As a child I remember the Christmas holiday meant no school, no homework, sleeping in late, watching TV and playing with my friends. As a child I really enjoyed the Christmas and New Year celebrations as I’m sure most children did. As an adult I have many fond memories of how simple life was back then. Not so much now!

As an adult I see the holidays so differently. Over the years I have experienced the reality that often times the holidays remind me of the pain associated with divorce, separation, loved ones who have moved away, and the passing of friends and family. There are many reasons why Christmas and the New Year holiday haunt so many of us. We cherish wonderful thoughts of family gatherings around the dinner table or opening our gifts from others. The seasonal music, the colorful lights on the Christmas tree, the decorations in a neighbor’s front yard and Christmas dinner with all the trimmings can bring back sweet memories of yesteryear. Then there are the memories of those we have loved – grandparents; an aunt or an uncle; a beloved mother and father; a brother or sister and maybe even a dear friend. The smiles, joy, laughter and the hugs given and received remain in our hearts forever. They never fade away.

When special people come into our lives we try to keep those memories alive and want to savor them forever! Unfortunately for some this is where the problems begin. There are those who cannot let go of the memories of days gone by. Their memories are all they have and they hang on to them for dear life. We all do, but yet when life becomes dark and dreary where do the memories take you especially during the holidays? Just like you, I have many fond memories with my family, but also have many sad ones as well.

I’ll never forget the Christmas when my now ex-wife returned the one and only Christmas gift she had given me back to the store! Those memories still haunt me! Over the years I have had people share with me all kinds of stories about the heartache they experienced and the unpleasant memories they still have around the Christmas season. I’ve known people have been served divorce papers during what should be the happiest time of the year. Other families I know have experienced permanently damaged relationships, the passing of a loved one and in some cases, no resources to buy Christmas gifts for their children.

The question many ask is “How do I deal with the past and focus on the future?” One of the best things to do is start creating new memories. Look forward to what is new rather than looking back at the way it “used to be”. It’s ok to keep the fond memories of those whom you have loved and have departed close to your heart. Now think about how to start a new tradition that will keep those memories alive. My suggestion is to start by helping others in need. Find a family who doesn’t have the resources to provide gifts for their children and take them shopping with you or surprise them with a gift card! Another suggestion is to make dinner for an elderly shut-in and dine with them on Christmas Day. These two suggestions are really simple and will make a difference in your life as well as the lives of others! Staying busy during the holidays and bringing joy to others will ultimately bring joy to you! These acts of kindness will heal the hurt and loss from your past and will help you move on as you help others. Think about the wonderful memories you are creating for them – and for you! They will have something to look back on and will remember you for your kindness and generosity.

The holidays are almost here. Do you fear being alone during the holidays? Do you miss your family and cannot be with them this season? Do you need someone to help you through these tough times? Do you need support to make it through the holidays?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, call Dr. Mike and schedule a free consultation. He has helped many individuals with holiday loneliness and can help you too!

Dr. Michael Brooks is the founder of Applicable Life Coaching and Counseling Services. His services are affordable, accessible, anonymous and available by appointment from the privacy of your own home. To avoid travel time and the comfort of home, many clients prefer to meet with Dr. Mike over the phone or via Skype. The convenience of this type of coaching is the most effective means of Life Coaching and counseling for those who live out of the Denver-metro area. Give Dr. Mike a call! You’ll be glad you did!

Bang! Bang! I was sitting in my living room working on my laptop when suddenly I heard shots ring out that cold November night. I immediately took cover and heard someone yelling outside, then a car screeched away as more shots were fired. That’s when the picture window in my second-story apartment cracked after being hit by a stray bullet. After a few moments, I cautiously got up and peaked outside. I could see a man standing under the street light smoking a cigarette and holding a shotgun. He was looking down the street in the direction of the speeding car.

I called 911 and reported what I had heard. The dispatcher told me to stay on the line while I waited for the police to arrive. I didn’t have to wait long as several squad cars came screaming down the street and parked in front of my apartment. Soon after their arrival I heard a knock at my door. A police officer asked to come in and advised me that two men had been fighting over a woman and the man with the shotgun had been taken into custody. I was relieved to know he was no longer a threat. I began to wonder why people try to settle their differences with violence. These days we hear about how guns, knives, and bats are used to settle differences. How sad it is that as a society we have lost the art of talking things out.

