Tag: #relationships

Present Moment, Quality of life

Do Your Best

Letitgocoach

Time seems to be flying by. It’s Friday, and it seems like I was looking at the weekend just the other day. As you know, I love weekends, but there is this one part that I don’t love.

My job.

I am grateful to work from home, but my job has an ironic twist to it. I care for angry people. Thursday through Sunday, I’m a virtual assistant, and I respond to the angry emails.

Maybe that sounds like a good fit  because I love people, and that is what they need. They are angry before they get to me, so by the time I see the email, it’s a test of love and patience.what-doesnt-kill-you-makes-you-stronger-except-for-bears-bears-will-kill-you-shirt-small

There is a lot of money at stake with the people I care for. They are learning to trade, like in the stock market, and the man I work for sells his courses to help them learn. They have already been learning, and unfortunately lost a ton of money. Sometimes everything they have. It’s sad for me to read some of the emails, but I respond with kindness.

The man I work for is a good man. We’ve been friends for 20 years, and he offered me this job as a friend. It gave me the extra income to leave my marriage, and to stay home with my daughter, so it has been well worth it. When going through Chemo last year, he was empathetic of my situation, and allowed me to do the best I could, when I was able.

That is why I stay. For him, and the friendship we share.

It takes a toll on my happiness, so I spread happiness. These people are worried about money, but I worry about their soul, and see money as a tool. It’s made me a better person, and I get to practice coaching, but I know the door will close one day. There is no room for advancement, because I’ve asked. It’s rather monotonous, but I get to choose my hours, and it pays the bills. The good of it far outweighs the bad.

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I’m working with people, but they are different. They are business minded, so my kind of mushy encouragement doesn’t set well. I put on my business woman cape, and try my best. That is why God has me there. To keep trying my best. You may wonder why I don’t quit. I don’t quit anything. God will close the door when it’s time. The man I work for would do anything for me, but there is no other department. I am there for a reason, but it’s been a long season.

God has given me a glimpse of something new. You can read the first glance in Dream While Awake. After posting that Blog, God did something! I can’t share it with you now because it’s time to work. If your job is difficult, keep doing your best. Once the job has done it’s job, better will come!

A Better Life, Letting Go, Love, Present Moment

It’s Not Easy

Letitgocoach

Sitting with my morning coffee, reading Blogs that I follow, I noticed one Blogger making changes in her life. She updated her Blogsite lastnight, and used the same cover photo as me.

It didn’t bother me one bit. I smiled, and felt happy for her.

We have been talking about using what God gave you, and using the tools at hand. When you acquire a Blogsite from WordPress, they give you more than you need to get started.

They offer options to use what they have, or create your own.

I updated my site at the beginning of the year, so I used the tools they gave me. That was before I began making Memes again. I lost confidence in making Memes because the website didn’t have much to offer. Now that the site is updated, it’s more fun, and allows me to practice. It’s not perfectionism anymore. It’s about striving to become better.

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First stab at the cover photo.

A while back, a woman who has been with me from the very beginning, sent a Meme to my Facebook timeline. It said the above quote, but this is not the actual Meme. I tried to make it look like the original, but failed. The original Meme wasn’t big enough to be used as a cover photo, so this is what transpired. I didn’t feel I did it justice, so in the trash it went.

Danielle is a young, single Mother that loves God. She has so much life in her, but life knocks her down at times. We met through Facebook, and she sends me a Meme every now, and then. She knows my love for God, people, and Memes.

I just couldn’t let it go, knowing it could be better.

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Try #2.

This one wouldn’t line up correctly in the space provided for the cover photo. Plus, it’s hard to read the white font.

This was already taking everything I had in me, to use the quote, much less make the Meme. Taking compliments is not easy for me. I was afraid people would think I was bragging when they saw this. When Danielle first sent it to me, I just sat there and stared at the screen. It took all day to comment, and approve it to my timeline for everyone to see.

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Try #3.

I got away from using the blue background all together.

This felt more soothing. I like pink, but then you could really see the quote. So, I stopped trying, and used a cover photo that WordPress offered. It was pretty, and worked for now.

Some people say I’m being a perfectionist. It doesn’t feel like it has to be perfect. I’m not sure what ‘perfect’ looks like. It does have to be done right, and to the best of my ability. That is my standard, but I had to let go of the outcome.

When I began encouraging people on social media, that was the only goal.  I wanted to touch at least one soul that needed encouragement. Not to become famous, or in the spotlight. My goal hasn’t changed, but the people have.

The video I posted 3 days ago, has almost 1,000 views, and has reached almost 3,000 people. That is exciting, yet terrifying at the same time but, it’s not about the numbers. Oh yes, I used to look at them, but quickly learned, people are not a number. They are souls in need of refreshment.

