William Baden

Pain... Something most of us try and avoid at all costs.

Well, last night, after watching 2 x 2 hr JRE podcasts on struggle, pain, and embracing the suck, I genuinely understand what Rumi meant by "the cure for the pain is in the pain".

It is in the pain that we ask real and raw questions.
It is in the pain where all the bu****it and blame disappear.
It is in the pain that we realise what we truly want.
It is in the pain that we realise what we are made of.
It is in the pain that we decide and find out who we truly are and who we are not.
It is in the pain that we build character.
It is in the pain where we grow.

Last night I realised that I have been avoiding pain in some areas. I chicken out and come up with 100 excuses not to do certain things. I always believed I'm the guy that'll do whatever it takes, but last night, I took some stock and realised that I was not. Not for myself, anyway.

So. Time to embrace the suck. Time to embrace the suffering. Time to embrace the pain. No matter what, it's time to push through and do.

Will.

There were a few harsh realities I had to face this year. Ups and downs, highs and lows, and a significant amount of introspection. Therefore, with great certainty, I can affirm the following...

Everything is 'on the way' and not 'in the way'. Once you grasp this, it just becomes another moment in time. A moment in time that assists you in drawing nearer to who you truly are. Drawing your nearer to where you need to be.

It brings a peace, a freedom and an excitement of what the future holds. The 'unfamiliar heaven' that awaits as we do our part with gratitude and joy each day.

The rest will unfold precisely as it should and as it must. There is no other way.

Will.

Stories...

Our lives are stories. There are the stories we tell others about who we are and where we come from. There are the stories we tell ourselves about each day, what happens, what we do, and why.

Not all stories we tell are empowering and positive. But one thing is certain. In each story we have a plot. We have characters. These stories will probably include a quest, something or someone that needs to be saved. A war to be won, a city that needs to be saved.

The characters in each story will include the distressed beauty, the people, or the massive task and purpose to create the ultimate victory.

We would need a villain, a monster, an evil king and his empire and armies. But in the same breath we need a Hero. The one that will be the savior, the one that has to accept the challenge and carry the burden and responsibility to save his beauty, the people and defeat the evil villain.

Now in this plot, this story and this beautiful tale there will be moments of acceptance. Moments of decisions. Moments of action. There will be many trails and moments where there seems to be no hope. No possible outcome of victory. Doubts, fears and many other thoughts and emotions.

It is intense, nail-biting and riveting. We will be on the edge of our seats as our Hero continues on his quest, overcoming his challenges on his journey and path.

Back to your story... The one you tell yourself everyday. The one you tell YOURSELF about YOURSELF. The one you tell yourself about your relationship, your career, your finances, your health and your family. The one you tell yourself about God and the Universe. The one you tell yourself about your life.

Are you the villain or monster that wants to sabbotage your quest, destiny and purpose? Or are you the Hero? The one that is full of courage, love, faith and inner-strength? The one that takes responsibility and do what ever it takes for YOU! No matter how impossible it may seem.

It's time to start telling yourself a NEW story. An empowering one. A story where YOU are the HERO!

The Hero of your own story!

William.

Soaking Session Insights:

Life can change in an instant. Moving to a new town, reconnecting with an old friend or meeting new love...

My most favourite word in the Word, is 'Suddenly'!
Suddenly God showed up.
Suddenly my breakthrough happened.
Suddenly a client booked.
Suddenly you got the job.
Suddenly things shifted.

My friends, keep pushing. Keep grinding. Do what you have to and do what you must.
You never know when your 'Suddenly' might show up.

Always be epic.

If you think this post is for you, to you or about you... You are probably right!

1. Sit down and read it.
2. Look at YOURSELF and your OWN mess.
3. Realize that we are ALL just doing our best.
4. Stop judging and start LOVING!!!!

If it was not for God, His love, His grace and His mercy, where would we all be?

It takes 27 - 28 days for the skin to renew itself. So actually, you are a new person every month 😉

The only time it doesn't is when you have a cut to the root, where then a scar forms.

Most people (incl myself) live life with new skin and old scars. And by 'scars', I mean wounds, hurts and beliefs.

