Comments for BEST Life Coaching

Comment on How to Deal with Worrisome Times? by Bernie

Bernie — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:04:50 +0000

Thank you

Comment on Self-forgiveness – Key toward a flourishing life by Bernie

Bernie — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 21:32:33 +0000

Dear Anne Marie,
I really appreciate your invaluable feedback to my article. You’ve got a point by saying “Making mistakes can be humbling, but they can also serve as invaluable learning experiences. Also taking accountability for our errors instead of blaming others often takes both courage and humility”. This took me back to our Psychology program, a few years ago, with the Cardinal virtues namely fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence. Self-forgiveness forces us to do the introspection and help to develop those important virtues in our life, which is the starting point of a flourishing life. According to Aristotle, possessing these virtues makes a person good, happy, and flourishing.
Thank you again for your comment.

Comment on Self-forgiveness – Key toward a flourishing life by Anne Marie Vale

Anne Marie Vale — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 01:12:39 +0000

You have provided excellent advice in this article! Also, we should differentiate between an honest error, which you must accept as part of our human frailty and an intentional, unkind action against another that may directly cause harm and hurt another’s feelings. For example, if you inadvertently call a wrong phone number, you may simply apologize to the person you called by mistake and simply move on. It was not intentional, and to be obsessive about an error like that is a sign that you are trying to reach perfection, which no human being ever does. Making mistakes can be humbling, but they can also serve as invaluable learning experiences. Also taking accountability for our errors instead of blaming others often takes both courage and humility. By the same token, once you do take responsibility and try to correct our former, misguided conduct, you must simply move on and do your best to seek ways to improve. For example, if you become impatient and speak rudely to a co-worker, friend, or family member, that is different from an honest error because it was intentional, and you should do your best to make amends. Of course, the means of making amends should be commensurate with the magnitude of the offense. Apologizing to the offended party, while trying to become more patient and prudent in your future actions would show you are making demonstrable efforts to make amends. If you do believe in a higher power, perhaps you can pray to that higher power, asking for forgiveness and strength to gradually overcome various faults and failings. As one who believes in God, I ask Him daily to forgive me and give me the courage to overcome my faults. In the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a blessing. The priest acts as a representative of God and serves as a liaison between God and the penitent. Both forgiveness and grace are provided to the penitent if true contrition and a firm resolve to amend one’s ways are also demonstrated. I am simply sharing my personal experience. Whatever your personal belief system is, treating others in a fair and just manner while both accepting and offering mercy are important means of building and maintaining trusting relationships with others.

Comment on Self-forgiveness – Key toward a flourishing life by Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 00:32:01 +0000

In reply to Emma.

Thank you so much for your feedback, Emma!
Yes, the idea is to make us reflect and take a trip to our past and forgive ourselves in order to move forward.
One cannot drive a car only looking in the rearview mirror. It is necessary to take a look time to time in the rearview mirror in order to adjust the driving and move forward. Besides, we tend to be harsh on ourselves than we are with others.

Comment on Self-forgiveness – Key toward a flourishing life by Emma

Emma — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:37:59 +0000

As I was reading the article, I could identify all the key components that I relate to and it gave me a different perspective on how to tackle my challenges in order to move forward in my journey of healing myself. Thank you and congrats for a well written article.

Comment on Life Changes and How to Cope with Stress that Comes Along by Bernie

Bernie — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 01:46:11 +0000

In reply to Christine Raymond.