When the police officer left I walked over to the window and peered outside. I saw several officers still searching for more evidence on the street. I had a difficult time sleeping that night as my mind raced. I wondered how it would have changed my life if someone had gotten killed that night outside my window. We all face the unknown each an everyday. We can control some of our circumstances and some of them we can’t. Accidents, health crisis, and unexpected reactions by others are totally out of our control. That’s just a fact of life!

How do you handle your anger? Do you walk away or do you let your anger fester and throw thoughts of revenge into the mix? Most people don’t realize that their words are just as deadly as a two-edged sword. We all know we can’t take back what is said in the heat of anger and the wounded person can do one of two things: 1) they can forgive and move on or 2) they can decide to resent you and look for an opportunity for a fight down the road. Which one will you choose?

Have you ever listened to kids when they get into verbal fights on the play ground? You might hear things like “My dad can beat up your dad” or “My dad is a weight-lifter and is stronger than your dad.” Kids can throw out all kinds of verbal insults and we wonder where they learned how to do it! Our kids watch and listen to how we deal with day-to-day stresses and pay close attention to how we feel about certain people who cause us grief. They soak up our attitudes towards others and watch how we face personal struggles. Kids are like video cameras; they record what we say and how we react to difficult situations in our lives then replay those reactions on the playground and with their siblings. It’s important to keep in mind that what we say in anger could be overheard by our impressionable children. I challenge you to consider your words and actions carefully and you’ll find that doing so will bring you peace.

Are you experiencing a difficult time in your personal relationships because of anger and communication issues and need help? Are you or your spouse avoiding meaningful conversations out of fear of ending up in arguments? Would you like to learn new communication tools that will help you when talking with your friends and family? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I can help! Give me a call today! We’ll schedule your free, initial consultation.

If you’d like you can go to Mike’s blog and comment on today’s article at: https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/

Master Life Coaching is affordable, accessible, anonymous and available by appointment from the privacy of your own home. Avoid travel time and never leave the comfort of your home to meet with me. I have many local and out-of-state clients who prefer to meet over the phone or via Skype. The convenience of this type of coaching is the most effective means of Life Coaching for those who live out of the Denver-metro area or are out of the state of Colorado. Your privacy is guaranteed.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or email me at 303.456.0555 or mike@applicablecoaching.com.

My uncle Chet loved sharing the heritage of the Brook’s family tree and I loved listening and learning about my heritage. As a child I remember my teachers talking about the pilgrims prior to Thanksgiving week. We colored pictures of them in grade school and made turkeys out of paper plates and colorful feathers. My teachers shared the hardships the pilgrims encountered and how native Americans kept them alive during the winter months. It sounded so exciting to me as a kid. I loved every aspect of history and was amazed when I learned our family had Mayflower descendants.

I learned our family was at the first Thanksgiving dinner and was thankful for that. Other than my Uncle Chet I was the only one of my siblings interested in our Mayflower heritage. My interest carried on through high school where I dug into researching our decedents George Soule and Peter Browne. My research revealed they were respected leaders and worked for religious freedom.  

I also have many fond family Thanksgivings. My dad loved cooking the Thanksgiving turkey while my mother cooked everything else. As we sat there looking at each other across the table stuffed to the brim I remember asking, “When do we get pumpkin pie?” I was 12 at the time but remember getting mom’s cloth napkins tossed at me from everyone at the table! I often go back to that Thanksgiving memory. My Dad would get up early, prepare the turkey then make breakfast for us all. After breakfast he would start a nice fire in the fireplace where we would sit in the family room and call family members and wish them a happy Thanksgiving.

When we were done feasting at the Thanksgiving table and the day was coming to a close, my mother would come into my room and ask me what I was thankful for. I sat back and thought about her question and said, “Well, you and dad, my brothers and sister and our dogs.” I suppose may not have been a typical child’s answer to his mother’s question, but it was the only answer that I had.  

Today I ask myself the same question. I am thankful for my family including my wife, daughter and brothers. I’m also thankful for the fond memories of my parents and sister who have passed on. I am thankful for my faith in God and all that He has provided for me. I am thankful for the country we live in and for friends and wonderful memories. I could fill several pages with my responses to this question. Now it’s your turn!

