the good or bad around you - you notice it and observe it. Or to quote a wise man, "Nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so."

To apply this idea to where we are today, it is easy to look at our culture and see how we are stimulated by the "cold conventionality of materialism." Our house, car, looks, bank accounts, etc. all make us "feelers" of the world around us, thus making us slaves to these "time-honored systems" as our source of happiness (and sadness).

When we are driven by our emotions life becomes all about what we can "get." Happiness means getting more, and the more we get, the more we need. This is nothing new to you I know, but it goes back to my point that the act of "getting" is what feeds our need of "feeling."

A friend of mine told me about how he and his son were going to go running. His son was committed to being a runner, yet on this day, when his dad asked him if he wanted to go, the son responded, "I don't feel like it." So the dad replied, "What does 'feeling' have to do with it?"

Are you still with me?

What makes you who you are? Are you happy because you have things that make you "feel" good - or are you good because that is "who" you are? Is your happiness dependent on everything outside of you (feelings driven) - or are you happy because you make a conscious choice to be that way?

The past few years have been challenging for me, but they have been the most growing and rewarding years in my life. I can honestly say that I have a much clearer sense of "who" I am that has nothing to do with houses, bank accounts, or friends. Each day I make different conscious decisions - and for the past few weeks that decision has been "to give" - and not worry about "getting." Life has a different dimension when you are not working an angle with an end result in your favor, but rather genuinely looking to see what you can give.

Give it a try.

The time for thinkers has come! Joy, peace, harmony, compassion, kindness, empathy, tenderness are all feelings - but they are feelings that we can consciously choose no matter what is going on outside of us. We are at such a crucial and precious moment in our human history - we need people standing up and taking a conscious stand for what is good and right - instead of just responding to every stimulus that comes our way.

Do you have your thinking cap on?

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583

PS - this is not the blog I sat down to write, but this is what came out :)

Labels: economy, life coaching, mary baker eddy, Science and Health

I am in the last week of our 3-week family adventure in northern Michigan. It has been a terrific trip hanging with family and relaxing in the "not south Florida" summer weather. People have commented about certain days here being humid - haha - if they want to see humidity - I WILL SHOW THEM HUMIDITY!

That is about as macho as I get.

Anyway, recent and exciting news for me is that I will be expanding my coaching this Fall as the assistant soccer coach at my old college Alma mater. This will be an amazing opportunity for me to get back on campus and connect with young men while coaching the game that I love.

The only problem is - I am not exactly in college shape.

Not that I need to be as fit as I was when I was a student, but the last thing I want to do is show up and be the "old man" that can't keep up. So, with training camp starting in roughly 4-5 weeks, I have been trying to step things up.

Now, I often blog about how often I run and it is usually a time I find my best inspiration. But, going for a jog a couple times a week is apples and oranges compared to running around a soccer field with 20-year olds for 3 hours.

You need to run the hill!

So, for the past three weeks or so - I have been running everyday in attempt to get myself in better shape. I have run longer distances, as well as mixing it up with sprint runs and plyometric strength training. Yeah, I am still sore.

But, none of those compare to running the hill! The dreaded hill (seen in the picture above). I knew the hill was waiting for me here in Michigan - and there was nothing I could do to escape it. The hill waits, it taunts me - and I know I have no choice but to run the hill.

So, for the last 8 days...I have run the hill. Okay, so the hill is part of a dirt road that overlooks Lake Bellaire. The hill itself is about 1/4 long, maybe less - but it feels like a lot more. It is steep, with soft dirt most of the way, and it gets steeper the closer you get to the top. The hill comes about 1/2 mile into the run - and then once you get to the top - you still have over 2 miles left. But, at that point, the worst is behind you.

I am loving the hill!

Knowing I was coming up here for a week and a half - I had been dreading the hill. The first couple of days were tough, but now that I have completed the 8th consecutive day - I am loving the hill. I need the hill. The hill has been pushing me - and each run the hill has become less and less intimidating - less scary. The result is that I know I am a lot better off than I was 8 days ago - and it has been a huge boost for my confidence.

What is your hill?

I will be completely honest here. When I was in college, I didn't have the discipline to get in shape to the level I needed to be in. I talked myself into thinking I was really in shape, but I really never was. It was never glaring on the field - but I knew. Back then - there were plenty of hills in my life I was too scared to climb. The goal I wanted to achieve as a player was important to me - but there were some hills I needed to climb (literally and figuratively) to be that player, and I didn't do it. Ouch!

My guess is that there are plenty of us out there who would love to do something special with their life - but there may be some hills that appear too scary. It is much easier to say, " That time has passed," or "It's just not that easy right now." We all have valid excuses like bills that need to paid, taking care of our kids, work obligations - etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

These are just hills. They look real scary and daunting - and maybe they really are - but what lies beyond those hills might be worth the climb. And even if you don't achieve your ultimate goal - you will still be a better person for taking on those hills. And remember, you don't need to take on all of those hills at once...

