Before getting out of bed this morning, I was thinking, “I have choices either to make myself crazy with worrying about everyone or believe everyone is doing great. It sounds so simple and sometimes hard to do.
I have been dealing with the Worry Gremlin for years. The only things I am accomplishing are not trusting, making myself nervous, and building resentments towards others because I have to worry about them. At a 12 Step Meeting, I once heard this expression and never forgot it, “Resentment is drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.”
While attending the Institute of Empowerment Coaching (iPEC), I learned all about the GREMLIN. My Gremlin’s name was “The Worry Gremlin” and her job was to protect me. She has been protecting me for years and years. I was never aware of my Gremlin until it was brought to my attention that she was making my life harder instead of easier.
I read a great book “Taming Your Gremlin” by Richard D. Carson. In the book the author guides you through the process of, “Becoming aware of your gremlin, choosing and playing with options and being in the process.” Today when I remember I acknowledge my Gremlin for protecting me, make a choice to comfort myself by thinking that I have no control over anyone else and ask my Gremlin, “The Protector” to protect us all in a loving and supportive way.
Other tools I use for making me feel confident, loving and supportive are:
Exercising
Eating Healthy
Speaking to my support network
Taking a mini-vacation everyday (taking at least 10 minutes a day to do whatever I want.)
Before going to bed I write in my “Happiness” journal at least 3 things that made me happy during the day and a sentence about each item. This suggestion I learned from Laurie Weiss (www.idontneedtherapy.com/blog.)
I would love to hear about your Gremlin.
I’m Helen Burton, a certified coach who helps both addicts and their loved ones work through the pain and develop a plan for a purposeful future. I also works with individuals in 12-step recovery programs to help them reach their potential while maintaining recovery.
After working as a team facilitator and contractor administrator in New Jersey government for more than twenty years, I realized she had a unique gift of helping people going through the recovery process. I knew that even though the 12-step programs available were saving thousands of lives, many needed more than just the 12-steps in order to go on to lead productive lives.
That’s why I founded Love Yourself Coaching (http://www.loveyourselfcoaching.com/) in 2001, to meet the ongoing need creating healing and better lives for those with addictions and their loved ones. Through one-on-one coaching, group coaching as well as workshops, I offer tools and techniques to empower individuals to help them start enjoying their lives again.
And I’m not just a trained coach; I walk the talk every day. I’ve been in recovery for an eating disorder for more than eight years and have helped others with addictions close to me to overcome their issues.
I’m a Certified Empowerment Coach, receiving my ICF credentials and Iwas a Board Member of the New Jersey Professional Coaching Association. I’m also a founding member of Recovery Coaching International, where I serve on the Executive Board of Directors.
Three things you may not know about me:
- Although appearing friendly and outgoing, I’m is painfully shy – and I work everyday to make sure I keep it at bay.
- I have a mild obsession with expensive pocketbooks and purses, with more than twenty in my closet.
- I am the grandmother to seven kids and spends as much time as I can with them.
I hope you will find this blog not only inspirational, but informational as well to help you face your issues and empower yourself to overcome them.