What are you thankful for? Take some time and reflect what is important to you and write those thoughts down. Think through the years and see if your memory will allow you to do so. Think about those you love and special events you’ve shared with family and friends. Why are they important to you and why are thankful for them? This is a great day in our nation’s history. Share your thoughts with your family and friends and don’t forget to share them on my blog listed below. Happy Thanksgiving!!

You can go to Mike’s blog and comment on today’s article at https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/

Who Judges You?

I listened to the judge ask the young woman who was about to be sentenced for theft due to a meth problem, “You do know this is your last chance to help yourself?” She was wearing a yellow jump suit provided by the county jail. Her lawyer was at her side watching her plead her case before the judge. She somberly answered the judge, “I know and I realize I need help with my drug problem. I can’t keep living this way…it’s going kill me. I have tried several programs but none of them have worked”.

The judge was very compassionate and understanding and told her that she has to be the one who takes control of her life and her actions. Then he reminded her, “This is your last chance! The next time you stand before me it’s a mandatory ten year sentence in prison.”   Wow! Ten years! His startling statement made me think about my life and how thankful I was that I have never been in jail and never abused drugs. I’m sure this scenario plays out across this country every day. Not just in regard to drugs and drug abuse, but white-collar crime, murder, assault, and even divorce. I heard several different cases presented before this judge while I was there to support a friend who was going through difficult times. I witnessed many standing before the judge who had made some very poor choices in their lives.

Have any of you ever regretted some of the choices you have made? I sure have! And to this day I regret some very dumb things I have done. Looking back now, I realize that as a young man I said things that hurt people over the years. I was irresponsible in high school and college. But now as I get older I weigh my words carefully before ever uttering a sound. If we can control our words and actions, for the most part, we will stay out of trouble. Have I been tempted to let loose a few times? You bet I have! My dad used to say it’s better to catch flies with honey than vinegar. How do people judge you? Do they see a warm and caring person or a gruff, mean-spirited individual just looking for a verbal altercation? I see these folks all the time in my travels and it isn’t pretty. We’ve all seen them in the check-out lane at the local grocery store or the airport. Heck, you’ve probably even seen them in your church and service clubs you belong to.

I remember an older guy that frequented a small café back in my hometown in Wisconsin. He always sat alone looking grumpy and made faces at people who looked his way. He also had his favorite booth in the café and all the locals knew to avoid it! One day I watched a young couple with a small child sit in “his” booth before he arrived for breakfast. As he walked in and looked at the corner he saw that they had taken his seat. He wasn’t very happy about it but managed to get a booth near his favorite spot in the café. He looked very irritated as the waitress poured his coffee. Even though he expressed his aggravation under his breath the young couple heard what he had said. What happened next was amazing! Their little girl walked up to him and started to talk to him. He avoided looking at her at first but she was persistent in handing him a napkin from the table. He took the napkin as she continued to talk. He looked at her and said “Thank you” and a big smile came over his face. Then he asked her what her name was and seemed to enjoy conversing with her. This little girl had a way of looking beyond his grumpy demeanor and made him smile!

How do you think people view you? Are you open and kind or is your spirit ill-tempered? Can you look beyond a scowling face and still reach out with kindness like the little girl in my story did?

Do you feel you need to work on some personal issues like the ones mentioned above? Do people avoid you but you’re just not sure why? Do you have unresolved, personal conflict?   If so, maybe it’s about time you resolve these issues before the holidays. Contact me and we can talk about ways to help you deal with these conflicts and help you find peace, joy and freedom!
    
I provide online, phone and Skype Master Life Coaching and counseling. It is affordable, accessible, anonymous, and available by appointment from the privacy of your own home. Avoid the travel and time it takes to get my office by never having to leave the comfort of your own home to meet with me. Your anonymity and privacy is completely secured. I have many out-of-state clients who have found this to be the most effective means for Life Coaching.

Call today for your free initial consultation!

If you’d like to read past articles you can go to Mike’s blog at: https://applicablecoaching/blog/. Feel free to post your comments and/or questions.

I remember waiting in line, long before computers were a part of registering for college, looking at the sign-up sheet for college classes. As an 18 year old freshman I had no clue what to expect as I waited my turn to talk to a counselor. The people who waited in line were like me, new and nervous. The lady behind the counter called my name. As she looked through her stack of papers I was relieved  when she found my information. She asked me what classes I wanted to sign up for. I told her English, Psychology 101, humanities, statistics, and American history. As she checked the list of classes that were still available, she said two of my choices were not open to freshman students.