Just pick a hill - and start running!

In his book "The Inner Game of Tennis," Timothy Gallwey describes the true benefit of competition and what it means to embrace the tough challenge of a competitor. He writes, "Reaching the goal itself may not be as valuable as the experience that can come in making a supreme effort to overcome the obstacles involved. The process can be more rewarding than the victory itself." He later adds, "In the use of competition it is the duty of your opponent to create the greatest possible difficulties for you, just as it is yours to create obstacles for him. Only by doing this do you give each other the opportunity to find out what heights each can rise."

That is why I am loving my hill!

In reality, the hill I have been running up here is nothing to write a book about (just a blog), but it has allowed me to look up at bigger hills and think, "Yeah, I could do that!" I need these hills to make me better. These hills are making me better. If I got a call tomorrow telling me the soccer coaching had fallen through - it doesn't take away the little lessons I have been learning over the past few weeks.

The outcomes may change - but the lessons we learn in taking on the obstacles will never leave us empty-handed. So what are you waiting for?

I have one day left here in northern Michigan - so I get one last day to climb the hill - and them move on.

Bring on the next hill!

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583

Labels: direct life coaching, life coaching, life coaching Travis Thomas, The Inner Game of Tennis

For awhile I have yearned to write a book that revolves around coaching - and if so, I think this would be the title:

All In: How a silly poker term transformed my life!


Now let me be clear. I have played poker maybe three times in my life - and let's just say I am not a card shark. For me, it was an accomplishment to know what cards beat what - and beyond that - I had no idea what I was doing. I know I am in the minority, considering the number of poker Web sites, weekly tournaments at sports bars, and television networks that have their own show - may favorite one being "The Poker Tour: Festa al Lago" on the Travel Channel.

Nothing says travel like poker!

All of that said, the one term and idea I do understand is when a player goes "All in!"

Essentially, going "All In" means a player is betting all of his chips on that one hand. If he wins, he wins big (usually) - but if he loses - his chips are gone - and he is done! At some point in most poker games - for a player to win he/she needs to go "all in."

High risk for high reward.

So as I was on my run today, I was praying and listening for inspiration and guidance. As many of you know, I am a life coach and an actor. I love both - but together - they don't make ends meet. That is just the reality right now. Doesn't mean it will always be the case, but right now it is. My wife and I have been grateful for over the past 3 years plus that we have been able to live and provide for our family, make radical life choices, without having what one would describe as a constant stream of income.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not a trust fund child ;)

So we are at a point in our life where things might seem to be a little "anxious." We are not panicking or getting desperate, but we have had to expand our openness to where we should be and what we should be doing. Those who know me know this is nothing new, but right now we are being more proactive.

Everyday I pray and listen for the right steps for our family. I pray to be led to do the right thing - and I try to get as much of my ego out of it as possible. This can be tough. On the surface, I have battled thoughts of frustration that things haven't always "taken off" like I would of hoped - or different opportunities didn't blossom better. Most of these lead back to the question of, "Am I doing the right thing?"

After much silence and prayer, the answer always comes back, "Yes, you are doing the right thing!"

All In!

So here I am on my run today, feeling a bit nervous and uncertain about the future, and this idea comes to me that "You need to be All In!"

"But haven't I?"

And as I listened to that question - the answer became, "No."

I haven't been "all in" - and I could clearly see how. For as much as I have claimed to be open to new opportunities and getting myself completely out of the way, I have been secretly creating parameters to what that must look like. I have been willing to be open, as long as it meant not having to get rid of "x." It also meant that my source of comfort and peace has been determined by things other than my true Source.

You are either all in - or you are not!

In poker, you don't say, "I am all in - except for these three chips I am going to keep under my palm - just in case it doesn't work out." It doesn't work that way. Yet, that is what I have been doing - and it was obvious!

A friend of mine sent me this quote from "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle, "Being one with life, is being one with Now. You then realize that you don't live your life, but life lives you. Life is the dancer, and you are the dance."

I am the dance - not the dancer! Bingo.

All this time I have seen myself as the dancer creating the dance - therefore making the decisions and outlining how the dance is going to look.

Not so. I am the dance. My opinion really doesn't matter - so my only job is to be the dance...the expression of the dancer!

Being "all in" means allowing the dancer (God, Love, the Universe, whatever you see as bigger than you) to call the shots - and all I need to do is follow - and dance!

So, for me, the big "aha" is seeing that I have still been holding on to things that have prevented me from actually being "all in." I haven't been "all in," but maybe 75%...or 90%...or 99.9% - none of which = "all in!"

In Science and Health, 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."

Isn't that what I am looking for - ultimate harmony? So all of these attachments I am not releasing are the "old" preventing me from being receptive to the "new."

Not anymore - All in!

