Mama's Approval

As part of the Mother’s Day celebration, my parents were invited to have a buffet lunch by my aunt and uncle. My cousins attended the luncheon too. My cousin, Sylvia, whom I’m close to, shared a video I posted on Facebook. It is a video about how I was feeling burnout and that coaching changed my life. In gratitude, I decided to become certified life coach myself and to help physicians who are emotionally exhausted, who feel devalued, unappreciated, stressed and overwhelmed to feel better, to love themselves, to find joy in work and life again.

The last time I saw my parents was before the pandemic, as they are currently several thousand miles away.

Although I talk to my Mom on a regular basis, I never mentioned to her that I went through life coach certification, let alone about coaching others!

I received a text from Mom, wishing everyone safe and healthy. She then proceeded to asking me about coaching. She was curious about it.

One of the things I learned in coaching is to be me, the authentic me. It is more important to be true to myself than to please others or pretend to be someone whom I think others will approve of. As I am getting more comfortable to be myself and my new identity as a life coach, I had a nice conversation with Mom.

We discussed that about 70% of the physicians in the United States are moderately or severely burned out. Coaching helps with overwhelm and stress, among other things. Coaching helps with the well being of the whole person. I believe that as physicians, we have to have adequate fuel in physical, emotional and spiritual well being in order to provide care for patients and connect with others in a meaningful way. We cannot run on an empty tank. Coaching is a way to refill and recharge our tanks. With renewal, we are ready to help and to heal with our fullest potential. We are here to give wholeheartedly.

My Mom was very excited about my new endeavor. She gave her stamp of approval. Although I chose life coaching not to please Mom or anybody, her approval indicates her thoughts and my thoughts are in alignment. Even Mom is saying YES to what I’m doing. I am thankful for this. Coaching has reminded me to be filled with gratitude. That is my favorite fuel.

As we live far apart, I don’t get to have very deep discussions with my Mom all the time. I am determined to pour out my heart and soul to help physicians, and to seek those who don’t even realize they need the help. Now that I am on the other side of coaching, I can’t imagine to live life as I was before (actually, that wasn’t living, it was just going through the motions to get through the day).