I blankly stared at her and asked,” What do I need to do?” She said, “‘Well, you will need to take a speech class!” I stumbled over my words and in a shaky voice said, “I have to take speech?? ”  “Yes” she replied, “you do!” I felt sick to my stomach. I hated speech class! Until now, I had successfully avoided any class that would require public speaking and risk embarrassing myself. A million excuses raced through my mind, all the while I stared at this poor woman, not saying a word. When I came to my senses I said, “Ok, I guess I will have to take this speech class” and signed up for it. I finished signing up for the rest of my classes and walked back to my car.

As I drove home, I thought about the speech class I had signed up for. Then a fond memory from high school came to mind. My freshman year in high school, students were required to take a speech class or we could opt out for “Introduction to Band”. Those were the only two choices we had. Well, this was a no-brainer for me! Intro to band it was! I remember laughing at those who signed up for speech class. I was a new man, er…boy of 14, a freshman with something to prove. Let’s face it, I beat the system! I got out of speech! First day in the band room I met up with my good friend Todd. He hated speech too and had opted for band. We sat in the back row of the band room and waited our turn to choose the instrument we intended to play. Even though I had never held one of these instruments in my hand, I chose the trombone. It was gold and shiny and to a freshman boy, it looked cool. Todd picked the cornet. Once we made our selection, our band instructor, Mr. Base explained what he expected us to learn in 6 weeks. The class met twice a week for 45 minutes. I didn’t care! It could have met for 5 hours twice a week. All I knew was that I had wiggled out of speech class and that was all that mattered!

Mr. Base informed us that we would have to play one solo before the class and we could play from where we were seated! Wow! I loved this teacher! This would be no problem! I was game for that and was relieved I didn’t have to give any speeches in front of the class. I actually had fun learning how to play the trombone. When it came time for us to play our solos, Mr. Base instructed us to do our best. He knew he didn’t have many recruits for the band, but he had a fun group of kids who gave it their all. I was the last to perform and played “Mary Had A Little Lamb”. Although I botched it, I passed the class. Mission accomplished!

Back to reality! It hit me…I was signed up for a college speech class. Oh my god, what did I do? I worried the two weeks prior to class starting! Finally, the semester began and I met our instructor. She was an older woman in her 70’s. She stated her expectations:   eight speeches during the semester including the type and length of each speech with the longest being 30 minutes. My heart sank. That was it! I was going to quit college! That’s how shy I was. I made the decision to address my fear of public speaking to my instructor. She recognized how painfully shy I was. During that hour-long meeting, she tried every which way to convince me that I could do it. Then a miracle happened in her office. She said that I could give my speech in her office just for her. The highest grade she could give me was a D, but I was perfectly fine with that. Her actions that day kept me in college. I was thankful she understood my situation. Every week I would meet her in her office at 3:15 p.m. and recited my speech. Eventually, I earned three credits and a pass out of speech.

My speech class was a major battle for me and yet I managed to get my way and avoid my fears. That turned out to be a huge problem for me down the road. When I transferred to the University of Wisconsin, I was in college with the big boys. The professors were not sympathetic and were very demanding. I had a class called Exercise Science that required hands-on applications and hours of homework. The professor asked the class to prepare a paper on training for a team sport. I chose professional football and worked my tail off! The paper included flexibility, strength training, speed development, diet, polymeric training and included dozens of pictures and diagrams. This could have been a complete book project. Two weeks later we turned in our projects. I had forgotten about the project until the professor asked for our papers at the end of class. He called three people to the front of the class which had about a hundred students. He called my name, then my buddy John, and another student, Linda. He handed Linda’s paper to her, then John’s paper to him, and looked at me as he handed my paper back to me and announced to the class that I would be the instructor for the next two weeks because of the program I had researched and reported on. “Me? Teach the class???” I panicked! “Yep,” he said, “it’s your class now.”

As I look back now at that situation I can laugh, but at the time my first thought was to find a way to get out of teaching the class! Try as I might, he didn’t buy into my reasons. He didn’t cut me any slack or give me a break. I was destined to teach my peers! Today I am thankful he didn’t allow me to fall into my own excuses and quit even before I got started.