The point hit home even stronger today as I was reading for the first time "The Prayer of Jabez" shared to me by another friend (I have good friends). The author, Bruce Wilkinson, breaks down the short and often overlooked prayer of Jabez from I Chronicles. Wilkinson writes, "No matter how many sermons we've heard about God's power to work through us, we simply gloss over the meaning of that one little word through. Sure, we say we want God to work through us, but what we really mean is by or in association with."

Guilty.

So here I sit today - All In! For me right now, it means that I am asking for bigger blessings and opportunity to live the biggest life I can live, but more than anything, it means getting rid of any human attachment to any person, place, or thing that will prevent me and my family from experiencing "ultimate harmony." No more parameters or obstacles getting in the way.

I have no idea what is going to take shape or how it will happen - but that is really the point, isn't it! As the dance, it is not mine to figure out.

Do I feel like this has made a major transition in my life?

You betcha!

Much love,

Travis
561.676.4583

PS - If you need help getting "all in" - then give me a call!

Labels: A New Earth, life coaching, mary baker eddy, poker, Science and Health, The Prayer of Jabez, travis thomas

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

(Now, as I write this blog I realize there is a reality show on FOX called "The Moment of Truth." This blog has nothing to do with that show. Sorry if I teased you.)

At some point in my life I know that I would love to run a marathon. In order to do so, I know that I will need to make some conscious choices in my day-to-day activities to make time for preparing for the big day. To run a marathon, most people train for months in order to condition their body for the grueling 26.2 journey. To wake up this morning, and decide I am going to run a marathon today is possible - but would it yield the best results?

What are you training for?

Now, you might not be training for a marathon, but we are all preparing for something. Some of us have chosen professions that we feel will yield financial security in the long run (no pun intended). Others have dedicated their life to a skill, trade, or craft that they hope will eventually reap dividends. Or, some of you may spend time reading, exploring, and pushing yourself to learn new skills and better yourself.

We are always preparing for something. Or, as my college soccer coach used to say, "Failure to prepare = Preparing to fail."

When we think of "Moments of Truth," we often think of Superheroes saving the day in a movie, athletes rising to the occasion, or emergency workers at the scene of an accident.

Yet, whether we know it or not - we are constantly being bombarded with our own "moments of truth."

They come at us everyday, all the time, in varying degrees. Now, the results might not always be life or death - but how we respond in these situations can have a tremendous impact in ways we might never know, for ourselves and others. If you are racking your brain trying to think of examples in your life, they might show up in some of the following common events:

* How you respond to your child who is having a breakdown
* The words you choose when someone cuts you off on the road
* How you talk about a friend behind their back
* The way you respond when something doesn't go your way
* What you do when you see a stranger in need

In each of these events - they represent a moment of truth! You just never know how seeming "insignificant" events impact others. A random act of kindness - or choosing not to participate in a negative conversation might not seem the same as saving someone from a burning building - but when you consistently make good choices - it will have a positive effect on everyone in your life.

So, the question becomes - "What do we do to make sure we respond our best in these moments?"

What are you training for?

If we begin to look at all of these events as something we train for - than what are we doing on a daily basis to prepare for these moments? Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Or, to think about it this way - are we living our life with mental (or spiritual) dominion, or are we letting life live us (like a victim)? When life lives us - it can feel like a roller coaster of successes and failures, but when we approach each day with a mindset of being ready and preparing for these moments - we don't allow ourselves to get caught off guard.

Do you feel like the victim - or are you claiming dominion for how you respond to these events?

The runner getting ready for the marathon has a plan - and so should you. It could be as easy as finding 10-20 minutes a day to journal, read a new book, pray, meditate, take a walk in nature. Give yourself some down time to unwind. It doesn't have to be drastic changes - but it needs to start with something.

Each day presents us with moments of truth - and the better you are prepared - the more alert you will be to noticing and responding in the way you are needed. This is bigger than you. Your family needs you at your best - as does everyone around you.

Are you ready to start training?

If you need a kick-start - give me a call!

Travis
561.676.4583

Labels: life coaching, life coaching Travis Thomas, marathon, purpose coach, The Moment of Truth

People love their opinions. I know I have them.

Better yet - almost better than having them - we love to share them with anyone who will listen (and those who don't as well).

"Well, I guess I'll put my two cents in!"

Now, I understand. Not only do we have opinions, the reason we often want to share them is because we think they will be helpful (so we think). "So, whether you asked for it or not - here is my opinion - and you might want to listen - because I know what I am talking about."

Isn't this the reason for talk radio...editorials...and better yet...

BLOGS!

Yikes!

Here's the thing we should not forget - when someone offers their "two cents," remember - IT'S ONLY TWO CENTS!

But we rarely value our own opinion as just two cents - often mistaking our thoughts as being worth much more than pennies. So, instead of sharing "Here is what I would do," we quickly jump into, "Here is what you SHOULD do!"

Recently someone gave me a quote that has stuck with me - and I try to keep it front of mind whenever I am about to share my 'two cents' - and the quote is -

"Don't 'should' on me!"

