Thursday, November 25, 2010

Giving and Receiving

Of course it's only fitting on this wonderful Thanksgiving day to talk about gratitude. Yes, one of those high energy words. The notion of gratitude is one of the simple yet very powerful acts we should do every day.  Just like we exercise to keep our bodies healthy, we can take a daily dose of gratitude to keep our spirits high.

A Dose of Vitamin G
 Just being thankful for all the things in our lives.  Our family, our health, our friends, freedom, sunshine, and even life itself. The list is long. The simple task of waking up and having this day is a great place to start giving thanks.  When we forget being grateful for all that shows up in our lives, we disconnect from our joy. Any time we feel a little out of sorts, a dose of gratitude or vitamin G will help revive us.

Being Thankful for Everything in Our Lives
Our world sometimes gets clouded in convincing us that we have no reason to celebrate or be thankful because perhaps life isn't exactly as we planned or that there is some perceived lack in our lives.  And yes maybe all the goodies that we desire haven't appeared yet, but we can still go right on being grateful and appreciative for all the wonderful things we do have.  Another thing we can do is tell someone how much you appreciate them, how thankful and grateful that they are in your life. When we acknowledge each other we lift each other up.


Giving and Receiving
One of the beautiful things about Thanksgiving is that we have the opportunity to give thanks for all of nature's gifts, for love and kindness, our talents, our peace and well being, and of course for good food and football!   And when we think about how to acquire more of the good things in life, we simply remember that by giving the gifts of love, kindness, and friendship they are returned to us in greater numbers.

The universal law of giving and receiving.  If we experience a lack in any of area of our lives, try giving away more of what you want, be it money, love, talents, peace, friendship, or kindness.  Watch how those areas expand in abundance.

Enjoy and celebrate today and let's remember every day is Thanksgiving!

Continued Success and All the Best.

Much Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
http://www.tkaufmanncoaching.com/

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Michael Vick an Inspiration?

The Power of Resiliency - Keep Getting Up

Down Not Out
Anyone watching Michael Vick last night had to be inspired by his performance and his story.  Here was a man that spent the past two years of his life in prison, a man that disappointed himself and his fans, a man whose life was basically over. Not so fast, he and his friends had other ideas.

Knocked Out
Michael Vick fell hard, was down and out, and left for dead. He wasn't simply knocked down, he was knocked out! Not many thought he could come back and have that incredible performance while the world was watching.  But someone gave him another opportunity and believed in him. How many of us have been knocked down or knocked out and how have we responded.

Get Up!
We all get knocked down and even knocked out in life.  We lose our jobs, our loves, our money, our careers, our prestige, our health. How do we respond.  Do we believe that we can get back up, do we believe that we deserve success and all the good things life has to offer.  It's not easy when things seem not to be going your way, but keep the faith. Find a friend that believes in you or a stranger, they are out there! The power of resiliency, to keep going even when things are difficult, to persevere. If Michael and others can come back from such long odds why not you.

Believe and Begin
In Michael Vick's darkest hours, sitting alone in prison, asking himself how he went from the top of the world to this he somehow believed that he could make it back. Just as importantly his friends believed he could make it back. Donovan McNabb who knew Michael Vick since high school beleived he could make a fresh start, and it's ironic how Michael had such a tremendous performance while playing against Donovan and his team.

You are Worthy
Believe in yourself. Look to your friends and family for support in finding your way back to the success you deserve, if you don't have a supportive, loving, nurturing environment reach out those resources are available to you. Coach K in the house! Start by looking around and being grateful for what you do have and then reclaim your joy. You are worthy and entitled to all the wonderful things life offers.

All the Best.

Much Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
tkaufmanncoaching.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A Love Letter - True Love

Maureen, Reeno, a friend of mine passed on Saturday night, she was much too young at the age of 56. Reeno is a generous, kind, selfless person, and a great lover of children. She taught me

How to be a Lover, to love something bigger than yourself
How to be a Giver, even when you think you don't have much to give
How to be a Server, even when there's nothing in it for you
How to be Kind, to help someone at the moment they need you
How to be Selfless, always putting someone else in front of yourself

Reeno never had children of her own, but every time I talked to her she was raising another child in need. She helped raise over 20 children in her home all with limited means! When I tried to talk about financial matters or put the focus back on her, she always pushed me away. She had more important things to do.

Jimmy her husband and lover for over forty years never questioned her, he learned that her mission and his was to help these kids survive and thrive.  It was several months before we last spoke, she called me last week and we talked. She wasn't feeling well. I told her how much she meant to me, thanked her, and let her how much I loved her. We were planning to get together when I learned of her passing. She passed in Jimmy's arms on Sunday night.

Reeno taught me about unconditional love. She loved me and her other children unconditionally. She was one of those people that would do anything for you. She never had a lot of money, a nice car, or a nice home but Reeno and Jim would always share whatever they had. It always amazed me that they had so little yet gave so much.  Some day I hope to be as rich as Reeno. We all should be as wealthy.

Farewell my Love. And thank you I hope you know how much you mean to me and to so many others.

Tell someone how much you love them today and give them a nice big hug.  In honor of Reeno, please remember to help that child.

All the Best and Continued Success.

Much Love,

Tom Kaufmann
Coach K
http://www.tkaufmanncoaching.com/