A Coaching Power Tool Created by David Moseman
(Life and Health Coach, UNITED STATES)
When I was practicing medicine I would occasionally make house calls. One Fourth of July, I got a call to visit Jack, a patient who was dying. Over the months since his diagnosis of cancer I got to know him and his family well. He was a single father who had raised two children. He worked as a janitor. The eldest child was a daughter, who was working and caring for herself. His son had just graduated from high school. Jack had a sister with whom he was close. Now he was in the terminal stages of his cancer.
Jack’s sister had called me because she was concerned about his condition. She noted that Jack was weaker and had more trouble getting around the apartment. When I arrived at the apartment above a store front, the sister and son were there. The place was her and well kept. Jack was in bed, but alert and cheerful. He had no pain, and other than his weakness no real cause for alarm. He was being well cared for. His death would come in a few days to weeks. He could no longer get down the stairs to get out of the apartment. In an emergency that could be a real problem, but when we discussed it they did not want to move him. We made other plans to deal with that event.
Jack and the family invited me to stay and watch the July 4th Parade that would soon pass below their balcony. I wished I could stay but wanted to get home to my family.
In my years of practice I met many people who in spite of devastating medical problems retained a zest for life. This Zest was evident in what they did and apparent to all whom met them. These people showed me that even when dying one could be lively.
I also met people who suffered at the littlest things. Minor ailments would send them into a fit of terror. Everything was about them and the end.
How would you rather live your life, in dread of what will happen or in joy for what is?
That is the question I came to ponder. That is the question I ask you!
If Vitality differs from just living, how can we distinguish to two? How would you distinguish the two?
Distinctions: here are some things we might ponder.
How to know that you have vitality
Top ten ways to put vitality in your life
- Daily, affirm that your life is good. If other reasons emerge write them down and below leave space for five reasons that your life is good.
- Look for the good things in your day. As you journey through your day look for good things you can list at the end of your day.
- Share the goodness with others: when good things happen let others know. Avoid being a complainer.
- Enjoy others that you meet. There is lots of joy and love in the world, tap into it.
- Smile whenever possible. Smiling does great things to the way you think and feel. Try out different smiles and see how they make you feel. Don’t worry about how they look in the mirror.
- Be silly: when we can show that we enjoy life, others will smile. You will know they are smiling and might hear them giggle…
- When others slight you, ask, why would I ever do such a thing? When you Realize that the driver who cut you off was in a hurry and panicky. It will give you empathy and help you to forgive the slight.
- Treat yourself gently and with love you will feel better when you do.
- Be open to the love that comes your way there is love in the world. If we just open ourselves to it we will know it.
- Treat others “with love and appreciation you can’t do this unless you are feeling loved. Trying to love others forces you to get in touch with the love within you.
Copy writes, 2015 David Moseman