Honestly, who wants to be 'should' on?

Whenever you are in a conversation and someone starts telling you what you 'should' do - how does that make you feel? Were you even asking for a solution?

In all fairness - it is an easy rut to fall into. Why? Because we have grown up in a society that loves to fix.

You got a problem? I can fix it!!!! And here's what you 'should" do!

Whether it is your spouse, kids, friends - or sometimes the stranger off the street - if we here a problem - we quickly add a solution.

But, is this really what the person is ultimately looking for? Think back to a time when you unloaded some feelings on someone. What were you really looking to do? Have your feelings or problem fixed - or be heard and understood?

I am betting it was probably the latter. So, the question is - did you feel that way after your interaction?

Did you feel like this person really tried to understand how and what you were feeling - or did they go into fix mode and "should" on you?

This is a tricky, tricky thing - and not something I can get into too much in a single blog - but I wanted to put it out there as something to think about.

If you truly care about a person - and they are coming to you to share some things they are really thinking or struggling with - might they be looking for a solution from you - or perhaps are they just really seeking to be heard and understood?

The truth is - when we are dealing with something difficult - we often know in our heart what we need to do - but it doesn't mean it is the easy thing to do. We struggle with it, we even fight it, and often times we commiserate with others how difficult or unfair the situation is - but deep down inside - we know what the right thing to do is.

So, when we do open up to someone - we don't want to be 'should' upon - we want to feel heard, supported, understood, and loved!

Yes, the temptation for the other person is to "fix," but if we can just resist the urge - and seek to understand more clearly what the other person is feeling (regardless of our personal opinions) - you allow them to explore deeper and get clearer on what it is exactly they are feeling - and what they need to do. By doing this - we allow them to better understand themself.

Now, I am not going to say you 'should' try this next time the opportunity arises - but I dare you to!

Those are just my two cents - and they really are just two cents :)

Much love,

Travis

PS - Get coached this week - give me a call! 561.676.4583
travis@directlifecoach.com

Labels: direct life coaching, life coaching, listening, self-help, travis thomas

That's right - you heard me - I have a new BFF...a new Best Friend Forever.

His name is Leo.

You may have seen Leo and I hanging out at the mall drinking our Orange Julius, or cruising the strip at night - hanging out in the Taco Bell parking lot after hours.

Did you see us?

No...maybe not? Yeah, that's kind of weird.

Actually, my new best friend is imaginary.

Wait a minute - that's even more weird.

Okay, let me explain. I have been dealing with a lot of ego recently. And by a lot of ego, I mean my own. It has been showing up in lots of ways - in different areas - and I don't like it. It has effected the way I have thought about relationships - and at different times it has kept me in a funk.

For me, ego is my worst enemy. When I think of ego, I am basically meaning anything in my life that I have attached to my identity based on past experiences (including accomplishments or failures), possessions, and physical appearance.

You may be thinking to yourself - isn't that everything?

Without our possessions, past experiences, or physical identity...who are we?

Man I ask great questions ;)

Well, for different people the answer is going to be different. Based on spiritual or religious preference alone - that will greatly effect "who" you are without your ego.

For me, when my ego is out of the way - I am fully present as an expression of Love's qualities. Now, Love to me is my concept of God, but not in an anthropomorphic sense. No big guy in the sky - but rather a Divine Presence, the One intelligence - the one and only Truth.

So what am I?

I am the expression of this one Truth, this One Love. So, that has nothing to do with my appearance, body, ideas, car, bank account, trophies, accolades, or failures. It has nothing to do with how my parents treated me (good or bad), what school I went to, or what other people think about me. It doesn't even have anything to do with my emotions.

As an expression, I know that my only job is to "be." To be present in every moment. Not sweating over the past or fearing the future, but just knowing that who I am is changeless and constant as the expression of Perfection.

Mary Baker Eddy describes it better in Science and Health when she says, "Man is the expression of God's being. If there ever was a moment when man did not express the divine perfection, then there was a moment when man did not express God, and consequently a time when Deity was unexpressed--that is, without entity."

In this consciousness, "my" feelings can't be hurt by others, because my connection is straight to Love who gives me all the value I need. "My" work is not attached to me - but rather something I bring my expression to. Whether my ideas or value is recognized and celebrated does not change the fact that my true worth with Love is complete.

Anything that tries to tell us otherwise - is just ego.

In his new book "A New Earth," Eckhart Tolle breaks ego down and gives it a slap in the face, and he reminds us all not to be to intimidated by it. He writes:

The ego isn't wrong, it's just unconscious. When you observe the ego in yourself, you are beginning to go beyond it. Don't take ego too seriously. When you detect egoic behavior in yourself, smile. At times you may even laugh. How could humanity have been taken in by this for so long? Above all, know that the ego isn't personal. It isn't who you are. If you consider the ego to be your personal problem, that's just more ego.

BAM! That was a smack in the face I needed this week. That's why I got Leo as my new friend. So, let me introduce you to LEO - Leave Ego Out.