Did I face my fears? No! Did that experience make me a better person?   No! What did I learn? I used my fears as an excuse for not facing the challenges we all face during our lives. I see this same scenario so many times in my practice. Most of us don’t want to deal with our real-life challenges. Why do you think that is? What is the worst thing that can happen if we don’t face the trials and painful experiences we face every day? If we allow our fears to get the best of us and control us, we will find out in the end that they will defeat us if we don’t get a handle on them.

What excuses do you use to get out of projects to improve yourself? Do you make excuses when you begin thinking about starting a business or improving your marriage? Listen, we all do it! Now is the time to take action and make changes in your life. Don’t allow past mistakes and failures control your future. Decide how you will approach the things that freighten you. Make a list of how you plan to deal with each item that you’ve been making excuses for.

Following is a list I rely on when I have to attend public speaking engagements:

• When I get a call and asked about a public speaking engagement, I ask them what topic they would like me to talk about. If I am not comfortable with their request, I decline the offer.
• I ask myself, “how well do I know the material they want me to speak about? Can I research it and gather enough of the details so that I can make it a fun and interesting talk?”
• Can I use humor in my talk? This is an important step in engaging those who have come , lighten up and enjoy getting to know me as their friend.
• What time do they need me there and how long would they like the talk to last?

The bottom line is, stop making excuses because something makes you uncomfortable! Like Nike says, “Just Do It.” Get out of the habit of running away from uncomfortable situations.

Do you struggle taking control of your life and find yourself making excuses to get out of these difficult situations? Have you been afraid to face an upcoming life event, like a divorce or medical condition and make excuses to avoid taking proactive steps to resolve your fears? Would you like to stop making excuses and learn new skills that will help you the face the challenges in your life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I can help you! I will show you how to put a working plan together that will guide you through the most difficult situations you face.

Online and phone Master Life Coaching is affordable, accessible, anonymous, and available by appointment, from the privacy of your own home. Avoid the travel and time it takes to get my office. You never have to leave the comfort of your own home to meet with me so your anonymity and privacy is completely secured and protected. I coach many out-of-state clients who have successfully used this method and have found it to be the most effective means for Life Coaching especially for those who live out of the Denver-metro area or are out of the state of Colorado. I can also arranged counseling services via Skype.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or email me at 303.456.055 or mike@applicablecoaching.com. All calls are confidential and your privacy is protected.

Go to Mike’s blog and comment on today’s article at https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/.

I went to a buffet breakfast today with some friends and decided to have my truck washed after we ate. After all its been 3 years since I washed it, and that’s no joke. When you live in the mountains and on a dirt roads, you don’t really care how often yourcar or truck gets washed. The snow and rain will do a decent job if you don’t mind the small partials of dirt that gathers in the rain drops and left on your vehicle, after the storm.

After eating, I drove my truck over to the car wash 200 yards from the buffet. I drove up and waited for the gal with the ticket to tell me the different prices the car wash offered. She was pretty friendly and started telling me the different prices she had to offer. In my mind, all I wanted was a quick car wash and a dusting job on the inside and the dog hairs vacuumed from all the seats in the truck. She said, “I have a great deal on a wash and wax job, for $20 bucks”. I’ll take that one, I said! She handed me a ticket and I got out of the truck and headed inside to pay for my car wash and waxing job. I waited in line and was kinda happy that I was finally getting the truck taken care of after three years. My turn came to pay, the gal behind the cash register took my ticket, and rang up my bill. She said, “that would be $119 dollars and 50 cents!”

I looked at her and said, “what????, A 119 dollars and 50 cents??” I said to the checker, you better get the gal back who wrote up my ticket for the car wash, that’s not what she told me! She called over the intercom and asked for my ticket gal to come and talk with one of her customers. I waited and she finally showed up, as I walked towards her with my bill in hand, I said, the checker said you must have made a mistake on my bill. She started talking and tried to convince me that I needed the entire wash and wax job. I said not today, then she dropped the price down to 90 bucks. I looked at her and said, “really all I want is a simple wash and clean the inside of my truck, nothing more then that, What do you have for 25 dollars?” She told me, and I went and paid the cashier for that job.

