Browse published articles attributed to Keith Bray, with full-archive search.
Prayer and Meditation. MEDITATION? --not just something bearded guys do on Asian mountains As I went through the steps, this meditation thing might have been the item I misunderstood most. I had been exposed to prayer since I was a little guy. I am surprised in my coaching, when clients and I ...
Dick Cavett was quoted as saying "It is a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear" and Oscar Wilde said "To love ones self is the beginning of a lifelong romance”. Emerson said "Where there is no vision, people perish". I hit a point in my life where balance became a real issue. In working with clients and others I know I'm not alone. There was a balance in daily routine which made allot of sense. I certainly lived erratically. This area was addressed thoroughly at the treatment centre I attended many years ago.
YOU WANT CHANGE. WHY? Another great question prompted from my coaching mentor, Dr. Randin Brons “Idea Engineer”. I work with intelligent people who are prepared to invest time, and in the case of my clients, money, to get a better life than current. To get what they want, they must be prepared to make change. Why do they want change? What prompts them? It is likely the same thing that prompted me to transform my life. What within a person calls out for change?r
It is true for all of us, there are times when S..T happens. It is how we respond to it that counts. I love to play golf. The golf course is such a window on life and an insight into the people who play the game. Spend four hours plus with a seemingly intelligent and balanced human being, let them put on a "Tiger Woods Casual" outfit (Tiger wears shorts when not playing tour events), put them in a beautiful setting and arm them with a club(s), little stationary ball and an objective to get the club(s) to direct the ball into a 4 inch hole with the least swings possible! WOW!
A simple life is something I sought, and continue to seek. I love this article written by my coaching professor (literally), and think many of you will enjoy it too. As you would expect, it is in keeping with what we coach at Hope & Serenity-Coached To Success. Living Life the Simple Waynby ...
SIMPLE LOGIC (The God Thing) You must wait and listen for the sound of the genuine that is within you. When you hear it, that will be your voice and the Voice of God. - Howard Thurman, American author, civil rights leader, and theologian (1899-1981) One of the great things with what I spend a lot of time at is that I hear a lot from others.
Time to blossom "The voice of our original self is often muffled, overwhelmed, even strangled, by the voices of other people's expectations." -- Julie Cameronr Ah, the expectations of others. They had a huge (negative) impact on my life, how about yours? I lived many years feeling that I had failed the expectations of others; and this certainly included my parents. Life was not great feeling like you didn't measure up. Although I accomplished quite a bit, it never seemed to be enough or in the right areas. I think many can relate. In his Idea Engineer, my mentor Dr.
Playing Life Forward (and loving you). Life moves forward whether we want it to or not. It never plays in reverse. The past is past. Over. Finished. Our job is to move with the flow of the present. We are propelled by what went before, but we do not try to swim against the current of our present lives by regretting or yearning for old times. It is called your history! Each day of life recovery releases us from the past and gives us a fresh start. We can put behind us the misery of compulsive behavior - we certainly don't yearn to re-experience that!
PLEASE LIKE ME? I don’t know how many years I went through life deep down just wanting people to like me. Can you relate? As a kid, I had friends, but never felt that I was anyone’s “best friend”. I longed to be the person who got that first phone call or had people knocking at my door on the way to places. I wanted to be the one asked when a parent allowed one of my friends to have just one person over for a sleep over. As I grew older, the theme continued. I’d do almost anything to have you like me. I think it’s known as people pleasing.
(An adaptation from a business article) Success allergy? How can that be? Success is a concept, not something you eat, drink, wear or come into a physical contact with. Even so, it does appear that a large number of people just may be allergic to success. Perhaps, not in the sense that you ...
My Life Coaching mentor, Dr. Randin Brons, Has once again hit a chord with this week Idea Generator. Celebrate differences. "Souls don't have races or sexes or religions. They are beyond artificial divisions." -- Brian Weiss Intolerance of differences always exists in people who don't know who they are, people who don't have a strong sense of their own authentic self; the soul within. Intolerance is rooted in fear. The basis for having a strong sense of self-esteem is to replace our unconscious idea of basic unworthiness with a conscious knowing of our fundamental inherent goodness.
WILL THEY FIND OUT? (Or do they know?) I sit here today a relatively content man. That is the result of a journey to change that I found the courage to start some 15 years ago. Today, the constant worry about will they find out or even worse, do they already know is gone. What a relief! What's this all about? Is he talking about me because I can understand the question and relate. I'm glad to see issues about mental health more out of the closet than ever before and very well known personalities sharing their own experiences.
