Influences

Who has influence in your life? I was thinking about the people whose opinions mean the most to me and the reasons why I value what they say. Well I will start by saying that I have very smart, amazing and powerful people in my life and I know that all their advice comes from a place of love. But when people give advice where else does it come from. Well obviously it comes from their past experiences and view points. It would be very hard for someone to give you advice without bringing their own judgments into the picture. Yes sometimes we can learn from others experience but often times we have to go through the storm ourselves to come out with the same insight.

So how do we come to these insights? Sometimes we repeat the same lesson over and over again until we finally get it and sometimes once is enough. I know there are issues that I am constantly working on, and sometimes it feels like I take big steps forward, and then I may have to repeat a grade or retake a test. I feel as though I’m constantly searching for approval, and often times in this search I solicit advice even though that is not what I am really looking for.  I realize that all the outside approval isn’t going to matter until I approve of myself. At that point I will be the most powerful influence in my life. I can take the advice from others go within and make decisions that ring true for me.  I will then be able to appreciate the people who have influence in my life. There experiences and advice will be a gift to help me on my path.

As a coach I don't focus on giving advice. I assist clients on their path so that they may go within and find the solutions that ring true for them. There are so many outside influences that at times we may need assistance tuning the world out so that we may truly hear what's available. I know at times I do. I turn to writing or art or meditation because although I know there is no way to eliminate all the people and things that influence me there is a way to see them clearly.