Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Keith Bray | Selfgrowth.com
- DOES IT STILL PLAY FORWARD? - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2011 from Keith BrayDOES IT STILL PLAY FORWARD? The biggest limiting factor in many lives today is the past, plain and simple. In the “co-creative process of life recovery” that I deeply believe in, a huge part of the coached journey is taking a very hard and detailed look at the past and fully getting things ...
Views: 1303(1 vote) - Seeking a Simple Life? - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2009 from Keith BrayA simple life is something I sought, and continue to seek. I love this article written by my coaching professor (literally), and think many of you will enjoy it too. As you would expect, it is in keeping with what we coach at Hope & Serenity-Coached To Success. Living Life the Simple Way by ...
Views: 1298(1 vote) - I Want Change. WHY? - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2011 from Keith BrayYOU WANT CHANGE. WHY? Another great question prompted from my coaching mentor, Dr. Randin Brons “Idea Engineer”. I work with intelligent people who are prepared to invest time, and in the case of my clients, money, to get a better life than current. To get what they want, they must be prepared ...
Views: 1294 - THE POWER OF ACCEPTANCE - by Submitted on Jan 07, 2011 from Keith BrayTHE POWER OF ACCEPTANCE As each new year begins, I love to go through and meditate on the 12 steps. As I constantly tell others, while the 12 steps in the familiar format people look at today come from AA, there is no better model for any human being to follow for good mental hygiene. Want a ...
Views: 1293(1 vote) - Are You Allergic to Success? - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2008 from Keith Bray(An adaptation from a business article) Success allergy? How can that be? Success is a concept, not something you eat, drink, wear or come into a physical contact with. Even so, it does appear that a large number of people just may be allergic to success. Perhaps, not in the sense that you ...
Views: 1290 - I Have a Reason to Be PO'ed - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from Keith BrayIt is true for all of us, there are times when S..T happens. It is how we respond to it that counts. I love to play golf. The golf course is such a window on life and an insight into the people who play the game. Spend four hours plus with a seemingly intelligent and balanced human being, let ...
Views: 1290(1 vote) - Looking Inside of You - by Submitted on May 19, 2009 from Keith BrayIn looking to professionally certify in a field I had been actively engaged in for years, I did a thorough search of coaching certification bodies and key individuals who were core members of the body. I was lead to the Certified Coaching Alliance, and had the good fortune of studying and ...
Views: 1268(1 vote) - TIME to BLOSSOM - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2009 from Keith BrayTime to blossom "The voice of our original self is often muffled, overwhelmed, even strangled, by the voices of other people's expectations." -- Julie Cameron Ah, the expectations of others. They had a huge (negative) impact on my life, how about yours? I lived many years feeling that I had ...
Views: 1268(2 votes) - Please like me? - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2009 from Keith BrayPLEASE LIKE ME? I don’t know how many years I went through life deep down just wanting people to like me. Can you relate? As a kid, I had friends, but never felt that I was anyone’s “best friend”. I longed to be the person who got that first phone call or had people knocking at my door on ...
Views: 1265(4 votes) - Sensitivities? - by Submitted on Oct 16, 2008 from Keith BrayYesterday in conversation with a friend who is starting a journey, I asked for input about a topic she might be interested in. Without knowing it directly, and not answering what I had asked, she did answer! It is amazing how early on we can find a bit of dark in the bright light. I am reminded ...
Views: 1260 - Playing Life Forward - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2009 from Keith BrayPlaying Life Forward (and loving you). Life moves forward whether we want it to or not. It never plays in reverse. The past is past. Over. Finished. Our job is to move with the flow of the present. We are propelled by what went before, but we do not try to swim against the current of our ...
Views: 1257(2 votes) - SIMPLE LOGIC - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2010 from Keith BraySIMPLE LOGIC (The God Thing) You must wait and listen for the sound of the genuine that is within you. When you hear it, that will be your voice and the Voice of God. - Howard Thurman, American author, civil rights leader, and theologian (1899-1981) One of the great things with what I ...