Until we find peace, acceptance and healing for our 'old scars', we will repeat the same patterns time and time again. See your 'old scars' as a reminder of how far you've come. A story of overcoming. A reminder that healing and forgiveness can take place!

Sunday Inspiration.

Most of us pray or have prayed before. Whether it is part of a relationship with God, gratitude or in a time of need. When it comes to prayer there's 3 things that stands out for me:

Keep it simple - you don't have to use big words and you don't need to have a big vocabulary. As long as it comes from the heart, it's perfect.

Keep it real - please don't change your personality or your voice to be more "holy". God knows exactly who you are. Just be yourself.

Keep it up - never give up on prayer. Be consistent. Be persistent. Make it part of your daily routine and life.

Peace to you 🤙🤙🤙

Many have a dream, a wish and a calling to contribute, help and serve others in a time of need.

Now you can make it official with an international recognized certification in Life Coaching.

If ever there was a time where people and South Africa needs help, it is NOW!!!

To my clients, friends and those I love.. This is my prayer for you for 2022.

May your relationship with Him be deepened in ways beyond words. May your head and your heart be aligned and in coherence. May you may seize every single opportunity that each day bring.

My prayer is for you to live each day in and from love. May you give not out of need, but from abundance. May you, your partner, kids, family and friends be happy and healthy. May you excel in your career and be massively blessed financially.

May you love life and find that life loves you back. May you know with all your heart that you are loved, worthy and wanted. May you know that are more than enough.

Most important. May you be kind, patient and loving to yourself!

Cheers to the new! Happy 2022!

Holiday time! A time where we need to reflect, relax and recover!
Many will spend this time with family or at the beach or pool. Some will use this time to read a book or take on something that they've always wanted to do, but for some reason, they couldn't find the time.

Well, if becoming a Life Coach is one of them, here is your golden opportunity! Life coaching is not just a vocation - it's a calling. A calling to make a difference, to encourage and to empower those around you. You can use these skills and techniques in all walks of life, whether in personal, business or relationships.

Why not spoil and invest in yourself this festive season?

Roundabout this time of year, I experience a tremendous amount of my clients feeling overly tired, drained and practically done. It is not so much physical fatigue but more on the emotional and psychological side of life.

Well, if that sound familiar, this post is especially for you. This post is me saying that things will be better. You will see. We are in the last stretch of 2021 so hold on. Just hang in there a little longer.

God has a plan. And I can promise you that that plan is going to blow your mind. So whatever happened this past week, it had a reason. Learn from it, let go of it and look towards better things to come.

Find joy in every day, not because life is always good but because God is!

Joy comes from the enjoyment of the continuation of something or someone in your life.

So, if you have God in your life, every day is and can be a joy. Do you know why? Because every day, you have something and someone far greater and better than a temporary event, situation or season.

Create Your Comeback - Recap

What was 2020? It was a mess, a shock, and an unforeseen setback. Mine? How I survived was through the grace of God only. It came from all directions. Career setbacks, relationship setbacks, financial setbacks, you name it, it came.

2021 was and is a year of recovery. In the beginning, all I did every day was to wake up and try to deal with the losses. Trying to make sense of the setbacks and, yet, I still have no words. In some cases, the understanding still evades me - and maybe will continue to do.

Recovery is crucial and a necessity, but we cannot stay there. At a point, we need to move from recovery into DISCOVERY!

Here's a recap of the 5 steps I wrote posts about the past two weeks. You can take these, apply them and move from Setback to Comeback.

1. Recognize
2. Release
3. Repair (the right person)
4. Rebuild (the right people)
5. Redirect (the right plan)

NB!!!! This process takes time. It is not a magic bullet nor a Harry Potter wand. I, myself, need to be aware and conscious of this process daily! Chatting continuously to Him to lead and guide me, to give me wisdom and understanding.

And of course, have some patience, grace and compassion towards yourself!

Redirect (have the right plan) - Step 5

Do you have a plan? We can come up with the craziest, way out, weird and wonderful plan imaginable. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Planning is critical. Not only one, but a few are necessary. "Expect the unexpected," they say... well, I couldn't agree more.

