Flat Tire In The Wheel of Life? Here Is How To Keep Rolling – Part I

You Can Count on Change.

If there is one thing we know for certain, it is that life is in a constant state of flux. Change is part of the game, and the more balanced we stay throughout the process, the more powerful our transformation will be.

Embrace the process, trust the journey!

When life disrupts our routine, we instinctively react: we protest, we defy, we deny, we mobilize what might be called an obscene amount of energy fighting the unbeatable. Whether we are three, thirteen, thirty, or fifty-something, we usually balk before we walk.

Let me share my 7 Northern Lights with you. These steps have worked well for me and helped me to stay energized and balanced during times of transition and change, whether in relationships or cross-country moves. May they strengthen you in your journey and help you enjoy the process joyfully. Be blessed.

1 Be still & Assess the Situation What works for Bear Safety works in any Crisis

One event I made sure not to miss during my first years in Alaska was any bear safety education the state was offering in many of the nature centers. One of the pillars in bear safety is keeping a cool head. Bears are powerful mammals, who under normal circumstances will not seek confrontation with us humans. We mostly encounter black and brown bears in Alaska, and our reaction to a chance encounter will have to differ depending on the species and on the circumstances.

The first rule we were asked to never ever forget was to stand still and assess the situation. Try to determine whether the bear is a black bear or a grizzly, as we call the smaller brown bears in the interior and South East Alaska. Clearly, we are aware of the bear, but has the bear seen us? If so, is the animal showing interest, or does it look like it continues with what it was doing when we showed up? Is the animal alone, or is it a sow with cubs? Is the bear feeding, protecting a food source? In general, a rule of thumb is when a black bear approaches, or charges, fight back. Stand tall, put your arms up in the air, stand together with your fellow hikers, make lots of noise, and if the bear still approaches, or even charges, hit back, threaten with tall sticks, tree branches, pepper spray as a last resort, or a gun shot if you carry a firearm on your hikes, again, as a last resort.

When a brown bear is aware of you and approaches you, don’t run – under any circumstances. If he charges, he might be bluffing. Don’t worry about urinary accidents, just don’t run, don’t scream, stay calm, look down. If he actually makes contact, drop to the ground and play dead. Cover your head with your arms or backpack if you have one. Don’t fight. The animal will be anywhere between 400 and 1200 lbs, depending on where you are, and it’s a you lose – it wins situation. The bear might be aware of you, however, and continue feeding, or simply show interest in standing tall, ears perked up, sniffing – their sense of smell is extraordinary – and then drop back to the ground and move on. You then best retreat with a casual, occasional glance into the bears general direction, to ascertain that you are not being followed.

As you can see – different scenarios require different behaviors.

This is also very true for any situation in life that forces you into transition. This can be as simple as having to make a decision to accept or decline a job offer that involves moving to a new town or country. It can also be as complicated as having been denied entry to your country of residence, your birth country, or the country in which you seek refuge. There are multiple situations in between that require transitioning from old to new, and in all cases it is healthy to take time out and a good look around, on the outside as well as the inside. Be still, and assess your situation. What do you have? What you do want? What do you need? What does the old give you? What will the new provide? What happens if you do nothing? What happens if you move? What options do you have? How would you like things to look different after you make a change? What is the best outcome you can imagine?

To explore these and other questions powerfully and efficiently, it can be very helpful to work with a coach. A coach can provide you with tools that facilitate the decision making process. Unlike any advantages-vs.-disadvantages lists, however, the coaching relationship will assist you with more than making a decision. Regardless what you decide, the result will be only the first step in your journey. Our goal as coaches is always to give you more than just one solution. Whether you decide to move forward, or continue to explore other options to improve your professional and personal life, even if you decide to stay where you are, the coaching relationship can help you get transition benefits in other ways.

Contact me to schedule a short free call to see if we are a good fit. This is for everyone, whether you are facing transition or finding yourself in the midst of it, and want to walk through it with serenity as you reclaim your power.