Views: 1254(2 votes) - Humor-Age and Wisdom - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2008 from Keith BrayHumor-Age and Wisdom When doing my journal, I can get very serious. For those that really know me, humor has been a huge part of my recovery and journey, and is evident in most of the places I frequent. My higher power certainly finds ways to make sure I don’t take life too ...
Views: 1249(1 vote) - NOVEMBER 11 - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2009 from Keith BrayNOVEMBER 11 May I Never Forget/Gratitude Thankfully, November 11 is an annual day that is celebrated. I wonder if I would so clearly remember to be grateful without the reminder. I am truly grateful that I did not have to live through or fight in any global wars over my lifetime, and I pray ...
Views: 1245(2 votes) - WILL THEY FIND OUT? (Or do they already know?) - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2009 from Keith BrayWILL THEY FIND OUT? (Or do they know?) I sit here today a relatively content man. That is the result of a journey to change that I found the courage to start some 15 years ago. Today, the constant worry about will they find out or even worse, do they already know is gone. What a ...
Views: 1243(4 votes) - In Praise of Differences! - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2009 from Keith BrayMy Life Coaching mentor, Dr. Randin Brons, Has once again hit a chord with this week Idea Generator. Celebrate differences. "Souls don't have races or sexes or religions. They are beyond artificial divisions." -- Brian Weiss Intolerance of differences always exists in people who don't know ...
Views: 1241(1 vote) - WHAT AM I THINKING? - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2010 from Keith BrayWHAT AM I THINKING? "I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it." -- William Faulkner Years ago I was in a treatment facility trying to learn how to live life on life’s terms. To say my mind was a super speedway would have been an understatement. Disjointed ...
Views: 1231 - PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2010 from Keith BrayPractice, Practice, Practice I’m a golf nut, and some may say certifiable. With the amount of golf tips and lessons I’ve had appear on my computer screen this last little while; it caused me to reflect on not only my golf game, but my life. I am a believer in asking for help, and when it ...
Views: 1226 - TIGER GETS HONEST! - by Submitted on Nov 26, 2010 from Keith BrayTIGER GETS HONEST “At first I didn’t want to look inward. Frankly, I was scared of what I would find—what I had become. But I am grateful I did examine my life because it made me more grounded than I’ve ever been; I hope that with reflection will come wisdom.” –Tiger Woods This is the first ...
Views: 1202 - Must Practice Principles In All Affairs? - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2008 from Keith Bray-living a life with new behavior in play!! So here we are, at the end of the page, and oh what a challenge. We’ve gone through all this work. We’ve had a “spiritual awakening as a result of THESE steps” and now we have to live the life? So what are these principles ...
Views: 1190(1 vote) - WE ARE "CREATED SELVES" - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2009 from Keith BrayWE ARE “CREATED SELVES” Shakespeare said it, “This above all; to thine own self be true”. In a journey of life recovery, a transformation to a new and more abundant life, had not one of our real problems been true to our selves and selfishly so? For me the answer to this was yes; but I know ...
Views: 1177 - Your Soul's Desires (Goal Setting) - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2008 from Keith BrayIn working with others to help them find the life they desire, it is critical that the client look into themselves and understand what they really want, what are meaningful goals for them. How do you approach that? Why is knowing the soul's desires so important? Many people go through life ...
Views: 1160 - Family Relationships - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2009 from Keith BrayGot this great reading today from Hazelden, and boy did it hit home! I only wish that I had “got it” as it relates to my mother by the time I was 35. Man, she, and a few select other very close to me, knew exactly what buttons to push. I’ve learned that it was I who allowed them to be pushed, ...
Views: 1136(1 vote) - More on the God Thing... - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2009 from Keith BrayI am not, today, a religious person, but to move from a low start point to a life I love today, I had to understand what god is to me. It is safe to say, at my lowest hour, I was spiritually bankrupt. I was the centre of my own universe and I tried to control all within it. For a long period it ...
