It's Time To Back Off

For those of you who get caught up in other people's suffering please take this story to heart. It's a longer post than normal but worth it in my humble opinion.

Last June a woman named Jessica hired me for one coaching session. When she called me she was at her wits end after a year of supporting her friend through a very difficult time in her life. Jessica became emotionally drained, explaining that no matter how much she was there for her friend, nothing made a difference.

She was hoping that I could give her guidance on what else she could do to help. "Nothing," I said. "It's time to back off. It's not your job to save this woman. Until she does something to help herself it won't serve you or her to continue being her leaning post." This was not what Jessica wanted to hear. She believed you don't turn your back on people in their time of need.

We talked a bit more about that and she came to understand that her belief wasn't serving her at all in this circumstance. And she already had resentful feelings toward her friend. By the end of the call she said she knew that it was time to back off no matter how hard it would be.

Fast forward to the present - 5 months after our coaching session. I received a call from Jessica thanking me for the insights she gained during our session. She said she did exactly what we talked about and it was the best thing that she could have done. She went on to explain that her friend recently called her after not speaking to each other since June and told Jessica, "I've turned my life around. I'm volunteering my time to help others. I'm feeling stronger, I'm happier - thanks to you. When I no longer had you to complain to, I had to face myself and it wasn't pretty. I realized I'd better stop being a victim or I'll have no one in my life!"

They're getting together for lunch in a few days and needless to say, Jessica is looking forward to seeing her dear friend knowing their time apart gave them both an opportunity to grow and they can now reconnect their friendship in a deeper way.

There are no guarantees that anyone you back off from is going to have an awakening like Jessica's friend did. If they don't it's critical to remember - it's not your problem. It's not your fault and it's certainly not your responsibility. Until people are ready to make changes nothing you do or say is going to make a difference.

With the holidays fast approaching, all sorts of dynamics in relationships play out. Pay attention to whom you have a difficult time standing up to or whose drama you allow yourself to get dragged into over and over again.

Listen, I'm about to say something I don't normally say because I hate the sales pitch. But the fact is I'm speaking directly to you from my heart right now for several reasons - Jessica's phone call inspired me to do so. Readers are sharing with me how my book is making a difference in their lives and because I really do believe this book has a lot to offer people.

I wrote Awaken The Genie Within to help you with situations like Jessica's. I wrote it to empower you and arm you with information to gain control over your life. And I wrote it so you can have wonderful relationships without sacrificing your own happiness.

So if you haven't done so already, I encourage you to buy this book as a gift for yourself to help you through the holidays. Then I'm going to be so bold as to say, why not buy another copy for a friend or family member and maybe even another one if there's someone in your life like Jessica's friend, so they have a chance to come to their own awakening through the written word.

You are here to awaken to your full potential - recognizing, owning and utilizing the powerful Being that lives within. Be your best and lead by example - that is how you help others most effectively.

Here's the link to Awaken The Genie Within; A Handbook to Help You Silence Your Gremlin, Manage Your Emotions and Bring Out the Best of Who You Are