The Explorer

Volume 3, Issue 6, June/July 2005

a Life Navigation Coaching publication 

 

 

 

Sunrise Over the Atlantic   

My family kicked off the summer months in Ocean City, New Jersey, where we spent a week enjoying the breeze blowing in off the ocean and listening to the crashing surf.  I saw many more sunrises over the Atlantic than I had intended to.  Turns out the sky begins to brighten MUCH earlier on the East Coast.  I could have easily slept through it, but apparently dawn's first light was my son's signal to awaken and begin another play-filled day.

As my son and I strolled on the boardwalk at six o'clock in the morning (after having already been up for an hour and a half!!), I watched the sun's early rays stream through the clouds over the ocean.  I'd spent the wee morning hours grumbling to myself about how tired I was and asking my son (who's too young to really understand) why on earth he couldn't just sleep in a bit longer.  Yes, I was exhausted, but the sunlight was gorgeous.  I realized that in the grand scheme of things, a week of minimal sleep was nothing compared to the magnificence of the morning.

We took another early morning walk the next day, and my husband came along too.  I'd talked so much about how beautiful the sunrise was that he didn't want to miss out.  It's a rare day that we're all smiling before six o'clock in the morning, but that morning we were all grinning. 

In my opinion, it's possible to find perfection in life by holding onto those moments of beauty and joy.  Read on for more of my thoughts on perfection and for an opportunity to share your own thoughts on the concept!

Enjoy the day, whatever time you choose to awaken.

Love and Joy,

p.s. This is the June/July issue of The Explorer.  You'll hear from me again in August.  Have a great summer!

Exploring the Ocean

A Perfect Life

I recently saw the movie “Life or Something Like It,” starring Angelina Jolie.  It received mixed reviews when it was released in 2002, but I enjoyed it.  It entertained me, and it also got me thinking about what it really means to have a perfect life. 

Jolie plays a Seattle television news reporter named Lanie Kerrigan.  Lanie has carefully crafted a “perfect” life for herself, with the perfect job, perfect fiancé, perfect friends, perfect apartment, perfect body, etc.  She finds herself being considered for a position on the network’s syndicated morning show – her dream job.  Her perfect life seems like it’s about to become even more perfect.

Then Lanie interviews a street prophet for a local story.  “Prophet Jack” makes three predictions during the interview, with the last being that Lanie will die the next Thursday.  Lanie laughs it off as best she can, until the first two predictions come true.  Concerned that she really does have just a week left to live, she begins to reexamine her life.  Is it really as perfect as she once thought?

As Lanie looks more carefully at her life, she realizes that it’s missing feeling.  Although it seems perfect on the surface, her life is lacking joy, honesty, and real emotions.  Lanie and most of the people around her are shallow and superficial, never really communicating their true thoughts and feelings. 

Lanie begins to make some changes in her life, even though it’s difficult for her to let go of the “perfect” life she’s created.  She begins to experience her emotions more fully – love, anger, happiness, and sadness.  She begins to have fun.  She begins to remember what brings her joy.  In her words, she begins to learn how to live.  She begins to create a truly perfect life.

How perfect is your life?  Is your life a beautiful façade, or does it have true depth of feeling?  It’s possible to have all of the trappings of a perfect life (a great job, a fancy car, an attractive family) without feeling like you have a perfect life.  Bottom line: if it doesn’t feel perfect, it’s not perfect.

What makes a life perfect is completely subjective.  What’s perfect for me may not be perfect for you.  Even the feeling associated with a perfect life will differ from person to person.  So, it’s crucial that you think about what would be perfect for you – not what would be perfect for anyone else.

Does your life feel perfect to you?  If so, fantastic!  If not, here’s how you can begin creating a life that really is perfect:

First, ask yourself, “How would I feel if my life were perfect?”  Would you feel satisfied?  Content?  Joyful?  Passionate?  Relaxed?  Happy?  Imagine that you are living a life that is perfect for you and imagine how that would feel as fully as you can. 

Next, think about the things in your life that are already perfect.  What parts of your life already make you feel that your life is perfect?  What big things in your life already feel perfect?  What little things in your life already feel perfect?  Are you debt-free?  Do you have a fantastic job?  Does the sunlight pour into your kitchen window in at just the right angle?  Do you have the perfect coffee mug? 

Then, think about the things that would be perfect if they were part of your life.  What is missing that, if present, would help you have a perfect life?  What could you add to (or subtract from) your life that would make your life perfect? 

Write down the things that you think of – what’s already perfect and what soon will be perfect.  As you create these lists, you’re creating a blueprint for your very own perfect life.  Above all else, keep that feeling in mind – how you would feel if your life were perfect.  Let that feeling guide you as you think about the elements of your perfect life.  Be mindful of how you feel as you experience the things in your life that are already perfect, and know that you will feel that way even more often as you begin to perfect your life.

I'm a Licensed Perfect Life coach, and I'm happy to announce that I'm offering both a complimentary teleclass and a six week series on creating your own perfect life.  Read on for details...

Complimentary Teleclass!

If you'd like to explore the idea of what it means to live a perfect life, I'll be hosting a free call on this topic called "A Perfect Life: Is It Really Possible?"

The discussion will be held via teleconference on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 from 8:00 to 8:55 PM EST.

There is no charge to attend (other than any long distance charges you may incur).

To register, email lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com.    

Please forward this invitation to others who might be interested.  All are welcome!

A Perfect Life: If Not Now, When?

I’m also offering a six week telecourse called “A Perfect Life: If Not Now, When?”  In this course, we’ll discuss what it means to have a perfect life, and you’ll begin to create your own perfect life.

This course will meet via teleconference on Tuesdays from 8:00 to 8:55 PM EST, July 26th through August 30th.  The cost to enroll is just $49.  (You are responsible for any long distance charges you may incur.)

For more information about "A Perfect Life: If Not Now, When?" click here.

To register, email lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com.    

Please forward this invitation to others who might be interested.  All are welcome!

Want to create your own perfect life?

Call Lisa at (614) 262-8820 to arrange a complimentary coaching session or click here to send an email.  

Want to learn more about life coaching?

Visit my FAQ page.  Click here.

Life Navigation Coaching
find your direction, plan your journey

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D.

(614) 262-8820

lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com

www.lifenavigationcoaching.com

 

 

The Explorer is published monthly to inspire curious people – people who love to explore, discover, and learn – to go out and get what they want.  It is written by Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D., of Life Navigation Coaching, who coaches people to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

You can contact Lisa at (614) 262-8820 or by e-mail at lisa@lifenavigationcoaching.com.

Visit Life Navigation Coaching at www.lifenavigationcoaching.com to learn more about life coaching, Lisa, and opportunities for you.

You may use material from The Explorer in whole or in part, provided you include the complete attribution, including a live web site link and e-mail link.  Please inform me when and where the material will appear.  

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© Copyright 2005  Lisa M. Evans, Ph.D.