Whenever my feelings are getting hurt - I turn to Leo. He's always there. The good news is - he can be your friend too ;)

Have a great week!

Travis

PS - Love yourself this Valentine's Day. I am offering 3 one-hour coaching sessions for just $125. So, if you have been wanting to test the waters - this is the perfect time.

PSS - I have been unable to send out the newsletter e-mail to all of you who signed up for it. So, I should have that resolved soon.

Labels: A New Earth, christian science, Eckhart Tolle, ego, life coaching, mary baker eddy, Science and Health, travis thomas

There really is no such thing as a small idea when it is comes to caring or serving others. There is a force behind this kind of goodness that takes on a life of its own - a life that is bigger than you!

PFC Nick Madaras was a 19 year-old soldier serving in Iraq. Growing up in Connecticut as a boy, Nick loved soccer. While in Iraq, Nick quickly discovered a common passion for the sport with all of the young boys in the Iraqi towns and villages. He loved playing soccer with the boys, but even the barest necessity of a ball was hard to come by. So, Nick wrote and told his dad that he wanted to gather up old soccer balls around the house in Connecticut and have them shipped to Iraq to give to the children.

Nick served his first tour in Iraq and then got to come home and spend time with his family. He and his father talked more about getting soccer balls to Iraq, but it wasn't long before Nick was called back for a second tour. During this second tour of duty, before Nick was ever able to organize a shipment of balls - he was killed by a street bomb.

Ken Dartley never knew Nick or the Madaras family- but he did live in the same town. After Nick's death, his parents shared the story of Nick wanting to send balls to the Iraqi children - and Ken Dartley decided to do something. A veteran of the Korean War, Dartley was inspired by Nick's desire to help the children - so with the permission of the Madaras family, Dartley started the "Kick for Nick" soccer ball drive.

It started with Dartley setting up a soccer ball bin in his front yard - and then slowly and slowly the bin began to fill up. Residents from all over the town brought their soccer balls - and on each ball it is written, "PFC Nick Madaras."

Nick Madaras had a small idea to send some soccer balls to the children of Iraq. He wasn't trying to change the world - he just wanted to do something nice. He wanted to help these kids experience some extra joy in their day - so why not soccer balls?

Nick never got to see his small idea come to fruition, but to date, over 1,400 balls have been shipped to towns and villages all over Iraq. Soldiers hand deliver the gifts and tell the kids why they are receiving the balls. Then, each kid gets a "PFC Nick Madaras" soccer ball.

It's bigger than you!

"Kick for Nick" drop-off spots are beginning to pop up in different locations all over the country. One simple idea of good is slowly turning into a movement.

"There is nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come." --Victor Hugo

In Stephen Covey's "The 8th Habit," he points out that the word "inspire" is from the Latin word inspirare, which means "to breathe life into another."

Do you, right now, accept the opportunity you have at this moment to inspire and "breathe life into another?" Or, are you walking around with your head down, buried in your own problems, and waiting for someone to inspire you?

As Nick Madaras proved, an idea based on good has the power to inspire and transform others. One idea. A simple idea.

It's bigger than you!

Are you listening to your ideas? Can you see that the choices you make to inspire has a life well beyond yours?

This is something I think about everyday. What can I do to inspire? How am I making a difference? I am not always happy with what I see to be the difference I am making - but I never stop thinking, listening, and moving forward.

Nick Madaras created a legacy based on an idea he never completed himself. What legacy do you want to leave?

Have a great week everyone - and please give me a call if you want to talk about the impact you want to have in the world.

Much love!

Travis
561.676.4583

Labels: 8th Habit, Kick for Nick, life coaching, PFC Nick Madaras, Stephen Covey

Happy 2008 everyone!

I thought I would start off the new year talking about Michael J. Fox, De Lorean's, and Flex Capacitor's!

Well, maybe not.

Instead, take a moment to look back to where you were a year ago. January 2007 - what goals did you have for the coming year? Did you make any resolutions?

How did you do?

Also, what fears did you have? What were you nervous about? What happened?

Guess what! It's 2008 - you made it through the year. Seriously, you are here right now - you are alive - and whatever fear you had last year, last week, or five minutes ago - you are here right now - and you have what you need to be successful.

Oscar winning legend Anthony Hopkins appeared on "Inside the Actor's Studio" awhile back, and he had this to say. Now, I am not sure if this quote was his own creation, but nevertheless, I love it:

"Today is the tomorrow you feared yesterday."

So, what were those fears again? Hey, you made it!!!!

Okay, here we are - two days into 2008 - so where do you want to go?

2008 is the year of being BIG!!

(not physically - that's a different resolution)

You are big! We are ALL big! So, how big do you want to be in 2008?

Here is some help. Try this:

1) Write down three things in your personal life you want to accomplish by the end of the year.

2) Think about something you can do today to put you on the path of accomplishing those goals.

3) Do that one thing.

