Inspirational Articles

The Words We Hear Can Last A Life Time, By Kristen L. Baker

Yesterday was a day of revelation, expression and strong emotion. What started out as a conversation in regards to Depression with my dad, proved to be one of the most impressionable times. The discussion involved speaking that everyone has imperfections and depression does not mean that you are flawed or "different" than others. Everyone has something that is less than perfect in their lives.

The conversation evolved into something I never had expected. My dad had asked me if I watched the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy. I replied," parts of it". He proceeded to tell me about When Ted Kennedy Jr. spoke in front of the congregation. He had to pause each time he tried to tell me because it was very emotional to him. Not knowing what he was going to tell me, I began to get the chills and tear up myself, as I had never seen my dad react in such a way.

Anxiously waiting, he finally got the words out. Ted Kennedy, Jr as a young boy, I believe at the age of twelve, had to have his leg from the knee down amputated due to cancer. I was not aware of this, but not suprised as this family has endured so much tragedy. My dad continued on, again, holding back the tears, telling me that when the Kennedy's lived in Virginia, there was a snow storm and Ted, Sr asked his son if he wanted to go sledding. Ted, Jr said yes so his dad got out the glider and off they went.

Junior had just had an artificial leg put on and he was not practiced with it. As they were trying to climb the hill to slide down, young Ted fell and began to cry. He had said he could not make it up the hill. His father told him that he could do anything and they would get up that hill together even if it took them all day long. To hear this, it rang so true to me as a Life Coach, I hear all too often how my client's parents never gave them encouragement or positive reinforcements. It is with my full belief that anyone can do anything they put their mind to. The only things that may stop people is their inner critic, their own belief system, fear of failure and the wrong asstitude.

Ted Kennedy Jr will never forget those words his dad told him on that winter day when he was very young. Just as we can remember good words that are spoken to us, we also remember negative, defeating words as well. That day that they were together was proof that if you have support, you can achieve anything. If you are told, you can do it, you hear it, you believe it and you do it.

What Ted Kennedy had imposed on his son that day was to NEVER GIVE UP and this is a message I would like to extend to everyone as well. Whether you have depression, anxiety disorder, cancer, missing limbs or anything that you feel as a barrier for you in life, remember the words of Ted Kennedy, " You Can Do Anything!"

Ted Kennedy taught his son the most valauable lesson on that day and it is never too late to learn it, believe it and own it for yourself. So next time you are about to say to yourself " I can't do it" think of Ted Kennedy Junior and know that you too can do it.

Put the negative beliefs that may have been instilled upon youint the past where they belong and start to day with the new belief of " Yes You Can" and you will see your world open up and show you what you have been missing!

How Can One Not Be Feared?

In today's world, we have a collapsed economy, lack of trust in our banking systems, we have re-occurring recalls on our foods and the latest,theSwine Flu, H1N1.
How does one not have constant worry, anxiety and fear? It is legitimate and understandable. The one thing that needs to be looked at closely is perspective. Putting things into perspective can grossly diminish fears. Being accepting that we are in a changing world, it is no longer that safe haven when the older generations grew up. The population has grown, the hatred has grown and the greed has grown.

Once you can put these things into prospective and accept the fact that things are different and you can really protect yourself, fears will diminish. Simple steps can help diminish any risk:
For example: Food

1. Cook foods thoroughly
2. Wash your hands before preparing foods
3. Wash your hands after handling food

ECONOMY:
1. Create a realistic budget
2. Only buy what is a NEED!
3. Appreciate what you have
4. Read all fine print on any document
5. Lower your utility bills
6. Call Credit Card Companies for a reduction in interest rate

SWINE FLU (H1N1)

1. Wash hands often
2. Cough in your sleeve or kleenex
3. Stay away from sick people
4. Stay home if you are not feeling well
5. Get plenty of Rest
6. Vitamin C to boost immune system

I do not minimize any of these things, but we all have choices and we can create that safe haven again by being cautious and putting things into prospective. We play a huge role in reversing these negative things in this world.
Kristen L. Baker, Copyright 2009
Losing a Loved One
Kristen L. Baker
1/30/2009

The phone rings and I am hearing the good news on the other end of the phone. Surgery went great. A sense of relief embraces me, but in my heart I feel it is only temporary. As I nestle into bed, my thoughts are one of calmness and peace. The phone rings again, this time it was a call saying things had changed and I must get to the hospital to say good-bye.....to my grandmother. As we drive through the icy-snowstorm 45 minutes away from the hospital, what is running through my mind is, I hope I make in time because I have been her calming force before. I enter the recovery room where she lay, nearly lifeless. I held her hand and told her she was safe now and she can finally rest and be with her husband. She nodded her head and faded away at that moment. Her broken body was finally healed. It was peaceful and calm. I have never been more proud of her in my life. She allowed herself to rest.
It has not been easy in the days waiting to say our final good-byes, but she had a great life and she had fulfillment with 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She was my hero on 1/28/2009, she had no fear and she let go when she knew she needed to. I will miss you Memere, you are my hero. Rest in Peace.

Featured in Average Girl Magazine, October, 2007

From as long as I can remember, back to childhood even, I always wanted to be the helper. In grammar school, I wanted to be the teacher’s helper all of the time. As I grew older and more mature, the desire to help others became stronger. My aspiration when I was in Junior High School was to be a psychologist. As I entered high school, the want to help others was still there but it shifted a bit toward the law. The thought of becoming a lawyer to help children’s rights and the best interest for the child took me over.

Enrolled in college as a pre-law major. In 1990, my mother who had a catering business needed some help, so I put my plans on hold and helped her. It started out as just helping with ordering and cooking with her for functions, to me taking over the role of handling all customer inquiries and booking functions. This was it for me, I can remember a bride calling and she was so anxious about her upcoming wedding and by the end of our conversation, she was at ease and she was now just excited, I listened to her and I calmed her mind, that is what she needed. At that moment, I knew a “caterer”, I was. Not only in providing delicious foods for events but for helping people achieve their goal. Since 1998, I have been the owner of the catering business and have loved every minute of it.

In 2003, my life changed in an instant. The ever so frightening and out of the blue panic attack hit me. There was no obvious explanation for it and there was no familiarity of the horrific sensations that it supplied my body. My life as I knew it was changed and changed forever. The first anxiety attack snowballed into avoidance behavior, irrational fears and extreme weight loss.

Over and over I asked myself, how did this happen, I am confident, happy and my life is full. Little did I know that I was seeking my purpose, I thought I had found it with my business, but it was only half of my purpose. Through out my one year of battling severe anxiety, I began to help myself, develop tools that calmed me, developed ways to change my thinking and rid myself of anxiety. This was the missing link for me.

Anxiety is frightening and can be debilitating but I made it through and with so many positives. My purpose was clear; I was going to bring my experiences to help others. In July of 2005, I published my first book, “It’s Okay To Have Anxiety…Really!” I became a Certified Master Life Coach.

There is nothing missing in my life as far as the search for my purpose, I found it through the hardest time of my life. The ease my clients have with me and the accomplishments they achieve, no price tag can be put on that. My dream has come true. I am making a difference and I have learned so much from people all over the world in the process. If you are in search for your purpose, look back to your past and ask yourself, what made me happy and fulfilled? Am I doing that today? Do I feel whole or do I feel as though I am missing something? Everyone has a purpose, do not be afraid of the signs, your intuition will guide you if you let it. Once you find your purpose, your life will improve dramatically. There is a purpose of most everything in this world, including the ugly mosquito, so that means that you too have a purpose, go out and get it.

Written by: Kristen L. Baker, Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Spiritual Coach