Dear Christine,
Thank you so much for your feedback!
This is exactly what I am looking for when I post these articles. I love your perspective on life change. I believe it’s Heraclitus who said that there is nothing permanent in life except change. Once we accept to embrace this idea, we have the assurance that change will lead us to an improved situation, even though we have to go through a lot of stress. The metaphor I often use is of a pregnant woman. In order to have that beautiful baby, the mother must go through a lot of changes, sometimes sufferings and stress. Yet, most women are looking forward to going through those change to get the baby.
We all have been through a lot of changes but we tend to forget when we settle in our comfortable situation.
As you rightly pointed out, resilience, perseverance and hope are main keys in coping with change.
Again thank you for your insights!
Bernadette

Comment on Life Changes and How to Cope with Stress that Comes Along by Christine Raymond

Christine Raymond — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 22:26:45 +0000

Thank you, Bernadette, for your insight on this topic of Change. I feared change as most of us do but learned so much by change. I love your take on predictable or unpredictable changes. We sometimes forget that change can be good. I worked for a company that had only letters for the company name and our customers used to ask what it stands for, I would say “it stands for change” as our industry changed quite frequently. I was so accepting of change in my work and embraced it, but when it came to my own life, I feared it.
Your perspective on coping through Resilience, Perseverance and Hope are spot on. I did not realize how important all 3 were until recently. I have been going through some struggles and had reminded myself it can always be worse. I have had some friends going through some very hard times and I stepped out of my own way and gave back to those in ways that I could. It really changed my mind set and I was filled with gratitude. I do have to say I also appreciated the link in your article on Harvard Business Review on Change. When I sit in my own mind by myself it’s not a healthy place to be alone and I know finding the right person to listen it is critical. Thank you for being that person! I value your insight and feedback immensely.
I cannot agree more when you talk about changing your perspective to positive change. The quote you noted from Earl Nightingale was so much deeper in meaning as I reflected.
Thank you again for your knowledge and wisdom on this topic, I look forward to your next share.
Christine Raymond

Comment on Life Changes and How to Cope with Stress that Comes Along by Bernie

Bernie — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 14:23:20 +0000

In reply to Anne Marie.

Thank you, THANK YOU so much for your comment. Very great insight.
I hope this can help the reader who is experiencing life challenges.
It is important to always remind ourselves who we are. Life challenges, hardships are never greater than we are. Even though sometimes one feels like the dark night will never give in to the bright morning, with patience and resilience we always overcome the dark night with God’s help.

Comment on Life Changes and How to Cope with Stress that Comes Along by Anne Marie

Anne Marie — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 23:52:28 +0000

Yes, I agree completely with your perspective on dealing with unexpected challenges in life. Suffering is part of our lives, and we cannot escape it. Yet, it is through the acceptance of trials and the willingness to persevere with a positive attitude that we experience growth spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. While we often do not see the value of tribulation as we are facing it, we grow and mature by coping with life’s challenges and learning to transcend them. It is so true that is “better to give than to receive.”

So, even in the midst of difficult times, we must rise above our own tragedies and help others who often face more severe hardships than we do. It is in giving of ourselves and reaching out to assist others in selfless ways that we actually begin to know and understand ourselves at a deeper level.

For me, having faith in a Higher Power, Whom I call God, also gives my life purpose. I believe there is a salvific purpose in suffering, even if I may not fully understand its purpose in this life. While it is also humbling at times to admit to others that we need their help, those are often the times we realize how much we all have in common. When confiding in trusted friends or professionals, we often learn that our feelings, questions, circumstances, troubles, and difficulties are ubiquitous.

There is a Scripture passage in the New Testament that gives me solace. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” I believe Jesus works through others whom we may encounter in our daily lives. Praying for wisdom and discernment is an important initial step for me whenever I face a challenging decision. Then, after asking God for guidance, I must step out in faith and follow through with appropriate action.

We may not always see immediate success, but we can experience tremendous peace of mind if we trust in our Creator, who loves us and wants only the best for us, both now and in eternity. In Romans 8, Scripture reminds us, “If God be for us, then who can be against us?” Life on this earth is not always easy, but we can learn to navigate through life’s challenges by ultimately relying on our Higher Power and seeking the appropriate advice from trusted individuals truly who care about us.

Comment on How to Deal with Worrisome Times? by Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:53:55 +0000

In reply to Working at Target. Thank you so much, Ben! I really appreciate you reading this article and taking time to give a feedback!