Even if the step is small - it is a step in the right direction. After you have taken a few steps in that direction - then you can let the momentum kick in - and the strides on that path will get wider and swifter.

Here is something else you can do. Think about one thing you can do on a daily basis that would improve the overall happiness and fulfillment in your life. One thing. What is it?

I am talking about something that can be done everyday, no matter where you are - and doesn't even necessarily take a lot of time. It might be push-ups and sit-ups, reading inspirational literature, prayer, time with your kids or spouse, or journaling.

One thing - one commitment to a better you.

It might sound like a small step - but it is one step in the right direction to a big game!

Are you up for it?

Are you a player - or a spectator?

If you are tired of watching from the sidelines - or you need a positive boost to help you along the path - just drop me a line.

Much love,

Travis
travis@directlifecoach.com
561.676.4583

Labels: goal setting, life coaching, resolutions, self-help, travis thomas

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

(Reminder: Leave your e-mail in the "subscribe" box to receive an e-mail every time there is a new blog.)

I apologize to anyone who had the wrong idea based on the title of the blog - there are just some things I probably shouldn't blog about ;)

You can't fake it!

Life. Happiness. What you really want to do.

You can't fake it.

Sure, we have all experienced times when we have talked ourselves into a situation - only to find...uhhh...well...it just didn't work out like we expected. Maybe it was a job that would look good on your resume - or the money could not be turned down. Maybe it was a relationship that looked so good on paper - it only made sense. Regardless of the rational and practical reasons we may have used to talk our way into the decision - did it ultimately bring you the peace you were looking for?

I didn't think so!

Why not? Because...

You can't fake it!

Your feelings. Your emotions. Your true sense of value, happiness, and fulfillment cannot be faked. Sure, you can try to ignore them, suppress them, and even pretend you don't have them - but they are there - THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE!

Here's the thing - you are a person - not machine. No matter what you try to do, and regardless of the advice you are given in your life - it won't mean a thing unless the choices you make are fulfilling your deepest desires.

When your head hits that pillow at night - are you at peace with the choices you are making?

That is my barometer - because that is when the noise is quiet. No one is telling you what you should be doing. No distractions. Just you and your thoughts. Are you at peace?

You can't fake it!

If not, don't sweat it - it just means it is time to listen to those feelings and actually do something about it. Sometimes that means drastic steps, while other times it means making some small tweaks and adjustments that gets you feeling better about where you are going.

In his book "Happier" that I am reading and loving right now, Tal Ben-Shahar has this to say, "Had we found ourselves in a job that did not afford us our material needs, we would do everything in our power to change the predicament. So why do we set lower standards for ourselves when the ultimate currency -- when our own happiness -- is at stake? What we need if we are to implement change in our lives is courage. And courage is not about not having fear but about having fear and going ahead anyway."

Whew - can I relate to that! Courage. Jump - at the net will appear!

I have on a few occasions found myself in work and relationship situations when I have miserably failed the pillow test. No matter how long I tried to "stick it out" - the only true happiness was when I actually got out. The pain of not following my heart was much greater than the pain in sacrifice of doing what "seemed best."

I can't fake it!

And neither can you.

You need you at your best. Your friends and family need you at your best! The world needs you at your best!

Stop faking it!

Much love,

Travis - Direct Life Coaching
Life. Courage. Action!

Labels: direct life coaching, Happier, life coaching, Tal Ben-Shahar, travis thomas

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

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

Have you ever played in the waves in the ocean?

You know, it gets a little rough - you're not paying attention, and before you know it you've been blind-sided by a wave - and now you can't tell which way is up. Now, you're sucking in sand and salt water - but the bottom line is...

YOU NEED OXYGEN!!!

We've all been there! Just when you think you can't make it another moment - you break the surface - take in a giant gasp of air - and your world comes rushing back into balance.

SAVED! Whew - that was a close one.

Recently I've been trying to think about my life in these same terms. Mainly, from what in life do I receive my oxygen for living?

For me, my list is pretty short and sweet - it includes:

* My wife and kids
* My family and friends
* A creative outlet (most often improvisation)
* My spiritual journey
* Helping humanity (what is my legacy?)

These are my oxygen! (Or is it, "This is my oxygen?" You get the point!)

When I have gone through stretches of discontent, unfulfillment, or straight out boredom - I can look back and notice that I wasn't getting my oxygen.

And what does that feel like?

Well, it feels like being tossed under a wave sucking in sand and salt water. It's uneasy, uncomfortable, scary, and often helpless.

Well, I guess it should be!

We're talking about our oxygen here - yet how many of us allow ourselves to get so distracted with tasks and activities that ultimately only serve to keep us from our oxygen?

I know I sometimes do.

Could that e-mail wait - or might it feel better to spend some quality time playing with your kid? Which is your oxygen?

Do you really need to clean out that closet right now - or might you spend some time on that next chapter of your book? Which is your oxygen?

