Years ago, I watched the lovely movie Julie and Julia about a fan of Julia Child who sought to copy her recipes. In that spirit I am renaming this blog, Jody and Me to document how I apply the principles Jody Moore, a certified life coach, teaches in her program Be Bold. What I have learned since I joined has changed my life, or the way I think about my life. I love coaching and want to share it with others, and the best way I know how to do that is writing, so here goes!
A little background: Jody uses the model, which teaches that circumstances are neutral, neither good nor bad. Our thoughts about those circumstances (all of which are optional) generate feelings. Our feelings (chemical reactions generated in our brain) prompt us to take a certain action, which leads to a certain result. Circumstance, thought, feeling, action, result. It sounds so simple. But our brains have well traveled thought ruts we operate on, and though they try their very best to protect us, sometimes that protection keeps us stuck. So how did I learn about this?
I first saw Jody Moore's advertisements on Facebook. I thought, "Here's another multilevel marketer designed to prey on my checkbook. What even is a life coach anyway?" It sounded like a made up job, some nouveau riche gimmick. A year later, I heard one of my sisters had joined Jody's program. This coincided with my eight-year-old son having some anxiety issues. I had seen an ad for Jody that talked about anxiety so I called my sister hoping for some advice. She was very kind and expressed more concern for me than for my son. It felt a little weird. I wasn't the one with a problem, was I? In the meantime, I saw my sister showing up in kind, compassionate ways to events going on in my family. Normal family reactions include stress, drama, judgement, and empathy on overdrive (where we take on another's pain and try to fix it for them.) Instead, she was compassionate and confident. It was impressive! I didn't have that compassion I could offer because I was busy with the stress, drama, etc. It hooked me. I started listening to Jody's Better than Happy weekly podcast. It was short(ish), meaning I could listen while I was chauffeuring children. She had some valid points and I often thought of people I know who could use it, my husband's, my children, but not me.
Then the pandemic hit. I had a senior daughter who was angry that I wouldn't let her hang out with her friends who she was "never going to see again," and EVERYONE was home. For an introvert like me, I loved it because I didn't have to go out, but it was stressful because I was never alone. The day the first coronavirus case hit Omaha was the day I was leaving the hospital following a hysterectomy due to adenomyosis. During recovery, a pre-cancer lump was found in my breast that had to be removed and I started anticancer drugs to help prevent anything else growing. I have dealt with my own mental health issues throughout the years, and with everything happening all at once, I figured I could use some help. She keeps her price (very reasonable for life coaches) at $49 a month with cancellation available anytime. I figured I could try. It was cheaper than therapy!
I found myself shocked at SO many things I had written a story for in my life, and maybe that is one reason that pulls me toward it, the writing aspect. Every writer knows that stories that hit the page are only a fraction of the stories they have in their head. I've unwound some stories, revised them and found peace and happiness I didn't know was possible. I am creating my own happy ending!
When describing coaching, Jody talks about coaches for sports teams who tell players how to perform better. I think of life coaches, or Jody, like a really good friend that would listen to you and tell you what you need to hear. Jody has sat (unknowingly to her) on many car rides with me as I drive all over Omaha and has become my Thelma and Louise friend. This is to share with you my adventure as I be bold.
