By Melody Nardone, MS, Psychology
My name is Melody Nardone, and I am a certified life coach. I work with people from all walks of life to help them realize their true potential. I have found a common denominator within my coaching sessions — people don’t love and honor themselves.
I can relate to my clients because I have been there. I couldn’t bear looking at myself in the mirror. My life felt like it was on autopilot day in and day out with nothing changing. My life was spiraling out of control, and I was blaming everyone, everything, and every situation around me, except for myself.
Whenever I had a presentation, a work dinner, or a parent/teacher conference, the fake smile would come on and I would put on a show. When the event was finished, I would go home, and lay on the couch in a fetal position watching reruns of “Friends.” When our life feels like a disaster, it is hard to feel levelheaded. Our emotions get the better of us.
When my clients are in this similar pattern, I ask them to take a step back and look at their life from an eagle’s eye view. Recall the many good things that happened to you. That “A” you got on your paper in high school? What about that family vacation to Disney world? Think about graduations, promotions, awards, parties, and even relationships. Savor those good moments.
Don’t limit yourself to just the good experiences either, think about the bad, too! Recall those times that you struggled, got knocked down, and even suffered setbacks. Remember the arguments, breakups, late bills, speeding tickets, and burnt dinners. How about the time your parents grounded you because you were caught sneaking out of the house? Remember how upset you were when you got a “D” on your math test that you studied hard for in high school?
You overcame all of those problems. You probably felt similar emotions back then to what you are dealing with now, and guess what? You survived them! You’ve made it through the toughest points of your life up until today. Congrats! You’re a warrior.
Like my clients, I wasn’t thinking about my significant difference in this world. I failed to realize the many blessings that I had in that moment, like the opportunity to watch “Friends” on a 52-inch plasma TV, on a couch that I purchased from Raymour and Flanigan. The blanket that comforted me was from Pier 1 Imports, the chocolates I devoured were from Wegmans. These are things I started feeling thankful for. Not that I am fond of name- and label-dropping. My stand-up mirror is from Mainstay’s at Walmart, and it is a constant reminder of who I am and what I’ve been through. Take a moment to show yourself some love today. Take that goddess bath, start your book, make that leap. You are worthy and deserving of great things!
Visit www.melodynardone.net for coaching info & “pay what you can” options. Reach out to Melody personally at 585-365-3000 or via email at melody_nardone@hotmail.com.