Is your favorite TV show really that important - or is there a friend you've been meaning to connect with? Which is your oxygen?

When it's all said and done - and your head hits the pillow at the end of the night - how are you breathing?

Do you go to sleep thinking about everything you wish you could of done that day - or worrying about things you need to do tomorrow - OR - do you just fall asleep satisfied with another day of living oxygen filled?

Ask yourself this: What are your daily oxygen activities? AND... What gets in the way of these activities being fulfilled?

Once we have identified the priorities and the obstacles - the rest is like shooting fish in a barrel (although I do not advocate guns - but fish is delicious!)

Remember, if you need a little help catching your breath - give me a call - the first one is free :)

Much love!

Travis

Labels: direct life coaching, goals, life coaching, oxygen, purpose, travis thomas

I have been thinking a lot about my blog from last week - yet noticing I was still going into situations where I was letting past experiences and prior judgments cloud my perception of how I was "seeing" people.

Case in point...

We were holding auditions for our improv group this past week. Just a little background, we have had a difficult time finding performers in South Florida that are a good fit for what we do (i.e. talented). Over time, with bad audition after bad audition - I wasn't expecting much of anything special this time.

As I was driving around on Thursday afternoon, just hours before the audition, I finally caught myself thinking these negative thoughts. Not to be overly dramatic, but I was ashamed. Here I am, thinking all of these positive thoughts for myself and others (even blogging about it) - yet in my next thought I am expecting a poor audition. I was expecting that it would be amusing - but not in a good way.

Whoops!

So I had an immediate switch in thought (To be exact, it was at the intersection of PGA Blvd. and Military Trail).
I recognized that my perception of the ability of performers in the area was directly effected by past experiences. As a result, I wasn't expecting my fellow man to show up as capable or talented - let alone anyone I would be interested in working with.

Wow - I sound like a jerk.

Instead, I drove in my car and just embraced the audition in my thoughts. I knew that we were having the audition for the right reason - and I knew that no matter who showed up - they would be blessed with an infinite amount of creativity and potential. I vowed to go into the audition expecting genius from my fellow man...

...And that is exactly what showed up!

7 people showed up for the audition - and I would honestly love the opportunity to work and perform with each and everyone one of them. Well, for practical purposes - we won't be able to use all of them - but for the first time we are in a tough position of deciding who not to invite back. It's a good problem to have.

Talk about a role reversal.

Sometimes in the process of how I spiritually view mankind - I forget I actually have to apply it to real life situations ;) Besides, I see each and every person as equally blessed and surrounded in abundance - not just a select few.

I know that this practice can be a constant struggle - seeing past old thoughts and ideas. So, don't think I am saying I got it all figured out - in one week...I will be spending two weeks with 20 of my closest relatives.

I need all the practice I can get ;)

Much love!

Travis

Labels: improv, life coaching, perception

Have you ever gone into a meeting with people you just knew were going to be hard to work with - and they were. See, you were right!

Have you ever gone home for a family holiday assuming everyone was going to treat you the way they did when you were a kid - and they did. See, you were right!

Have you ever gotten your car worked on and you just knew they were going to sock it to you - and they did. Man, right again!

Have you ever thought really poorly about someone - and then were pleasantly surprised when they completely overachieved your expectations?

Hmmm...probably not too much?

Why is that?

Is it possible...that what we actually "see" in people is exactly what they give us back?

You expect your boss to be inflexible - so he is!
You expect your spouse to be impatient - so she is!
You expect the teens in your neighborhood to be "up to no good" - and they are!

So my question is - what are you choosing to see in your fellow man?

Chances are - that is exactly what you are "seeing" in return.

Have you ever got up in the morning feeling awful - and you start telling yourself how awful you feel - and whenever someone asks how you feel - you say awful. And the more you think about how awful you feel - the more awful you feel - and you are constantly reminding people how awful you feel - yet you can't understand why you feel so awful...

Hmmmm...

Try this! Wherever you are, for the rest of the day go into each interaction whether with someone you know - or a stranger - and "see" that person as a kind, understanding, and helpful person. Expect it. Even before the interaction begins - just expect that person expresses all of those qualities - and feel free to add on more qualities like patience, joy, intelligence (you name it).

Then, at the end of the day - take a look back and think about your interactions. How were they?

For the past few weeks I have been going through my day "seeing" the best in people - long before I even get to them. I am trying this at home - with my work - and every store I go into. Sometimes I have been better than others - but I am much more conscious of how I am "seeing" my fellow man.

I can honestly say - the results are great!

Why shouldn't I be seeing my fellow man this way? I see myself as expressing all of those qualities I listed - so why would I assume they don't express them as well? Isn't that a bit egotistical of me to see myself as superior to my fellow man? Do I not think that there is goodness at the core of people?

Yeah I do.