Views: 1136(1 vote) - Are You Afraid To Be Different? - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2008 from Keith BrayAre you afraid to be different? After doing a coaching session this morning, and spending a weekend in what will eventually be our new home town, I thought the question asked and information shown below (Received from Express Coaching-Dr. Randin Brons) was right on the money! Unfortunately, ...
Views: 1135 - Do You Limit Your Ask? - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2008 from Keith Bray-many ask for “things” I thought about and journal about the need for prayer and meditation yesterday. Meditation is a listening skill. I was familiar with prayer. As a child, I learned to pray in Sunday school and even in real school. We said grace before meals, and the like. As my ...
Views: 1135 - Little Dark Clouds - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2008 from Keith BraySome days I feel like a cartoon character and not my beloved Popeye. I am the person you see in the cartoons with the little black cloud over my head every where I go. I’m thankful that I don’t get this way often, and know it will pass, but the feeling is here, right now. I think ...
Views: 1135 - Sick As Your Secrets?/Transparency - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2008 from Keith BrayWhat a great reminder tonight, and it tied in to closing off my personal inventory. I, like many others, had secrets buried deep inside of me that I honestly thought I die with. No one ever had to know. Today I am aware that these secrets caused guilt and shame daily, and some I had buried so ...
Views: 1123 - 12 Steps - Life Going Forward| - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2009 from Keith BrayAfter we have worked the 12 steps to the best of our ability, we have started a journey that offers unlimited potential. What we do from here is critical. We have made tremendous change in our life. We have begun the practice of good mental hygiene and are humbly confidant in who we are. We ...
Views: 1110 - Holistic Living-Spiritual Awakening - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2011 from Keith BrayHolistic Living-Spiritual Awakening For something to have an “AWAKENING”, it must have been asleep. Now isn’t that the most brilliant thing you’ve ever read. For me, I made the changes in my life for one big reason, to live abundantly with peace with in. I was an unhappy person and knew that ...
Views: 1105(3 votes) - MORE ON ANGER - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from Keith BrayMORE ON ANGER Today, I had the pleasure of reading an exert from a book called “In God’s Care” by Karen Casey. What a great reminder about the power of anger. How many people do you run into in your own life that give off vibes that make you feel like there is a volcano present and just about ...
Views: 1098 - Bedevilment: An Interesting Word - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2009 from Keith BrayBEDEVILMENTS (interesting word) Got this reading this morning, and the word bedevilment is one I have not seen in ages. So over to Mr. Webster. He says, "exasperating interference and trouble; a besetting with devils". The way he puts it, I know I have experienced it. Have you? The message: ...
Views: 1097(1 vote) - Do You Understand Detachment? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Understand Detachment? I’m off at 6 in the morning for golf, so an early blog! For years, I have heard about detachment, often loving detachment. As the child of an alcoholic who went on to be a practicing addict in several areas, it is not a term I understood, particularly with ...
Views: 1091 - The Doctor's Opinion - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2009 from Keith Bray"The Doctor's Opinion" -It Defies Psychologists Why Co-Creative Life Recovery may be the best option to those with addictions; it works for everybody! A spiritual awakening plays a key role in the recovery of a life ANY person wants. While it works for those with addictions, it works for ALL. ...
Views: 1088 - Time for Personal Responsibility - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2009 from Keith BrayResponsibility brings power. "To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist." -- Gail Sheehy Time spent on my personal co-creative process of recovering a life that I knew was meant for me opens my eyes to truths on a continuous basis. One of these truths is that for my ...
Views: 1047(1 vote) - The Stumbling Block - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2009 from Keith BrayUpon reflection, the biggest stumbling block to get a journey started to a life I am happy with was seven little letters. HONESTY. Over many years I had lied to myself and others, I had been less the honest in dealings with others, and had created a Disneyland in my head which had become a ...
Views: 1045(1 vote) - In To Action. Ready? Amends - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2008 from Keith BrayThis action scared the living twist out of me! What was hammered through my thick skull that the amends I made were for my benefit, not for the benefit of the person I was making amends to. I was carrying the garbage, and this step in my journey was for me to clear up my garbage, and I was told ...
