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President's Message from Lori Candela

Hello fellow coaches,

Happy October! Beware of those gremlins!

This weekend I noticed many homes decorated for Halloween. There were plenty of spooky decorations …ghosts and goblins flying from trees, skeletons dancing in the wind and creepy characters lurking around. It got me thinking about those spooky things we as coaches know too well – gremlins. In my coach training through iPEC, we learned that gremlins and "gremlin messages are often formed in childhood to protect ourselves from feeling embarrassed, ashamed, rejected, or hurt. They can limit us from taking chances and living our fullest life." Our gremlins tend to tell us spooky, inaccurate messages about ourselves and our own worth. These messages usually pop up when we are feeling unsure of ourselves. While they are trying to protect us, instead they limit us from moving forward. 

In class, we had to find or create something to represent our gremlin’s message. Being a fan of Winnie the Pooh, my mind went directly to Heffalumps and Woozles. They love honey and are always willing to steal it. Poor Pooh is haunted by them in his dreams. So, I painted a very heavy rock with a Heffalump on one side and a Woozle on the other, with the word BEWARE! My gremlin is always trying to protect me with, “Beware, beware, be a very wary bear” and often, if not kept in check, my gremlin can prevent my dreams from becoming reality. 

What might your gremlin’s message be? What is your gremlin trying to protect you from? How does your gremlin message hold you back? In the wisdom of Pooh, they come in all shapes and sizes, and if you don’t watch out, they will “multiply before your eyes.” As coaches, we can help our clients discover and tame the gremlins that may adversely affect their lives.

October is also National Bullying Awareness month and Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have been touched by both in my life and maybe you have a personal connection as well. 

Like Heffalumps and Woozles, bullies come in all shapes, sizes and colors and their words and actions can have a devastating effect on our youth, as well as our clients. The first Monday in October is Blue Shirt Day to kick off National Bullying Prevention Month. Blue was chosen because in many cultures the color represents calmness, peace, importance, and confidence. Learn how to become an upstander and to help stop bullying at https://www.stopbullying.gov/

Breast Cancer Awareness month is designed to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer – and its prevention When many women think about scheduling a mammogram, those gremlin messages might creep right up and prevent us from following through. They misinform us, with “what you don’t know won’t hurt you.”  How wrong they are!  According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. While I am sad to say that I lost my mom to metastatic breast cancer, I am honored to support my many relatives and friends who are survivors. Go Pink. Support the women in your life and encourage testing for early detection. Learn more at https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month/

With much gratitude for you,

Lori