Growing up I was always spiritually taught to see the perfection in man by "Beholding the perfect man." I can honestly say I have tried to do this to the best of my ability - but after taking a quick quiz a few weeks ago - I realized that I wasn't seeing my fellow man as perfect from the start. Instead, once I saw something I didn't like in someone - I would then "behold the perfect man." To me this is a backward approach. So now - instead of waiting for man to underachieve - and then needing to correct my view of that person - I am starting from the onset with the perfect man - and expecting perfection in return.

This does not mean I am naive, or will allow myself to get walked on - it just means that no matter how people decide to "be" in their life - I am going to start off by "seeing" them as perfect. And if it is anything less than perfection they are expressing, I will still "see" them in a better light - but do the best I can to deal with the current reality.

Hey, I am not sure how you all will respond to this blog - but I am expecting you will like it ;)

Much love!

Travis

Labels: goodness, life coaching, perception

I just finished reading Gordon MacKenzie's humorous and thought-stretching book "Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace." Gordon is a free-spirit who worked for the Hallmark Corporation for over 30 years - and his book is a collection of anecdotal stories and advice of what it took to survive the corporate culture.

The "Giant Hairball" Gordon refers to is the suffocating and paralyzing corporate environment that exists in most older successful businesses (not to say they aren't there in young corps too). What starts off as a recipe for success - slowly evolves into a traditional and inflexible structure that crushes newness and creativity in response to protecting the status quo. Individuality and innovation are swallowed whole by the massive bureaucratic "hairball" the grows stronger and stronger as time goes on.

So, how do you survive the hairball?

Do you jump in feet first and try to defeat the hairball from the inside out? Or, do you stay as far away from the hairball as possible never taking the chance of getting sucked in?

Actually, neither.

The solution Gordan figured out for 30 years was to orbit the hairball. He was a part of the Hallmark team, their policies and culture - yet he never sacrificed his unique and individual identity that made him who he was. He never lost touch with his own passions, goals, and principles - even if it meant going against the status quo.

To Gordon, this is what it means to "orbit the giant hairball."

I began to think - what else could be hairballs?

What are your hairballs? Yeah, I wrote "hairballs," not "hairball," because let's be honest - we all have more than one.

Is it the corporate culture you currently work in? Is it the relationship you have with family members? Is it the view you have of politics or the world? More importantly, is your own hairball the view you have of yourself?

Let's say a friend comes to you and dumps a problem on you he/she is having with a mutual friend. Your friend is emotionally charged, and it is obvious they are looking for your reassurance in supporting their feelings.

What do you?

Well, if you agree with them and allow their emotional perspective to suck you into the hairball - you now become a helpless part of the problem. Because, when you are in the hairball - it is impossible to respond rationally and responsibly.

Or, do you turn your back on your friend and ignore their situation? If so, you are avoiding their plight by turning the other way as if it never happened, and at the same time, leaving your friend feeling ignored and slighted.

What do you do?

You orbit the hairball!

In order to orbit the hairball, you need to detach your own ego and accept that "your" own opinions really don't matter. As soon as you think they do - you are sucked into the hairball. But, if you can listen with supportive, non-judgemental, compassionate ears - you are able to get your own agenda out of the way in order to see an unbiased perspective. The result is that you have all the information on how the hairball operates - but you are removed to a safe distance where you can stay clear and composed.

"He couldn't see the forest from the trees."

Kind of brings that expression into focus a little bit. Hairball!

Or, how about, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans

Wow, kind of brings that one into clearer light as well. Hairball!

The truth is, any hairball can be scary, messy, and seemingly impossible when you're in it, but when you become an observer, instead of a participant - it loses its power. It is a spiritual lesson I have known for awhile, yet continue to work on everyday.

Raising your thought (by removing it from the muck) pulls us out of the hairball where we can clearly see where the real problems lay - and then choose the correct (and opinionless) action. Or, as Mary Baker Eddy eloquently wrote, "Progress takes off human shackles. The finite must yield to the infinite. Advancing to a higher plane of action, thought rises from the material sense to the spiritual, from the scholastic to the inspirational, and from the mortal to the immortal."

That is where I want to be :)

I would challenge all of you right now to take a look at the hairball you have you created for yourself based on passed experiences and perceptions. Does failing math in 10th grade still make you stupid? Does treating a boyfriend poorly 3 years ago still make you uncaring? Does remembering how your parents treated you as a child still make you unworthy of love?

I don't know what your hairball is for yourself - but we all have them. And, as long as we accept that as truth and operate within them - they will always hold us back.

In my mental house right now hairballs are being yakked up continually (thank God this is metaphorical). Like a hairball, the result can look messy, but it feels a whole lot better to have the hairball on the outside.

As a life-coach, it is my job to support you in coughing up your own suffocating hairballs - so give me a call.

Much love (meow),

Travis
561.676.4583
travislthomas@mac.com

PS - My friend Traci Fenton from WorldBlu has done it again! She continues orbiting the largest of hairballs - and her work has once again been recognized - this time by the Wall Street Journal! Check it out!

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

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