The video prompted a lot of comments, but there were a couple that were hard to swallow. This comment said, “Thank you. Many of your posts helped to encourage me as I dealt with my husband’s passing last year, and once again, becoming my own individual. You probably have no idea how many lives you’ve effected in similar ways.” Gulp.

It took all day to respond. Just like Danielle’s post, but I did manage a heartfelt “Thank you.” It was all I could say at the time, and prolonging the response would have been rude. Maybe it took as much courage for her to say it, as it did for me to respond. Either way, my goal was met. I knew I had impacted at least one life, and others from the comments.

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Updated background and font. Added #1 fan, because she is.

This morning I took another stab at making a cover photo.

I felt like I was doing Danielle an injustice by not using it.

She made herself vulnerable enough to say it, so I needed to receive it. This quote reminds me why I’m here, and my goal has already been met. Every tool we use, gives God something to use. When we step out and do all we can do, it gives God more to work with. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

Feel the Music

Feel the Music

Letitgocoach

For the love of Miley.

My daughter grew up watching Hannah Montana. The show had a cool concept, and it was obvious that God had filled this girl with oober talent. Playing Hannah Montana had set her up for life! Obviously, it wasn’t the life she desired, cuz Hannah dropped more than her wig. She grew up, and made choices that will haunt her, as long as we have Internet.

When my daughter told me Liam Hemsworth, and Miley had reunited, I was happy, but concerned. Miley had blazed a trail, and didn’t seem to be the same person Liam originally fell in love with. The lyrics say, “I would have never believed you, if three years ago you told me I’d be here writing this song.” Here’s Miley, with her true voice, and “Malibu.”

Present Moment, Quality of life

Call Me Lucy

Letitgocoach

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Lucy and Ethel. What is not to love about these women.

The very best of friends indeed. They had each other’s back! Between these two ladies, you can call me Lucy. My daughter and I are best friends, but through the years, God has placed adult best friends in my life, one at a time. God knows Ethel is needed close by. She is the logical one that says, “That is not a good idea Lucy.”, or “What’d you do now Lucy?”

Ethel protects me from myself, and she gets to laugh a lot.

The definition of Friend by Oxford Dictionary: “A person whom one knows, and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.” My fave part is ‘mutual affection.’ A friend should feel the same about you as you do them. The level of affection varies, but it should be mutual affection. It will grow, and evolve over time, or it won’t, and that’s okay!

likesyouanywayWhen is the last time you looked at your friends list?

Mine receives a yearly going through, but God has been prompting me to clean all areas of my life recently, so the ‘friends list’ received a comb through a few days ago.

It was sweet going through the list! Seeing the faces of people who have impacted my life is some way. We may not share everyday life, but we share mutual affection. At some point in our lives, we have had one another’s back. Out of 367 ‘friends’, only three were ‘unfriended.’ My friends list is not huge, but it’s real. Looking over it was reminiscent.

We can enjoy an endless number of friends! There’s not always a list, like on Social Media, but there is only one Lucy, and one Ethel. One, my lovely, is all that’s needed.

God, Present Moment, Quality of life

The ‘Love’ Button

Letitgocoach

Do you use Facebook to love on people? They don’t make it easy anymore, because they control how many people your post will reach. Maybe they should hand me that button!

This made me think of the Wizard of Oz. You remember the man behind the curtain? He was controlling what Dorothy and gang were seeing as this all-powerful Wizard. He was running a machine that projected an image of the wizard. So, somebody behind the Facebook machine has set the algorithms to reach only a certain amount of people.

For example, Letigocoach Facebook page has drastically dropped in reach. Thank God that page was created, and grew before Facebook put a cap on it. Today, when I post it be like, “Letitgocoach continues posting encouragement! Almost 2 Billion people would could be reached, but we’re only going to allow 5,000.” Well, high-five Facebook!

Your new ‘love’ button in the comments section will work!

The love button! Not only can you ‘love’ what people post, but now you can express ‘love’ in the comment section as well. Way to go Facebook! Let’s spread some love!!!!

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Aren’t we here to spread love? God can use Social Media!

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WordPress needs a ‘love’ button. When reading a Blog on WordPress, often times it’s more than just a ‘like’, which is the only option available. In the comment section below, I’ve began writing, “LOVE button needed”, just to let the writer know, it’s more than a ‘like’. Maybe if we all started doing this, WordPress would see it, and add the ‘love’ button.

God has protected me on Facebook. The Letitgocoach page has been there for years, and not one person has left a hateful comment. That’s probably God protecting them. “Don’t do it Mama! Don’t do it!”, as my daughter would say.