There's a big difference between a 'good idea' and a 'God-idea'. I prefer the latter. Make plans and cover every scenario, pray about them and line them up with your God-idea.

Where God guides, He provides. Trust in Him, get feedback from your partners (Step 4) and go out and make it happen. You have everything you need to make it succeed.

Rebuild (Partner with the right people) - Step 4

No man is an island; we need people. After a setback, most people hang around other people with a similar situation, or even a worse off one. Misery loves company but, that is not the best idea when you are rebuilding towards a comeback.

It is crucial to have people around you that believe in you and encourage you. People who are willing to call you out on your bs - those who are not scared to be brutally honest with you. People whose ultimate goal is to help you achieve the best 'YOU' that you can be. People that can guide, advise and inspire.

We know the saying: "Show me the people you hang around with most, and I will show you who you are and where you're heading."

Two are always better than one. As the Bible says: "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am." Energy flows where focus goes. Focus on the right partners, and soon you will be flowing in the same direction.

Repair (Be the right person) - Step 3

Being the right person is a continuation of daily improvements over time and guess what? The process doesn't end. Repairing and healing go hand in hand with a persistent, consistent pursuit of being better each day.

We need to take small steps daily to ensure that we create new habits, new perceptions and new thought processes. Oh, by the way, be patient with yourself.

Make time for yourself. Do some reflection. Gain understanding. Pray. Meditate. Start exercising. Listen to good music. Read a new book. Do whatever it takes to start getting momentum towards the person you want to be.

Start falling in love with the process of being the best version of yourself. It is a beautiful journey!

Release - Step 2

Holding on to your 'stuff' can have horrific consequences and to release is 99% of the time the best choice you can make.

Will? Does release mean you don't hold yourself accountable? Nope, definitely not!

Wonderfully, you have taken responsibility, but now is the time to go to the next level - to forgive yourself.

Forgivenss = Grace.
Forgiveness = Mercy.
Forgiveness = Love.
Forgiveness = Freedom.

Have some for yourself, to yourself, from yourself. Maybe today is the day you need to set yourself free from bo***ge and chains of unforgiveness.

Forgive.
Release.
Let go and let God.

Recognize - Step 1

To blame or not to blame? And oh my, it is so easy to blame, especially when a setback hits - the government, the economy, the boss, the life partner (husband/wife), the circumstance etc. etc.

I've got good news - it's not them, it's you! We always have a part to play in every situation. Whether it is a mindset, a heartset, values or beliefs, we are all accountable and responsible for the part we played. We are 100% at cause.

Once we recognize our part, take responsibility for our actions and behaviour and not put it on someone or something else, magic happens!
The magical moment where you take your power back.

You take back your power to change something - YOU!

Never underestimate a day. A day can change your life in the most radical of ways.

24 hrs. 1440 minutes. 86400 seconds.

Setbacks can happen in a day - unexpectedly and unforeseen.
So can a breakthrough.

A moment in time where you have a revelation, realization and illumination. A moment where something or maybe everything shifts, where it somehow just clicks in place.

There are 5 proven steps to create a comeback, a process with a few added ingredients along the way. So starting tomorrow, I will be sharing short little nuggets on each of them.

Setbacks need healing. Comebacks need inspiration.

I can guarantee you everyone is experiencing some sort of setback to some degree in one of life's colourful areas (no matter what they try and portray on social).

Setbacks hurt, cripple and create many doubts and fears within. Hence, the 1st place to go to is a place of healing.

Most novels, movies and stories are based on the Hero going through tremendous setbacks, yet somehow, against all odds, manages to create a comeback. Now that inspires us. Who doesn't love a 'comeback kid' or an 'underdog' win?

Get your healing, find your inspiration and show the world that all things are possible through Him.

Phil 4:13

Period.

I am who I am. Can I change that? No.

I can change my perspective.
I can change my thinking.
I can change my feelings.
I can change my values.
I can change my beliefs
I can change my behaviours.

I cannot and do not want to change who I am. God made me the way I am. He knew me before I was formed in my mother's womb.

That is enough for me!

Let me see what You see.

Illuminate what is right in front of me.

Your perspective. Your perception.