Our inner voice, the personal dialogue we have with ourselves, often shapes our beliefs and actions more than outside opinions. Drawing inspiration from Yehuda Amichai’s poem about the challenges of “being right,” this reflection highlights how holding rigid convictions can hinder communication, both with others and within ourselves. Negative self-talk, such as persistent self-doubt, can be just as damaging as heated debates with others. By becoming aware of and challenging these internal narratives, we can foster personal growth and better support one another, a process in which professional coaching can play a vital role. The key question remains: What message is your inner voice telling you?

After a 22-year career in the software industry, including roles in senior management, I faced job loss in 2003 and chose to pivot toward ministry. This shift required faith, resilience, and a complete restart, including obtaining a master's degree. Along the way, I took various detours for survival, like selling cars, and later became a certified professional coach to help others navigate similar challenges. Staying active in retirement, I also detoured to turn a long-time jewelry-making hobby into an online business, "Beyond the Rainbow Jewelry," offering rainbow-themed items for Pride celebrations, all while continuing to support clients through coaching.

I am thrilled to announce the expansion of my business! Recently, I have been mastering bead weaving, a technique that allows me to create stunning jewelry. I have crafted more pieces than I could ever wear, so I am excited to offer them for sale on my website soon. Check out the preview pictures below and share your feedback. I am also open to creating custom pieces for special occasions.

This post discusses the relevance of historical context in coaching, referencing George Santayana's quote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," to illustrate the importance of learning from past experiences without dwelling on them excessively.

Furthermore, it explores the interplay between coaching and counseling, noting that coaching can complement the progress made in therapy by helping individuals continue their growth beyond the scope of counseling. It stresses that while reflecting on past mistakes can be counterproductive, the lessons learned from these experiences are valuable for personal development.

This blog explores the metaphor of "forest and trees" to highlight the importance of balancing details (trees) and overarching goals (the forest) in decision-making. It emphasizes that while the finer points—daily observances, conversations, and challenges—are vital for informed choices, losing sight of the broader objective can hinder progress. The article discusses maintaining harmony, identifying distractions and external influences, and ensuring that personal goals remain central despite life's complexities. Coaching is presented as a valuable tool for helping individuals navigate these dynamics and maintain focus on their bigger picture while addressing the nuances along the way.

Have you ever pondered the idea of being indispensable at work? It's a concept that often brings a sense of pride and accomplishment. Being seen as irreplaceable is the ultimate validation of your skills, dedication, and value to your organization. However, there are both positive and negative nuances to this status that must be carefully considered.

Having a lived experience on both sides of the indispensability phenomenon, here are some of my thoughts:

These are tough times for the LGBTQIA+ community, with visibility not always leading to acceptance or safety.

• Fear and Uncertainty: Many in the LGBTQIA+ community are feeling scared due to the rollback of protections and rights, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.

• Media's Role: The media's reduced coverage of LGBTQIA+ issues contributes to their invisibility, stressing the importance of inclusive dialogue and consistent use of LGBTQIA+ initials.

I posted about three steps forward and two steps back a while back, which means you are still making progress. Well, I got a chance to experience it first-hand this week. Read this post to see the full story.

I came to Delaware 15 years ago, and the first church I belonged to was the New Ark UCC (United Church of Christ). The UCC had a saying of never to put a period where God has placed a comma (I acknowledge that it belongs to the UCC as it was part of their marketing campaign and tagline in the early 2000s and was not an original thought of mine.) The UCC is open and affirming (ONA) to the LGBTQIA+ community. The New Ark was certified in the ONA philosophy, with many pastors, congregants, and church leaders from those various identities and orientations. This notion of the period versus the comma began to intrigue me.

Over 10 years ago, I had a dream of starting a business to help those who have been wounded by religion. Some of it came out of my training as a chaplain, where the ministry was to the spirit, regardless of the person’s spiritual connection.

Three steps forward and two steps back could be a line dancing choreography, which might be fun. However, when you are working on a project or trying to mend a relationship, it can be daunting. Setting goals and measuring progress towards them are important in the coaching relationship. Some tips to consider when you are trying to figure out if you are on the right track …

Butterflies and Rainbows are symbols of renewal. As members of the animal kingdom, butterflies are arguably among the most beautiful. They are often colorful, and many have markings that ward off predators, such as large spots on the wings that can be confused with the eyes of an owl.

There are quotes all over the place about success and failure. If you Google it, you will find multiple quotes attributed to Henry Ford, Vince Lombardi, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Buddha, and others. They have one or more of the following themes:

• Failure is not deadly

• Failure is not final.

• Failure is essential to success.

• Failure is essential to learning.