WHAT AM I THINKING? "I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it." -- William Faulknerr Years ago I was in a treatment facility trying to learn how to live life on life’s terms. To say my mind was a super speedway would have been an understatement. Disjointed thoughts continually raced around. What was I really thinking? I was introduced to the concept of jou aling. I must admit, initially, it struck me as silly. Isn’t this what girls do when they keep a diary?r
TIGER GETS HONEST “At first I didn’t want to look inward. Frankly, I was scared of what I would find—what I had become. But I am grateful I did examine my life because it made me more grounded tha I’ve ever been; I hope that with reflection will come wisdom.” –Tiger Woodsr This is the first indication that I’ve had that Tiger Woods is starting to “get it”. He must have been working with more than a swing coach!r
In looking to professionally certify in a field I had been actively engaged in for years, I did a thorough search of coaching certification bodies and key individuals who were core members of the body. I was lead to the Certified Coaching Alliance, and had the good fortune of studying and ...
NOVEMBER 11 May I Never Forget/Gratituder Thankfully, November 11 is an annual day that is celebrated. I wonder if I would so clearly remember to be grateful without the reminder. I am truly grateful that I did not have to live through or fight in any global wars over my lifetime, and I pray the same is true for my children, grandchildren and our lineage going forward. This did not happen by chance. I look back and remember with gratitude stories told to me by my grandfather and both my father and mother. They served their home lands with honour in WW! and WW2 respectfully.
Practice, Practice, Practice I’m a golf nut, and some may say certifiable. With the amount of golf tips and lessons I’ve had appear on my computer screen this last little while; it caused me to reflect on not only my golf game, but my life. I am a believe in asking for help, and when it comes to my golf game, I read a lot a do watch instructional videos and tips. I watch top level professional players and listen to them. I have gone to what might be called golf “rehab”, intensive clinics lead by great teachers where 100% of the focus is on the golf swing with the intent to improve.r
Yesterday in conversation with a friend who is starting a journey, I asked for input about a topic she might be interested in. Without knowing it directly, and not answering what I had asked, she did answer! It is amazing how early on we can find a bit of dark in the bright light. I am reminded ...
Humor-Age and Wisdom When doing my journal, I can get very serious. For those that really know me, humor has been a huge part of my recovery and journey, and is evident in most of the places I frequent. My higher power certainly finds ways to make sure I don’t take life too ...
WE ARE “CREATED SELVES” Shakespeare said it, “This above all; to thine own self be true”. In a journey of life recovery, a transformation to a new and more abundant life, had not one of our real problems been true to our selves and selfishly so? For me the answer to this was yes; but I know today that the self-centered person I was true to was not who deep inside I was. I was being true to a “me” that had been created due to poor thinking and actions over an extended period of time.
-living a life with new behavior in play!! So here we are, at the end of the page, and oh what a challenge. We’ve gone through all this work. We’ve had a “spiritual awakening as a result of THESE steps” and now we have to live the life? So what are these principles ...
I am not, today, a religious person, but to move from a low start point to a life I love today, I had to understand what god is to me. It is safe to say, at my lowest hour, I was spiritually bankrupt. I was the centre of my own universe and I tried to control all within it. For a long period it seemed to work; then it flew apart leaving me with a life without centre. I believe in the psychology of the 12 steps and a concept of a Higher Power as you personally understand that power.
In working with others to help them find the life they desire, it is critical that the client look into themselves and understand what they really want, what are meaningful goals for them. How do you approach that? Why is knowing the soul's desires so important? Many people go through life ...
Holistic Living-Spiritual Awakeningr For something to have an “AWAKENING”, it must have been asleep. Now isn’t that the most brilliant thing you’ve ever read. For me, I made the changes in my life for one big reason, to live abundantly with peace with in. I was an unhappy person and knew that there was a positive option. I had no real idea on how to realize the option. After trying to figure it out and fix it on my own without real success, I sought and got help.r
-many ask for “things” I thought about and journal about the need for prayer and meditation yesterday. Meditation is a listening skill. I was familiar with prayer. As a child, I learned to pray in Sunday school and even in real school. We said grace before meals, and the like. As my ...
MORE ON ANGER Today, I had the pleasure of reading an exert from a book called “In God’s Care” by Karen Casey. What a great reminder about the power of anger. How many people do you run into in your own life that give off vibes that make you feel like there is a volcano present and just about ready to explode? Ever feel that way yourself? Anger was made a part of us for a reason. Dealing with it, for many, is an acquired skill. “Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.rn--Albert Einstein
Are you afraid to be different? After doing a coaching session this morning, and spending a weekend in what will eventually be our new home town, I thought the question asked and information shown below (Received from Express Coaching-Dr. Randin Brons) was right on the money! Unfortunately, ...
Some days I feel like a cartoon character and not my beloved Popeye. I am the person you see in the cartoons with the little black cloud over my head every where I go. I’m thankful that I don’t get this way often, and know it will pass, but the feeling is here, right now. I think ...
Got this great reading today from Hazelden, and boy did it hit home! I only wish that I had “got it” as it relates to my mother by the time I was 35. Man, she, and a few select other very close to me, knew exactly what buttons to push. I’ve learned that it was I who allowed them to be pushed, ...