We all need love. Even in the form of a button. Love flows through the fingertips, so it makes sense to press a button. People press every kind of button on Facebook! Hah! (Good one) The most lovable people have been placed in my life thanks to God working through Social Media. Often times we post to one another’s page as an expression of love.

Mah people know Facebook is uninstalled from my phone. (Boundaries) The only way these loving gestures are seen is by logging onto a laptop. Early this morning I logged on, and the pic below was on my timeline. God sent this woman through Facebook. She is a Coach, and a beloved friend, but she lives in Nevada, so we met thanks to Facebook.

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Because this is stunning, just like you! ~Sarah Reno Baker~

The photo, and her words took my breath away! PRETTY!

It’s difficult to accept compliments, so after seeing this on my timeline, I clicked the ‘love’ button underneath, and sent her a private message. The picture was breathtaking enough, but the words Sarah wrote in the caption below the pic, rendered me speechless. My finger reached up and pressed the heart. Let’s give God some Glory for the love button!

Bailey being blessed, Flying Free, Letting Go

Letting Her Go

Letitgocoach

My daughter is still at her Dad’s house, but she is packing to leave. Not to come home, but to fly to Missouri to spend time with her boyfriend, his family, and attend a wedding.

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My daughter used to struggle getting out of the house in a timely manner. We both did! This Meme became our sage advice. The first time she heard,”Get your shit together!”, it was out of frustration. She was doing more than she needed, like making the bed, turning all the lights off, and checking for a lit candle. Preparing the house, and herself, to leave.

That was a skill she learned from her previous environment, but that was different. My home was still my haven, but leaving normally meant getting in the car with her father, or driving to meet him somewhere. That is another topic, but my reason for dawdling was to avoid more pain. When I was ready to leave one last time, she was ready to come with.

My shit was not together, but God has a better plan for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)

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My daughter has been navigating airports since she was a toddler. Her father traveled for business, and we went with him, so she learned early. Today, at 17 years old, she can gracefully and confidently get through any airport. When we fly together, she’s responsible for getting us on the plane!

Yeah….I’m the one emptying my pockets, and pulling off my boots, trying to get through security. She has already passed through, and is standing there hoping I don’t hurt myself, or others! Sometimes she gets sent through TSA Pre, and it used to make her feel guilty for leaving me. The airlines view her as low risk, or non threatening, but give her time!

Being her Mama, my heart swells thinking of her flying solo, in more ways one. You could say, our lives together over the past 4 years, has been preparation for today. It’s practice for ‘letting her go‘ gradually. Sometimes, I’ll text her while she’s away from home and say, “Just yell if you need me!” She responds with, “I’ll always need you Mama.” She’s sweet!

I’m not convinced but, ‘Roots and wings’ baby girl. Literally!

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My babe.

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Bailey being blessed, Flying Free, God

What a Savage!

Letitgocoach

My daughter has been at her Dad’s since Friday. Yesterday, we decided to meet up at one of our favorite coffee houses. Stepping outta my truck, she was walking across the parking lot towards me. I was in awe of her grace, and beauty.

Her hair was woven in this messy bun atop her head She was wearing a white, knit top, loose-fitting jeans, and comfortable looking heels. Wanting a picture of her, I handed her my phone, and asked her to snap one. Next time, I’ll be more specific, because this is what she did.

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She will be screaming that I shared this, but she knows her Mama. This is her ‘egg’ look she often sends to her best friend. Her bestie is Japanese, and has darker skin, so she is referred to as ‘brown egg’, and my daughter is ‘white egg’.

Their most obvious differences, yet they are besties. They speak to one another like savages, but they love one another. Her friend knows her true beauty. Her heart.

People see my daughter, and may think she knows she’s beautiful. The sad part is, my daughter doesn’t know it. No matter how often she hears it, she just laughs it off. Do you know what causes her to question herself?

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She compares herself to what she sees on Social Media.

So, she knows this. 2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)

“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4)

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My daughter doesn’t need my preachin’. She knows my heart, so I pray for her instead. So one day she can do this.

“I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14) Her soul needs to know.

We live together, so she hears some preachin’, and sometimes too much! Her new thing to say is, “It’s okay Mama. I still love you, just a little less!” Hah! What a savage!

God, Mr. Smith

Imma Gonna Rest

Letitgocoach

I woke up at 6:00 am, like normal, but I fell back to sleep. My body was tired, and there was brain fog to boot! Thanks to last years Chemo treatment, I can now listen to my body, and what it says. God wants me to listen, and obey the signs.

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The coffee pot has a timer to brew automatically, but it was sitting there empty. While preparing it the night before, I must have set the timer wrong. It was loaded up, and ready to go, but it couldn’t fulfill it’s purpose because I screwed up the timing!

