Browse published articles attributed to Nicole Nenninger, with full-archive search.
"We can change patterns of dysfunction in the family by exposing secrets and healing emotional pain." ~Albert Clayton Gaulden in his book "You're Not Who You Think You Are"
My husband and I coach a lot of people, and many of these people are at a transition point in their lives or they are experiencing pain and no longer want to be in struggle. Wherever you are in life, everyone wants to be living a better life–their best life. We all have moments during our lives where we will encounter suffering, but how do you overcome it? Why do some people seem to be thriving while others are barely surviving? The following 20 ways are starting points to happiness and to living a fantastic life. You don’t have to merely exist in life–you can thrive!
I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. ~ Bill Cosby How do you deal with people who disagree with you? See if you recognize any of these reactions: You get annoyed at the person You get distracted by dis-empowering thoughts (How could they think that? Why do they think that? What’d I do? What an idiot!? I can’t believe….! If only…) You try to please them You change your behavior to meet their expectations because maybe you think they are rightr
Let's face it: "bad" stuff happens. Divorce, a break-up, parental alienation, illness, addiction, the loss of a job, the loss of a friendship, a disagreement with a loved one, abuse...There are so many things that can affect you day-in and day-out. What has always fascinated me is why some people who seem to have gone through so much in their lives are still thriving in spite of their challenges. Others do not fare so well and become helpless victims on the tides of their own suffering.
Everyone has times during their lives that are challenging. Illness, the loss of a job, death, divorce, a relationship break-up, parental alienation, and other life-changing events serve to push us over the edge if we aren’t careful.
Have you lost yourself? Are you so absorbed in your career, in your relationship, in the daily grind, or in an addiction that you've lost sight of who you are or where you'd like to be in life? Great! Say what? Well, let me reassure you that first, it's pretty common. Second, I can help you! Keep reading....
Life isn’t fair. Throughout history, this fact has been demonstrated over and over again. Terrorist attacks, the plague, famines, the Holocaust, Bernie Madoff- there are so many examples of unfai ess that we can forget that it is an aspect of life that every one of us has to deal with at some point. You may not be able to control what happened to you, but what you can control is your attitude, your behaviors, and your thoughts.
"It'll be okay; it's for the best." "Time heals all wounds." "I told you he was no good for you." "Keep your chin up--just keep moving forward." "Forgive and forget." If you've ever gone through a rough time in your life, you've no doubt heard some of those statements before. Well-meaning, well intentioned people can give really good advice, but when you aren't available to hear it--when you are in the midst of life's latest challenge--how can you really process the message? You've got so many conflicting emotions going on--strong emotions--each vying for time and attention in your mind.
Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. ~Helen Keller
Does this sound familiar: “Would you mind if I give you a little feedback?” Or, “Can I be honest with you?” (Here comes the criticism!). You know what’s coming and your body reacts immediately. Maybe you catch yourself holding your breath for a moment, your heart picks up a beat, or your stomach clenches up in anticipation. Even worse, is when the evaluator doesn’t ask you if you’re open to hearing their criticism or not, but informs you of your shortcomings with little or no warning. You are going to hear it whether you want to or not.
It's not whether you get knocked down. It's whether you get up again. ~Vince Lombardi
On the list of major life stressors, divorce comes in second; only the death of a spouse is first. It used to be that the death of a spouse was the number one reason why marriages ended. Now it's divorce (Steiner, Suarez, Sells, & Wykes, 2011). And, even though people are aware of the emotional and psychological consequences of divorce, it continues to be a common occurrence.
Okay, I admit it, I am addicted to running. I have run sporadically throughout my life, but was never serious about it until about five years ago when my marriage began to fall apart. Needing an outlet for my stress and a way to lose the extra pounds I had put on, I turned to running. I haven't looked back since! Now it's become a major part of my family life. My new husband and children also take part in this sport. In fact, on many weekends you'll find one or more of us competing.
Have you ever seen a child learning to walk? They’ll try and keep trying–even when they bang their head or fall down hard (have you ever wondered why it is so hard to get a “perfect” one-year old’s picture? They usually have bruises from their learning-to-walk exploits!). Back when you were young, when you didn’t have thoughts per se, you were driven to do certain things–like eating, sleeping (but oh how some kids fight that!), crawling, and walking. Walking is a great example of a child’s determination, focus, effort, and the need to succeed at all costs.
In this hectic world, it can be very easy to let the busyness get to you. Peace becomes elusive in your life as you constantly strive to “make things work.” Work-life balance becomes a chore as you struggle to exist on a daily basis. It can be incredibly stressful trying to balance a personal, family, and work life! In actuality, there is no such thing as work-life balance–it comes down to what works for you. Oftentimes, however, that is a delicate balancing act in which someone or something pays the price–more than likely, it’s you.
Here’s some interesting advice: If you are looking to get over a broken heart and can’t seem to get your ex out of your mind, keep thinking about them! It sounds counterintuitive but in a recent study, participants found relief from incessant thoughts about their ex by consciously thinking about them.
“I’m glad you’re not chunky, Mom,” one of my children whispered to me recently. We were out running errands and her comment caught me off guard. I often wonder how my children process the world. This was a glimpse into how she was perceiving it in that moment: As a child judging others based on their weight.
Chances are, you know someone who is depressed. Depression is so prevalent that by the year 2020, the World Health Organization predicts it will be the number 2 cause of disability in the world.
With today’s busy families and two-income households, one thing that plagues many people is how to create a life that is balanced. Even single people have a hard time with this. Often, life feels like it is consumed with work, with not a lot of down-time to spend with family, friends, having fun, or pursuing personal goals. Without balance, life feels one-sided and unfulfilling. Health and relationships suffer while stress and a feeling of overall dissatisfaction take over.
“It is not too uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.” ~Eckhart Tolle How do you become your best self? How do you live your best life? How do you find success, happiness, meaning, and fulfillment in your life? If you’re like many people, you spend a lot of time searching for the answers outside of yourself.
Goal-setting can be a frustrating experience. Especially if you have a goal that's too big, that is not clearly defined, or that does not reflect what you truly want. Let's say you want success—Great!—but what does that entail? What does success mean to you? Where do you start? How do you define success when you consider the following areas: Career HealthrnFamily and Friends Money and Finances Fun! and Recreation Romance and Self-Care Personal Growth Physical Environment