Views: 1044 - The God Thing-Me? - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2008 from Keith BrayHad some great feedback over taking a first step, powerless and unmanageable! Thanks. I learn from hearing from others. I sometimes wonder if I’m not addicted to golf. Played twice over the weekend. Each day, even on the occasions of playing very poor shots, I am amazed by how I ...
Views: 1042 - Make a Silk Purse from Your Sow's Ear - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2009 from Keith BrayThere was a point in my life, a decade plus ago, I was living in insanity. I was doing things that were negative repeatedly, but expecting a diffrent outcome. I was less than honest, leading a double life- one for the public and a diffrent life inside of me, I suffered frequent depression and ...
Views: 1034 - Open Mind? Read On - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2009 from Keith BrayI was blessed a year or so ago to have a man named Patrick Meninga come into my life through “electronic” channels. He is the “Spiritual River” man (www.spiritualriver.com). Over the period we have got to know each other and have partnered on a few very small ventures. Our common bonds? We are ...
Views: 1016(1 vote) - Laughter On The Journey | Life Coaching And Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2008 from Keith BrayThis getting your life back together, setting goals and being accountable is serious stuff! That being said, Laughter plays a very important role along the way, and one of the new skills I have picked up is a genuine ability to laugh at myself. I found the following quote and reading a good ...
Views: 995 - Believing In You | Life Coaching And Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2008 from Keith BrayBelieving In You! Over the weekend, I was asked by a friend about the similarities of people I coach on “Life” issues and in the area of addictions. Throw in people I work with on a “service/volunteer” base and there is one huge area in common. Those who are struggling or ...
Views: 990 - I Got An Unmerited Gift. Interested In One Too? - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2008 from Keith BrayBy definition, unmerited means undeserved, and the gift I was given, the gift of life recovery-was seemingly undeserved. Why me? The question has no answer that I understand. For a long period of time, my life was in decline, some periods slow, some much more rapid and obvious to others. I was ...
Views: 984 - Learn to Be Aware - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from Keith BrayLearning to be aware of who we are and why a tremendous part of a recovery of life journey is. To do this, there is nothing better than a thorough working of the 4th step of the 12 steps. Going forward, we must make sure we stay in contact with “self” in an honest fashion each and every day. We ...
Views: 982(1 vote) - Redefing Work - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2008 from Keith BrayRedefining Work More support for “The Creative Theory of Recovery” I’ve been privileged to walk this earth for a while, do some great things, travel and work with interesting and progressive people. I’ve also seen far too many talented people what I would call ...
Views: 966 - Humility Is Freedom - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2008 from Keith BrayFrequently I am reminded of what asset humility is. Frequently, when I think of “humility” I think of “humiliation”. My actions were responsible for humiliation to both myself and others I care about, and humiliation is not something I want! I am slowly starting to learn ...
Views: 962 - Mirroring - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2008 from Keith BrayA weekend just past and the first client of day completed, and my head turns to a technique known as mirroring. Funny, as I work with clients to bring out the talent within them, I find myself asking questions that I am, in part, asking of myself. It is true that we see ourselves in others. In ...
Views: 961 - The Truth of the Steps-A Recovery Day - by Submitted on May 23, 2008 from Keith BrayInteresting day today. It’s interesting when you go to a closed 12 step meeting and run in to someone you know from another part of life. I have no concerns about people knowing I’m in recovery. I accepted that I was powerless over a few things fourteen years ago, and that began my ...
Views: 960 - Courage And Willing To Change - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2008 from Keith BrayCourage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says: "I'll try again tomorrow." --Anne Hunninghake “A key quality that distinguishes a successful athlete, or a top-notch performer in any field, is the way he responds to his bad days. ...
Views: 958 - Paradox? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2008 from Keith Bray* A NEW EARTH * certified life coach * Creative Theory of Life Recovery * Paradox Paradox In The Journey For the last 14 plus years I have been on a journey. I had hit a wall in life, in particular the life I was living inside myself. The outside world may have thought things ...
Views: 948