About Carly Cooper
A certified Life Coach for Moms and creator of www.balance-the-mother-load.com, Carly Cooper’s blog offers helpful strategies for mothers struggling with guilt, unrealistic expectations and the inability to balance it all – with a generous dose of laughter.
No Matter What!
balance the mother load canada
(Nov.18.09)
A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune of going to listen to a motivational speaker named Lisa Nichols. For those of you who aren't familiar with her, she's a featured teacher in The Secret, a best selling author and has been on Oprah. Need I say more?
The first time I was drawn to Lisa was in January 2007. My son was five-months-old and I was itching to exile the land of playgroups and music classes. I envied how my son's mind was stimulated by simply watching a multi-coloured mobile spin round and round for hours on end. I tried to follow along but after about a week, I got bored and needed something more. I was looking for a change from my current business but didn't know what I wanted to do.
So I asked the Universe "What am I supposed to do?" and left it at that. The next day I tuned into Oprah and saw a panel of motivational speakers, life coaches and spiritual teachers talking about The Secret. Lisa Nichols was one of those guests. Her words spoke to me. Her philosophies resonated with me and her auburn afro intoxicated me. I knew right then and there that I was meant to use my wisdom and my experiences to help others.
This past summer, I saw Lisa on the cover of a magazine I subscribed to. She was promoting her new book No Matter What! 9 Steps To Living The Life You Love. Once again, her dynamic spirit drew me in. I immediately bought her book and was hooked from the moment I started reading. The book is honest, revealing and extremely inspirational. Lisa lets you into the darkest times of her life and shows you the exact steps she took to overcome the obstacles that stood in her way. And believe me, she had more road blocks than an entire season of The Amazing Race!
Whenever I read a true rags-to-riches or underdog story, I often wonder if I have any right to complain. Sure, I've had my share of setbacks. But I didn't grow up living among gangs, and I've never had to share a jail cell with women who have more testosterone then an NFL team!
But after hearing Lisa speak, I realized that it's all relative. She so brilliantly said, "My mess is my message." Your past, as tragic as it may have been, has made you who you are today. And you shouldn't be ashamed of that. The question is, are you happy with who you are?
I believe in every set back there's a lesson to be learned. If we don't stop, look and listen for the lesson, we repeat the same behaviours and wonder why our lives never change. If you feel ready to get out of your own way, I highly recommend reading Lisa's book, No Matter What! And if you need additional support along the way, email me at carly@balance-the-mother-load.com. I'd be happy to help you find your message in your mess.