The Coaches Couch

Whoopie and Joy, watch out because the Coaches Couch has arrived! The Coaches Couch is the nickname we gave to our take on “The View” at Janis Modeste’s No Limits 2018 Women’s Conference held on the 2nd of June. What a privilege to share the spotlight, so to speak, with such inspiring and Godly women! My “partners in crime” for the panel were Mo Mydlo, Cherie Burgess, Clestine Herbert and, of course, our moderator, Janis.

If you missed No Limits, well, you missed out! But never fear, I have video, two, in fact! One video contains my story segment and the second is a follow up question. My wonderful sweet daughter, Kaylee, who stayed for the entire seminar (when she didn’t have to) as well as the Vision Party, took numerous pictures and recorded my portion of the panel. I wish I had thought about recording the panel segment but I am so happy she did! In my June 1st blog post titled, “Back in the Saddle Again”, I discussed how my severe health issues caused a long hiatus since the last time I spoke in front of a crowd! How did my body hold up? Well, pretty good, God definitely sustained me through the entire seminar. When I got home? Now, that was a different story!

Boy, was my body humming that night! Humming describes how my body feels when its overwrought. It's this strange vibration-like sensation I became aware of as both my body and my mind begin to unwind and unravel afterwards. The humming was my reality alert I must not have used one of the tools I learned to help turn down the flames of pain in my body. Upon reflection, I realized I didn’t take proper meditation breaks. Ugh! How can such a simple concept be so hard to do? It’s so easy, close your eyes, focus on your breathing and allow the brain to disconnect. In turn, your body and your mind relax and reboot, ready to tackle the remainder of your day! Lesson learned - never to be repeated!

In Mo's sermon, she warned us to be savvy because we quickly turn from humility back into self focus which is where the enemy strikes. He attacks us with negative thoughts and beliefs contrary to God’s word. So what do you think happened to me while I decompressed? Why, of course, all those perceived cringe-worthy things I forgot to do! My mind swirls with, “How did I forget to mention my brand new website?” “And my blog!” “Why didn’t you remember to say….?” Immediately, God brings Mo’s sermon to mind and I think, “Didn’t she just caution me to rebuke these kind of negative thoughts? Wasn’t that only an hour ago?

My next instantaneous thought was remembering the women who reached out to me after the seminar. Another woman (you know who you are) who lifted my spirits when she tells me how my story restored her hope! My story lifted her up and she lifted me up!

My mom’s words drift into my consciousness from our discussion last night. She recounts to me stories of family friends we still know who suffer terribly and how she wished her one friend had access to seminars such as No Limits. How important it is to know your not alone in your pain, whatever it's cause. How important it is to know other people make it through and how they make it through! My mom's right, I live the truth of those words since other people’s support and genuine commiseration continue to pour blessings into me. Christ’s hand undeniably marks each of those memories and conversations because both parties are equally blessed! Let's not forget, the clanging reminder Christ dropped on me only an hour earlier because He knew how quickly I'd need to use it! How powerfully I am loved and understood by Christ...and so are you!