I watched as the truck went through the car wash, as it came out, there were several people who were hand drying the truck. I was walking towards the truck, when a supervisor walked around my truck, and sent it off to be washed again. Well, I guess it was pretty dirty, good thing they noticed how bad it was, I thought. I waited and the truck went through the cycle again, parked just about in the same spot. The guys were hand drying the truck again, when another supervisor looked it over, he sent it to be washed again. I wondered what was going on. I walked up to observation window at the car wash and watched my truck go through the car wash again for the third time. I watched as the suds were sprayed again, the rinse applied for the third time, and the guys hand drying my truck again. I finally started towards my truck, when another supervisor walked up to the truck and flagged it to be washed again. I didn’t even get close to my truck this time. Off it went through the car wash again for the 4th time. After it came out of the car wash, they took it over to the detail shop, part of the 119 dollar package deal. I went over and told the guy that I didn’t want the detailing job, and may I please have my truck back. He took it over to the wipe down bay area.

I was thinking that I upset the gal for not taking the $119 special, and she was paying me back for not agreeing for the high end service and would make me wait. A few years back, I would have said fine, just because, I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and I would have payed the $119. Not anymore. I thought about that when I waited for the gal to come back and straighten out our miscommunication about $119 car wash. I was glad that I was confronting her. Was I being taken advantage of? I don’t know, but I was not going to hand over money for that expensive car wash, for a 1999 F-150 pick-up truck.

I tipped the guys who wiped down my truck, got in and drove away. I noticed they didn’t dust all that well, and didn’t get many dog hairs vacuumed up. When I got home, I did the dusting that it needed, it smells nice, no dog hairs to worry about. maybe next year, I will get the truck washed and not wait three years again.

What did I learn about today’s experience? If something needs to be done, get it done! Don’t wait, cause if your supposed to get an errand done and someone is depending on you, take care of it. How does this apply to you. If you having marriage problems, don’t expect the marriage to improve by doing nothing. Get counseling, marriage coaching, make sure it happens and soon. If you have health issues and think your problem will get better on it’s own, don’t wait to see if it does, cause sometimes it doesn’t. Don’t put off the things that matter, if you own someone an apology and it will fix a relationship, go say your sorry. Life is to short, not deal with the issues you face in life today. They don’t always go away, and why not make life simple for you and all those around you!

Do you have a difficult time in taking control of your life, events control you, you don’t control them? Have you been afraid to plan for a upcoming event, like a divorce, or medical condition? Do you want and need help in planning for a future event that frightens you and you know its going to happen? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I can help you plan on how to deal with problems that effect your life. I will help you put a working plan together that will help you deal with life’s issues.

You can go to Mike’s blog and comment on today’s article at https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/

In addition, online/phone Master Life Coaching is affordable, accessible, anonymous, and available by appointment, from the privacy of your own home. Avoid the travel and time it takes to get my office. Since you never have to leave the comfort of your own home to meet with me, your anonymity and privacy is completely secured and protected. I have many out of state clients who prefer this means of coaching, this is the most effective means for Life Coaching for those of you who live out of the Denver-metro area or are out of the state of Colorado. I also have skype, its another way to set up a meeting so we can talk, contact me if your interested in setting up a skype appointment.

If you want to get more information about the Life Coaching Program, call me at 303.456.0555 or e-mail Dr. Mike at mike@applicablecoaching.com  to set up a free consultation. All calls are confidential and your privacy is protected.

I was in my stance as a rookie fullback, when I heard our Quarterback start calling out the cadence, hut..hut hut, hut, the ball was snapped, when I went to my right side to pass block. There was a defensive end, nicknamed “The Train”, a 6’9″ 350 pound ball of energy, and known as one of the dirtiest ball players in pro football. As he raced towards me, I saw his right hand clinched into a fist, as he reach into the air, he was about to give me a head slap. His fist was taped, and I could see grass and blood stains on the dirty white athletic tape coming towards my head. I braced for the hit..and that’s all I can remember…..

When I came to, I was laying face up with the train standing over me, calling me some, well, let’s just say, not nice names, that I can share with you here. A few of my teammates came over and pushed him away, all the while he was pushing back, yelling and shaking his fist at them and me. I slowly got up and went back to the huddle, my teammates were asking me, if I was OK! Still a little wobbly, I said ya.

