What does it mean to be a spiritual life coach? And why is it different for those in midlife?
I have found by working with people of all ages, that most people who haven’t yet reached the age of at least 40, aren’t yet ready to hear the spiritual truths that make a difference to their lives in midlife.
What do I mean by that? Well, for one- take the concept of moving from ambition to meaning. Most people, according to adult development theorists and attested to by my personal experience, spend the first half of their lives trying to ‘get’ somewhere, attempting to ‘prove’ something. They climb the corporate ladder, or they strive to be the next millionaire, or buy the biggest house on the block and drive the latest foreign made luxury car. And that is as it should be. Or at least as it has been for centuries. The first half of our lives are dedicated to the material side of life. These years are dedicated to becoming someone, to having things and to achievement. They are usually peppered with lots of hard work and effort and goal setting and making things happen. And, it works.
Then, one day, often without notice, the roof caves in. A divorce takes place. Or, you are overlooked for the obvious promotion. Or you are laid off from a job you’ve labored at for 20 or more years. You get bored with the status quo and bored with the constant climb. Your body no longer serves you the way it used to and your desires and even libido seem to be diminishing. Two choices are before you at this point – one points to crisis and the other to transformation.
Crisis is actually the easy way out. People have midlife crises as an excuse to not do the work that the midlife transition calls for. This is when they most need the help of a spiritual life coach. Other life coaches helped them along the way to ‘achieve’ and to be responsible and create. Each week or month, they were tasked with the next step and held accountable to do it. A spiritual life coach is a whole new experience. It’s a person who helps you relax and stop the chase. It’s someone who understands the dark night of the soul as an entry point into a whole new way of being, rather than a beginning of the end. A spiritual life coach sees midlife – as the time of the soul. A true guide can lead you from seeing the material and spiritual worlds as separate – and can help you see that your soul is calling you to become what you came here for.
…. more on this in the days to come…
By Dr. Toni LaMotta, online spiritual life coach, midlife mentor and female keynote speaker on midlife spirituality and transition
A very great read! 🙂