What a great reminder tonight, and it tied in to closing off my personal inventory. I, like many others, had secrets buried deep inside of me that I honestly thought I die with. No one ever had to know. Today I am aware that these secrets caused guilt and shame daily, and some I had buried so ...
After we have worked the 12 steps to the best of our ability, we have started a journey that offers unlimited potential. What we do from here is critical. We have made tremendous change in our life. We have begun the practice of good mental hygiene and are humbly confidant in who we are. We ...
"The Doctor's Opinion"nn-It Defies Psychologists Why Co-Creative Life Recovery may be the best option to those with addictions; it works for everybody! A spiritual awakening plays a key role in the recovery of a life ANY person wants. While it works for those with addictions, it works for ALL. ...
BEDEVILMENTS (interesting word) Got this reading this morning, and the word bedevilment is one I have not seen in ages. So over to Mr. Webster. He says, "exasperating interference and trouble; a besetting with devils". The way he puts it, I know I have experienced it. Have you? The message: ...
Do You Understand Detachment? I’m off at 6 in the morning for golf, so an early blog! For years, I have heard about detachment, often loving detachment. As the child of an alcoholic who went on to be a practicing addict in several areas, it is not a term I understood, particularly with ...
Upon reflection, the biggest stumbling block to get a journey started to a life I am happy with was seven little letters. HONESTY. Over many years I had lied to myself and others, I had been less the honest in dealings with others, and had created a Disneyland in my head which had become a ...
Had some great feedback over taking a first step, powerless and unmanageable! Thanks. I learn from hearing from others. I sometimes wonder if I’m not addicted to golf. Played twice over the weekend. Each day, even on the occasions of playing very poor shots, I am amazed by how I ...
This action scared the living twist out of me! What was hammered through my thick skull that the amends I made were for my benefit, not for the benefit of the person I was making amends to. I was carrying the garbage, and this step in my journey was for me to clear up my garbage, and I was told ...
Responsibility brings power. "To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist." -- Gail Sheehy Time spent on my personal co-creative process of recovering a life that I knew was meant for me opens my eyes to truths on a continuous basis. One of these truths is that for my ...
I was blessed a year or so ago to have a man named Patrick Meninga come into my life through “electronic” channels. He is the “Spiritual River” man (www.spiritualriver.com).nnOver the period we have got to know each other and have partnered on a few very small ventures. Our common bonds? We are ...
There was a point in my life, a decade plus ago, I was living in insanity. I was doing things that were negative repeatedly, but expecting a diffrent outcome. I was less than honest, leading a double life- one for the public and a diffrent life inside of me, I suffered frequent depression and ...
Believing In You! Over the weekend, I was asked by a friend about the similarities of people I coach on “Life” issues and in the area of addictions. Throw in people I work with on a “service/volunteer” base and there is one huge area in common. Those who are struggling or ...
By definition, unmerited means undeserved, and the gift I was given, the gift of life recovery-was seemingly undeserved. Why me? The question has no answer that I understand. For a long period of time, my life was in decline, some periods slow, some much more rapid and obvious to others. I was ...
Learning to be aware of who we are and why a tremendous part of a recovery of life journey is. To do this, there is nothing better than a thorough working of the 4th step of the 12 steps. Going forward, we must make sure we stay in contact with “self” in an honest fashion each and every day. We ...
Interesting day today. It’s interesting when you go to a closed 12 step meeting and run in to someone you know from another part of life. I have no conce s about people knowing I’m in recovery. I accepted that I was powerless over a few things fourteen years ago, and that began my ...
Redefining Work More support for “The Creative Theory of Recovery” I’ve been privileged to walk this earth for a while, do some great things, travel and work with interesting and progressive people. I’ve also seen far too many talented people what I would call ...
This getting your life back together, setting goals and being accountable is serious stuff! That being said, Laughter plays a very important role along the way, and one of the new skills I have picked up is a genuine ability to laugh at myself. I found the following quote and reading a good ...
Frequently I am reminded of what asset humility is. Frequently, when I think of “humility” I think of “humiliation”. My actions were responsible for humiliation to both myself and others I care about, and humiliation is not something I want! I am slowly starting to learn ...
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says: "I'll try again tomorrow."n--Anne Hunninghakenn“A key quality that distinguishes a successful athlete, or a top-notch performer in any field, is the way he responds to his bad days. ...
* A NEW EARTHn * certified life coachn * Creative Theory of Life Recoveryn * Paradoxnn Paradox In The Journey For the last 14 plus years I have been on a journey. I had hit a wall in life, in particular the life I was living inside myself. The outside world may have thought ...
A weekend just past and the first client of day completed, and my head turns to a technique known as mirroring. Funny, as I work with clients to bring out the talent within them, I find myself asking questions that I am, in part, asking of myself. It is true that we see ourselves in others. In ...