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A friend sent me this Meme a few days ago. Breast Cancer taught me how to listen to my body, but I need to listen to my friends. They know what I need before I do.

Radiation ended earlier this year, and I rested for a couple of months. It felt like it was time to start sharing, but I’ve always been overzealous. Kinda like my little dog that goes outside the fence if the gate is open. It’s a great adventure to him, but I’m watching him thinking, “You have no idea what is waiting for you outside that gate.”

The silhouette of a warrior woman with storm clouds in the background.

This Meme has been a long time coming! God placed a man in my life, we call Mr. Smith, that shows me how to wait. He’s patient, his love never fails, and he waits!

I have people in my life to teach me, and protect me from myself. Satan shows up, but God sends the people you need ahead of time for this part of the journey!

I told Mr. Smith I wouldn’t write today, but here I am! He is laying it on me, as I finish this up! He tells me, “But Barb… You don’t listen.” He just referred to me as a Jackass, for being so stubborn! Preach it Smith! That’s the kind of people I need!

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I really want to be that bright, green, check mark. Time to listen, and obey.

God, When she became the fire

This One Thing

Letitgocoach

If you know anything about me, it’s that I live alone with my daughter. She will be 18 this year, but I have always treated her as an adult. I guess that was my way of preparing her for adulting. Some days she acts more like an adult than me!

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My last few posts have talked about writing, and why we write. Now it’s time to turn the page, and take my writing to a more personal level. I have shown you in this Blog, the beautiful relationship I get to have with my daughter. What I haven’t told you is, it’s not a list of things that I did. It has been all God, and this one thing I did.

I prayed specific prayers over her for years. I pray everyday, but when it comes to our children, I believe we need to be specific. This is the tool I used to do just that.

Stormie Omatian books. Yep, when she was little, I began using ‘The Power of a Praying Mom.’ There are specific prayers in this book that covers every stage of their young life. Now that she is older, I purchased a another book to use. It was on a clearance rack for 8 bucks. I brought that book out this week, and have began reading it.

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I would love for you join me on this quest! If you don’t feel a need to join, I’ll be writing about the power of prayer, and what God is doing because of this one thing.

You can click on The Power of Praying for Your Adult Childen, to see the book. There are many ordering options, especially on Amazon, so choose what’s best for you. I bought the actual book, just in case I ever need to whack her with it. Don’t worry, it’s paperback.

I created a new Facebook page where you can see inside our actual daily lives. One of our favorite sayings has always been, “Not Today Satan. Not Today.” The page began this week, but will evolve as we do. Come and be a part of our world!

Present Moment, Quality of life

Miracle Grow

Letitgocoach

I was watching my little dog this morning. He was sitting, but anxiously awaiting my daughter’s door to open. That is all he wanted. To see my daughter walk into view.

How simple is that?

We both give him attention, but I am the Mama. I make sure the food and water bowls are full, give him a bath, and get drugs from the vet to keep his fleas at bay. She gives him attention, and tells him how cute he is all the time. He gets more excited about her.

We nurture what we give our time to. I have a tendency to want to hurry things along. Help God out a little bit. I’ve had to come to grips with the numbers I see from this Blog. How many Bloggers have quit thanks to the numbers? If I compared the numbers, to the time spent, I wouldn’t be here, but since when is this Blog about me? I am just the writer.

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My boyfriend filled our planter boxes with flowers this week. It makes us a little nervous because we have a knack for giving them too much attention, and they die. I believe the same is true for a Blog, or any page where you focus on the numbers.

Too much attention can kill it. I unfollowed a Blogger this morning because he posted 4 Blogs yesterday. I love to read, but I don’t want to just hear the writer talk. Feed me.

Looking at the flowers planted, my boyfriend said, “I hope they spread and get fuller.. that will be the perfect scenario.. but I am just hoping to keep them alive long enough for that to happen right now..” He added, “I bought Miracle Grow!”

We can look at our writing in the same way. The seeds are planted, and the flowers are starting to bloom. We hope that our words will spread, and become fuller, but right now, we are just hoping to keep the writer in us alive long enough for that to happen. If we need an extra boost, God is the miracle in Miracle Grow.

In the meantime, just keep writing with as much Integrity, and Love as possible.

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Barbara is a Writer, a Mom to her 17-year-old daughter, a recent Breast Cancer survivor, and she loves God. When she started this Blog in 2014 Letitgocoach was the name that stuck. She enjoys helping people Let Go of what is holding them back from having a beautiful life. Her life is beautiful, and an example of Letting Go and Letting God. You may connect with her via email. Letitgocoach@gmail.com