Then something came over me in the huddle, I said to our QB, “call that same play again.” Dan, looked at me and said “what?” “Ya..call that same play again,” I said! He saw it in my eyes, he knew what I was thinking, with a grin on his face, he said “44 T-slant cross buck on 2, for brooks.” we clapped our hands in unison as we broke the huddle and we lined up in our positions, I could hear the train insulting myself and the right side tackle, across the line of scrimmage. Dan called the play, the ball was snapped, he dropped back, and I went to the right side and waited for my meeting with the Train. He rushed hard past the right side tackle, and zeroed in on me. As his arm and fist raised again ready to hit me on the side of my helmet, I got low and waited for the collision. I was a 250 pound rookie fullback, and the train a 350 pound veteran defensive end. Just before he hit me, I shot up into his groin with my full weight through my helmet as hard as I could. I dropped the Train in his tracks. He was screaming in pain, withering on the ground while holding his, well..you know, his groin area. I walked up to him, while he yelled and hollered obscenities about my hit on him. I leaned over with a big smile and said, “hurts don’t it, it sucks to be you,” then I jogged back to the huddle. He was taken out of the game and into the locker room, while we went on to win the game. I got a lot of back slaps after the game, and even a few of his own players were laughing about my hit on the Train as we congratulated each other after the game.

I think that Life has its funny experiences that teach us along the way. That we should be prepared and be ready for the unexpected we face and learn from them. What did I learn from the Train? Well, two important things, the first one is, duck before you get hit and be looking out for those who plan to put you down in life, and the other is have a plan when they do.

Most of us get to see the train when it is coming towards us down the tracks. So, you either get off the tracks, or stare at the headlight, and get mowed down. I would encourage you when you see the train, that you start planning right away and make your move to protect yourself. For example, if you have not been feeling well, go see the doc, call and make an appointment. If your children are having a hard time in school, then help them, sit down and spend some time with them on their school work. This is your responsibility, not the teachers. If you see issues starting with a business partner, then get them resolved immediately, if you don’t, you could have some serious legal problems down the road. When your wife or husband tells you they are not happy in the marriage, you better get into some marriage coaching or counseling right away. I have plenty of clients who wished they would have gotten help sooner in their marriages. Now their divorced and broken hearted. How much warning do you need to deal with the fast approaching trains in your life. I figure, the more time you have and see it coming, the better.

Do you have a game plan set up, just in case you need it? Do you know what to do and who can help you? Or, are you a reactionary and then decide to plan after things happen to you. I don’t think this is a wise thing to do, in fact you have given up all control, after the fact. If you see the problem, and know what’s going to happen, why wait? Do something now. If you need to seek a professional to help you deal with the train wreck, then move on it now and don’t wait!

When you play football or any sport for that matter, you spend countless hours in the gym working out with the weights, or running the plays on the field or on the court, and in the classroom listening to your coach. You study your opponents carefully and where their strengths and weaknesses are. In order for a team to be extremely successful on the field, a great coach helps guide his team, step by step in the learning process. He knows through his years of experience which plays to call, and when to call them. That’s the same way in life, if you have a Life Coach/counselor who knows how to walk you through the process of planning, preparing, and dealing with the issue at hand, then your going to be successful in life, and seldom caught off guard.

Do you have a difficult time in taking control of your life, events control you, you don’t control them? Have you been afraid to plan for a upcoming event, like a divorce, or medical condition? Do you want and need help in planning for a future event that frightens you and you know its going to happen? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I can help you plan on how to deal with the train wrecks that will effect your life. I will help you put a working plan together that helps you deal with a train wreck about to happen.

You can go to Mike’s blog and comment on today’s article at https://applicablecoaching.com/blog/
In addition, online/phone Master Life Coaching is affordable, accessible, anonymous, and available by appointment, from the privacy of your own home. Avoid the travel and time it takes to get my office. Since you never have to leave the comfort of your own home to meet with me, your anonymity and privacy is completely secured and protected. I have many out of state clients who prefer this means of coaching, this is the most effective means for Life Coaching for those of you who live out of the Denver-metro area or are out of the state of Colorado. I also have skype, its another way to set up a meeting so we can talk, contact me if your interested in setting up a skype appointment.

If you want to get more information about the Life Coaching Program, call me at 303.456.0555 or e-mail Dr. Mike at mike@applicablecoaching.com  to set up a free consultation. All calls are confidential and your privacy is protected.