‘Make-A-Wish’ & My Coaching Model

We’re fortunate enough to be entitled to a Volunteer Leave Day from work every year – thus we get the opportunity to do ‘volunteer work’ with a charity.  This year a group of us went and worked at Make-A-Wish.  This organisation enables children with a life threatening illness to have a wish granted.  The kids could wish to be… (e.g. a zookeeper); wish to meet… (e.g. their favorite sportstar); wish to go… (e.g. on a holiday somewhere); wish to have…(e.g. a computer)

It was such an inspirational day for me. I found myself asking people the hypothetical question: ’what would your wish be?’ We all have dreams & desires.  I was looking at the celebrity tshirts that were designed for the organisations and trying to decide which one to buy.  There was a nice white tee with stars with the words ‘wish upon a falling star’ (by a well known Australian designer – Leona Edmiston). Apart from knowing that ’stars’ are fashionable again, something about this top resonated with me.  I thought about my favorite mug that I’ve held onto since a little girl – in small writing are the words ‘Aim for the stars’. 

I’ve always been a daydreamer… And I’m always one to wish upon fallen stars or make wishes when I blow out candles on birthday cakes… But now I realise we can grant our own wishes.  We have that power. I’m excited! I’m not powerless. This has triggered offa  train of ideas for my coaching model and the symbolism of a star – of daring to dream.  Often the biggest barrier between people and their goals is a lack of self-belief & support.  By creating an encouraging, supportive & stimulating environment we can discover for ourselves that we can do anything or have anything that we set our mind to… And it’s not result driven, it’s journey driven – as this personal discovery is what makes the best teacher!

Life is a Game! The Child Within.

I have been reading ‘The New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle which has highlighted how destructive our ‘ego’ can be.  I have have often found myself giving unwarranted importance or significance to situations in my life. I remember years ago being referred to as a ‘Drama Queen’. Deep down I wanted to be someone that ‘didnt sweat the small stuff’; wasn’t a worrier or sensitive (that i thought I inherited from my grandma). I envied others that are sometimes labelled ’ignorant’ or’ditzy’ as they appeared to be carefree and not so analytical and caught up in thoughts!  In the past few months I have managed to master a familiar ’game’ I have played many times before.. Many times I have played it unknowingly and sometimes without appreciating the power of it.  I have become increasingly more aware and I now watch myself closely to see what I address as being ’significant’ in my life.  What creeps in as an issue as a concern? I now ensure that ’significance’ doesn’t slip into my life.  I now see clearly where I have been dramatic in the last few years – it is obvious! I am completely aware of this pattern and I will continue to take the steps to turn it around by playing my game. The most important ‘game’ that I play with myself is ‘Deliberate Creation’.  I will continue to make more time in the day to create a ‘positive visual picture’ for how I want each moment to unfold. By creating a world of well-being will ensure that these ’significant’ issues do not remain signifcant at all!  I have always had a wonderful imagination & as a little girl I loved playing with daydreams and living in ‘fantasy land’.  So this is merely my grown up version of a childhood game.  As soon as I connect with the ‘child-within’ and play with ‘make believe’  my perception of ’significance’ (my mini ’drama’) will fast become become non existant – each and every time!!!